Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Just like to say Season's Greetings to one and all. Things here are going slow. I was hoping to get a mini tour in for 4 days prior to Christmas, however, I'm being sensible and staying off my knee until my mate Baz from uni' gets here on the 2nd Jan when we're due to tackle the South Island. My New Year wish will be that I stay healthy in 2007 and achieve what I know I'm capable of.
Anyway, I hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year. Take care.
Oh and one more thing: if you have a sense of humour anywhere close to mine and you fancy a right good laugh, check out www.youtube.com and do a search for "Legacy of Mann". Some of you might recognise the main character - for this wonderfully funny piece of cinematography, Captain Isle of Man, I salute you!

Island Games: Rhodes 2007

Woo Hoo!
Just had confirmation today that I've made the IOM Triathlon Squad for the Island Games next year! It's due to take place on the Greek island of Rhodes and selection is the culmination of a decent summer this year racing triathlons in the UK.
It's been a dream of mine since 2003 to represent my country on an international stage and getting to the Island Games gives me exactely that opportunity.
So, as you can probably tell I'm chuffed, and glad the waiting is over on the team selection. Now it's time to get down to business and get myself as fit as possible for next July.
Congratulations to my fellow team mates who will also be going to Rhodes. I think www.manxtriclub.com will be updated with team details and some more humourous mug-shots in the not-too-distant future!
-AC

Crocked again!

Still in Wellington. I was due to head up to Tauranga (on east coast of N.Island) with Gary on Wednesday to continue my pre-Christmas tour. Unfortunately, it's been put on hold for a few more days at least due to a knee injury. Nope, it's not the same one from last year - this one's a brand-spanking new one! I reckon I've strained the ligaments in my left knee that attach the quadriceps to the patella.

With all the practice I've had with knee injuries, it's healing quite nicely, so hopefully there'll be chance for another few days of (light) touring before Christmas. One day I'll learn to pace myself.

Anyway, to maintain interest, I've attached this astonishing shot of my catch on a recent fishing trip around the south coast. It was tricky to bait the hook, and the strain on my 4lb line made for quite a battle, but even the fishing-mad locals were that impressed they had to take a picture!

In all seriousness, this big fella (or lass) had been lying there for 3 days and had died a few hours before this was taken. As interesting as it was, it was pretty saddening to see such a majestic creature in that way. And, I have no idea what kind of whale it was: does anyone else know?

-AC

Wgtn

Back in Wellington again. Arrived yesterday after my cousin Gary picked me up in Napier. In just under 4 hours he had un-done all my hard work as the miles just flew by in rewind. I felt quite sad as the hills I 'conquered' were cruised over by the car. Anyway, I need the rest because my left knee has been giving me jip.
So it's time now to recover and reflect on my first week of touring. It's been ace and I've learned a lot about what modifications I need to make to my setup. The main thing being I need better wet-weather gear!
I mentioned the weather was 'med-like' in Napier? Well it was, for the first day. But then things took a tumble and it went cold and wet - we even had hail. All the locals kept telling me this is the worst it's ever been at this time of the year! Just my luck.
No matter, I still enjoyed my time in Napier getting to know what Art Deco is all about, visiting the National Aquarium and meeting up with Ken Maclaren, a triathlon guru and coach, and his lodger Guy, a fellow tri-boy who invited us to a BBQ in the craziest house in Napier where we played American 8 ball pool in the dark, on a snooker table, without any lights!
-AC

Napier: The Art Deco Capital of the World

Am now in Napier on the east coast after cycling around 250km in the last two days. The scenery was very samey over the past couple of days - northern Wairarapa is pretty much sheep-country and a lot like the IOM in that respect. There were a few highlights, the main being the cafe at Norsewood where I got a great big chunk of carrot cake and cream and had a good chat to some other cycle-tourists from Switzerland. I also managed to increase my land speed record to a whopping 68kph! The low point was really the fact that most of it was on state highway 2 - there were a few scary moments involving narrow bridges and big sheep trucks!

I've decided I'll stay in this region for a few days until Sunday when I meet up with my cousin Gary who's playing golf in nearby Hastings. The plan is to head back to Wellington with him for 2 days R&R and re-stock and then go back with him to Tauranga where I can continue my touring 'til Christmas.

