ABOUT OUR EVENT
In the vein of the famed L’EROICA in Italy, La Forza Classic bike ride is a celebration of classic style bikes and includes a category solely for steel or Aluminium bikes, with downtube shifters (or bar end shifters). Further categories encourage the use of classic, pre 1996 bikes, and an open category for ‘any’ bike.
La Forza Classic bike rides encourages the renaissance of the artisan-built steel frame taking place across the world. If you have a steel framed bicycle and would like to give it a ride on some of Waikato’s most picturesque roads, then the La Forza Classic bike rides are the events for you.
This will be La Forza Classic bike ride’s inaugural event. From humble beginnings of bike shows and rides from the Forza Classic Bike Museum, the idea of a larger, ‘New Zealand’ event has been born. The event is being run by Forza Events Limited, in conjunction with Stephen Cox, of Dynamo Events. Forza Events is brought to you by Steve Thompson, who owns and runs the Forza Classic Bike Museum and workshop in Auckland.
Both of our rides require a good level of bike fitness. Although they are semi-supported rides, you must carry your own spare parts, tubes etc.
Our main event, an 80km ride taking in Ōhaupo, Ngahinipori, Whatawhata, Pirongia, and Te Awamutu before returning to Ōhaupō, takes in some stunning scenery, and with 735m of vertical gain, the course will be challenging enough for those on classic steeds.
Our shorter, 36km ride, which heads away from Ōhaupō to Pirongia, before returning to Ōhaupō, also takes in the beautiful scenery of Waikato, and also has a challenging vertical gain of 405m.
In keeping with the original L’Eroica, there will be several compulsory stops, to get your ‘brevet’ card stamped (this will also enable you to get a finishers medal). These stops will be at spots where you can purchase refreshments and food, which we encourage people to do. Please remember, this is a ride, not a race, and we encourage people to enjoy their surroundings, and get to know some new people out on the course.
At the event venue, the Ōhaupō rugby sports club, we will also have a bike ‘show and shine’, where you can display any of your classic bikes, including the one you ride in the event, so everyone can get to enjoy them. Additionally, there will be a marketplace/swap meet, where any classic items can be sold.
Commercial stands are also allowed. For enquires about the show, and marketplace, please use the ‘contact’ button to get in touch with Steve.