Starring role for super cyclists

The unstoppable Del and Cindy Henley, stars of Ryman’s newest Pioneers campaign, have pulled out their pushbikes to complete yet another incredible cycling trip.

The Possum Bourne residents had their plans to cycle in Europe and Australia scuppered by COVID-19 so instead scheduled a tour around New Zealand’s beautiful South Island.

“We allowed two months to circle the South Island – from Picton to Bluff, up the West Coast and across to Blenheim, which is an estimated distance of 2,200km.” says Cindy.

“The highlights so far have been the spectacular Kaikoura coast and cycling the new 23km cycleway from Kaiapoi to Christchurch, which was flat, smooth and safe!” The plucky pair know all about challenges on the road after embarking on an awe-inspiring trek across Australia two and a half years ago, travelling 7,000km from Cairns to Perth.

While they survived the threat of bush flies, bikie gangs and the inevitable sore butts, the trip was dramatically cut short just 490km out of Perth when Cindy hit a pothole and went over the handlebars, fracturing her shoulder and receiving a number of nasty grazes.

Having previously ridden all around Australia in a number of smaller trips, a couple of thousand kilometres around New Zealand’s South Island seems trifling in comparison.

However Cindy says the planning has been just as meticulous and the daily dangers are ever-present, even in safe old New Zealand.

The cycling bug bit when Del turned 70 and he decided to challenge himself by taking up cycling – from Cape Reinga to Bluff no less.

“Del is the quintessential pioneer,” says Cindy. “He loves challenges. And I was sick of being at home worrying to death about what was happening to this man so the next time he suggested it I said ‘Well, I’m coming too!”

It’s no surprise that this trailblazing pair earned themselves a starring slot in Ryman’s latest Pioneers campaign.

Pictured: Del and Cindy at Possum Bourne before their epic traverse of Australia in 2018.