James Wilkins from Pongakawa, New Zealand, is preparing to cycle across the United States for charity. After completing the New Zealand Coast to Coast challenge six times, Wilkins is now gearing up for a 5150km journey from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic seaboard. He is doing this to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand.
Wilkins, a former captain of Te Puke Sports, will be joined by his brother-in-law Craig Luxton, a former rugby player for Waikato and Harlequins in London. Luxton’s connections from his rugby days have helped to organize this cross-country adventure. Peter Winterbottom, a former England international rugby player and a supporter of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, will also be part of the team, along with another England and British and Irish Lions player Mike Teague and four others.
The journey will begin in San Francisco and will cover an average of 150km per day. The riders will pass through several states, including California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, before ending in New York City. The trip will take 36 days with only two rest days.
Wilkins is excited about the challenge, despite the daunting prospect of cycling through the Rockies. He is also looking forward to visiting small American towns and meeting locals. At the end of the trip, a special event has been organized with a rugby club in New York. After the event, Wilkins plans to go on a road trip with his wife Donna.
Donations for Wilkins’ charity ride can be made through the Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand website.
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