Cyclist on the road to recovery

Tod Penberthy worse for wear after being struck by a vehicle during the Cycle Challenge.

A cyclist struck by the side mirror of a ute towing a horse float during the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge enduro is recovering in Tauranga Hospital from serious injuries.

By Chris Marshall

In a social media post, Tod Penberthy (67), a former professional firefighter and former chef, said he had completed about 200km of the 320km enduro, which circles Lake Taupō twice, when he was hit and knocked off his bike onto the road.

Penberthy suffered six broken ribs and various lacerations, including a deep one to his right arm which went all the way through the muscle and down to the bone.

He says the woman driving told him she was travelling at about 80-90kph. She stopped, apologised and held his hand until the ambulance arrived.

Penberthy was assessed and treated by Hato Hone St John Event Health Services (EHS) medics on site – Poihipi Road, Oruanui – at 9.53am, says a spokesperson from Hato Hone St John Emergency Ambulance Service.

“The patient, in serious condition, was then transported to Taupō Hospital by ambulance.”

Enduro riders begin their event at 1.30am and the fastest rider Christensen Drew, took nine hours and 11 minutes to complete the double lap of the lake.

Penberthy was then taken by helicopter to Tauranga Hospital and operated on later that evening.

In his post Penberthy says the arm was extremely sore and the surgeon told him he would likely be in hospital for five days at least.

Police said on Tuesday afternoon there had been no charges laid.

Tod Penberthy and his partner Srikham Lertlar before the race.

Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge event director Hayden Dickason says from an event perspective, the organisation’s safety processes and protocols were implemented and followed both on and post event day, including talking with the rider involved who “is in good spirits.”
“The event overall went really well. The weather was picture perfect and there was an excellent vibe and atmosphere across the weekend,” Hayden says.

The organisation did not have anything else to report on the incident, he said, as being a road accident it was now a Police matter.