They were beautiful, they were bizarre, they were aged 3 to 77 and they lit up the streets of Hastings on Saturday night.

More than 100 riders took part in Bike Hawke’s Bay’s second Illuminati Night Ride - a parade of people, bikes and sculptures who lit up the city centre with lights and 100-watt smiles.

“Joyous is the word,” said organiser Neill Gordon.

“Many people had put huge effort into creating an astounding spectacle of themselves - it was hilarious. The stand-out memory for me of the night was the beaming smile on a 3-year-old’s face as he cycled along the road as part of this magical parade.”

Waiting for the 500-metre long flotilla when they arrived at Civic Square was an outrageous bicycle band producing an incredible sound from bike wheels, frames, bells and even an amplified squeaky bike seat.

“You wouldn’t believe the trumpet-like sounds that can be produced by blowing through bike handles.”

The event is all about promoting safe cycling and having fun.

It is supported by Hastings District Council - Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga, Brave Brewing, My Ride Hastings and Taradale, Proviz, Good Fun Bike Hire, EVO cycles Napier, I Way, David Trubridge and Bike Hawke’s Bay.

A $200 cash prize for best decorated bike was split between the oldest entrant, 77-year-old Val Norton of Napier on her e-trike decorated to the max as a Buzzy Bee, and two children whose bikes had been made to look like fairground horses.

Other cash prizes for best outfit went to a stunning illuminated stuffed-toy coat and a boy with, Meet at Brave Brewing Co. at 205 Queen Street East from 5pm, with the short whanau-friendly ride kicking off at 6pm.

Fabulous photographs of the event were captured by Derek Rossiter and a short film created by Cosmo Calman of Defy Film.

The short city centre ride started and finished at Brave Brewing, which offers a year-round 10 per cent discount to any customers arriving by bike.

"The event is called the Illuminati Night Ride because we cyclists are fessing up to being part of an all-powerful global elite who are out to transform the planet," Neill says. "We are fit and funky and there is no stopping our perpetual motion machines."

Bike Hawke’s Bay (https://bikehawkesbay.org.nz/) is a group of like-minded people working to make biking in our region safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Next on their calendar of public outings is a flotilla for the Blossom Parade in Hastings on September 20, where they have won prizes two years running for their amazing display of blossom bikes.

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