A group of eight local riders are teaming up with seven international riders across New Zealand and Australia to raise funds for the construction of a Pump Track opposite Apii Te Uki Ou.

The riders are raising funds through the Te Awakairangi Access Trust to support construction work on the track. The NZ based Trust have a goal of getting more kids riding bikes and their support will be important to helping realise the goal of building a Pump Track in Rarotonga.

The riding challenge requires all riders to climb either 5000 vertical metres on a road bike or 3000 vertical metres on a mountain bike over no more than three consecutive days.

Roland Neururer, who is doing the road riding option, believes it will take him 14 hours of riding to complete the challenge.

Neururer plans to complete the challenge across two days riding seven hours per day. The other riders Matt Wyatt, Alun Dodd, Tommy Long, Adrianna Skurosz, Jakub Postrzygacz, Joanna Sobocinska and David Street are planning on completing the mountain bike option which will likely take 8-10 hours. The challenge must be completed by the end of June.

Matt Wyatt states that whilst this is a massive riding challenge it is well worth the effort as it is for such a worthy cause.

“This Pump Track will provide kids with a safe and fun place to ride their bikes and will help embed a life-long joy of riding bikes,” said Wyatt.

“Ultimately this track will get kids off their devices and out connecting with other kids in a positive and healthy way.”

The track is located on land generously gifted by Pa Ariki. Work has started on the track through generous contributions from the New Zealand High Commission, Joe Heather and T&M Heather and Infrastructure Cook Islands who have provided machinery.

Chris Vale of Triad is supporting the development to seal the track and Oceania Cycling is supporting with a grant to purchase bikes for youths. Ride Rarotonga is also supporting with the supply of those bikes. 

More money is however needed to get the track completed. The group have raised $12,000 so far but have a target of $20,000 and hope to raise the balance through rider sponsorship/donations.

If you wish to support the cause simply go to www.climbingforcharity.co.nz and sponsor a rider.