The weather here has been awesome so far - really hot and sunny, just like the Algarve. The town of Napier was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 I think, and they rebuilt it in Art Deco style. In my professional opinion it looks 'pretty cool', i.e. I'm not even sure what Art Deco really is; apparently here is like Miami Beach but there is some Maori influence mixed in.

Last night was pretty scary. I decided to freecamp on the banks of the Tukituki river around 40km south of here. I kept thinking, 'it'd be just my luck that the farmer will come on this particular day at this time and have a pop at me with his shotgun!' Then I experienced just how inquistive cows really are. They found me super-quick and wouldn't bugger off, so I had to tentatively chase them away so they wouldn't blow my cover! Never mind, it was worth it because I got to bathe in the river and the scenery was stunning. I've tried to upload a 'pic of the view looking down at the river valley where I stayed. Hopefully, you can see how misty it turned overnight, and imagine how cold and wet the tent was in the morning when I got up (at 0500) and left at 6am! It was worth getting up at that hour for the view though.

I spent the rest of the morning trying to get warm and found a cafe in Havelock North where I got a full cooked breakfast. It went down a treat, I even ate the butter out of the little pack. That's the beauty of cycling everywhere - you burn it all off! I arrived in Napier around 1100 and got the tent out to dry it off. Luckily everything is nice and dry now so I'll be comfortable tonight. The plan for tomorrow is to see some more Art Deco buildings (and learn what it is) and to hopefully see the Gannet colony 25km away at Cape Kidnappers. I've also got to find a cheap spot to camp. Perhaps I'll find a river somewhere near! Without the cows...

-AC

The beginning...

After leaving Wellington I headed north up the Hutt Valley and into the Rimutaka mountain range and my first proper climb which peaked at 555m, where I stopped at a cafe for an apple and some cake! I then descended into Featherston on the Alpine-like twisty roads reaching mighty speeds up to 60kph - great fun. I rounded off the day by heading south to the coast, on the west side of Lake Wairarapa, through Pirinoa and down to Ngawi. Total distance was 155km and my legs were buggered! But it was worth it because the weather was stunning!
In Ngawi I free-camped near the beach, and considering I was on the south coast of NZ, I was truly surprised at the distinct lack of wind. I got talking to a couple in the local boozer about my travels and they offered me a shower and a bacon butty in the morning. Of course I accepted, and sure enough in the morning (which dawned still and bright) Ken and Venessa picked me up! To them I am very grateful.
Day 2, Sunday, proved to be another tough day in the saddle as I headed around Cape Palliser, where it's easier to get around if you're a fur seal, than a cyclist! It was rugged and at one point I was pushing the bike through 'the desert' (quote from a local) which was a wide patch of thick gravel and sand. I covered 75km this day over 6 hours after arriving in Martinborough, 30-40km was off-road or on 'metal roads' (gravel tracks), and there were a number of climbs to keep me busy. Weather was sweltering hot and with the wind behind me, it felt still and even hotter! I was very glad for the excellent shower at the camp site in Martinborough.
Day 3, and I'm still in Martinborough a chic wine-producing village. I've decided to have an easy day today and will make my first attempt at stealth camping tonight on the road to Greytown and the North!
I wish I was a smarter man; perhaps then I could do this country justice in words. I'll upload a photo or two to help me out when I get the chance, but for now my words will have to suffice.
-AC

Ready for off?

Well, it's time. Tomorrow I'm off on my first cycle tour around the North Island, the plan at the moment is to head east to the coast and go north. Simple really.

Here's me and the bike with all the kit. It weighs a fair old bit so the hills should be a good work out. This is good news: the cold southerly winds from Antartica are going mad - carting all this stuff will keep me warm.

Check out the Manx flag; oh yeah, I look cool. Just wait 'til I crack open the lycra! Anyone fancy a sweepstake on how long it'll take me to get beaten up by locals that dislike nerdy tourists?

That, and getting my stuff half-inched are my biggest worries, not to mention running out of food and water, getting lost and being devoured by wildlife. Hmmm...

Yes Mum, I have clean underwear, suncream, reflective clothing and a mobile 'phone. All I have to do now is get up at 0500 tomorrow, and pedal.

-AC