Keilly Needs Bike for Charity Ride

Timaru’s Keilly Smith yesterday registered for the Central South Island Charity Bike Ride but is missing one thing.

“All I need now is to borrow a bike,” the 24-year-old said.

Miss Smith said the decision to take part was last minute after she discovered more participants were needed.

“I saw the organisers needed 10 more people so I gave them a call,” she said.

All proceeds from the bike ride, which will be held from February 24 to 26, will go to Epilepsy South Canterbury.

The ride will see cyclists travel 108km from Timaru to Kurow on the first day, then 133km from Kurow to the army barracks at Tekapo on the second day and from the barracks to Timaru on the third day – - a total distance of 352km.

While the event is now only three weeks away, Miss Smith said fitness wasn’t an issue.

“I’ve spent the past seven months training to be a boxer.”

However, she admitted getting on a bike may prove a little more difficult.

“I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a child,” she smiled.

A nursing agency employee, Miss Smith yesterday collected $600 in sponsorship ($300 from The Sail and the Temuka Hotel).

“I’ve made a start on the sponsorship so all I need now is the bike and a helmet.”

Miss Smith said if anyone had a road bike she could lend for the charity bike ride she can be contacted on (03) 684 7793.

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