Lifestyle writers from overseas saddle up for cycle tour with difference

International interest in a Kiwi cycling event spanning Cape Reinga to Bluff is heating up before the start on Saturday.

About 300 people had signed up for the New Zealand Tour, organiser Simon Yarrell said. Cycling teams or individuals can begin at the top of the North Island or bottom of the South Island. The tour begins simultaneously at Cape Reinga and Bluff at 8am on Saturday, finishing about 700km, or eight days, later at the Beehive.

On April 19, the tour will leave National Park at 8am and travel the 62km to Pipiriki, where support vehicles will take the cyclists along the Whanganui River Rd to Ranana. The second stage will begin at 12.30pm at Ranana and head 56km down the River Rd to Wanganui, to finish at the River Market square green.

The New Zealand Tour race founder and organisers, Peter Yarrell and son Simon, are inviting all cyclists to join the tour as it passes through their towns or cities.

"Mayor Annette Main is joining the tour at National Park to Wanganui and we'd love other locals to join her."

Lifestyle-publication writers from Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, China and the UK have had their interest piqued and will be joining the tour.

"Participants choose whether to speed or dawdle their way toward the middle of the country in stages, as serious racers or simply as tour adventurers checking out the diverse scenery on offer," Peter Yarrell said.

The man behind the tour has also run a Queen Charlotte Classic multisport event for 18 years.

The Yarrells want the tour to raise money for Kiwi cycleways via donations to the Hikurangi Foundation, as well as support the Westpac Chopper and St John. The last two had their coffers substantially emptied through rescue efforts after Christchurch's February 2011 quake.

For more information, visit www.tourofnewzealand.co.nz. The tour runs from April 14-21.