Retail: $2
www.gbweekly.co.nz
Friday 13 May 2022
Women bikers “Just Ride!”
Just Ride! Golden Bay women riding in support of International Female Riders Day: from left, Inke, Rhonda, Lee, Liz, Cathy. Photo: Ronnie Short. RONNIE SHORT
In recognition of International Female Ride Day (IFRD) last Saturday, five female motorbike riders met at Tākaka’s Visitor Information Centre. IFRD is an event held worldwide, on the first Saturday in the month of May, to celebrate women on motorbikes. This year marks the 16th IFRD, and representatives from over 120 countries participated. The IFRD goals are to build awareness of women motorcycle riders and to promote those who enjoy the sport across worldwide cultures and communities. Their call to action, “Just Ride!” further aims to encourage other women to take up the activity. Cathy Sage instigated last weekend’s participation via a local women bikers Facebook page. She suggested a 10am rendezvous followed by a ride up Tākaka Hill to the Woolshed Café. From there they would
return to town for lunch at The Wholemeal Café. This is the second year Cathy has initiated the IFRD ride. Now she intends to create a monthly ride for local female motorcycle enthusiasts. Cathy has been enjoying riding again for the past seven years, after a 30-year interlude. Sporting a Suzuki DR 650, she is able to ride off-road territory as well as treading the tarmac. New participant Liz pulled up on her 250 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. She has been motorcycling for just two months. “I always cycle the Rainbow Road and I had motorbikes always pass me, and thought I have to get a bike so I can do that,” she said. Lee Rzoska cruised in next on her 250 Suzuki road bike, a rider for two years now. Like Liz, Lee is attending the free Ride to Live
courses held in Nelson. Both women have earned their bronze badges and are now working towards a silver. Lee rode farm bikes and horses as a child, and loves motorbiking. “I reckon if you can ride a horse and stay on, you can ride a motorcycle,” she said. Inke Thomas-Clark arrived next, on her BMW 650 XCountry bike. She claims to be the “oldest” rider, having ridden motorbikes since her childhood in Germany. Last but not least, Rhonda – a keen rider of 30 years – joined the troupe on her Triumph Street Triple 675. As 10am rolled around, all were keen to hit the road. Cathy passed around the 2022 IFRD “Just Ride!” flyers for everyone to display and they started their bikes. The flock of five took off towards their hilltop destination to meet with a sixth rider, who was joining them from Nelson.
Community Board JO RICHARDS
Golden Bay Community Board’s monthly meeting took place in person for the first time in months on Tuesday morning, but Zoom remained an option for some. It turned out to be a rather short meeting which focused largely on two ongoing issues, and was notable for being the last appearance by Tasman District Council’s environmental assurance group manager Dennis Bush-King who is retiring at the beginning of next month. Public Forum Dennis was very familiar with the only topic raised in the forum – the proposed seawall at Pakawau. Chair of the Pakawau Community Residents’ Association (PCRA) Nigel Lloyd filled his five minutes with an update of the association’s position and a request for further community board input. He began by acknowledging the community board’s support and TDC’s prompt response to questions submitted at April’s forum (GBW, 14/4), but then asked: “What happens next?” Referring to the “complex” resource consent application process, he explained that the requirement to provide over 100 pages of supporting evidence, plus a $10,000 fee, without any certainty about the outcome, was of great concern to the PCRA. “We’re worried about the realisation that we’re heading towards another costly hearing.” The prospect had prompted the PCRA to consider whether they would proceed with the application, or “give up and surrender people to the sea”. Nigel contrasted the association’s complex and costly process with examples of the council granting itself consent to construct rock walls at Collingwood and Pōhara. “We believe that if council can use rock structures to protect their property, then we should be able to do the same.” Prior to making a decision to progress the application, Nigel urged the community board to provide support by setting up a “workshop” to bring all interested parties together in order to help clarify the issues. Chair’s Report Pakawau Seawall: Nigel’s request was the first item dealt with in the Chair’s Report and it triggered a lengthy discussion. Councillor Celia Butler noted that the resource consent process was underway and wasn’t “something that can be deviated from”. GBCB member Averill Grant highlighted... Continued on page 2
NEW OPERATING HOURS Mon-Thur 9am-4pm
Offering: Reglazes, pet doors, table tops, mirrors, glass supplies, windscreens, stone chip repairs and machinery glass
YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERTS
Phone 525 7274, 027 622 2228 96a Commercial Street Takaka
Call us today for all your property advice inc. current market estimate on your property.
Barry Graham I Ph 027 465 7888, 525 8787
Locally owned and operated
Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter & Drainlayer
Ray White Golden Bay || Billy Kerrisk Licensed Agent REAA 2008 Level 1, 11 Buxton lane, Takaka || Billy 0276085606 || Sam 0273014209
Inside:
Athletics Club
THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 13 MAY 2022
www.goldenbayplumbing.nz
Fishing rules
Sports reports
Harvest Festival
Book review
ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
1