Pair on their bikes to raise funds for St John

They met in Queenstown and are now working their way down the country from Cape Reinga to Bluff on their bikes to raise money for St John.

James Eisner, of the United Kingdom, and Simon Bowie, of Christchurch, began their journey at the end of last month for two reasons - the personal achievement of biking the length of the country and to raise awareness and funds for a charity they are both passionate about.

The pair hope to raise $3000 for St John. They have reached $650 in online donations alone.

So far they have kept to their schedule, riding from Cape Reinga via Te Kao, Awanui, Paihia, Whangarei, Waipu, Auckland, Raglan, Waitomo and Wanganui, on Wednesday taking the ferry to reach the South Island.

During the ride, the pair had been treated to free accommodation, slept in a marae, got lost on Auckland's North West Cycle Trail, escaped a vicious dog attack, managed to get in some surfing and bumped in to a former workmate from Coronet Peak in Raglan.

Mr Bowie's mother, Sue Bowie, said the pair were well known in Queenstown, where both had worked at Ziptrek. Mr Bowie had also worked at Coronet Peak.

Donations can be made at ASB Bank under the WatchMeRide reference.