Cape Reinga to Bluff by tricycle

BY KIRSTY JOHNSTON

Last updated 05:00 22/03/2010

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Hawera's Mike Avery is taking a "laid back" approach to his fundraising tricycle trip from Bluff to Cape Reinga.

The Stratford council manager will be going the distance on his recumbent trike – where you ride in a reclined position rather than sitting upright – to raise money for mentoring programme Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Mr Avery first planned the trike ride some time ago, but decided to turn it into a fundraising gig so he'd have more of a purpose on the long journey.

"My wife and I are part of a group trying to set up a Hawera division of the mentor programme so we thought this would be a good way to get some attention," he said. "Because the trike is unusual and has bright lights it tends to get noticed."

Now he thinks he could be the first person to go from top to bottom of the country on such a vehicle.

"A few others have done part or most of the distance on a trike, but not the whole trip," he said.

Mr Avery's interest in the Big Brother, Big Sister programme came partly from his time running a residential youth centre, he said.

"There's nothing like changing your perspective on life like being involved with a young kid."

Senior Constable Paul Lampe, who manages the Big Brothers, Big Sisters programme for Taranaki, said he was "very excited" about Mr Avery's plans.

"We know the programme in other parts of Taranaki has just taken off and were really keen to expand it to Hawera."

"To have someone like Mike trying to raise the profile by doing his crazy thing he's doing is just great."

Mr Avery said he has also always been a keen cyclist and first started riding the recumbent trike regularly when he moved to Hawera from Kaponga.

"I got sick of the traffic on my bike. It was just silly. But on the trike you have none of those worries."

His 35-day journey will be totally unsupported, meaning lots of tuna and pasta and a tent to sleep in most nights.

However, he's hoping for a few offers of accommodation along the way.

"Anyone with food to offer or a soft bed won't be turned away!"