Drizzly weather did not deter a Dunedin cyclist from gearing up for a Wild Ride \u2014 but it did dissuade her teenage son.<\/p>\n
Samantha Hayde was biking in the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature \u2018\u2018Wild Ride\u2019\u2019 event yesterday.<\/p>\n
She had started her journey in St Leonards and was excited to be ferried across the harbour to Portobello.<\/p>\n
Ms Hayde said she was inspired to get on her bike despite the rain as she had lost 70kg.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018I just wanted to get out there and see what\u2019s possible with your health and fitness,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018[The weather] deterred my 14-year-old. We left him behind.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Her \u2018\u2018passport\u2019\u2019 was stamped as she continued around Te Aka \u014ct\u0101kou harbourside pathway.<\/p>\n
Multiple scientists were stationed along the trail to share insights about the environment, but a planned roving puppet show was cancelled due to weather.<\/p>\n
Yesterday marked the end of the festival, which had been running since April 10.<\/p>\n
Marketing manager Charlie Buchan said it had been the biggest festival to date.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We have had amazing feedback right across the festival, with sold-out talks, workshops and restaurant bookings,\u2019\u2019 Mr Buchan said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Overall, it has been an extremely successful festival.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The NatureDome at Forsyth Barr Stadium, which offered hands-on activities, science displays and a sustainable market, had been successful with more than 6000 attending and the Wild Gala at T\u016bhura Otago Museum had 160 people dressed to impress and thousands raised for local wildlife and conservation.<\/p>\n
The garden days and nature walks also attracted hundreds of attendees.<\/p>\n
The festival had brought attention to Dunedin, Mr Buchan said.<\/p>\n