Emergency services tackle mountainbike challenge
dozen would participate but the support grew to such a number that we had to put a limit on it for logistical purposes.’’
Grant said he has been riding between 150km to 200km a week over the past few weeks to get in proper condition for the event. ‘‘It’s going to be a challenge. ‘‘We’ve got a combination of people who are experienced road cyclists and people who have hardly done any cycling at all.’’
Day one of the race will run from Aoraki/Mt Cook to Lake Ohau (107km); day two is Lake Ohau to Otematata (79km); and day three is Otematata to Oamaru (124km).
‘‘We’re really lucky to be able to do the entire thing thanks to a helicopter transfer from the Mt Cook Airport, which will be taking all our gear across the river.
‘‘Wind and heat are the two things in the back of our minds.
‘‘That wind can turn a six-hour day into a seven or eight-hour day,’’ Grant said.
‘‘There’s only one person in the group who has done the Alps 2 Ocean course before, and they did it in five or six days.’’
The ride will raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust (Canterbury/West Coast); New Zealand Flying Doctor Service; and NZ Mental Health Foundation (Mental Health Awareness).
Grant hopes the ride will raise at least $5000 for each of the charities.
So far, the event’s Givealittle page has just over $3450 pledged.
‘‘People come from all over the world to do this ride, and we’re getting to do it for next to nothing. Most of our expenses are all paid for through donations. We’re getting the opportunity to do something for some pretty cool charities.’’
Grant said he had noticed his own cycling improving.
‘‘Day three alone is 124km, it’s not something that you can simply hop on a bike and do, there are some pretty difficult climbs on the course,’’ he said.
The ride take place on February 18-20.