Motu Road Bites Back

The Motu Road is a tough ride but when you haven't done it for a while you tend to forget how tough it is. While we were climbing the Meremere I heard Barry say it must be like childbirth. It hurts like hell but you keep going back for more.

Anyway we had a big crew; myself, Lea, Barry and Terry/Trevor from the A team and Destry, Aaron, Karl and Jenny from the B team and we were joined by the long-lost Colin Campbell, George, Roger and that freak of nature Dennis.

I'm struggling with a head cold as a result of too much close contact with Barry in the Bush so my lungs struggled every step/cadence of the way up Meremere and Papamoa where we turned around. I did really enjoy the downhill, especially when Aaron was cheeky enough to try to be faster than me and ended up with a great skid and fall off in his attempt to avoid being run over by the DOC truck.

George was struggling by the end and I did my Willie Apiata impression and 'carried' him home over the last 16k to finish in the dark. Great effort George.

The photos above show the debrief occuring.

Finished off with a great meal and company at Marg's to farewell her on her 3 month overseas trip.

See The Wonderful View!

You're supposed to be looking at the magnificent view we got from the trig last Sunday but I've lost my photo upload button!

I've found it now, so here's the view. Well worth it!

MTB Action

IMG_1291[1]
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/22987124@N05/

Click here to see some shots from the NZSSMTB Champs. Quite a few photos of Lucy!

Adventure Training Last Sunday

P1010705 (Large)
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/22987124@N05/

Karl, Jenny, myself and Barry up the Amokura Rd track after MTBing there and about to set off on a 3 hour trek to Upper Paerata Rd and the trig and down the pipeline. There are more photos to see but they're mostly of me though there is a classic of Lea at the top gate. Check the photos out.

NZSSMTB

Go Ben Foster on the downhill!

Adventure Race Training - Jive Time

This Adventure race training is tough. You never know what disciplines will be included. You can almost guarantee MTB, Trekking and Kayaking. But will there be tubing, rope work, dagging sheep or getting a date. You really have to practice for them all. It's good to see Karl and Jenny from the Opotiki B team practicing for the expected and eagerly anticipated Jive section!

A Walk in the Park

This Tuesday's trek was a walk in the park compared to last week though it was still tough in parts. Myself, Lea, Trevor and our leader Barry from the Opotiki A team were joined by Destry and Jenny from the Opotiki B Team along with Roger and a surprise appearance from Hedley. Young Shannon also accompanied us. There was a bit of tension in the air but Hedley and Destry coped without incident!

We climbed Prentice's Hill from Roger's which has to be one of the steepest climbs around and then through the bush to the little trig. Our reward was a magnificent evening view of the mighty 'O' all lit up.

The full moon came out as we scrambled down without incident with a good gallop along the road to Roger's. A much more respectable 1 3/4 hours, rather than the 6 hours of last week.

Have been out for a couple of paddles and realise my sea kayak is going to be hard work. On Saturday Brian, Trevor and I paddled over to the Ohope wharf to discover the bar was closed. We'll get there though because we plan to paddle over during lunch time on this Sat for a lunch and abeer before paddling home. Another fantasy to tick off!

I'm batching tonight so had a wonderful feed of fresh snapper (caught by Lucy last Sunday evening) and chips and fried onions and mushrooms. Don't tell Leigh! To top it all off I'm supping on a beer and blasting out Rolling Stones and the Beatles on vinyl! This is another fantasy I have: to own a copy of every record in the Rolling Stones Magazine February 2004 list of the top 500 albums of all time. I currently have almost 200 which includes 93 of the top 100. I'm now working my way through listening to all of them that I have in order from top to bottom! Well, you got to do something!

Long Time Coming Again

This blog is supposed to be about the interesting adventures a group of us get up to in this piece of paradise, Opotiki. Unfortunately the need to keep blogging has resulted in more and more adventures to blog about, so much so that it is difficult to find time to blog about them now!

Three big things to report on:

Sam has largely recovered from his spinal operation and returned to Invercargill today to carry on with study and life. As aresult of the operation he went from 5' 11 1/2" to 6' 1"! Sad to see him leave so soon but he feels the rest of his life calling him.

