War veterans tackle extreme cycling race
Two teams from the UK and one each from Canada and New Zealand are participating in Operation Ride 2018, a bike ride to raise money for the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Association of New Zealand. Injured war veterans from around the world are pedalling their hearts out for a good cause.
The teams are riding together from Bluff to Cape Reinga over 21 days.
Each team has five members, with a mix of able-bodied and injured participants.
The trip is 2500 kilometres in total, and they aim to ride about 160km a day.
The injured personnel use specially designed tandem handcycles and they are supported by an able-bodied team member at the back of the bike.
Association founder Dave Benfell said the charity aimed to connect veterans with other veterans, and to subsidise activities and trips such as kayaking, skydiving and fishing.
‘‘I’m just trying to build a community of people who have served, who can support each other and who like getting outdoors,’’ he said.
Yesterday, the teams rode from Plimmerton to O¯ hakea, stopping in Levin to have their bikes serviced.
New Zealand team captain Amy Baynes, who serves in the Navy, said sport helped many injured veterans heal from their injuries.
‘‘They are using sports to get that strength back and the mindset, and to push forward in their own journies.’’
While many of veterans are amputees, many have invisible injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
‘‘In New Zealand, we don’t have the combat injuries like the guys from the UK and Canada have ... but we have the PTSD,’’ Baynes said.
Baynes and Benfell hope to make Operation Ride an biennial event. They are planning a 2020 ride in Canada.
Operation Ride has a Givealittle page and the funds raised will go to the association.
The teams are riding together from Bluff to Cape Reinga over 21 days.