new zealand …uphill

TASC profile – Dean Brennan

I’m a pom and immigrated to NZ in 1990. I had a freak accident in 1997 and as a result am a C4 incomplete tetra. Initially I had a hard time dealing with the huge change in my life and certainly being told by a specialist I would just be a “head on a pillow” made accepting that change even more challenging. To say my family played an important part in assisting me to where I am today would be an understatement and we poms are masters of the understatement. It was my family that helped me through the initial period of wanting to “end it all” while in critical care – such a selfish attitude on reflection. And both TASC and the spinal units’ councillor played an important part (another understatement) in dealing with relationship problems and preparing me for the outside world. I didn’t do much physically towards physio in strengthening my arms at the spinal unit and when I left I was driving a chair by chin control. It was only when I moved into a rental property in West Auckland and received regular physio on my arms that I was eventually able to use a hand control.
Continue reading TASC profile – Dean Brennan…

Route Tue 19 May – Tokoroa to Te Aroha

Today I had a nice downhill run from Tokoroa to Tirau then flatish to Te Aroha. 91km but didn’t know this until looking back and counting the Ks.

Almost got taken out by an anger problem on wheels. Some young guy who came back for a second go and disappeared into a cloud of burning ego. You get them sometimes I guess. Despite this, I am feeling like my sense of humour is coming back to me after over a week of constant rain. The sun even came out today. Feeling good :})

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Taking the highs and the lows

Having conquered an entire island I was sitting on the ferry to Wellington reflecting on where I have been. I was pretty happy about it all I must say. Considering when I started I wasn’t even sure I would get from Invercargill to the start line in Stewart Island when I first started. What an adventure so far it has been. I had been keeping some mental stats on things as I went. 1,100 km cycled. 24 road kill avoided. 2 punctures. 14 days cycling. 46 great South Islanders I have chatted with. 3 days of rain. 12 times I felt like giving up. 20 times I yelled for joy because I felt really great.

In Wellington I took three days out to relax, the longest time off the bike so far, but considering I was halfway I thought it was well deserved. My first duty on my days off was to rent a car and drive to Palmerston North to see my wife Mel. Mel is studying to be a teacher, and had flown to Palmerston North to attend a two day block course. I was on route to see her for the first time in three weeks. This was the longest time we had been apart since we were married, even before then, since we both left the security of our jobs in 2000 and ventured overseas together through South East Asia, the Middle East, the UK and Europe. Leaving on my OE back then was the last time I had a feeling like I was feeling now. That feeling of awe and excitement. Back then I shared the journey with Mel, this time I was alone.
Continue reading Taking the highs and the lows…

Route Mon 18 May – Taupo to Tokoroa

Heading out of Taupo after a day of rest. Heading for the big smoke of Tokoroa (the big smoke being the smoke out of the Kinleith pulp and paper mill).

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Video log – Wellington to Taupo

Cycling out of Wellington to @rowansimpson and @lancewiggs thru to Otaki, then solo again to Bulls, Taihape, Ohakune, National Park, Turangi and to Taupo with @travelmonkee

Route Sat 16 May – Turangi to Taupo

Only one big hill between me and Taupo today. Hopefully being joined by @travelmonkee for a bit.

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Route Fri 15 May – National Park to Turangi

A downhill ride in the rain, with hopefully the wind at my back. Brrrr. It is very cloudy today so I don’t hold much hope of seeing the mountain. Ah well, seen plenty of postcards with it on, so I know what it should look like

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Walk, run, cycle with me across the Auckland Harbour Bridge

Who wants to join me and those involved with TASC cross the Harbour Bridge by wheel or foot?

Transit has reneged on it’s promise to open the Harbour Bridge to pedestrians for one day on it’s 50 year anniversary. I had planned to cycle across as part of my NZ long cycle, and I am going to anyway. As part of www.getacross.org.nz we will be crossing the bridge and showing our support for a permanent pedestrian crossing over the Harbour Bridge.

It’s an organised crossing, and it is safe. The police will be there keeping an eye looking out for us and the left northbound lane will be closed off for the crossing.

If you want to join us for a walk, cycle, roller skate or whatever then meet us:

9am Sunday 24th May

For full details read this

See you there in Lycra!

Route Thu 14 May – Ohakune to National Park

A very short day today. Only 35km but uphill Was trying to find the mountain around these parts but as yet no sign.

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TASC profile – Rodney Bell

Rodney Bell

I was born and grew up in Te Kuiti. 19 years ago at the age of 19 I obtained my disability as result of a motorbike accident and am now paralysed below the chest and use a wheelchair for mobility.

I have set my life around dance. Dance has been my passion for 14 years and with that experience I have earned the opportunity of employment based in San Francisco, California, USA, dancing for AXIS, one of the world’s leading Mixed Ability Dance Groups, redefining Dance. I moved to the USA in 4th July 2007. The contract is for 2 years but will be reviewed annually and once completed I will return eager for opportunities to share my growth and development with other dancers with or without disabilities working within New Zealand. The Company tours both within the USA and internationally.

As I also teach dance in New Zealand to schools both with and without disabilities and I will be teaching also in the USA. It is my hope that the disabled peoples of the future can see that my passion and drive is reachable, and that as young disabled artists they will grow and develop and they will be the future of not only dance but also disability representation for all social, recreational and sports expression within Aotearoa.

Arohanui
Rodney Bell

Ngati Maniapoto
Foot note – Rodney will be featured on TV1s Attitude program on Sunday May 17th at 10am.