Secondly is the national Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Champs which we took 11 students to. The following was the report in the College newsletter:

A large team travelled last weekend to Levin to the National Secondary School MTB Championships. The top performers were Michael Webber who finished 13th in the U14 Boys, Lucy Abraham who finished 11th in the U16 Girls, Gabriel Buzullo who finished 18th in the U19 Boys and Gareth Owen who finished 21st in the U15 Boys. Strong performances were also put in by Hamish Drummond, Glen Baird, Cory Hagenaars, Kurt Hagenaars, Joe Stadler, Amy Podjursky and Ben Foster who had the 5th fastest downhill time for the team behind Gabriel, Glen, Michael and Hamish.

It was a great weekend away with these neat young people. Myself, Lea and Kurt from school went along with Hedley and Teleri. Lea was camp Mum and fed us superbly, Kurt was in charge of delegated logistics, Hedley was mechanic, Teleri was logistic supervisor and I was, of course, general top dog guru. Paul Owen was also there supporting his son Gareth and the rest of the team.

We had a neat atmosphere at the camping ground and everyone got on well and had a good time looking after each other. Hedley got a bit useless when he did his back in. We had to leave him behind on Sunday at camp lying on the ground and when we finally drove off on Sunday afternoon we left him lying in the gutter outside the camp waiting for an aunty to pick him up because he couldn't travel that far home.

We all arrived safely at 1.00am on Monday morning!

The final big adventure is the 24 Hour adventure training we have been doing. My team is myself, Barry, Lea and Trevor. Destry dumped Hedley and Danni and is now with Jenny, Karl and Aaron. Barry has done a great job organising training. Four weeks ago we spent 10 hours tramping from Te Waiti and back down the Pakihi. I couldn't walk for 5 days! Two weeks latewr we spent 10 hours mountain biking to the 16k bridge and heading towards Takaputahi and back to our bikes. I think I described that one in a previous post. Last Sunday was only a small 5 hours MTBing up Amokura and tramping to the Trig and back to the MTBs down the pipeline. Both teams and Jarod took part in that.

The memorable practice was last Tuesday night, you know the night that Opotiki received a month's worth of rain in a few hours? I thought we were going for a two hour run and turned up at 5.30pm in running shoes, shorts and t shirt. It was persisting down! Thankfully Shane lent me a jacket. At 6.00pm myself, Lea, Destry, Roger, and Trevor were dropped off at the bottom of Amokura and we set off. I was hoping to be back at 8.30 for a dinner date. We arrived back at Roger's at midnight! We spent an hour in the same section of creek looking for the way out as the water was rising. At 9.30 just before we slid down a slippery, supple jack infested slope to a creek to come out on the Amokura track again Roger announced we were half way. About this time I was wishing I had brought some food and water. Lea kindly lent me two bars. The dinner date was disappearing. We then tramped across Chev's farm and back to Roger's walking through some very big creeks in torrential rain and navigating several electric fences.

I missed my dinner date, but the chip and bacon butties back at Shirley's may have even been better thatn the venison we missed out on. Where was Barry you ask. He had a cold so didn't come.

PS

Lea was a bit flat on Sunday's tramp and bike. I am assured that there is no truth to the helpful suggestion that Barry made that she might be pregnant!

Do we learn? It is Tuesday again, it looks as if it is about to rain and we're meeting at Roger's again at 5.30. If I survive tonight I'll let you know how we get on.

PPS
I know your'e missing photos. I'll have some soon. Send me some to post you training buddies.

Remember it is easy to post a comment.

Sam In Recovery

Here is Sam the morning after his 7 1/2 hour operation. I am expecting him (and Leigh) home later this week if all goes well.

Long Time Coming

I was determined not to write another post until I received at least one comment about the Colville experience. Thanks Barry.

The real reasons why there has not been a posting for a while are work, work and work. However, exciting and scary events have still been happening. Kurt, Hine, Leigh, Lucy and I attended the Whitianga Bluesfest where we were entertained by many fine artists including Buddy Guy and K T Tunstall! Leigh got so excited she threw up!

When we arrived home that Sunday we went up to the Boss' where an awesome surprise party was held for my 50th. When 40 people burst through the black plastic and charged at me shouting Happy Birthday, I was speechless. And Pete's band, especially with their version of Cracker's Happy Birthday To Me, was awesome.

A few days later Leigh and I went to SPANZ conference in Nelson which was great. We had to leave a day early becuase our son, Sam, was having a major operation to correct scoliosis of his spine. He was very brave as he set off for a 7 1/2 hour operation to put steel rods in his back. Leigh is still up there with him as he recuperates.

Two weeks ago a group of us preparing for the 24hr adventure race trekked into the back of the Otara and Pakihi for about 9 hours in hugely steep country. Couldn't walk for 5-6 days after.

