Wellington endurance athlete Thomas Lindup aims to write his name in the record books with a solo bike ride the length of New Zealand next month.
On 2nd of March, he will start what will be the first unsupported record attempt for the length of New Zealand by bike, a distance of 2,170 km.
Past records have been set with support from teams of helpers, campervans, and a helicopter over Cook Strait. The supported record is 4 days 16 hours and 40 minutes, set by Fielding postie Colin Anderson in 2007.
Mr Lindup says he aims to create a more realistic record, while trying to make New Zealand roads a safer place for biking.
“I've dreamed of cycling the length of New Zealand since I was at college. I love biking, and this is the longest ride I could think of.”
He will raise awareness for the Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) and its Share the Road campaign.
CAN project manager Patrick Morgan welcomes Mr Lindup's ambitious efforts.
“CAN believes that we all have a part to play in improving road safety, whether as a driver or cyclist. We all need to raise our game to make our roads safer and more pleasant.”
CAN also campaigns for:
- Cycle skills training to ensure everyone has the opportunity to undertake training that would include understanding the road rules and what responsible riding means
- Continuous cycle lanes through our cities and shoulders on key rural roads.
Mr Lindup, 24, is not new to endurance riding. He has an age-group World title in 24-hour solo mountain biking, and holds the record for riding 4 times around Lake Taupo, a distance of 630 km.
‘This is something I have wanted to do since I got into endurance riding. Doing it this way into prevailing winds is going to be a real adventure. Out there, just the bike and me battling out the K’s, it will be epic.”
“And what better cause to do it for than CAN, which is doing everything possible to make cyclists safer on our roads.”
Mr Lindup's sponsors are:
