Garlick has transformed her 50cc Yamaha scooter into the Fred Flintstone Flintmobile for the 250km journey from McLeans Island to Hokitika.
“The inspiration I had was to copy what my late father had once made for a Lions fundraiser - a Fred Flintstone car over a quad bike,” she said.
It will be Garlick’s third safari over the alps. About 300 people had registered so far for he event.
Garlick, a teacher aide from West Melton, rode her first safari with her sons dressed as the Super Mario brothers. Last year, she dressed as a chicken.
This time around it took her three months to build the Flintmobile.
"The wheels are made of expanding foam with fiberglass over the top, the dash and other things are made from plastic and cardboard.
"The pipes here are drain pipes with a bit wood bog for texture and the wooden sides are plastic and cardboard with old curtains stitched onto them and stuffed with pillows," she said.
Garlick lost both her parents to cancer and rides in the safari to support the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
"It’s great riding with so many others, many dressed up like me,” she said.
The journey takes about nine hours. Garlick said one of the highlights, other than the Sheffield pie stop, was making it to the top of Porters Pass.
"When I finally made it up to the top of Porters Pass last year, I gave dad a big fist pump as it was very exciting just to have made it up there, the chicken suit caught the wind and made it very hard to ride at times,” she said.
She said because her bike is so distinctive, she needs to be aware of other riders.
"But it’s all about enjoying the reaction when others see you. You know, the chicken suit certainly made a lot of people laugh."
