Ride to honour cancer victim

RECOGNITION: Glenys Taylor is gearing up to ride more than 2000km across Australia. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

A Feilding woman is determined to ride more than 2000km to raise money for cancer sufferers.

Glenys Taylor will embark on her coastal journey in April as a way of honouring her friend and cycling companion, Averil Sheehan.

Ms Sheehan died unexpectedly after suffering from melanoma in September last year.

Mrs Taylor completed her first crosscountry ride, from Perth to Adelaide, in 2013 and has been training since last November for her second trip.

"Today I trained for six hours," she said. "I started off doing one or two hours and now I am doing 150km in six hours. I do this three times a week with a few shorter rides too."

The 55-year-old began cycling nine years ago after being a spectator for her children at triathlons. "I hated standing on the sidelines and thought why not give a tri a go. I got me a bike and it started from there -- once you get the bug for it you can't stop."

Leaving from Adelaide, Mrs Taylor's goal is to reach Sydney in 13 days.

"I am taking the coastal route and my aim will be to complete 160km a day. I chose Australia because like cancer, it is an unknown for me. The roads are unknown, I won't know what town's next or what hill ... it will allow me to have some empathy for those who have cancer."

Mrs Taylor described her friendship with Mrs Sheehan as competitive.

"She was always so supportive ... when I left on my last ride in Australia she told me not to do the 230km I thought I would do, as I wouldn't be able to walk the next day. She was always so encouraging."

She said mentally preparing for the ride was also tough.

"It's hard but this time I will be thinking of Averil. Things along the way will trigger memories and I will just keep thinking of why I am doing this. I know at the end I will probably sit down and bawl and think of her ... she will be there beside me."

Mrs Taylor has a fundraising page where people can donate in support of her journey. Her aim is to raise $1 for every kilometre. Visit doyourthing-cd.everydayhero.com/nz/glenys to make a donation. A blog will also be available on the page where Mrs Taylor will provide updates throughout the ride.