The start of some cooler temperatures around town (at least in the morning) tells us that summer has ended (as has daylight savings) and we are now headed towards winter. While that might dampen the enthusiasm for getting out on your bikes, there are actually quite a few (mostly free) cycle-related things coming up during autumn to whet your appetite…
27 Apr – 7 May is Dutch Week and, to celebrate, there are a range of Orange Bike Rides across the country. In Christchurch the Ride is on this Sunday 30th April from 10am onwards, starting from near Ilam Rd and University Dr in Ilam and using the Uni-Cycle route to North Hagley Park. Dress up in your best orange and you might win a prize!
- As part of Organic Week, anyone interested in urban farms has an opportunity to learn about two of them in Christchurch and bike between them, courtesy of an Urban Farm Bike Tour on Sat 6th May, starting at the Smith St community farm with a chat and look-around from 10am and then travelling over to the Addington urban farm.
One of the positive outcomes of the tragic shooting events of 2019 was the beginning of the Peace Train Interfaith Bike Ride, designed to show collective support of unity and peace across all ethnicities, faiths, religions, languages and races in Ĺtautahi. Already this event is building up a really good following. The 4th instance of this family-friendly ride is on Sun 7th May, starting from 1pm at the St John Moraia Fijian Methodist Church (corner Jeffreys/Bryndwr Rds, Fendalton) and then travelling to a number of other places of worship and reflection including the City Council’s Peace Train in North Hagley Park.
Local cycling advocacy group Spokes Canterbury will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Tue 23rd May, from 5.30pm at the St Albans Community Centre on Colombo St. Details are still being finalised, but typically the evening features a guest speaker and some supper. All are welcome to come along!
Also on the same week is the return of the much-loved Big Bike Film Nights to Christchurch. Expect another great collection of short biking films, covering the spectrum of cycling genres! As per usual, there are two session options here: Thu 25th May, 6:00-8:35pm at the Philip Carter Family Auditorium (Chch Art Gallery), and Fri 26th May, 7:00-9:35pm at the Charles Luney Auditorium (St Margaret’s College) – purchase your tickets now…
- As we head into winter, it would be remiss of me not to mention that World Bicycle Day is on Sat 3rd June, and don’t forget to put Wed 21st Jun in your calendar for this year’s Winter Solstice Bike Ride…
To check out more details about any of these events, just keep an eye on our Cycling in Chch Events & Activities calendar. Don’t forget too that a number of regular biking activities have been continuing throughout the year, often looked after by some wonderful volunteers. These include the RAD Bikes bike fixup workshops, at The Commons in town every Sun afternoon and Wed evening, and the Aranui Bike Fixup workshops, at the Breezes Rd Baptist Church every Thu after school.
What biking activities will you be doing this autumn?