From Cape Reinga to Bluff by pedal power

cycling the country: He has cycled across the North Island and now Gisborne man Graham Torrie is to pedal from one end of the the country to the other — this time raising funds for Gisborne-based charitable trust Hear4U. Graham will ride 100 kilometres a day for 30 days in February of next year. Picture supplied

A fundraising effort to help raise awareness about men's mental health will see a Gisborne man bike 3000 kilometres from the top to the bottom of the country next year.

Graham Torrie is to do the Tour Aotearoa cycle from Cape Reinga to Bluff — a combination of cycle trails, tracks, paths and lanes connected by country roads.

It has been described as “one of the world's great bikepacking trips” and Graham will complete the February ride alongside a mate and nearly 300 other participants.

“I'm biking all that way to raise money for Hear4U for all the great work they do around men's mental health,” Graham said.

Hear4U is a Gisborne-based charitable trust formed to create change and increase awareness around men's health and suicide prevention.

“Usually us blokes aren't good in communicating our own problems and lock ourselves away, so this will be a cool way to raise that awareness,” Graham said.

After completing the Kōpiko Aotearoa bike route from East Coast to Taranaki last year, he was encouraged by supporters and well-wishers to do a biking fundraiser.

Six weeks ago he decided on his cause.

“This issue has affected me as well as a few friends. Over the years I have lost a few friends through suicides so this initiative is to help and hopefully provide support to such men — to make them feel like there is always someone to talk to.

“As John Kirwan (mental health advocate) says, ‘you can't change what happened yesterday, can't change what you have got tomorrow but you have got control of today'.”

Graham said leading up to the ride he and his wife were to hold barbecues and dinners as early bird fundraisers.

In a recent post on the Hear 4 U Facebook page, Graham appealed for donations.

He will be riding 100 kilometres a day over 30 days and in his post said: “Just think, one cent for every kilometre I ride is worth $30. That's only a box of beers. So if you want to help make a difference, try donating ‘a box'. The more ‘boxes' we get, the bigger the result we get.”

Hear4U said: “All proceeds will go towards future awareness projects and events, and ensuring our blokes are supported while seeking help from ourselves and other mental health professionals, and resources.”

Donations can be made through —

Account Name: A HEAR FOR YOU TRUST

Account Number: 12-3170-0105431-00

Reference: GrahamTorrieProject