Scooter safari over alps
It’s raw, challenging, and the weather is often abysmal over the 250 kilometres, but it’s nothing compared to cancer: that’s what Lizzie Watson says ahead of her third Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari.
She is one of about 300 riders lining up to ride her scooter across the South Island, from Christchurch to Hokitika, on Saturday to raise funds for the Cancer Society.
All money raised on the biennial endurance ride goes to the Cancer Society of New Zealand, Canterbury-West Coast division – a charity close to the heart of Watson, a breast cancer survivor.
And it could be a chilly ride for participants, with the South Island due for a chilly end to the week, and temperatures expected to plummet and a chance of snow for inland parts of the high country.
Participants will leave Christchurch on Saturday morning – climbing their way up Porters Pass, which has a summit of 948 metres above sea level, and Arthur’s Pass and down the Otira Viaduct.
Watson, who was diagnosed with cancer following a routine mammogram in 2017, compared the ride to cancer, saying it provided a different experience for everyone. ‘‘You’ll feel a bit raw doing it, but riders are wellsupported, and it’s nothing in comparison to cancer.’’
Watson said most people on the ride had either had cancer, or had known others who had cancer.
Covid-19, and the rising costs of living, have had an impact on the funding the Cancer Society receives, such as the cancellation of Relay For Life events, as well as the number of volunteers.
‘‘The ride is also about the celebration, the remembering, being out there for people.’’
She said she looked forward to the ride and was in a team of four.
Cancer Society of New Zealand, Canterbury-West Coast Division communications co-ordinator Deb McPherson described the ride as ‘‘pretty gruelling’’.
‘‘People are coming from the length and breadth of the country to take part,’’ McPherson said.
It is hoped $350,000 will be raised through the ride, with the most ever raised from one of the events being $330,000.
She said Covid’s impact had meant increased cost for the society, including having to pay more in cleaning services at its accommodation centres.