Thankfully, I was at conference the next weekend when the others climbed around in some different hills.

Yesterday myself, Lea, Barry, Trevor, Hedley, Destry, Roger, Danni and Tyler MTBed to the 16k bridge up the Motu Road and then tramped 18 k through the bush and hills. There was a track for some of it, but for a lot there wasn't. Danni stumbled across two wasp nests scoring 8 stings! It was pretty exciting being in the bush with a young woman ripping her clothes off to get at the wasps. Barry showed great leadership in making the blokes avert their eyes.

After trekking 8k down the stream to the bridge we then MTBed home. It was a 10 hour expedition, but not too tough. Hedley and Destry made the mistake of turning up my road and after three hours had drunk all my beer and floated around in the spa pool! Adventure race training is neat fun!

Collville Connection

View from deck
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/22987124@N05/

Staying at Te Kouma Harbour Cottages was ideal for our assault on the Colville Connection race. It was a beautiful, scenic and quiet spot to have as our base. It was only 10 min drive from Coromandel and 45 min drive from the start at Colville.

A team of 17 of us travelled together and stayed here so that we could take part in the race. There was myself, Leigh and Lucy and Margaret; Roger and Shirley and Shannon; Paul and Gareth along with Hamish, Glen and Brazil; and Brian, who had to room with the Lost Boys of Barry, Destry, Rowie and Karl.

All of our team did very well in the racing. Brazil was 4th in the 72k Junior Mens event, Lucy was first in the 25k Junior Women's event and Shannon was 3rd in the 40k Junior Men's event.

The full results are on the colvilleconnection website.

I was 5 mins faster than I have done the 75k before, despite taking 10 minutes longer (55 min in total) to walk to the top of the big hill because of the very slippery conditions. Leigh was about 20k faster than her best.

Brian, Barry and Destry were first timers and had mixed views of the race. The hill is brutal and the 30k slog home along the gravelled coast road is abit draining.

Hamish was up with a good group with 15 k to go when his deraillieur blew apart. He finished by running the last 10K.

A highlight was ordering $120 of fish and chips at the Coromandel Fish and Chip shop.

A disappointment waas the Lost Boys feeling the pace and trying to crash early on Saturday night. We visited them to ensure they didn't miss out on the stories and get too much sleep.

We had a great weekend. Check the photos.

Motu Taniwha

Rowie resting in the undergrowth after an unsuccessful parking manoevour
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

This was the day the taniwha struck in many disguises. The plan was for 9 of us to ride over the Otipi Rd to the Motu and return. This is a very tough 40k ride climbing from 300m to 850m over 7k then dropping to 250m over 14k to the Motu and then return. Check out The Mad Keen Mountain Biker's Road Trip by Ruth Connor for a great description.

Taniwha 1: At 7.00am Hedley rang to say that he had just backed his van and his and Teleri's brand new MTBs!!! into a post and would not be making the ride that he had organised.

Taniwha 2: Brian didn't turn up. Where were you?

Taniwha 3: On her first MTB ride since her separated shoulder event Lea rode for 30 minutes and then came off as her rear deraillieur snapped off! Look out Hedley, a taniwha is coming your way!

Taniwha 4: The photo shows Rowie in the undergrowth. Destry hit this spot, known as the forks, first, couldn't decide which way to go, so went straight ahead and over the edge. As Rowie arrived he wanted a closer look but misjudged and went over as well. In the most isolated spot in the North Island he ended up with a piece of glass jabbing him in the arse.

Taniwha 5 was a real taniwha. At the Motu I leapt in to a perfect swimming hole for a swim and photo op. I then dived to the bottom to meet a very large eel (1m) face to face. Swinging my arms wildly and kicking in mad panic I shot to the surface like an exocet missile with taniwha in pursuit. I landed on the rocks much to the amusement of Barry and The Boss. Check the photo of the taniwha with the other photos!

Apart from the taniwha it was an awesome ride, but most probably one of, if not the hardest MTB ride I have done. The climbs were relentless of between 1 hr and 2 hours each, but the downhills made it all worth it.

We were also able to offer assistance to two hunters who had a puncture on their 4 wheel motor bike. They used our bike pumps to keep pumping up their tyre. A few broken bike pumps now.

Condolences to Hedley and Teleri. Hope the bikes are fixable and covered by insurance.

Sasquatch Interest

The recent postings concerning Sasquatch have resulted in a world wide interest. Check out this link that opens up a whole new world for us to explore www.bfro.net.

