Ray Lichtwark cycles length of the country for Kids Can charity

Rotorua's Ray Lichtwark thinks he may be the oldest cyclist taking on Tour Aotearoa. Photo / Supplied

Rotorua's Ray Lichtwark thinks he may be the oldest cyclist taking on Tour Aotearoa although he has heard a rumour there may be one other with similar digits.

Either way and whatever his age, Lichtwark describes cycling the length of New Zealand as a dream come true.

"As soon as I saw it I wanted to do it," Lichtwark said, who declined to divulge his real age.

"The opportunity to see our country from an entirely different perspective was one I was never going to pass up."

Tour Aotearoa is a bikepacking trip, stretching 3000km from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Cyclists follow a combination of cycle tracks, tracks, paths and lanes that are connected by a myriad of country roads.

There are six waves of 100-odd cyclists doing the Tour, each leaving on different dates in February. Described as a brevet and not a race, the rules are that participants take no fewer than 10 days and no more than 30, to complete the 3000km.

Lichtwark started on February 26.

"I'm looking at about 27 days, which allows for bad weather or any crook days. I don't know why anyone would be in a hurry to get to the end. There's so much to see and take in."

No support vehicles are allowed and cyclists must carry all their gear with them. There are 30 photo control points on the course and cyclists must take a photo at each to prove they were there.

Entry fee to the Tour was providing proof of a donation in excess of $100 to a charity. Lichtwark is also fundraising for Kids Can, a New Zealand-based charity creating a brighter future for children living in hardship.

"What Kids Can are able to do for one child with just $15 is amazing," he said.

Lichtwark said he was extremely fortunate to have sponsors come on board prior to his tour including Ride Central NZO who generously came up with a bike for Lichtwark.

"I was planning on doing the tour on one of my old clunkers. What I've got now is a bit of a Rolls Royce," he laughed.

Before beginning the cycle, participants camped the night at Cape Reinga.

"Cape Reinga is an amazing place, very spiritual. Weather on day one of the tour was fantastic and although 90 Mile Beach seemed twice that long – it was definitely worth doing."

Lichtwark said he had also caught up with a number of friends he hadn't seen in years, some in decades.

"I've run into quite a few old mates doing the tour, including one I haven't seen for 25 years. Not only that, I've made a whole lot more friends since we started. Once a day we load up with coffee and it's awesome spending time with these old and new friends."

To follow Lichtwark on Tour Aotearoa, he has a Facebook page called Ray's Tour of Aotearoa. Included are details of how to donate to Kids Can.

He is not the only Rotorua man taking on the 3000km ride, but he thinks he may be the only person fundraising while pedalling.