Eighty-year-old Iain Hickey has joined what operators say is an increasing number of people cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail this season - the only difference is, he biked the whole length in a day. The spritely Omakau senior citizen took nine hours and 10 minutes to bike the 150km from Clyde to Middlemarch, two days after his 80th birthday.
''I've always been a bit of a biker,'' Mr Hickey said yesterday. His usual training was a ''quick bike ride to St Bathans and back - about 80km'' - and he completed 200km a week in the lead-up to his big ride on January 3.
''Doing the rail trail in one day was on my bucket list and I'd wondered if I could do it around my 80th birthday.''
Eighteen years ago he had heart surgery and a five-artery bypass, and three years ago, after suffering with angina, he had four stents put in and a balloon angioplasty.
''I mentioned to my cardiologist that I thought I'd do the rail trail and he wasn't too sure. He thought I'd turn it into a race ... but he didn't say no,'' Mr Hickey said. Two friends, Sarah Picard, of Alexandra, and Richmond Johnston, of Wellington, biked with him. They were followed by a support crew that included his wife, Elaine.
He was well prepared and carried with him a few essentials - muesli bars, asthma inhalers and his nitrolingual spray, in case of any angina attacks. The cyclists left Clyde at 6.10am and arrived at Middlemarch at 4.50pm, stopping several times on the way.
''It was a brilliant day, but I reckon I could improve on it [the time] next time and maybe do it in eight and a-half hours.''
On average, most people complete the rail trail in three days, biking 40km-60km a day.
Mr Hickey said he owed it to the health professionals involved in his care to keep fit and healthy.
''My attitude is a lot of health professional people were involved in getting me healthy and I owe them a debt, so this is my payback to them, to keep myself fit and active.''
Along the way he also raised $670 for the Omakau Fire Brigade's first response team, which had treated him.
Mr Hickey is already planning his next challenge.
''I've got a sea kayak and I think kayaking around Lake Wanaka and the stretch of the Clutha River to the Clyde Dam would be quite an adventure.''
Travelling the rail trail in the opposite direction, starting in Middlemarch, is also on his list.
Rail trail trust chairwoman Kate Wilson, of Middlemarch, said the trail seemed busier than usual heading into the ''peak'' season, February to April.
''From my perspective, it's busier than other years. More people are going self-contained, rather than booking through tour companies, and they're going on the spur of the moment, rather than booking ahead for food and accommodation.''
Rail Trail Operators Group committee member David Ritchie, of Clyde, said ''lots of people'' were using the trail. An increasing number of visitors were choosing to do just one section, as a day trip. Tour operators were still getting a good share of the market, and were happy with bookings for the peak season, he said.
