I know I’m new to this community, so this may be rather presumptuous of me… but if you don’t ask, you don’t get 
On February 22nd I’ll be leaving Whangarei on a bicycle to undertake the longest ride I’ve ever done with the TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle. I’ll be cycling 896km to Wellington in 11 days. For some of you really accomplished riders that may seem really slow, but my longest ride to date is 60km so I’ll be taking my time. If I successfully complete it I will be aiming to do it again and hopefully do a ride sometime in the near future from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
The point of this ride isn’t me though. The point is vulnerable children in the poorest communities of the world and here in New Zealand. I’m riding to raise money to support the work TEAR Fund is engaged with and to support one of our local partners, Brothers in Arms. By using the bicycle as the tool to engage the fundraising I am also promoting an ecologically friend, healthy and sustainable world that benefits all. Whilst I’m looking for donors willing to support the children we work with, that’s not what I wish to ask for here… though you’re more than welcome to make a donation towards my $5,000 target here. Note: You can donate from anywhere in the world if you have a credit card 
What I do need your help with is a bike that will go the distance. I have a beautiful commuter bike, but its limitation is exactly what I purchased it for – zipping around the city I love. It’s not suitable for the longer distance and more rugged riding. My other bike is a GT Avalanche mountain bike – it’s small wheels make it hard work and I don’t think it’s holding together well enough to go the distance. I have another possible loan but it will take a bit of work and money to get up to speed.
What I need is some kind soul or bike store that is willing to loan me a suitable bike that is ready to go for three weeks. The two weeks of the ride and the week leading up to it to get used to the bike. Loaning a bike would be akin to a good donation to support the children we want to help. It doesn’t need racks as all my stuff will be carried for me (and other riders) in a support vehicle.
Any help would be greatly appreciated and viewed as a wonderful demonstration of support. If you can help, you can leave a comment here and I can get in touch with you or you can email me frank(@)tearfund.org.nz (just remove the brackets around the ‘@’ ). If I get a bike loaned by a business/bicycle store – I will make sure it is mentioned regularly in my public communications to help make it worthwhile.
Below are photos of some of the children I have spent time with in Kenya and India. These are the children I want to help by pedaling my way down the North Island. I would love your help.
Good luck Frank. Why don't you run past a razor and visit your local bike shops this weekend?
You could also try some of the importers/distributors like Avanti (Sheppard Industries).
"Why don't you run past a razor…"
HAHAHA! I like that.
Thanks to one of our generous readers, it looks like this might be covered. I'll be trying out a bike tomorrow.
Good luck with the ride!
The longest ride I completed was 65km before a friend and I took off on an Auckland to Hamilton ride just before Christmas. It was 155km and no sweat really, no sore legs afterwards either, so in my experience, you'll be sweet!
Sounds like fun. Definitely something I'd love to do!
Thanks for the encouragement, Leon!
I'm hoping that's how it works out. I've got more training in the plan but it's still a big unknown so I'm employing some faith that I'll manage it.
Thanks to one of our generous readers I've got a great bike for the ride!
If you want to do it, you can (as long as you're still in NZ). Check out http://www.povertycycle.org.nz You could sign up for the whole North or South Island ride, part of it, or one of the iconic rides on March 5th.