HAVING developed a tradition for cycling, John Townend now hopes to tackle his next challenge, a 3000km bicycle trail ride around New Zealand called the Tour Aotearoa.
Coming from a little village called Hathersage, West of Sheffield in the Peak District National Park, England, John has been accustomed to long distance bike rides particularly in Europe.
Working in international development for just over 40 years in South East Asia, the Caribbean and in the South Pacific usually within the European Union programs, John has dedicated his free-time to cycling and other recreational activities.
John was first alerted about the Tour Aotearoa bike ride during one of his visits to New Zealand. He had gone to meet his long-time friends John and Vicky in Kerikeri, North Island, NZ.
“I’m not exactly young anymore and I used to do a lot of marathons before, but running can be hard on your joints and spine so as you get older you change into something like cycling,” he said.
“I have done a few long distance rides. I did one from the top of England to Dorset. I was trying to do a pilgrim route like the Santiago de Compostela that goes from Paris all the way to Spain but for England. During the bike ride, I cycled through the Cathedral of York, Lincoln all the way down into Dorset.
“When I worked in Vanuatu I did a bicycle ride around the island before I left and the road wasn’t good. I even had a picture of a bike stuck in a rutting road standing up on its own. I also did a similar round the island bike ride when I was in Jamaica too.”
He said he had done cycling in Fiji where he cycled from Suva to Pacific Harbour with a group of cyclists. John is not just cycling around New Zealand for the fun of it but is raising funds for WOWS Kids Fiji.
“I had done a five kilometre run for WOWS kids a couple of years ago and I was beaten by my girlfriend,” he said with a laugh.
“From that I realised that WOWS Kids was well organised and they did good things especially supporting children living with cancer. When I become serious about the 3000km bike ride I was told to pay a carbon credit to a non-profit organisation so I right away chose WOWS Kids.
“I paid $150 and then thought that it would be a good opportunity to raise funds for them too during the tour.
“The Tour Aotearoa strings together a series of bike trails through the country, from Cape Reinga in the North to Bluff at the bottom of South Island,” he said.
The tour follows a combination of cycle trails, tracks, paths and lanes connected by the most enjoyable country roads available.
“So, I could not think of a more fitting way to finish a tour of duty in the Southern Hemisphere to what I feel is still one of the best countries in the world.
“I have also opened a GoFundme account entitled “Cycling New Zealand for Fijian Kids with Cancer”. I have set an ambitious funding target, but frankly any donation in any currency will be much appreciated.
“On top of this I have opened a Facebook Page entitled ‘Townend Tour Aotearoa 2020’ where I hope to post regular updates on the journey, which will start on February 20,” he said.
After preparations in England and in Fiji — John left Fijian shores this week for the 30-day cycling challenge.
