Bike riders brave rough weather for fundraiser | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Bad weather cancelled many events in Northland last weekend - the Mid Northern Rodeo, a family gala day at Ruakaka Beach and the miniature train rides in Maunu.

But heavy rain and gale force winds failed to deter motorcycle riders making a 275km charity run.

Forty bikes took part in the "Iron Horses" rally to help raise funds for Whangarei branch of Riding for the Disabled yesterday.

The inaugural event attracted widespread interest, with more than 100 riders expected to attend, but rain kept some away.

Organiser Nick Padfield described the turnout as "bloody good".

"If the weather was good, we would have had well over 100 riders. Even with lashing rain and blowing gales, people turned up because it's for a good cause."

Bikers from as far north as Kaitaia and as far south as Auckland kicked off the fundraiser at Barge Park and headed to Dargaville, Waipoua Forest and Opononi where they had lunch before returning to Whangarei via Kaikohe and Twin Bridges.

Mr Padfield said the participants attended a social function at Barge Park after the race, where plans for another fundraiser were discussed.

Entry was $20 per bike and included a barbecue and drink for riders and their passengers.

Riding for the Disabled is a nationwide charity providing therapy to disabled and injured children and adults through interaction with horses. About 90 people are helped weekly at the Whangarei branch of the organisation.

Heavy rain cancelled the Mid Northern Rodeo on the weekend - but the cowboys, bucking broncos and wild bulls will be in action at the Maungatapere rodeo arena next Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.

Mid Northern Rodeo president Noel Upton said the ground had been too wet, muddy and dangerous to hold the rodeo last Saturday, so it had been postponed with the hope it could be held yesterday.

"If the rain had stopped about three or four o'clock on Saturday and there had been a bit of a breeze we could probably have run it today," he said yesterday. "But it was so wet this [Sunday] morning, we had to put it off until next weekend."

If the sun is shining next Saturday the rodeo will get under way at 10am.

Ruakaka Surf Life Saving Club's annual family beach gala had to be postponed twice.

Organiser Neil Campbell said the popular event was postponed on Saturday and again yesterday. It will now be held on January 28, weather permitting.

Train rides were cancelled at Maunu's Heritage Park on Saturday, despite a few people turning up. Rides resumed yesterday and trains will also run today.