Lions’ bikers clock up 26th ride

If there were ever to be a competition to discover Tararua Region’s most passionate and dedicated motorcycle riders, then Ron Mabey and Clive Boyden would be among the gnarliest of frontrunners.

Ron is a man with a cast iron backside.

And Clive is not one to stick at home either, not when there’s a good ride on offer.

So a simple bike run around the southern half of the North Island to distribute promotional posters and information has meant these two dedicated Lions clock up tens of thousands of kilometres in the cause of safer riding and practical support for our region’s rescue helicopter service, year on year.

And they are testing their ‘not-so-young-as-they-were’ nether regions to the max in the process.

In the past 25 years these two stalwarts have gone the extra miles, building Woodville Lions’ flagship event — the annual Suzuki/Woodville Lions Ride to Survive.

Their poster run alone for the event has reached to Taupo¯ , Wanganui, Napier and Wellington, with some 1500 km ‘in the saddle’.

Known all over as The Coast to Coast, the ride has become well established. Now in its 26th year, Woodville Lions have successfully staged this ride to raise funds for the Manawatu¯ Whanganui Rescue Helicopter. Over time the chopper’s crew have applied money raised towards continuing improvements and additions of vital new equipment.

That has resulted in a system giving patients some of the best specialist medivac care and support service in the country.

Ron Mabey (L) and Clive Boyden (3rd L) with Woodville Lion colleagues and the Suzuki ‘Gixer’ 150F motorcycle they are raffling as part of this year’s Coast to Coast Classic motorcycle ride, thanks to sponsors Courtesy Motorcycles and Phil Turnbull.