User:Ride the Rakaia/sandbox

Following the fantastic but wet event in 2012, Ride the Rakaia is on again in 2013 and will be bigger and better than 2012. This amazing event is different than any other bike race because you can't do what you can in this event any other day of the week. On Saturday the 2nd of March 2013 you will ride across the Rakaia River Bridge with 500 plus cyclists all at once, the peloton will be approximately 1 kilometre long and will be in a controlled start until you have crossed the Rakaia River Bridge on State Highway One and the Rakaia Overhead Bridge. You will then travel west another 50 kilometres until you reach the Rakaia Gorge. You will then cross the two river bridges and climb out of the Gorge to Mt Hutt Station then return to the township of Rakaia. What a day out, you'll Start outside Salmon World beside the massive Salmon, then experience the 1.8 k River crossing with hundreds of other riders. Then experience the scenic Rakaia gorge and the climb out of it too Mt Hutt Station. Then the fast ride back to Rakaia to finish just before the Fire Station on Elizabeth Avenue. Prize giving will be in the Rakaia Domain with Thomas Coffey entertaining on the Domain Oval. This will be a great picnic atmosphere. There will be sponsors products available on the Oval. All finishes will receive sponsors products PLUS Sports Rakaia Inc. have a number of stalls organised at the Oval for competitors and supporters to look around while they're entertained by Thomas. Prize giving will be approximately 30 minutes after the last competitor. We have an amazing list of spot prizes and this is increasing all the time. We'll have a 40 inch television like last year, cycling tops can be purchased please check our Apparel Tab for details and sizing. We'll have a King and Queen of the Gorge cycling jersey "Poker Dot Jersey" and Winners "Yellow Jersey" men's and Women's. This year the only team section is the race team race of 3 riders, all 3 riders combined times will be taken, and these team riders are also in the individual race, so get 3 of you together and make up a team. This is a great way to get corporate sponsorship or exposure for your business. We stress that this is a road cycle race and not a Mountain Bike Race therefore road bike only. Sport Rakaia Inc. are also running a duathlon for the children while Ride the Rakaia is being held so the kids have a race to burn up some of that energy while waiting for mum or dad. If you haven't entered yet make sure you register for our newsletter and we'll keep you up to date, but don't hesitate in your entry as we may be restricted to entries as we have to keep Opus up to date with race entry numbers for the State Highway Rakaia Bridge crossing. This will be a nice 103 kilometer ride starting at 8.00am, just 55 km's from Christchurch, if you're from Christchurch you don't have to worry about accommodation or getting transport from point A to B the start finish in the same location. What a race and what a day out! Join us on Facebook and you'll get up to date details as they come to hand. Race packs will be available at Salmon World only, on Race day between 6.30am and 7.30am. Entries close 12 noon Thursday 28th February 2013. Look forward to seeing you all on 2 March 2013. John Moore Race Director