The Napier-Hastings Commute: Events in the Bay

This week our Guest Blogger, Tanya Winter, combined two events together as she continues her commitment to Bike Wise month (despite the weather!) and supports Art Deco Week in the Bay.


This week has been the worst week for cycling in terms of the weather I have ever experienced. It has rained every day, which has proved to be most frustrating for those of us who are trying to clock up the kms for Bike Wise month. My aim to improve on the number of kms I did in 2011 is becoming a distant dream, unless I get out and do a couple of 100km rides between now and the end of the month! I can see the “Tui” billboard already.

Contrary to what I said in an earlier blog about being a fair weather cyclist, I actually succumbed to cabin fever yesterday and biked into work anyway. It was OK coming in, but I got drenched on the way home. But it felt great being on my bike again.

This week is Art Deco week in the Hawke’s Bay. Many think this is a “Napier thing”, but we have as many (if not more) Art Deco and Spanish Mission style buildings in Hastings, which means we have just as much right to party.

I get a lot of “jibes” from my colleagues about how colour co-ordinated I am. Well, I think I pulled off the ultimate in accessory matching yesterday, when I wore my yellow and black Art Deco outfit. It was quickly pointed out by those around me that my bike is the same colours! How about that?

We are lucky in the Bay that we are blessed with a wide range of fantastic events, and with our amazing cycling network many events and activities are accessible by bike. Some even combining the 2. For example, wine tours that can be done on bicycles; “Belles on Bikes” as part of Art Deco Week.

So the clouds are supposed to break today or tomorrow. Get out and enjoy cycling, and also enjoy those events and activities that are on offer all around us!