Kerikeri's Antony Crate is pumped, counting down the days until he can ride his bike in the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 5km Heart Ride. "He's getting excited about riding his bike now. I think he's unsure as to what all the fuss is about though," Antony's mother Claire Crate said. Antonyis one of 25 courageous heart kids keen to ride the last 5km of the 160km road race, to help raise funds for Heart Children New Zealand, who support kids with heart conditions. In February, Antony had open heart surgery to correct heart defects, detected when his parents took him to the doctor for an unrelated illness seven months earlier. "It was a shock to get the diagnosis ... but it's a relief now it is behind us," she said. The six-year-old stayed at home for the school term following his operation, but is now fully fit, active and cannot wait until Saturday's event. "He hadn't done much bike riding before his operation but now he's getting quite into it ... and I think he will keep with it after the Heart Ride." Riding in the Heart Ride at the Cycle Challenge is special for Antony because it's the event his grandfather Keith Crate has directed for many years. It was an especially poignant year for the family, as Keith Crate was awarded the QSM for services to cycling. While Antony's mum will cheer for her son from the roadside, dad Tony will be running alongside his son. Sporting heroes such as Bevan Docherty and Eroni Clarke have joined in the cause, and will ride alongside the heart kids. More than 11,000 cyclists will take part in Saturday's cycle challenge, now in its 22nd year. Individuals can ride the full around-the-lake 160km distance, or cyclists can form a team and complete part of the race each. Marsden Wheelers coach Ruth Jarden said there were many riders from Northland, who were part of the "personal challenge" category (recreational riders) competing, but as yet, no one had entered the elite section.
