Truth be told, Ben Baker is not much of a cyclist.
Until recently, he had not spent much time on a bike at all.
But the 16-year-old John McGlashan College pupil is planning on riding the 90km cycle leg of the Challenge Wanaka half ironman.
He will be joined by school friends Joe Beamish (17) and Ben Simmers (16). It is their way of dealing with the death of McGlashan mate Dion Latta.
The three are hoping to raise $5000 to $10,000 for Wanaka Search and Rescue by competing in the event in January.
Dion died after he was trapped under a waterfall in the Motatapu Gorge in January this year, and his death hit the school hard.
"We were all good mates with Dion," Ben Baker said.
"We're looking to do something to hopefully prevent something like that happening again."
He played rugby with Dion and the pair were in the school relay team together.
The boys have raised about $1000 so far and have been training hard for the event. Joe is a strong runner and Ben Simmers is an accomplished swimmer. But Ben Baker is a novice on the bike. It will be the first time he has had to cycle so far.
"I've never really biked that much. It will be a challenge but Dion was a fighter and wouldn't have given up. So we're just going to carry that attitude with us."
People can donate at givealittle.co.nz/cause/Dionsmates.
