South Taranaki Star

Smith, Gower raise $53k on 130km charity ride

- JANE MATTHEWS

The night before their massive bike ride, two proud Taranaki men thought they may have to cycle another 90 kilometres to hit their fundraisin­g goal.

Former All Black Conrad Smith and journalist Paddy Gower had hoped to raise $40,000 for the So They Can charity on their ride from Oakura to Whangamōmo­na, and on the eve of the ride funds raised were ‘‘just under’’ target.

So they were joking about holding auctions at the Whangamōmo­na Hotel, or cycling on to Taumarunui to reach the goal.

‘‘Luckily’’ they woke up to find they had surpassed that, Smith said.

The pair took on their selftitled 130km Surf to Saddle cycle on Saturday, and by Sunday they had clocked up $53,000 for the charity, which provides school supplies for children in Kenya, and the figure was still growing.

Despite hanging up his All Black boots years ago, Smith couldn’t help but compare the ride to rugby.

The ‘‘starting lineup’’ of 15 left Oakura in the morning, but 22 bibs were handed out during the ride – which he admitted got extra ‘‘tough’’ on the final saddle.

‘‘It seemed to take forever to get to the top,’’ Smith said.

‘‘It’s more enjoyable on a bike – you don’t get the car sickness.

‘‘It was amazing, it was a great day.’’

Gower admitted the ride was ‘‘brutal’’, but said it was nice to be welcomed by the president of the (self-proclaimed) Republic of Whangamōmo­na, John Herlihy.

‘‘But, he did not want to be gifted the pink lycra,’’ Gower said.

 ?? CATHERINE GROENESTEI­N/STUFF ?? Taranaki Cancer Society fundraisin­g and events co-ordinator Lisa Grigg is looking forward to this year’s relay for life which has a changed format.
CATHERINE GROENESTEI­N/STUFF Taranaki Cancer Society fundraisin­g and events co-ordinator Lisa Grigg is looking forward to this year’s relay for life which has a changed format.

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