It's time to dress up your bike and get cycling to celebrate the launch of Hawke's Bay Trails, in particular the Water Ride, part of the network of 187 kilometres of walking and cycling trails coordinated by Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Nga Haerenga The New Zealand Cycle Trail.

This event is being held on the morning of Saturday 25th February, starting at Pettigrew Green Arena with an eight kilometre bike ride along the trail to Puketapu Domain, where there'll be the official launch, free barbecue, bouncy castle, flying fox and some great prizes.

Those taking part are being encouraged to "pimp their bikes" (and themselves) and be in to win prizes, including two cruiser bikes, perfect for discovering Hawke's Bay Trails. The theme for the day is "Trail Blazer" and the first 200 children at the start of the ride will get "Trail Blazer "chopper flags fixed to their bikes.

HBRC Spokesman Drew Broadley says the event will be finished around lunchtime, giving plenty of time for everyone to get to the Rod Stewart concert at Mission Estate Winery later in the day.

"It's a fun, family-friendly event on a flat section of trail with plenty of encouragement along the way. The aim is to get everyone to slow down and enjoy this particularly scenic stretch of Hawke's Bay Trails," says Drew.

"At the Puketapu Domain there'll be a free barbecue, with coffee and ice creams for sale, activities for the kids including a bouncy castle and flying fox, and of course the big prize giveaways."

More information is on HBRC's website and Facebook page, or find the event on EventFinder.

The first off-road pathway opened in 2002 and Hawke's Bay Trails sees a further $5.5 million invested in the project. The trails are jointly-funded by The New Zealand Cycle Trail and HBRC, working with Napier and Hastings councils, Rotary clubs, community trusts, corporates and private individuals.