new zealand …uphill

NZ uphill on Campbell Live

TV3’s Campbell Live came out today and rode with me a bit and did a piece on my mad mad ride. Here is a link to the story that was on Campbell live tonight. I had great fun riding with the TV3 crew!

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/CampbellLive/tabid/367/articleID/105444/cat/221/Default.aspx#video

Route Fri 22 May – Orere Point to AUCKLAND

Today I was joined by a film crew from TV3’s Campbell Live, and Helen joined be on her Bike for the ride from Orere Point to Clevedon. We talked all the way, a lot of it uphill, phew.

From Clevedon to Pakuranga I took a bad turn and found some monster hills, and I went up the steepest hill yet, honestly. It was mad. Nice view from the top tho.

Ahhh, so I am in Auckland for a few days now taking a break before the last leg.

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Route Thu 21 May – Miranda to Orere Point

I beautiful ride up the coast, one of the best days ride yet. Stayed at Orere Point Top 10 Holiday Park, in a funky cabin by a stream. The night was clear and the stars fantastic.

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Route Wed 20 May – Te Aroha to Miranda

A flat ride to Miranda for a soak in the pools. Yeeeeaaahhh.

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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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