Long month on the bike for victims of leukaemia

Kelly Shrimpton is nearing the end of her journey. Photo / File

The end is in sight for Rotorua's Kelly Shrimpton.

Today marks the 22nd day of her "31Ks for 31 days" cycle journey to raise funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand in memory of her partner Nick Bolton.

So far she has raised $4500 with more yet to be counted.

She said she's had sore legs and days when she's stuck to easy tracks and one day where she had a cry.

"I had an emotional breakdown last week," she said.

"I got home and started crying for no reason. I was shattered, I knew that I might feel a bit low but I also knew it would come right. I think I was just exhausted. A friend brought dinner over and I just carried on."

She said the challenge had meant riding with lots of new and different people and this weekend she rode several tracks new to her. She has ridden on the cycleway on Dave Donaldson's tandem and then replicated that by herself. The time difference was 27 minutes. She has also ridden seven laps of the Dipper track to make up the distance.

This weekend is the Whaka 100 and Nduro Events is sponsoring her. At the moment Miss Shrimpton is unsure whether she will enter the 25km race, or simply watch the start and go out for her own ride.

"I'm reluctant to ride a track someone else determines - it all depends on how my legs are feeling. If it's not too hard I'm happy to do it. Quite often my legs will feel dreadful but then come right after 30 minutes. Other days they don't.

"Even on my worst days I'm thankful I can get out there and do it. There's a lot of determination to get it done."

She said she was planning a big ride on October 31 to mark the end of her challenge. Details will be posted on her Facebook page.

"I've mixed emotions of it coming to an end. It will be a sense of achievement but there's the fact it will be over and what will I do then? I'm not entirely sure but I'm building a list of some things I want to do, learn or work on - like having some skills lessons on my bike."

For more information on Miss Shrimpton's ride, check out www.facebook.com/31Ksfor31Days or to donate go to www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/31Ksfor31Days.