The inaugural
Baton Bikers' Banquet 2024
Getting ThereRide the Great Taste Trail from either Woodstock or Tapawera, or beyond.
Date & TimeSaturday February 10th 2024 (postponed if wet to Sunday 11th) . Arrive at the Baton house for lunch between 11am and 2pm.
CostDonation - pay as you can ideally $60 - $100
per rider but anything is appreciated. Its about your support and presence.
Ride with a TeamMake it a fun day out with your friends, family or work mates
Jump on your bike for this incredible opportunity to get to know Nelson’s remote Baton Valley, a hidden gem of wilderness and history. Enjoy a 3 course lunch on the lawn with entertainment on the lawn at the beautiful Baton House, and swim in the pristine Baton River.
Most importantly, make this effort in respect of the many people who are unable to enjoy such adventures, those with severe ME/ chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, and who are often very low functioning.
ALL FUNDS donated will go directly to the
Zest for Life Fund.
Logistics
1
A summer's day ride
The route - do you want a challenge, or just a cruisy way to spend the day?
Using the Great Taste Trial, here's some suggested starting points:
The Baton Valley – start at Woodstock (15km, slightly uphill but mostly flat)
Valley to Valley - 18km, starting in Tapawera. Cycle up the Wangapeka Valley and finish in the Baton Valley, with a hill in between.
Working for your lunch – Start at Wakefield and make your way over the Dovedale Hill to the Baton Valley (47km) or head to the Baton via Spooners Tunnel (50km) or perhaps ride from Motueka.
Or start anywhere you wish if you are familiar with the Great Taste Trail!
Using the Great Taste Trial, here's some suggested starting points:
The Baton Valley – start at Woodstock (15km, slightly uphill but mostly flat)
Valley to Valley - 18km, starting in Tapawera. Cycle up the Wangapeka Valley and finish in the Baton Valley, with a hill in between.
Working for your lunch – Start at Wakefield and make your way over the Dovedale Hill to the Baton Valley (47km) or head to the Baton via Spooners Tunnel (50km) or perhaps ride from Motueka.
Or start anywhere you wish if you are familiar with the Great Taste Trail!
2
Lunch and Entertainment
After your ride relax on the lawn and garden with stunning views of the Kahurangi National Park, and enjoy your 3 course lunch with fresh, locally grown food and a barbecue. Enjoy live music by our wandering minstrels and maybe a surprise guest or two.
3
Refresh
You will love dipping in the local swimming holes - clear, clean and revitalising - before heading home on your bike, happy in the knowledge you've discovered the Baton, developed those leg muscles just a little more, and helped support the Zest for Life Trust and their aims.
- ZaschaOur InspirationZascha was a young Nelson man who died as a result of a long struggle with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
At the end of Zascha’s moving departure message he said ‘Firstly, I encourage you all to fiercely be your authentic, wonderful, weird selves. The world needs more authentic humans. Secondly, please do what you can to make the world a better place, it needs people to fight for it.’ - Zest for LifeCharitable TrustWe took these words to heart. We must ensure that people like Zascha, lying at home in bed, often isolated and unable to summons the energy for even a phone call or email, let alone being functional enough to cook a meal, are fully cared for. If we can make any difference for those with ME/CFS, and their dedicated carers, then we simply must.
Our Trust will provide small grants for practical help for people experiencing ME/CFS in the Nelson and Tasman districts. The Fund was established in the memory of Zascha. The name Zest for Life was chosen in recognition of his exuberance for life as adventurer, traveller, skier, mountain climber, kayaker and rock climber.
Zest for Life funds are managed by the Top of the South Community Foundation. We’d really appreciate your support.
Sponsorship or Volunteering
We need volunteers to help us on the day with food preparation and delivery. Also entertainers. We welcome sponsorship by way of food donations from local growers and suppliers, as well as donations of 'spot prizes'. Please contact us via the form below to discuss possibilities.
