New Zealand’s first Postie Bike Challenge

**Conquiztador** · 24th February 2010, 00:16

From: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00387.htm

"Adventure Enthusiasts To Ride Ex Postie Bikes From Cape Reinga To Wellington For Children Living With Cancer

23 February 2010: New Zealand’s first Postie Bike Challenge has attracted 20 participants to ride the length of the North Island next month to raise funds for children’s charity Camp Quality NZ - with a call for more riders to join them.
The ride from Cape Reinga to Wellington over six days (March 26-31) will be on bikes formerly used for postal deliveries in rural Australia and New Zealand. A popular annual event in Australia, organiser Glenn Groves says it was time Kiwi riders had a go at completing “The Challenge”.

The motorbike and adventure enthusiast is urging more to “get on your bike, live the experience and enjoy the exhilaration of zipping down the countryside with other adventurers”. He says participants do not need to be expert riders to take part. “We’ll all be riding postie bikes - that is the mighty Honda CT110 - or the CT90 for those who aren't game for the big bike.”

The 6-day traverse down the west coast of the North Island, at about 70 km/ph, on sealed roads with special stages along the way, includes stops at 90 Mile Beach, Opononi, Warkworth, Manukau, Hampton Downs Race Track, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Levin before finishing in Wellington. Riders supply the bike, tent and bedding and the entry fee of $1,100 covers accommodation, breakfast, dinner, fuel and a donation to Camp Quality NZ.

“It will be full of fun, excitement, adrenaline and friendship, seeing the country as you've never seen it before and supporting a great charity at the same time,” says Mr Groves.

Camp Quality NZ is a not for profit organisation dedicated to bringing fun, hope and happiness to children (aged 5 to 16 years) living with cancer and year-round support to their families.
Each year, at a cost of more than $550,000 and through the commitment of more than 750 volunteers, Camp Quality NZ delivers week-long summer camps and fun programmes for children living with cancer. This year marks 25 years since organising its first summer camp in New Zealand. The Postie Bike Challenge kicks off a series of events nationwide to celebrate the silver anniversary.
For more information and entry details see: http://www.postiebikechallenge.co.nz/

**tri boy** · 24th February 2010, 06:19

Good idea, but why the hell would you stick to the tarseal for a high % of the trip?
The lil CT's were designed for rural work. Bulk gravel, farm stays, and challenge tracks are easily handled by these bikes, and rural kids grew up slipping and sliding up and down greasy tracks on the wee beasts.
Good luck with the fund raiser though

**ukusa** · 24th February 2010, 14:26

My son's a postie, wonder if his boss will mind if I borrow his CT110?
Good luck to all involved, sounds like fun.

**Blackbird** · 24th February 2010, 15:45

I can see Jantar taking this on after his Aussie Postie Bike epic!

**kevfromcoro** · 24th February 2010, 15:49

was jantar one of the blokes that did the postie bike challege to the cape??
was just reading that the other night.

**Blackbird** · 24th February 2010, 15:54

Originally Posted by kevfromcoro

was jantar one of the blokes that did the postie bike challege to the cape??
was just reading that the other night.

See: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...bike+challenge, post 51 onwards

**kevfromcoro** · 24th February 2010, 16:56

wasnt this one was it.??

http://www.austouring.com/forum/show...t=midgets+cape

thats part one....
it comes in quite a few parts.
Kev

**davereid** · 24th February 2010, 18:59

I had a bit of a look at this.

I was interested in going, but was surprised to hear the organiser was firm on only taking old NZ post type honda postie bikes.

Fair enough I suppose, it is the postie bike challenge, but while NZ post use the honda, most private postal companies use mopeds.

I thought, that as a charity ride, the organiser would be keen to have numbers, and loot for the charity, even if ancient mopeds, or any other bike regularly used by posties would be welcomed as part of the (non cruising) convoy !

My current opinion is that this has morphed into a demonstration of the organisers ego, rather than a genuine attempt to raise money for charity, as only NZ post type Hondas are eligible in spite of the fact that most private posties use something else.

This of course is not an issue in Aussie, as they dont have private postal companies.

**Crisis management** · 25th February 2010, 07:08

I looked at this as well (I've always wanted to do the Aussie postie bike challenge) but it is simply a ride on sealed roads on a slow bike, not much of a challenge or fun. Good on them for making it a fund raiser but if you look at what could be done, farms, trails & gravel, it has a lot of potential that is being missed.

It is absolutely nothing like the Aussie ride.

**Conquiztador** · 4th March 2010, 13:28

Here for someone who is keen but don't have a bike: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-275497231.htm

Edit: Sold for $255. Don't yu look like a fool!

**Jinxycat** · 19th March 2010, 16:14

fund raising for kids with cancer, get sponsored and get a CT110, then loon from the top to bottom of the north island, if you like it enough keep your ride for the south island one next year.

http://www.postiebikechallenge.co.nz/

i know its not really off road but stick some knobs on and take it to the trail rides for hot laps of the kids track