Coast-to-coast scoot for a good cause
Crazy costumes and crazy helmets brightened up the dull weather as more than 270 people went coast-to-coast on their motor scooters.
This year’s Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari ride sold out in just four days and saw organisers lift the 250-scooter limit to 270 to accommodate those who would have missed out.
Saturday’s event was the sixth biennial 235-kilometre safari and organiser Jayne Rattray said it was an interesting lead-up to the event, with snow predicted in the weather forecast.
While there was no snow as in previous years, Rattray said high winds picked up at Porters Pass – the steepest leg of the Christchurch-to-Hokitika ride. It then rained heavily from Arthur’s Pass to the end.
‘‘All in all we can’t complain,’’ Rattray said. ‘‘The interest in the event is still growing. Of the 270 that rode, about half of them were new. That’s showing that people are still finding out about it, still wanting to get involved and the event is still growing, and I think it’s still got a few years left in it yet.’’ Rattray said Organiser Jane Rattray she’s overwhelmed at how much the event has grown.
‘‘It’s a long day on a bike, so there’s certainly some sore backsides today,’’ she said yesterday. ‘‘We’re just blown away and totally humbled and never did we dream that it would get this big.
‘‘Since our maiden voyage we’ve taken more than 1000 people on our scooter safari.’’
The event has now raised about $1.1 million.
Rattray said fundraising had well and truly blown all records for this year’s event.
This year’s fundraising total was sitting at just over $317,000. The money is donated to the Canterbury-West Coast Cancer Society, which incorporates South Canterbury. ‘‘It’s just incredible.’’
‘‘We set out with a goal for this year to get to $211,000 and our riders did that last week.’’