Perfect day for cycle trail promotion ride

May 8th, 2012

A big promotional event to showcase the proposed Motueka-Riwaka section of the Great Taste Trail to media and businesses drew a good crowd last Sunday morning.

Seventy-two cyclists enjoyed the stunning high tide scenery under clear skies cycling over the Motueka River Bridge, along Motueka waterfront, through the Inlet Walkway wetland plots and Thorps Bush, while 14 van riders experienced the “wow factor” of the Great Taste Trail from the ridge of Tasman View Road to Community Road at Lower Moutere.

In the process the organisers, the Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust, sold $940 worth of Virtual Trail, and have pledges from several Businesses, a school and a local cycling group.

The event began with a pre-ride coffee at Riwaka's Resurgence Cafe followed at 10.30 by a liesurely ride across the Motueka River bridge, along the Motueka foreshore and back to the Sprig & Fern for presentations. The non-cyclists were taken by van to view a local section of the proposed Great Taste Trail, around Tasman View Road.

At the presentation David Ogilvie spoke about the history of Motueka cycle trails, David Bonnett talked about the Trust and the Great Taste Trail history, as well as commercial opportunities, and John Kerridge, who is chairperson of $800k group charged with raising the amount needed to complete the Mapau-to-Kaiteriteri section, asked for more helpers for the group, and provided information about the 1km Club, organising events, and helping with matters relating to route/build. (See our earlier story here.)

Virtual Trail metres can be purchased at all Nelson, Richmond and Motueka bike shops, NBS banks, Sprig & Ferns, Motueka i-SITE, Mapua Ferry, Mapua Perry's Autos, or the Nelmac office. Or they can be purchased online here.

The Trust believes development of this Great Ride will bring an estimated 28,000 anual visitors to the region by 2016, and an estimated $20 million per year spin off from that will spread across the entire region.

View a great two-minute »

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