Kids on bikes took over the Esplanade on Sunday morning, with approximately 350 children skidding around the bush and river tracks participating in the inaugural iBike 4 Kids event. The event was an off-road cycling event aimed at children up to 15 years of age.

The event was put together by the Manawatu Mountain Bike Club and Sport Manawatu as a follow on from previous Kids Bike Jams events. Participants could choose between an easy, medium and hard course and could also test their talents at the skills competition.

Sport Manawatu’s Tamara Scott-Valath said “the event gave kids the chance to experience off-road cycling in an event form that suited all abilities and ages. It was great to see so many kids giving it a go – there were really young kids on tiny bikes for whom it was an achievement to just make it around the course, and others who put on some pace and pushed themselves to ride fast. Seeing the smiles on kids’ faces as they crossed the finish line and were given their medals was fantastic!”

A highlight on the day for many was the chance to meet and get autographs from local mega-distance rider Megan Dimozantos who has recently returned from racing the 24-hour solo world championships in Italy where she finished in third place in the elite female category.

Manawatu Mountain Bike Club and Sport Manawatu would like to thank all sponsors and supporters of the event; Kids Bike Jams, BikeNZ, Specialized, Crank It Cycles, Sport NZ, Fonterra, Metal Craft Industries, Department of Adventure, Lido Aquatic Centre, Macpac, Goodman Feilder, City Fitness and Jack Links Beef Sticks.

Check out some of the photos from the event here.

If you enjoyed the event and want to continue mountain biking, or if you missed the event and want to get into mountain biking, check out the Manawatu Mountain Bike Club website for upcoming events and training sessions. The club offers something to suit everyone, from beginner to advanced riders.