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Te Kiwi Maia Conquer the Swiss Alps

  • Day 5 Swiss Epic Finishers

      21 August 2022
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    This morning the spirits of the riders was a strange mixture. The sun was out, which was a great start. Some riders wanted it all to be over, others wanted it to keep going. Some were ready for the race, others were just tired. We started with a hard and steep climb, which took us high above the clouds and was quite spectacular. Followed by very rocky and rooty single trails down hill with lots of steep drops. We found it hard to find a good flow. It didn’t help that we were still tired from the last days, and anxious about the risks ahead. Mentally we somehow weren’t fully engaged anymore. Smelling the finish with just 58 km ahead felt extra tough and we definitely struggled today. Making crossing the line, finally arriving, finish what we trained for over the last months, feel like a great relief. What a epic journey it has been.

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  • Day 4 Queen stage challenge

      20 August 2022
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    The weather gods definitely decided that 100 kilometres and 2800m of climbing wasn’t the only challenge that we needed to contend with today. At our 4.30 am breakfast moods were at an all time low all around us. Even in team Te Kiwi Maia, it was unusually quiet. We decided that is was best to get this over and done with as fast as we could. The trails were slippery, very muddy and challenging but we managed to pace ourselves well, keep our spirits up and improve a few places on the leaderboard. Pleased with our achievement- still smiling at the finish. Our hotel in Davos not so keen to see us….

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  • Day 3 Gift from Tāwhiri

      19 August 2022
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    Today Tāwhiri gave us a little gift. After a forecast of pouring rain and still discussing what weather gear to wear, the rain suddenly stopped 15 min. before our race, not to return until 1 hour after our finish. We couldn’t believe our luck as pretty miserable otherwise. We followed the same race strategy as yesterday and enjoyed the wonderful views, the lovely crowds cheering us on and the epic Runca trail back down into Laax. Wondering how to prepare for the queen stage tomorrow- 100km in the most terrible weather conditions…

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  • Day 2 Strategy change

      18 August 2022
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    Stage 2 took took us from Arosa to Laax. We decided to start real slow and keep the legs strong to make it through the full 79km. Hard to see everyone passing us, but as soon as we made it on to the amazing trails of Lenzerheide, the home of Switzerland’s mountain biking World Cup and a total of 3150m of downhill tracks, it was easy to forget about all that. Some of the competitors take it all a bit too serious. You’d think we were competing for the win not 300th! During the final rise through the Rhein Gorge we had lots of energy and improved our overall position from day 1. Great day for Team Te Kiwi Maia.

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  • Day 1 done and dusted

      17 August 2022
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    Stunning and epic day around the trails in Arosa. Definitely not to be underestimated. With lots of nervous energy we started like real amateurs and raced up the first climbs, feeling fresh and strong. Great teamwork, where Rod pushed me up some steep climbs. Within a few hours, Rod got several marriage proposals from the riders around us… lucky all from men. Unfortunately it didn’t take long to get ourselves in trouble and on the last climb, leg cramp slowed me down to a shuffle while pushing my bike uphill. After a warm welcome by the alphorns, the last 8 km was a beautiful smooth and epic downhill roll into town. Time to give those legs a good rest!

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  • About to begin

      16 August 2022
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    After a 24 hr delay and a 30 hr long flight, we finally have arrived in Arosa, Switzerland. The mountains are definitely on steroids here, wish we were too... We did a little test ride today and at times I totally loved it. It’s incredibly beautiful and we encountered cows, bears and squirrels on our way. At other times, I fully hated it. The altitude makes me huff and puff after 2 steps and the ride was challenging and wasn’t what you call a confidence booster…

    Lucky we are all ready for race day tomorrow.

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