Mind the puddles: Cyclists taking part in the Central South Island Charity Bike Ride cope with the rain just south of the Waimate Gorge.
WET weather forced 165 riders in the Central South Island Charity Bike Ride to cycle 12 extra kilometres in what some riders said were the worst conditions they had ever experienced. The event, in its fifth year, began on Thursday and finished on Saturday. Cyclists rode 115km from Temuka to Tekapo on day one, 133km from Tekapo to Kurow on day two, and 121km from Kurow to Temuka on day three. Ride co-ordinator Phil Laurie said riders had to detour about 10km to 12km because of the wet weather. “It was atrocious, shocking weather. Some of the experienced riders who have been riding for 30 years or more said it was the worst conditions they had ever ridden a bike in.” This year, 165 cyclists raised $116,000 for eight charities, which was a bit less than last year. In last year’s event, 162 riders raised $128,000 for six charities. In the inaugural ride in 2005, 56 riders took part and raised a total of $27,000. The following year, 95 riders raised $58,000 for three charities, and in 2007, 136 riders raised $104,000 for four charities.