Pictured: Day-long cyclist Rachel Marks, left, with Genevieve McLachlan after the spinathon.
Hutt woman Rachel Marks cycled for 24 hours straight on a spin bike last week in Petone gym LA Fitness to raise money for two good causes. The personal trainer hoped to raise $20,000, to split between the Breast Cancer Foundation and client Genevieve McLachlan who has cerebral palsy and vision impairment. While Rachel was the only one to cycle for the whole 24 hours, Genevieve joined her for the first hour, as did other supporters for various stages of the ride. It was mind over matter through the night, with Rachel struggling to resist the urge to shut down and go to sleep. She began to experience pain in her backside, her feet and neck and was finding it very hard to eat as she stopped feeling hungry. At many times during the event she was ready to give up but the support of her friends, colleagues and clients encouraged her to carry on. Genevieve again cycled alongside her for the last hour, and they hugged and cried in relief and joy as she completed the day-long ride. Rachel said she felt like she had been run over by a steam roller when she hopped off the bike for the last time. But during the race she kept herself going with her own internal threats. ?I was telling myself that I couldn?t live it down ? not finishing. ?I?d never be able to face myself if I didn?t finish.? Genevieve uses a wheelchair and crutches for mobility and has always dreamt of riding an outdoor bike but never thought it was possible.? She recently came across a specially adapted bike that will allow her to experience the outdoors safely. The bike works?by hooking up to the rear axle of a regular bike so that it becomes a trailer. The person with a disability can then choose to pedal or to just enjoy the ride. Rachel tackled a similar 24-hour marathon eight years ago in the UK, but has vowed that this will be her last. Unfortunately the clock on the bike she used reset every 100 kilometres travelled so she was not able to record how far she went. She had not finalised the amount raised but said it could be up to $7000. Donations can still be made by calling Rachel on 529 8933 or emailing .
