Laid-back end-to-end trike tour | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

JUST because Stratford District Council’s Mike Avery is going to spend the next few weeks almost flat on his back, doesn’t mean he’s embarking on a tropical holiday.

That’s because Mike’s about to hop on his recumbent trike and travel from Bluff to Cape Reinga to raise money for charity.

"Pedal off date is Easter Monday, April 5 and I am aiming to finish on May 10," says Mike.

"I have to be back home in Taranaki for my daughter’s 21st on May 15. No pressure."

Mike’s journey will take in the south and west of the South Island, including the Milford Road, the Mavora Lakes Road and the Crown Range Road.

In the North Island it will include Wairarapa, Manawatu, the Central Plateau, Bay of Plenty, Thames Valley and the west coast from Auckland north.

"The tour is totally unsupported. I will be self-catering and tenting most days - lots of tuna and pasta!

"It is autumn - early winter, according to my family - so it should be both beautiful and cool; and probably wet."

Part of the reason for the tour is to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of NZ, which is a community-based mentoring programme for pre-teens.

BBBS has a number of centres throughout the country, most of which Mike will be visiting.

100% of all funds donated will go to the centre nearest each donor.

"Mike’s fundraising will raise money for our national organisation," says Taranaki BBBS programme manager, Paul Lampe.

"His road trip will also raise the profile of the organisation. This will hopefully help us to get a case manager into the Hawera area through attracting community interest and funding."

Mike will be keeping an online journal of his escapades at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/laidbackendtoend.

"Anyone can leave messages and contact me through the guestbook link at the top of the journal pages," says Mike.

"Just keep in mind that I am not carrying a laptop so I will not reply until I find a computer and internet connection - which in some places may take a couple of days.

"I’d love to hear from people - it’s always encouraging to know that people are thinking of me." As well as tracking Mike’s progress online, donations can be made online at http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/LAIDBACKENDTOEND.

"I really hope a lot of people will check out the website and support this grass roots initiative," he says.

For people interested in learning more about the Big Brother, Big Sister programme, case manager for Stratford, Jo Patterson, can be contacted on 765 8927.