A group of cyclists riding the length of the North Island to raise awareness of depression made a brief stop in Whanganui on Monday.
Joe's Garage Charity Cyclists is a group of about 30 Taranaki cyclists - and one from Southland - who stopped off for refreshments at Double S Motordrome in Westmere, as part of a 160km leg from Waverley to Pahiatua.
Group spokesman Darrel Nicholas said the group cycled the length of the South Island last year and, with a few new members, is cycling the length of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Cape Palliser. This trip is about 1360km long and will take nine days. Group members range in age from 24 to 68.
"Most of the group members have been impacted by depression, anxiety or suicide, either directly or indirectly. We're just a like-minded bunch of people who wanted to do something to help," Mr Nicholas said.
Most of the group members are not keen cyclists, he added.