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| Heilala Pita , 8, listens to her sister Onevai Pita, 10, about how her ideas will raise the money they need for their secret project |
The Glengarry community and bike enthusiasts from across the city showed their support for the initiative of Rebecca Amundsen who organised a fun day last Sunday ( 14 Feb) which took many people back to the days when Glengarry had its own cycling club.
Old and young alike took part in the various criterium grade races interspersed with opportunities for fun events for both children and adults to enter in to the spirit of the day. With perfect weather conditions speed was a factor and spectators were treated to some keen competition.
Valentine’s day was celebrated with two member teams passing floral bouquets in a relay style two- lap race and setting a cracker pace as they covered the Glengarry circuit.
Veteran cyclist Ray Robinson was there for the memories of riding competitively in Invercargill and everywhere beyond as well from 1966 to 1971 and then started again in 1992. He joined in the races for run after doing a 70km training ride that morning.
Marshall for the day, Ann Grieve said she loved it all and especially the criterium races which were so professional.
" I could see young riders looking very skilled and being the budding competitive cyclists of the future," she said. " It was well organised by Becs with great support from many helpers and I think it should become an annual event."
With about 300 attending over the organised cycling time followed by the musical event, Southern Sound, people took the opportunity to raise funds as well with food and other stalls.
Young entrepreneurs, sisters Heilala Pita, 8, and Onevai Pita, 10, used a cat theme to draw 'caricatures' which resembled the person’s facial features, all for a dollar.
"We have home- made toffee apples and other lollies for sale and with our family’s help we are hoping to add to our secret fundraising project and we have made $51 so far," Onevai said.
Amundsen said she was very grateful to all the people who helped as it was a team event.
"I appreciated Venture Southland and Cycling Southland people who did a lot of the organising, along with local residents who might have been put out by the road closure and any businesses who were inconvenienced by that," she said. "It was lovely seeing some residents sitting on their street frontages under the trees, having a picnic and enjoying the action and lots of children enjoyed the playground."
