Final count is in! The combined fund raising total for this years ride was $155,193. That's helped to contribute to a massive $909,689 raised over the 12 years the ride has run.
Just massive. Thanks Everyone!
Al
So Friday was a pretty good day! Actually yesterday started on Thursday with a flight to Queenstown, bike unpack, go visit the Westpac branch to meet some staff.
Anyway, Friday. 4-20am alarm, up, pack, breakfast, on the bike at 5-20am to the start of the Queenstown to Invercargill Westpac Chopper fund raising ride. About 75 riders all up, including a few people I knew, a bunch of people I didn’t and 3 Rugby World Cup winning ex All Blacks. Dunno how it happened but Jared Bowden, myself and Mark McEwan had been dropped into Group one. Group one was the lead group on the road and in with Richie, Mils and jimmy Cowan with the plan that we had to be in Kingston for a live cross for TV. Strangely they didn’t want to interview me. 🤣. Wet roads, carbon rim brakes with lots of lag. I was a little nervous, but we rolled along pretty well.
The legendary Alexa McEwan was on fine social media form, documenting the occasion lots of photos, coffee, general support. Just awesome, thanks Alexa!
Out of Kingston down to Athol snow lined roads glad I had 4 layers of gear on, long fingers gloves and knee warmers doing a great job. Just keeping me above an uncomfortable temp! Another TV live cross for the stars. Up the Jollies hill for the KOM /QOM awards, got smoked by some who can ride well, but in the top 1/4 I reckon so well happy with that. 5 rivers cafe inundated quick sip of a coffee and back on the bike. Some riders seen with their shoes on the log fire. Left lex with the coffee to finish at the next stop and it was still warm. How hot was the heater in your car Alexa!
Left turn at Lumsden and drop in at the school for the first visit, finish the coffee. The school visits were awesome. The whole school role doing the Haka for us (well, probably more the ABs!).
Exit there and into the biggest hill of the day, bit of a steep pinch at the top. That got the heart pumping, as did the descent, then a good old full on tail chase to Balfour. Burnt a few matches with 6 of us cranking some big numbers in the second group on the road . Fun times and some slick riders (ex masters world champ with us I believe).
Another awesome Haka, morning tea, photos, ride by high five for the whole school role as we left. Decide that I needed to conserve the remains of the matchbox , spent some time rolling with Mark McEwan chatting. Things were a bit warmer and dryer thankfully!
Gore for Lunch , helicopter arrival, another enthusiastic Haka! Burgers from the Rapid response team, cake and on the bike for the homeward slide to INV , pushing a little bit of a head wind and some rain again. A quick stop in Mataura for another kids Haka, massive enthusiasm from all the kids even the 5 year old new starters.
Wet roads , rain, cow poo, road kill at times rolling west again on the south side of the river, quiet roads and great support from the lead out cars and Brett the police man. Speaking of which I had a good laugh with him saying every time I heard his siren behind I felt I needed to pull over 🤣. He laughed and suggested I had a guilty conscious.
Quick stop at Edendale , refresh with some coke and cake, and a local hands me 20 dollars for a donation. Way cool, thanks lady!
Almost last run for home and see a flash and crash behind me. Dreaded wheel clash and someone is down. Bugger. Medics on the scene and after a few minutes we hear up and in a vehicle. Bit of a bugger, so much effort to not finish for her.
Last easy push to the finish and a rousing reception. Hell of a ride, hell of a team who puts it together. The known names Phil, Reece, Tūī, Murray, and about another 15 looking after us a big thanks. To everyone who donated, thanks - thought about you all lots yesterday.
Massive thanks to all the riders on the road, looking after each other, and especially Alexa and Mark, a tough week for you guys and so good to see you there.
Last call out goes to Ann McDonaldand Kevin McDonald for picking me up and a great evening with beer, bed and battered fish!
Just two days until the big day. Thanks to everyone for your support. We are confident of reaching our goal. Please continue to share our page to all friends, family and associates. On the day watch out for us on the AM show at 7.20am and 8.35am and there also may be a bit on Breakdown on Sunday night. Keep up to date on our progress on the day via our facebook page.
two medium length rides on the weekend 60km on Saturday and 45 on Sunday. All up >900km of training rides packed in as best as I could in the time I had plus another 100+km of commuting as well.
Now it's a couple of days rest, plane on Thursday and on the bike Friday am. Next day or so is looking at what gear I need to take and getting it all packed.
Taupo 100km on Friday then another 85 out to Hobsonville point and return on Monday
Another 100km Saturday on the bike, wind and rain but still great to be out cranking miles . Sunday did something different ….walked a 10km fun run as fast as I could . 7.5km/h average! That hurt afterwards more than the 100km ride!
https://www.strava.com/activities/8777420668 Been great weather to get out - though it does make me want to hold the couch down in the afternoons!
100km loop this morning and was great to be out enjoying the bike. https://strava.app.link/c7PcAiR0fyb
Swapping (mostly!) motorcycles for push bikes for the next couple of months. Hills Hills, and Hills on the way home from work to build a bit strength.....big ride Sat
