Getting to Welly

A quick message tonight so that we can stock up on our rest. The South Islanders had an uneventful drive and ferry ride north (can't forget the 110-km dash to the ferry by our hardcore Nelson-based tandem duo), while the North Islanders arrived in Wellington via planes, buses and automobiles.

Quick introductions at Wellington YHA tonight before Mark and Alex's briefing, and then it was off to the last supper. Well, last supper before we tackle the Rimutakas tomorrow. Thanks to some last-minute schedule juggling, the initial plan to take off in two groups (those on road bikes vs those on mountain bikes) has been adjusted, and instead we'll depart Upper Hutt as a single group. Should make quite a statement, all of us in our flouro tops, with Mr Mike and Bridget (our dedicated support crew) in the van behind. It's all uphill from here!

Riding for Rakiura - 5 days and counting

Welcome to the Riding for Rakiura Blog spot.

Riding for Rakiura is a six day bike ride from Wellington to Rotorua to raise money for the Stewart Island Project.

We have 15 brave riders entering the ride which include staff from hostels, board members and national office staff. The ride will be over six days from Sunday October 25 to Friday October 30, starting in Wellington, travelling via Napier and ending in Rotorua where the YHA AGM is taking place.

Our fearless few are:

Ben Mitchell – National Chair
Mark Wells – YHA CEO
Coral Laughton – Board Member
Brian Young – Coral’s Partner
Helen Bell – YHA Te Anau Hostel Manager
Amy Patterson – YHA Queenstown Hostel Assistant
Larry Dart – Auckland International Business Development Manager
Sean Gidall – YHA Nelson Hostel Manager
Yoko Watanabe – YHA Nelson Hostel Assistant
Alex Swindells – Channel Marketing Manager
Nicola Ross – Customer Services Assistant
Sutter Schumacher – ICT Project Coordinator
Maureen McCloy – National Secretary
Mike Flaws – Maureen’s Partner
Robyn Houghton - Geriatrix (affiliate YHA Group)

Here's where we're heading and when we'll be there:

Date From To
Day 1 - 25th Oct Wellington - Masterton
Day 2 - 26th Oct Masterton - Dannevirke
Day 3 - 27th Oct Dannevirke - Napier
Day 4 - 28th Oct Napier - Te Pohue
Day 5 - 29th Oct Te Pohue - Taupo
Day 6 - 30th Oct Taupo - END: Rotorua

You can check out our route by clicking on the following links:

Day 1: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/new-zealand/upper-hutt---masterton/604125185155041464

Day 2: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/new-zealand/masterton/692125530373757042

Day 3: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/new-zealand/dannevirke/911125530399911012

Day 4: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/new-zealand/napier/942125530435733308

Day 5: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/new-zealand/napier/284125531291152362

Day 6: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/new-zealand/reporoa/460125531412435459

We'll be updating our blog daily so you can keep a track of where we're at and who's doing what to keep the spirits up.

If you would like to make a donation to Riding for Rakiura or sponsor a rider check out www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/Ride4Rakiura