Central Otago Mayoress Bernie Lepper is going to great lengths to mark a significant birthday and she is in good company.
Mrs Lepper set off from Cape Reinga on Tuesday on Tour Aotearoa - a 3000km bike ride the length of the country.
About 300 people are taking part and Mrs Lepper's aim was to do "a significant adventure'' to mark a pending major birthday, ending in "0''.
She declined to reveal her age.
Several other Central Otago cyclists are also tackling the month-long trek, including Kath Kelly, of Millers Flat.
Ms Kelly, together with Erin Greene, won the The Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race earlier this month - a 569km race from Christchurch to Queenstown.
Ms Kelly also won the women's section of the two-day Coast to Coast in 2008.
For this event, she has teamed up with Wellington cyclist Peg Leyland and the duo are using their journey as a fundraiser for those affected by the Nepal earthquake last year.
"Some day I hope to go there and help them out,'' she said last week.
Mrs Lepper said this would be her biggest bike trip so far.
A few years ago, she and husband Tony biked the length of the United Kingdom, but they were on road bikes and not carrying camping gear.
Tour Aotearoa is not a race so cyclists ride at their own pace, stop when they want and are expected to finish at Bluff in about 30 days.
The route started with a stint along 90 Mile Beach and includes a mix of cycle trails, off-road trails, back-country roads and some highway sections.
The best part would be enjoying the company of good friend Keri Barnett, of Alexandra, who was accompanying her, and other like-minded people, Mrs Lepper said.
She would also enjoy the break from her work as Central Otago Reap manager but would continue to fly the flag for her home by wearing Central Otago-branded tops.
Ms Kelly's goal was to "enjoy the adventure and finish the event''.
