Some of you may well recall the cycling and triathlon fundraising initiatives I’ve done in the past to raise money for worthy causes and I’m about to take on my biggest challenge to date – cycling the entire length of New Zealand, from north to south, and covering a total of 3,100 kms!
Only this time, I will not be taking on the challenge alone and will be joined by my plucky wife, Karla, as we set out to soak up the natural beauty of the country and raise funds for the folk who have suffered debilitating and life-changing spinal injuries or similar congenital conditions. Few, if any, of us stop to consider the incredible frustrations and realities of what living a life with these limitations must be like, and the ongoing impact it has for them and their families.
If you are keen and able to contribute to this incredibly worthy initiative, please could you make a donation by clicking on the “Donate” button.
Please also follow our progress and daily updates on Facebook as we chronicle the highs and lows of this journey, celebrating the beauty of nature and using our able bodies to help others who don’t have this blessing.
We are also going to be joined and supported by our 70-something year old Moms as they support us en route in a camper van.
Here’s to a great adventure and an even better cause!
Updates
Special Thanks to everyone
And thank you so much to everyone who has followed our progress and offered so much encouragement. Sincere thank also to everyone who donated! (Remember, you can still donate if you haven’t yet J)
first takeaway coffee
Enjoyed awesome views and our first takeaway coffee in a month J Bring on Bluff!
On the road again!
Back in the saddle and racked up our biggest day on the Tour – 124kms!
Queenstown Covid-19 Lock Down
Queenstown where we have rented accommodation with our moms to spend our Lock Down. We’ll pick it up again as soon as Covid-19 curfew is lifted.
Crown Range
Powered our way over the 40km climb up the Crown Range (approx. 1,100 m above sea level), then the exhilarating descent into Queenstown
West Coast
West Coast wonderland! Over 80kms of sublime single tack on the perfectly manicured West Coast Wilderness Trail.
Maruia
Started the day in full merino (at only 4 degrees!) and ended in lycra – warm welcome in Maruia.
Maungatapu Saddle!
After a calm ferry trip and a much-needed rest day, the TA course handed us our biggest dose of punishment so far – the steep, hot and rocky Maungatapu Saddle!
Day 11
Whanganui River – another milestone … we’ve broken the 1,000km mark. Thanks so much to the moms for looking after us so well!
Day 9
The Timber Trail, Pureora National Park … didn’t encounter one other rider in all of the 106kms we covered, and were greeted by endless seas of green – ferns, mosses and plantations of lumber.
Day 3
Great day riding through to Dargaville – ups & downs … saw Tane Mahuta/got stung on the bum!
