Big Ride, Big Wind

Big wind is a bit of an understatement. 6 Of our intrepid swimmers, maybe more if I missed spotting some, ventured to Taupo for the around the Lake Taupo Bicycle ride. I say bicycle but some loony's ride unicycles and some ride tandem's which, yes, are still bicycles even though they have 4 legs and a very few (Jeannie) try sliding their way around - more on that later. Our swimmer/riders who were nutty enough to ride all 160km were Mike Wansink, Barry Cribbens and Jeannie Smith.  Their times were Mike in 6.36.27, Barry in 6.52.58 and Jeannie in 6.30.57.

Peter Lane was in a team called 'I don't know what coz Peter didn't tell me what his team was called'. Peter did the 2nd half which is still a whopping 80km and he did this in a speedy 3hrs 4min. Angela Tomlinson and Deryn McGregor teamed up with Lew Turnbull from Christchurch to make up team 'Does this bike make my bum look big?'. Deryn did leg 3 (40km) in 1 hour 32 and Angela did leg 4, also 40km in 1 hour 32. Now as I'm writing this it is dawning on me that this adds up to 3hrs 4min, the same as Peter's time for the same 2 legs. A coincidence? Where was Tony Shacklock? He is usually to be seen when such going's on are occurring.

Riders were hammered by weather. The wind was doing dastardly deeds, especially on the first half of the course, making it particularly nasty for anyone doing the solo ride or the first legs of the relay event. The mountain bike event even had to be called off due to flying trees. The result was some disappointing times but, hey, all the more reason to return next year. The wind was also responsible for Jeannie's successful attempt at playing dominoes with several other cyclists. Thankfully Jeannie was largely ok and got up and rode on. You can check out her road rash and other war wounds when she returns to the swimming pool. But here is a tip for anyone who comes across injured cyclists on the road. Correct thing to say to them: "Can I help you?" Wrong thing to yell at them "Get off the road!". So to that person who shouted to them to get off the road - YOU will not be nominated for a good Samaritan award.

On to other things now. We did of course recently have our Xmas dinner at Giggles. Big ups to Anne for organising this. You have to be quick to get on these dinner things don't you, it sure filled up fast. I've posted some photo's on the gallery page. I had left my memory card in my computer so used the camera on my phone, hence why they are a bit funny. Also I was kind of hemmed in where I was so didn't get much of the table diagonal to the one I was on for which I apologise. I shall try and do better next time.