Beehive Criterium So I know I described Stage 7 as the last stage, and in reality it was, but we did follow up with a final criterium race around Parliament back in Wellington the following day. It didn’t count for much – except personal glory – but it brought together all of the North Island and South Island riders together in one… Read more →
Blenheim to Picton Everything is fine. I’m in love with cycling again. The last two days are forgotten. Today is my new best day ever on the bike. I know the roads around the Malborough Sounds pretty well. I first got to know these parts in 1993. I was 16 and by some miracle I convinced Dad to let me come… Read more →
Springs Junction to Murchison After two days of hard riding in miserable conditions, and a disappointing result yesterday it’s fair to say I gave myself a bit of a talking to on the morning of this stage. We’d spent the night in Hanmer Springs the night before and had an early start so we could drive to Springs Junction for the… Read more →
Methven to Oxford Here’s a story from back in the day. When I was in Form 1 at school, so I guess about 12 years old, I got my first girlfriend. Her name was Kelly and we had quite the long term relationship. It spanned the Christmas holidays so it lasted several months. When I say “relationship” I mean “we… Read more →
Tekapo to Geraldine More than a few times this week I’ve had to stop and ask where the heck I was. We’ve hardly stayed in one place for more than a few hours. Since we assembled on the start line south of Queenstown four days ago it seems like a month has passed. We’re up at the crack of dawn,… Read more →
Wanaka to Omarama Today was a day of suffering, the most I’ve ever suffered on the bike for sure. Before I get to that though I need to again talk about this part of the country. It’s like an embarrassment of riches. I’ve never been anywhere so stunning and I don’t know why I’ve not spent that much time… Read more →
Queenstown to Wanaka It sounded so simple, 50 odd k’s from Arrowtown to Wanaka. That’s nothing – I ride 50k’s before breakfast every Tuesday morning. Throw a mountain range in the middle and it’s a different story altogether though isn’t it. First things first: Arrowtown. This part of the country is just ridiculously beautiful. I REALLY need to spend more time here.… Read more →
Five Rivers to Jacks Point I don’t know what it is about these things, but before any big cycling event I never sleep well. My friend Barclay has a theory that my body is getting itself geed up and floods me full of adrenaline in preparation. Well adrenal glands, you’re not helping, not one bit. This, coupled with me being roommates with a wild… Read more →