new zealand …uphill

Route Wed 22 April – Bluff to Gore

Today was Bluff (right from the start of SH 1) to Gore. Whew 96.8km all up. I felt like stopping right about the 60km mark. Pushed through it and what do you know. Bloody hell I am stoked.

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Getting to the start line

First day in the saddle.

Well what a day. I started at 05:00am Monday loading my bike into the back of the car and heading for Auckland airport. After carefully negotiating the bike through the oversized baggage check-in, I headed for the gate sporting my bike gear. I felt just a little out of place next to all of the commuting suits on the Monday morning red-eye to Christchurch, sitting there in my Lycra shorts. I could see that everyone was hoping not to be the pore sod sitting next to me. I couldn’t take the odd glances, so made a quick change into some trousers. The sign of relief was immediate at the departure gate.

Monday was to be one of my longest travel days, 12 hours on the go. The vast majority on planes, and only the last 2 hours cycling.

I hate flying.

Continue reading Getting to the start line…

Video – NZ uphill preview

Here is my first attempt at filming and editing on the go.  I hope its not too cheesy.  I am calling this the preview.  The real footage starts April 20.