The Sasquatch Hunt Continues

Sasquatch Hunter
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

The great Sasquatch hunter is dressed for the risky enterprise, armed with the anti-Sasquatch liquid and fully alert. Check out the rest of the photos taken by Hedley at the Round The Lake Relay in Taupo. The last photo shows the secret team member whch Hedley somehow smuggled along who is seen carefully weighing her options.

The Sasquatch Roaming The Forests During the 2008 Round Taupo Relay

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Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

The Cellar Rats returned to the Round Taupo Relay with a few new comers to defend their proud record. After 14 hours and 32 minutes we crossed the line to be 4th in our division of about 200 teams. We were only 6 mins slower than last year when we finished 3rd.

New records were set by Aaron, Barry, James (though we are requesting a recount as James beat Maurie's record by 4 seconds and it just doesn't seem right) and Racheal. Maurie set an awesome record over 10.1 k, blitzing the previous record for when the leg was 2k shorter!

Everybody gave their all with the new comers seeing what 100% effort 100% of the time really means.

Once again the support from team mates was awesome. Our own prizegiving in the presence of Koro James was an impressive event, but signs that Shane might not see the full evening out were beginning to emerge.

We all danced the night away and made it back to our digs safely with Lea being like a DP and getting everyone on the taxi to get home.

What an event! Check the photos.

Many laps were changed so new records were set over many laps.

Sam Has Left Home

Our middle son Sam has jumped on the plane and flown to Invercargill to begin his Bachelor of Digital Media. I've never been to Invercargill, but I know it is about the furtherest you can be away from Opotiki and home and still be in NZ. What is he saying to us?

Start of School Year

After our first week at school staff relaxed on Waiotahe Beach and dined on fine sausages cooked on the BBQ. It has been a great start with very good NCEA results from last year, a high roll continuing, and a neat group of new staff, including 4 year 1 teachers who look as if they are going to fit right in.

Spooky! Can you hear the music from Deliverance?

This series of photos have caused some concern. A pack of hillbillies arriving by suspect vehicle and carrying out strange activities in the Blue Mountains.

Brazil Meets Possum

Gabriel Being Inducted As a Possum
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

Here is Gabriel being inducted as a possum. The omens are good as it is a rare albino.

Story in previous post and more photos here.

The pace quickens

"The year passes like a worm through the mower; hell for the quick, mincemeat for the slower!" The pace has certainly sped up around here. Just after getting the MTB champs out of the way the focus has shifted to Round Taupo Relay (in 2 weeks) and the prospect of the punishing Colville Connection in March! The weekly road cycle and MTB gut-busting sprints are still going on as well. Added to that, school is also about to begin.

School started with a Teacher Only Day last Friday and the traditional start of year BBQ at my place. We seemed to have a great night with the last going at about 1.30am. Unfortunately Hedley brought his home brew which required an informal "taste-off" with my beautiful creations, which have been in the bottle for about 3 years! I was deeply hurt by the many people from my family and others whom I have considered close friends who made statements suggesting Hedley's brews were better. I can only imagine they were building him up a little and/or had drunk too much and were pissed!

The previous week we had Year 13 Leadership Camp at beautiful Omaio and I will post photos shortly.

We had a brutal, but sort of enjoyable ride today and I will post photos. Myself, the Boss, Brian and Hamish, Karl, Kate, Hedley and the Brazilaian Exchange student, Gabriel, set off from the Boss' and met up with Roger. We plummetted down Amokura, ground up to the top gate, and then charged through (biking and walking) the Upper Paerata section to the trig. The view is outstanding as you will see in the photos. From there it was an awesome downhill, most of the way apart from Old Creamery! back to the Boss' for muffins and coffee where we met up with Leigh, Shirley and Marg who had ridden to the Eucalypts (almost) and back.

What were the highlights?
Karl walking through the ford because I thought he was good. He gave some excuse about his bottom bracket getting too wet recently.

Brian grabbing a recently deceased albino possum and introducing it to Gabriel (see photos).

Brian (again) sailing over his handlebars and over Hedley who had inconsiderately fallen on a mean downhill and left his bike over the track for Brian to hit. The forward roll from a great height was spectacular. Hamish and Gabriel nailed this downhill straight away. Roger and I fell so marched to the top to try again. Roger made it; I had another fall and then nailed the rest of it. My last memory before that fall was Hamish yelling at me to let the brakes go. He's on detention tomorrow!

Students at school tomorrow!!!!!