Old-school pub crawler recalls
Taranaki Daily News | Thursday, 18 December 2008

Rob Hansen hasn't been on the Hawera push bike pub crawl since 1981.

When Rob Hansen and his mates set off on Hawera's first push bike pub crawl in 1977 they never dreamed it would get as big as it has.

He thinks it's great hundreds, possibly thousands, of riders will join in on Saturday and even chase a world record.

Rob, 49, got the idea from his big brother Bernie who had done something similar on his last day of teachers college in Palmerston North.

"Three of us, Chris Johnston, Kevin McCutcheon and I, got together and decided to have the pub crawl on the last Saturday before Christmas," he said.

People thought they were crazy.

"We'd been in the pub on the Friday night before and people were saying `you're mad buggers'," Rob said.

But the rules were simple.

"One handle in every pub, all participants must ride a bike, you had to ride from one pub to the next even with three pubs situated on one corner."

The three were joined by five others and they pedalled their way from a flat near the racecourse to the Normanby hotels.

Locals saw they were actually going through with their plan and by the time they'd reached the Furlong another six had grabbed bikes to tag along.

There was a slight diversion to someone's house for repairs but by the time the group had got through seven more pubs, numbers had grown to around 20.

Back then a three-speed bike was a luxury.

Monkey bars and banana seats were in and the chopper even made an appearance.

There was the odd injury but it didn't stop anyone carrying on and of course there were antics galore.

"One rider even managed to get his bike into the Dominion and rode the length of the pool table."

Rob has since left Hawera but has been keeping himself up-to-date on the event.

He'd love to have another crack at the crawl and knows some of the originals still get involved.

His last appearance was in 1981 and it had grown to about 100 riders.

"The girls joined in for that one too. Before that it was only for the boys," he said.

"I might wait until the 40th year. It'll still be going and I won't be too old by then."

Meanwhile, local contractor Dick Sybrandy has offered to help carry out and cover the cost of a traffic management plan to NZTA for Saturday's event.

There will be a coned off cycle lane and event signage with the normal 70km/h and 100km/h zones reduced to 50km/h.

Police will provide traffic control at various locations along the route and there will be fixed and moving patrol cars.

Sergeant Robyn Burnetts said in the absence of organisers Mr Sybrandy has shown great generosity and community spirit.

"All we want is for people taking part in the ride to have fun and stay safe, and it is pleasing to know that there are people in the community who understand and share our motivation."

Residents who live along the route and are affected by the annual event are being advised to consider the delays there may be in the area before setting off on any journeys on Saturday.

If staying at home and in a position to park vehicles off the road and on driveways, they are advised to do so.