Tavinor's amazing effort all for a good cause

Lance Tavinor raised about $3000 for Kidney Health New Zealand while riding the 24-hours of Nduro on the weekend. Photo/Allan Ure

Rotorua mountain biker Lance Tavinor put his heart, soul and kidneys on the line, successfully completing a 24-hour mountain bike ride for charity.

He took on the solo category in the 24-hours of Nduro in the Whakarewarewa Forest on the weekend.

With $5 from every entry going to Kidney Health New Zealand, he was riding for a cause close to his heart.

His older brother Grant is ill with kidney disease and Lance is undergoing rigorous testing to see if he is a suitable donor.

He also put himself through one of the most challenging tests for a mountain biker, when he started the Nduro at midday on Saturday.

"He went out a little fast with his race face on at the start," said his pit crew boss Benny Devcich.
"But he settled into a good rhythm as night fell."

The weather and riding conditions were perfect after one of the driest and hottest Januaries on record.

There was rain on Friday night and the race started in a refreshing drizzle.

Lance was still going strong as dawn broke on Sunday morning.

He passed the 300km mark on the demanding 14km course as the clock ticked down to midday.

He was cheered on his final lap by a big crowd of supporters and arrived back to an even bigger round of applause.

"I had to ride that last lap upright," he said as he enjoyed a post-race beer. "My back was so sore I couldn't lean in to the handlebars."

"Sleep, next," he said.

Lance was fourth overall in the 24-hour solo category and did 24 laps - only one lap behind the leaders Jason English (five times 24-hour Solo World Champion), David Rae (two times NZ 24-Hour Solo champ) and Scott Ardern.
His average lap time was 1.02.52.

Lance thanked his support crew and the Rotorua mountain biking community for all their help.

He said he raised about $3000 on the weekend.

"Oh, and on another note, does anyone have a bed crane, because I'm seriously struggling to get out of bed - my body is done," he said.