Thousands Turn Out to Complete MS Bike the Bridge

Thousands of riders braved a damp and windy morning to line up for the start of this year’s MS Bike the Bridge.

They were rewarded with a stunning sunrise and an out of this world view of Auckland City, as they took up the unique opportunity to cycle across the iconic Harbour Bridge.

Hundreds of volunteers, an untold number of road cones, and a line of 98 buses were just some of the other logistical considerations organiser Callum McNair had to think about to make the third Bike the Bridge event a success.

“The weather came right just in the nick of time and allowed us to clear two lanes of vehicles and put a line of buses in place as a barrier to oncoming traffic in time for the cyclists to start at 6am,” he explained.

For 90 minutes, swarms of riders tackled the bridge, including media celebrity Petra Bagust, Breakers assistant coach Paul Henare, Northern Mystics netballer Katherine Coffin and Polly Powrie, the renowned Olympic sailor.

Elite cyclists took up the challenge of completing the 105km, and many riders chose to extend themselves to the 50km, while the 20km proved extremely popular with cyclists of all ages, both young and old.

New Zealand Secondary School cyclist Connor Brown was the first 105 km rider in, just pipping Nature Valley Avanti cycling team rider Sam Lindsay by 1/100th in 2:48.36. The first female rider to complete the 105km was Maddie Park in 3:14.06.

The Travelwise Kids Challenge gave primary school children the chance to cycle 2km, 4km and 6km, including a popular race around the North Harbour concourse.

“It’s been an amazing day,” added McNair. “We have witnessed some fantastic cycling, not just from the elite riders from cyclists of all abilities who pushed themselves hard to complete the course and help to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis Auckland.”

For more information or to enter go to www.bikethebridge.co.nz

Photo Credit: Scottie T Photography.

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