Cycling lovers on way to Moscow

Press, 24 October 1978, Page 6

Cycling lovers on way to Moscow

Two young Canadians on a round-the-world bicycle trip have found that four days in New Zealand, and a taste of Christchurch hospitality, have somewhat sapped their resolve, but only to the extent of convincing them to spend more time in the South Island. Mr Mike Manzo and Ms Berthe Laforge, both young French Canadians from Quebec, started their pedalling marathon from Montreal last October. They plan to wheel their way into Moscow in time for the 1980 Olympic Games there, and present • flags from the Canadian Olympic Committee to the Russian organisers. Their trip so far has taken them the length of the United States, through Japan, round Hong Kong, and through Singapore to

| New Zealand. The next stop will be Australia, then India — and from there it is overland all the way to Moscow — but a long, long way. Mr Manzo and Ms Laforge find that the trip is giving the expression “hardened cyclists” a whole new meaning. He was a real-estate agent in Canada until he took on an administration job for the Montreal Olympics, and that, in turn, led. to the cycling marathon. She writes for a Montreal newspaper, and sends back we.eklv reports about the trip. They are printed under the title, “The cycling lovers” — a title repeated on the back of the pair’s bright yellow tracksuits. When Ms Laforge started out, she spoke only French, but now she has a very

creditable command of English. Both have gained a sound knowledge of cycle mechanics, too. Their machines (the Canadian manufacturers are among their sponsors) are considerably overloaded, and the 25,000-mile journey is taking its toll. But so far they have had no serious problem in finding necessary spare parts. They have also found many friends. Mr Manzo says that the trip has strengthened his faith in the basic decency of human nature: “It might sound a little corny, but it is true.” he said. “We have met nothing but kindness.” When the pair came off the ship from Singapore, one of the first persons they met at Lyttelton was an agricul-

tural officer. Miss M. Tawse. They got into conversation,; which led to the young Canadians staying with Miss Tawse. As a result of her guidance. and what they saw in Christchurch, they planned to head for the southern lakes and spend more time in the South Island before heading north to Auckland, and, in due course, on to Australia. At each stopping point, they pay a courtesy call on the Mayor, They had visited the Mavor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay). Mr Manzo and Ms Laforge spend most of their nights under canvas, although they have also, been' able to take advantage of many offers of hospitality in the countries they have visited.