Pedalling Painters Prepare to Hit the Road
With plans to leave Cape Reinga on November 5th and finish at the Bluff 28 days later, cycling 100 km per day with only five days scheduled for rest, Fran wants to make sure he is home in time for Christmas.
Although the trip is months away, Fran is already committed to the project, training 7 hours a week in the gym, doing pack walks at nights and cycling in the weekends to build strength and stamina. This will be tested in six weeks time by a 400k bike ride over four days.
Both of Fran’s trainers, Jenna Mc Culloch and Kurt Umbers from All Seasons Fitness Centre are donating their time for free and Fran is canvassing the community to source the extra things he needs for his trip, including another bike, a campervan, food and supplements, water and sports drinks, a laptop and wireless internet and a ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton.
“Everyone I have spoken to so far has been really positive, without hesitation saying ‘we’ll look after you ‘ and once I get the last few things I need it will really be down to me to get this thing done,” he says.
The idea first took shape in the form of a walk from the Cape to the Bluff 11 years ago, but with family commitments the timing wasn’t right.
Fran says it’s now or never, and not one to do things by halves, decided that since he has never been a cyclist, he would do it on a bike.
Fran’s choice to support Youthline is motivated by wanting everyone to know that help is available to those who need it and he is inviting people to sponsor the trip, with any funds going directly to Youthline.
“There’s a lot more to Youthline than just a helpline, so I want people to know it’s there for them and have an insight of what they actually do.”
Youthline began in 1970 and supports young people and their families to reach their potential through counselling services, information, youth development programmes and youth work services.
To support Fran’s trip phone 534 0077.