A 2000km endurance motorbike ride in which a Northland man was killed may not be repeated next year.
Christchurch-based Mike Hyde is thinking of cancelling next year's TT2000 South Island because Maromaku farmer Nolan Going's death at the weekend took the "gloss" off of the event.
But he's defending the 2000km journey, saying it is "quite a do-able exercise".
Maromaku farmer Nolan Going was killed when, according to police, he rode into the back of a motorcycle ridden by his cousin, John Kehoe, who was airlifted to Nelson hospital with neck injuries.
Police are investigating whether fatigue was a factor because motorcyclists were on the road for long hours.
Mr Hyde said the just under 100 motorcyclists who took part were aware of the risks and the fact they could achieve the distance within legal speed limits.
He stressed the rally was informal and not a race.
"It's quite do-able at 100 kilometres an hour, which is within the speed limit and done during the day only," Mr Hyde said.
"It [the distance] sounds a lot but it's not.
He spoke to Mr Kehoe and said the injured man wasn't sure how Nolan crashed into the back of his motorcycle.
"We try to emphasise that this is not a race ... there's no entry fees, no prizes and the race is on sealed road. There's no competitive element because once you bring that in, the focus changes."
Mr Hyde said the motorcyclists were experienced riders and not the ones who have "got motorcycles and might try it out".
He said he would have broken the law if motorcyclists had been given 24 hours to complete 2000km.
Motorcyclists had to sign a disclaimer that says they are riding at their own risk.
Neither Nelson police nor New Zealand Transport Agency is commenting on whether it was safe for motorcyclists to undertake the marathon journey.
Serious Crash Unit investigators will check both motorcycles involved in the crash for mechanical failures.
2000km endurance race faces cancellation after rider killed
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