Keeping up with the Aitchisons: Cycle Races and Parades

Cameron, Ellie and Ewan enjoying the sun!

Had a busy day today in town. Started off meeting our friend Karen and her daughter Ellie then wandering into town to see a number of cycle races. These are all part of the Armstrong Festival of Cycling which started off yesterday with the Harbour Ride.

More than 1500 riders taking on the feature 80 kilometre Harbour Ride. The route - from McCormack's Bay around the base of the Port Hills, over Gebbies Pass to the Lyttelton Harbour Bays before one final fling over Evans Pass and Sumner to finish back at McCormack's Bay.

Today was the Criterium racing. Riders race around a tight 1k circuit around Christchurch's cafe strip, with special sprint prizes along the way before a final mad dash for the finish. New Zealand's best riders battle for times and honour. But there are all sorts of open and showcase events providing something for riders of all age and ability.

Especially entertaining was the tandem race which had a number of individuals from various companies who paid for the honour of getting on a tandem bike with a celebrity (including Hayden Roulston: Olympic Silver and bronze medalist, Mark Inglis: Athlete and mountaineer who as a result of frostbite lost both his legs and Andrea Hewitt: Olympic Triathlete) and racing the circuit. All the money raised from this event goes to Cure Kids.

Mark Inglis and partner.

Prizegiving with the lovely Josie from Cure Kids.

Once the kids had tired of the racing we went across to the Cathedral Square to watch the annual Santa Parade. For the first time since arriving in New Zealand Alan got to watch rather than playing the pipes in the parade! A jolly good time as had by all.