Graeme Simpson: Nice drizzle greets remarkable effort

Lance Tavinor cannot resist getting air during his 300km-plus ride on the weekend. PHOTO/ALLAN URE

And then it really rained.

But not until the 24 Hours of Nduro was over at midday on Sunday. The race started on Saturday under overcast skies and in light drizzle. Usually, that would be a cause for concern. Not this time.

After one of the driest Januaries on record, the rain was a welcome sight for gardeners and farmers - and Rotorua mountain bikers.
Those trails were getting chalky in places.

And after a week of very warm temperatures, a cooler day and that drizzle was welcome for the racers in the Nduro. Riding for the first eight hours in the high 20Cs would have sapped anyone's strength, even these finely tuned, endurance athletes.

Lance Tavinor was one rider who had never attempted a 24 Hour Solo race before.
He was doing the race to raise money and awareness for Kidney Health New Zealand. His brother, Grant, is suffering from kidney failure and needs a transplant.
Lance is undergoing rigorous testing to see if he is a compatible donor. Grant was up from Christchurch to support Lance and it was a privilege to meet him.

Lance started enthusiastically and probably a bit too quickly - that whole race face thing. He gradually hit a steadier pace and by 10.50am on Sunday he had covered over 300km. He was suffering by then and wanted to stop - only to be told that he had to finish after 11am. Out he went again, loudly cheered on by a growing group of supporters. The donation tin was also filling up nicely.

When he finally completed his last lap, he was walking like a cowboy. He had to ride upright for that final circuit. His lower back was so sore he couldn't bend down to the handlebars. This was on a 14km course that included some tough climbing (including Rock Drop and up The Tickler) and technical down hills. No focus and concentration on those and it's all over in a heartbeat.
There was only gentle hugging and handshakes.

It was a remarkable achievement, purely as a race effort. To do it for such a personal cause, so close to his heart - literally - made it even more wonderful.
If there was a spirit of Rotorua mountain biking award, Lance would be a front row contender. With mountain biking becoming even more commercialised, sometimes that spirit and sense of community can get lost in the bottom line and the money. Not last weekend.

Special mention to Lance's support crew, headed up by Benny Devcich. They all stayed the distance with him, through the night.

You can donate: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/lancekranksitforkidneys
That spirit will continue in April. The 2015 New Zealand Singlespeed Championships - special 100th anniversary edition - is also supporting Kidney Health New Zealand.

Two years ago, the Rotorua Singlespeed Society donated just over $5000 to the Cancer Society. Hopefully, we can do the same for Lance and Grant this year. Lance is a society committee member and a mate - it'd be rude not to.

If you want to help, enter now (or at least before race day on April 26): www.rotoruasinglespeed.com.

And the Rotorua Bike Festival is just 10 days away. That's about community too: www.rotoruabikefestival