Fancy riding on top of the world looking down on traffic?  New Zealand’s biggest bike measuring 2.2m in height is the perfect creation to tickle your fancy. This gigantic beauty will be auctioned off on Trade Me to raise money for @Heart, the charity that supports the 12 babies born with a heart condition every week in New Zealand.

Chris_Staal_monsterbike        conor_mills_training_for_cyclechallenge    timothy_kowalewski_completed2011kids@Heartride

This special bike was designed and built by Hamilton-based mechanical engineer Chris Staal. Chris is a keen cyclist and a regular entrant at Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, New Zealand’s largest cycling event. To mark his 10th Cycle Challenge this year, he decided to do something special by donating this big bike to @Heart, the event’s Charity of Choice.

This professionally built bike represents creativity and technical excellence in mechanical engineering.  It is made with an aluminium frame, has 24-speed with dual hydraulic disc brakes, rear steering and a full electronic tilt control system.

Chris said, “This bike is a labour of love over a two-month period, including plenty of late nights.  I realise @Heart is fundraising for its support services for children with a congenital heart condition and their families.  It is a deserving cause and I hope the charity auction will help to raise much-needed funds for them to continue their good work.”

This year, funds raised through the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge event will go towards providing support services for Kids@Heart and helping little hearts have a big adventure at Camp Brave Hearts.  Camp Brave  Hearts is a week-long event for heart kids aged 8–12 years to just be kids, to do normal adventurous kid things, and share their challenges in a fun, safe, supportive environment under the careful supervision of a medical team.

Heart child Conor Mills (10) from Wellington and Timothy Kowalewski (8) from Marton are looking forward to having a big adventure at the 2013 Camp Brave Hearts to be held from 14th to 17th of January. 

Conor has Marfan Syndrome, a complicated condition comprising of a host of different muscular-skeletal problems. The heart can be put under too much pressure which may result in an enlargement of or a tear in the aorta. Conor is on medication to slow the enlarging of his aorta.  It is not known whether he will need an open heart surgery in the future.

As a parent who has the same medical condition and has had several heart surgeries, Conor's mum Linda is acutely aware of the limitations of living with a heart condition.

“Like many children born with a heart defect, Conor is discouraged from contact sports or anything too strenuous on the heart.  However, he doesn’t let his heart condition stop him from engaging in physical activities. His prayer pal at church has completed the full Cycle Challenge a number of times. He is motivated by it and decided to give the 5km Kids@Heart Ride a go,” said Linda.

Timothy has Coarctation of the Aorta, characterised by a blockage in the aorta obstructing the flow of blood.  He has had an open heart surgery at just 13 days old to repair the condition.

“Timothy is a very active child who has a great sense of humour and enjoys giving new things a go.  He had done the 5km Kids@Heart Ride last year which was fantastic and he is ready to do it again this year.  His dad and all three of his sisters will be there with him while I tackle the 160km Cycle Challenge,” said Cynthia.

Conor and Timothy are very excited about the opportunity to be a part of New Zealand’s iconic cycle event.  Together with other young riders taking on the 5km Kids@Heart Ride, they will pedal hard on the 24th November to raise awareness of and funds for the charity that has been supporting them every step of their heart journey.

Show your support by visiting their fundraising pages and make a donation:

http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/conor_mills
http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/timothy_kowalewski_5

Cyclists can also show their support of @Heart by setting up a fundraising page on http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/event/helpalittleheart2012 and ask their family, friends and whanau to help support their ride by making a donation towards @Heart.  Donation can also be made by texting HEART to ‘2427’.

For more details of the Trade Me auction of the bike, visit http://trade.me/monstertrike

Watch on You Tube a video of the trike being used at an engineering conference.