Charity cyclist Stuart Bayne has had to re-plan his marathon ride through New Zealand following devastating Earthquakes that have hit the country’s South Island.
Stuart, who is Sales Manager – North for NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, is set to embark on a 2100km+ (1304 miles) ride to raise funds for the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA), but has had to alter his route after two simultaneous major Earthquakes struck north of Christchurch, killing two people around the coastal town of Kaikoura where he had initially planned to stay for one night’s accommodation.
The country was hit by at least 1800 tremors since the initial magnitude 7.8 Earthquake caused more than 100,000 landslides, including 50 covering State Highway 1, the main road which runs the length of the country.
Stuart (53) said: “The Earthquakes have caused landslides along the route I was originally planning to take which means that I will now have to move away from the low coastal roads and go further inland and cycle a further 2000 metres in elevation, which will be tough.
“However, I am still positive about the ride. My training has gone well and I am determined to complete it in the scheduled time.”
Stuart last year completed an 1100-kilometre (683-mile) sponsored cycle ride through Europe to raise more than £17,000 for DSA and is confident of raising even more money this year.
Ignition specialist NGK will once again be a main sponsor of his charity ride with a number of NGK customers, colleagues and friends also pledging funds.
Stuart said he is extremely grateful for the level of support that he has received, not only from NGK UK and NGK Europe, but also from many of the company’s customers in all industry sectors, from automotive to horticultural.
He will set off from Bluff at the southern tip of New Zealand on December 4, travelling through the South Island and crossing Cook Strait on a ferry before continuing through the North Island, ending at Cape Reinga, the northern-most part of the country, on December 22.
