Martin's Long Ride To Work

The start

The last part of my personal challenge for the Long Ride was to take the trusty commuter bike out for one more long ride and participate in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in the last weekend of November – 3 days after finishing the 1000 km Long Ride. I was part of a [...]

After the ride .

The cycle ride has finished. It is time to reflect on the trip and for me to acknowledge the input of a few key people.

But first some key statistics:

According to my cycle computer (which I am taking as the definitive record) the Long Ride To Work covered a total distance of 1039 [...]

Day 14: Orere Point to Auckland

Leaving Orere Point

Our stay at Orere Point was a fitting last night to the Long Ride. Warm sunny afternoon giving way to a warm evening on the deck, enjoying the view, conversation, sights and sounds of the cliff top location overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. The Long Ride was nearly [...]

I have had a few requests for explanation about the pink bike shorts.  No, I am not starting a new phase of wearing pink lycra to work. This was a dare from one of my close friends to double their donation for the cause. So pink shorts it is!

Day 13: Paeroa to Orere Point

More talk about sore butts & head winds

Weather-wise today was pretty good. We left Paeroa beneath a dull, overcast sky – very humid but no sun – with mist shrouded the surrounding hills. The first part of the route took us up to the Thames/Kopu turnoff and across the rickety [...]

For those keen cyclists who have registered their interest to meet us at St Heliers to join us for the last 10 km of The Long Ride To Work, we expect to be at St Heliers between 3 and 3.30 pm.

If you are keen to join us but have not registered your interest, txt Martin [...]

Leaving Tauranga: thanks for having us Paul & Claire

Day 12: Tauranga to Paeroa

The day started much the same as other days – re-acquainting butt with the bike seat, By now the butt sure gets sore enough after about 40 or 50 km, depending on the amount of variation in terrain, hence the amount of [...]

Day 11: Whakatane to Tauranga

Leaving Whakatane

Now we are 4 again

Rose re-joined us yesterday at Whakatane (with a flash new bike helmet) in time to ride today to complete the Long Ride to Auckland.

Cycle path en route out of Whakatane

The full team is back together again.

Today’s ride was a flat route from Whakatane to [...]

Day 10: Torere to Whakatane

first puncture of the day

Torere – where’s that?

Torere is 20 km east of Whakatane. We left from there to make sure that distance travelled today would add up tot the 1000 km total (the distance from Opotoki to Whakatane – our final destination for today) does not give us enough [...]

Day 8: Mahia to Gisborne – Now we are 2

Mahia Beach

Leaving Mahia Beach

I know what I am going to wear to work today:

Deciding what to wear to work each day is getting pretty easy by now. Pink cycle jersey, bike shoes, bike pants, bike gloves, helmet, sunglasses, arm warmers if weather is windy [...]