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Riding the Tour Aotearoa for Brent Harrison and Parkinson's New Zealand

  • All done!

      14 March 2018
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    I reached Bluff at 5pm on Saturday. What a ride! Without doubt we live in a beautiful country and the people along the way have made this a most memorable trip. Riding the length of the country reveals it's underbelly too. So many cows and the evidence of climate change is everywhere. Drivers too, for the most part considerate and safe, have their rogue element.

    Thank you to everyone who donated for this great cause. You are all wonderful!!

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  • Interesting times

      2 March 2018
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    This week has had its ups and downs. Literally. Biggest down was a drop of 20 metres off the side of the Maungatapu track. It has left me battered and sore but the bike is good now after Kevin's Cycles aligned bars, front wheel etc. As for me, I hurt all over but can still ride. We've put in two hard days from Brightwater and are now in Reefton. Huge thanks to fellow rider Bob who helped me up onto the track! It took an hour!

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  • Interesting times

      2 March 2018
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    This week has had its ups and downs. Literally. Biggest down was a drop of 20 metres off the side of the Maungatapu track. It has left me battered and sore but the bike is good now after Kevin's Cycles aligned bars, front wheel etc. As for me, I hurt all over but can still ride. We've put in two hard days from Brightwater and are now in Reefton. Huge thanks to fellow rider Bob who helped me up onto the track! It took an hour!

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  • Halfway

      27 February 2018
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    I rolled into Wellington yesterday after a significant storm. Riding from Martinborough with a severe cross wind gave me some moments to forget. Giving cyclists a little more room is always appreciated! So I'm over half way through this gig and we've raised over $3000! Thanks so much to all my wonderful supporters. I'm on the ferry soon.

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    • 27/02/2018 by Laurie

      Think of you Malcolm. You are doing really good. Laurie

  • Into the Waikato!

      17 February 2018
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    Another good day today. 120km from Clevedon to Paeroa. Warm and will a good tail wind.

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    • 18/02/2018 by Bronnie

      Holy heck but that's a big kuaka Malcolm! You'll need to ride like the wind to get away from that one :-)

  • A hot day in Auckland

      16 February 2018
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    30 degrees in Auckland today. A long ride from Helensville to Clevedon. I bought a new phone as old one died.

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  • Hokianga hooning

      13 February 2018
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    Plenty of hills today riding through to Omapere. Raining on and off but warm throughout so no jacket needed. I have yet to eat a pie! Photo shows Ian grabbing some culture at Kohukohu.

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    • 15/02/2018 by Nikki

      Hey Malc,

      You are going well so far and making good progress.

      You must be getting to Clevedon very soon ....maybe tomorrow? (Friday 16th)

      Let us know when you think you will be riding through, and we can come cheer you on or shout you a cuppa coffee :) Or something stronger if required - like a protein bar!!

      Nikki and Bruce

  • 90 mile Beach done.

      12 February 2018
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    A long hot day today on 90mile Beach. Such a beautiful country we live in. Had a lovely chat with a group of Taranaki motorcyclists at Te Paki. Then down stream to beach. Rescued a little blue penguin who ran out of steam heading for the sea. Hills tomorrow.

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    • 13/02/2018 by Bronnie

      Go Malcolm! We'll be right behind you. :-) Cheers Bronnie

  • All set to go...

      9 February 2018
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    So the bike is in a box and tomorrow I head north for the 10:00am start on Monday. There's also $2500 in the Parkinson's NZ fund, thanks to the generous support from so many people. Thanks you all so much for that! There will be updates here from time to time and you can follow my progress here: https://touraotearoa2018.maprogress.com/

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  • New inspiration

      2 February 2018
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    There's not much more you can want for inspiration than to watch your wife swim the length of Lake Taupo. Gabrielle did this on Tuesday in conditions that ranged from perfectly flat to horrific for the last 8km. It was a rare display of spirit. Like the book says - "How bad do you want this?" Having watched her effort over 16 and a half hours, and 40.2km, I have no qualms whatsoever about the 3000km ride. If I can muster half of her resolve, this will be easy. Bring it on!

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  • Two weeks to go

      26 January 2018

    Multiple ascents of Makara Peak and a scoot around the bays is hardly the stuff of cycling legends, but this is a brevet, not a race. Parkinson's NZ have sent me a T-shirt that I'll ride with pride along the way. Thanks for that! An extended fortnight of carbo loading is coming!

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  • Start date

      17 January 2018

    Righto folks - it's time for my first update. I start at Cape Reinga on 12 February and I have 30 days to get to Bluff. Sounds easy enough at 100km of off-road and back-road riding per day. There is a Tour Aotearoa web site at www.touraoteroa.nz. I'll be riding - or at least starting the ride with Alan Ross, Richard Moss, and the kilted Ian Daniel, the watchmaker from the Kapiti Coast. It's going to be a hoot.

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