Te Puke kiwifruit growers hard hit by the vine disease Psa-V are being offered the chance to find some stress relief by joining weekly mountain bike rides.

The outings beginning this Thursday have been organised by New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) and Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc.

'One of the things that we at NZKGI do is support growers and industry people as we deal with Psa in our community,” says NZKGI's Employment Coordinator Marty Robinson.

Starting on Thursday there will be transport and car-pooling leaving from the Mosaic building in Commerce Lane at 5.25pm every Thursday during the summer, heading either to the Redwoods in Rotorua or to TECT's All Terrain Park in Pyes Pa.

Matt Williams from Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc says the organisaiton is the local Western Bay of Plenty Mountain Bike Club, which is keen to get people out biking.

'So we see this as a great way to help the community we live in.”

Marty says the ride will last until dark.

'Anyone with a mountain bike and a helmet is welcome to come. We will split into groups when we get there depending on fitness and skill level.

'This is a great low-key way of reducing stress, getting fit and getting together with other like-minded people.”

All the information and contact details are on Mountain Bike Tauranga's website, www.mtbtauranga.co.nz, along with other Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc related information including, Monday night racing at Summerhill Papamoa, trail development at TECT's All Terrain Park and away rides.

For more information Marty Robinson can be contacted on 029 770 9874 or email [email protected].