Rowers in gear for charity

LONG ROAD: Tim Chittock (left) and Mark Parry stop off in Masterton while on their Cape Reinga to Bluff charity bike ride for Epilepsy New Zealand.

Riding a bike is a lot easier than rowing, reckon two charity riders passing through Masterton.

Rowers Tim Chittock, 22, Ohakune and Mark Parry, 20, Tauranga, are cycling from Cape Reinga to Bluff to raise money for Epilepsy New Zealand.

The pair, who have been cycling south for eight days straight, caught up with the Times-Age on Tuesday over a burger at Masterton McDonald's.

They said when they came up with the idea, they were told by clubmates at the Waikato Rowing Club that it would never work.

Mr Chittock has a brother with epilepsy, while Mr Parry has friends with the condition.

However, rowing training, it seems, translates very well to cycling long distances.

"Rowing is 80 per cent legs," said Mr Chittock. "We found biking pretty easy - yesterday we did 200km."

He said they were a bit tired after that effort, and were planning to make Featherston by the end of the day.

They had a 2pm sailing to the South Island yesterday, sponsored by Interislander ferries.

Mr Chittock said apart from blowing his crankshaft yesterday, the trip has gone well.

"It's been the best time of my life," he said.

"First time we came down from Cape Reinga, we had a swim in this beautiful emerald green river.

"We've seen amazing sights on the way."

He said trucks had been "quite good" in giving them room.

Mr Parry was surprised at how well the trek had gone.

His father, Ian, has been the support driver for the trip.