Runanga man rides for miners

JOHN HAWKINS/The Southland Times

RIDING IN REMEMBRANCE: Runanga resident Kevin Ryan is dedicating his performances at this week's Burt Munro Challenge to the victims of the Pike River coalmine tragedy.

Relevant offers

Burt Munro Challenge

Talk about lucky Biker crashes on way to rally Burt Munro-style all the way Invercargill final leg of trip Crowds roar in to take up Munro challenge Southland rider secures solo Grand Prix win Rally campers arrive Pair to defend title during 'mini-Daytona' Rare beauties at motorcycle show The roar of the Burt Munro Challenge

Proud West Coaster Kevin Ryan is dedicating his performances in this week's Burt Munro Challenge to the victims of the Pike River coalmining disaster.

The Runanga resident said his heart went out the families back home and confessed that he had been personally affected by the tragedy.

"I had a mate who was supposed to come down with me, but his boy (Daniel Herk) ended up down the mine. It feels a bit different now."

Ryan felt fortunate, however, that another one of his close friends' son's had left the mine just before the first explosion hit.

"He was foreman for the day and left half an hour early. He took the whole gang with him.

"There could have been 34 down there if he hadn't done it."

Ryan is competing in all six events of this year's Burt Munro Challenge and said he was aiming to do his best in each race as a tribute to the Pike River mine victims.

"I'm thinking about them. They're on our minds."

He is only one of six competitors to be racing in every event and admitted it was difficult to pick which race he enjoyed the most.

"Each one is unique in itself. There's no real one event that stands out more than the others. Each has a unique buzz. For me, the Burt is a whole week."

The motorcycling addict is one of the real characters of the annual challenge. Every year, he makes the long journey down to Southland in his bus with road, beach and speedway bikes on board.

Ryan said he would not have it any other way. "It's a chance to use half a dozen of my bikes in one place. It's a bit of a pilgrimage."

Two years ago, he claimed the Burt Munro contribution award, which is handed out to the rider, who best exemplifies the qualities of Burt Munro.

Ryan, who raced speedway competitively for 20 years, still proudly displays the award in his bus and said it meant a lot to him.

These days, his focus is more on finishing the race with all limbs intact rather than breaking records or standing on top of the podium.

"The best bit is being able to walk when you finish," he laughed.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First