Sophie Snail takes on Tour Aotearoa 2021!

I am taking on the nemesis that is Tour Aotearoa, which involves bikepacking the length of New Zealand in 30 days (3000km), with one set of underwear!

This is a self-supported event and I am tackling it solo... just to make things a bit more difficult... with everything I need on my bike! Anyone who's watched me attempt to change a flat will understand quite how ridiculous this is going to be!

Wellington has been a welcome home for over 3 years now and I wanted to give back to this community. For many of my friends and families overseas, battling with ongoing Covid restrictions, I realise I am extremely fortunate to even be able to do this (fingers crossed!). I wanted to find a way to bring you all with me and raise money for a worthy cause.

Cycling for me means freedom... I have struggled with mental health challenges through my life, particularly depression, but have been fortunate to find cycling, which opens my mind, keeps me fit and allows me to get into the outdoors.

There are many people however, who do not have this luxury.

ReBicycle EkeRua is a charitable community organisation which ‘upcycles’ donated second-hand bikes into safe, practical commuter bikes to gift or loan to people who need them, starting with newly settled refugees in the Wellington region but also including any people experiencing financial difficulty.

ReBicycle offers people in the Wellington Region on low incomes opportunities to ride or own a bike. "We think bikes offer people, including children, better health, transport, and recreation outcomes. They bring together communities, and with your generous donations, we can provide children, families and individuals, the chance to own a bike, learn to ride, build confidence and enjoy cycling."

This community-led initiative prevents useful resources ending up in the landfill, reducing transport carbon emissions and enabling free healthy transport options. All bikes are donated by the public, parts are donated or bought, and mechanics volunteer their time where possible.

Due to limited time and resources Rebicycle aren’t able to fix up every bike, and inevitably some will end up going to the metal recycler – the more funds that can be raised, the more they can do!