Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
600kmon a bike for Kaikoura
A five-day battle against the weather and along earthquakeruined roads was all worth it for a trio of kind-hearted cyclists.
Blenheim friends Nick Blakiston, Callum Saunders and Leatham Landon Lane undertook a massive cross-country bike ride in March to help raise money for those affected by the Kaikoura earthquake.
The plucky team raised $2600 and took to their bikes again to deliver a cheque in person to Kaikoura deputy mayor Julie Howden after biking through the inland road earlier this month.
Money donated to the mayoral relief fund will be used to help families in need and towards the repair of sporting facilities in the region.
After a night in Kaikoura and a ride down the earthquakedamaged east coast and back to Waiau in Canterbury, the boys say they can appreciate the enormity of the task ahead to reinstate the road. Nick says he was was amazed at the number of workers and machinery being coordinated for the huge repair task.
The March ride saw the boys ride back into Blenheim after clocking-up an impressive 600 kilometres.
The circuitous route took the former Marlborough Boys’ Col- lege cycling champions from Blenheim and back, through the Awatere Valley, Hanmer Springs, Rainbow Station, Kaiteriteri and Maungatapu Saddle.
They endured howling headwinds, torrential rain and swollen rivers, but have not been put off from future adventures.
‘‘It was all worth it, we didn’t really expect to raise the amount of money we have done so far,’’ says Nick.
Callum has just returned from a block of racing with the New Zealand track cycling squad in the United States prior to the World Cup racing event.
Both Nick and Leatham are studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.
Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray says the contribution is appreciated.
‘‘A special thanks to those who raised donations through local fundraising efforts,’’ he says.