Wairarapa scooter riders are revving up their engines today for the ‘Capital 2 Country Scooter Safari’, travelling 181km on 50cc scooters, in tribute to people undergoing cancer treatment.
Organised by the Cancer Society, it is the first Capital to Country ride.
The journey will start from the Wellington Indian Association, Kilbirnie, to the finishing line at Henley Park, Masterton.
Sales Manager for Fagan Motorcycles Rod Carter told the Times-Age that although he has spent a lot of time on motorcycles, it’s the first time he has ridden a 50cc scooter over the Remutaka hill.
“Cancer touches a lot of lives, and most people have friends or family that they know of who have suffered, and it’s a miserable process.”
The first event began in 2009, with a coast-to-coast ride, with 32 scooter riders travelling through Arthur’s Pass to the West coast. From that moment on, the event has raised over $1.4 million for the Cancer Society.
Carter, alongside his wife Lisa Carter and Fagan Motorcycles workshop member Jeff Gillan, will join the other 57 scooter riders participating in the safari.
Carter is looking forward to the ride, “obviously rough weather, but like they say, it’s nothing compared to what people go through with cancer.”
Mandy Evans, Fundraising Events Lead at the Cancer Society Wellington, said, “We’re super excited to have 60 really enthusiastic scooter riders hitting the streets.
All proceeds will support life-saving cancer research, supportive care services, education, and awareness programmes.
