Pāpāmoa cyclist Tod Penberthy said he was feeling confident returning to cycling after his accident. Photo / Supplied
Pāpāmoa cyclist Tod Penberthy said he was feeling confident returning to cycling after his accident. Photo / Supplied
Weeks after a serious crash during the Taupō Enduro race left Pāpāmoa cyclist Tod Penberthy nursing six broken ribs, he is back on his bike.
On November 29, the experienced rider was 200km into the 322km race – which comprises two laps around Lake Taupō – when he was allegedlystruck on Poihipi Rd by the wing mirror of a passing ute and crashed.
He was taken to Taupō Hospital in an ambulance before being flown to Tauranga Hospital by the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter, where he stayed for a week.
Tod Penberthy was injured after being hit by a vehicle during the Taupo Enduro race.
Along with the broken ribs, the 67-year-old suffered a deep cut down his right arm and road rash.
He told NZME this week he was walking just three days after the incident, and by Boxing Day, he was back on his bike for some “easy, gentle rides” to get the blood flowing.
He said his ribs were still sore and he could not sleep easily at night, but his arm was healing nicely and his stitches had been removed.
“Things are progressing pretty well simply because I am young and fit.”
Penberthy said he had been road cycling for 45 years and the injury happened during his 12th time on the Taupō Enduro track.
He said he would not be competing for another few months but he had been cycling on Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Harbour, Whanganui and Taupō cycleways to rebuild his strength.
Pāpāmoa cyclist Tod Penberthy returned to his bike on Boxing Day after being hit by a vehicle during the Taupō Enduro race in November. Photo / Supplied
Penberthy said that for many people his age, this accident would have forced them to give up cycling, but he refused to accept that fate.
“The plan for the future is to live to 101,” he said.
“I’m feeling confident. I’ll be back on the road, no problem at all, and I won’t worry about cars or trucks.
“I’m happy and healthy and back on my bike.”
A police spokesman said a 28-year-old woman was due to appear in the Taupō District Court on January 14, charged with careless driving.
Ayla Yeoman is a journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Communications and Politics & International Relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2022.
