Upper Murray Challenge - Entries now open!

Gary: Here's an event worth doing.  We (Gordon, Bruce and I) did it last year and an intend doing it this year.  Great atmosphere, wonderful community support and a challenging course.

11 Chinook Cres

Mooroolbark 3138

May 2010

The organising committee for the 2010 Snowy Hydro Upper Murray Challenge invites you to the magnificent Upper Murray for this year’s event, to be held on Saturday the 2nd of October.

Now here's an event worth tackling!

We did this race last year and it goes down as one of the most memorable and best organised events I have done in a long time! (Gun goes 9am 6th April!!!)

Sure there is hardly any time left to prepare; but what better incentive can there be to get out training than a looming challenge that has you cycling and running over some of the most scenic and challenging terrain in the Lower North Island! While there are three components for the Crazies (Mountain bike, mountain run and kayak), I am sensibly teaming up with my brother to do the duathlon option (Mountain bike and run).

See you there! (Go here for more information and to enter)

Bookmark this adventure for 2008

On January 27th we completed the 80km ride from inland of Taihape through the Central North Island Plateau to inland of Napier. It was through awesome country side up and and down equally awesome gravelly hills.

Organised by Andrew Ninnes and his team of volunteers, this inaugural event goes down in my book as one of the most memorable and enjoyable bike events I have ever done.

It was a relaxed event with most of the participants being novices doing it for the scenery and the challenge just to finish. As per usual, there was the handful of hard out fanatics who had to go as fast as they could (I confess - I was one of them). But I still managed a quick swig of the free brewed coffee on offer at the half way point. The overall winner was the appropriately named Steve Pedley.

I did the whole distance according to heart rate. I had worked out that I could do 80km of mountain biking at about 140-150 beats per minute with the upper limit being 160 beats. So that is how I rode the hills and the flats, only once hitting 160 beats. I was in about 25th place by the halfway point and finished strongly to be 5th overall. Not too bad for a guy in his 50's if you don't mind my saying. I drank approximately 2 liters of water and ate about 4 caramel bars which I gobbled down at the crest of the big hills before picking up to speeds of 60-80 km/hr on the massive winding descents. What a thrill! Despite the huge hills and the heat, I finished without any cramps at all - only a raw arse from all the bone rattling ruts. I put my performance down to improvements in diet over recent years and being much smarter with training and racing.

The race finished at the Waiwhare community centre, a converted rural school. There we lazed in the shade and paddled in the refreshing swimming pool. The locals put on the healthiest spread I have ever had at any sporting event and there was more food than anybody could eat.

The prize pool was impressive and I was astonished to win the spot prize - a $1,400 spinning bike donated by Action Wheels of New Plymouth. In fact, the bike was of such a good quality, I have arranged to sell them on my website (keep an eye for them as I bring them on line).

This was a wonderful event through one of the most remote and scenic areas of the North Island. It was impeccably organised and so relaxing from start to finish. It was almost an embarrassment to appear to be riding hard out in such picturesque surroundings.

We will be there next year - and we will be looking out for you!

Here's a couple of running events to challenge you!

If you have been following my advice about training for events like the Rotorua Marathon or the Karapoti Classic, you will know that I encourage you to enter various buildup events that keep you focussed on training and also to help develop that high-end performance that can only come through competition. Whether you are out to win, or just to finish, you will benefit enormously by entering other events that challenge mind and stamina during your preparations.

What better to enter than events that get you into really spectacular parts of New Zealand!

Well here are two events that are just ideal for the fitness fanatic and the timing could not be better: the Mt Lowry and Mt Lyford mountain runs. Go here right now to learn more, otherwise read on....

Mt Lowry overlooks Eastbourne and is 12.5km of scenic hills that will have you blowing. Mind you, you don't have to race these events: Plenty of people enter just to participate, walking the distance and soaking up the views and the atmosphere. The Mt Lowrie event is on 25th February, giving you just enough time to prepare. Here is the link to the Mt Lowry page

The Mt Lyford race, overlooking the Kaikouras, is a scenic and stamina blowout for sure. The main event is 17.5km with a 1282m climb; but there is the option of a 5km version and even one for th kids. That's on 11th March which means you have plenty of time to train up for it. Here is the link to the Mt Lyford race

I have just entered the Mt Lowry race and so has my partner, Alofa; although she does not know this yet. Hmmm - just a couple of weeks to get running fit - now that is a challenge!

Take care - this event can be addictive!

To all my overseas readers: New Zealand is a safe place to have a break from all the madness of modern life, industrial pollution, corrupt politicians and the bleak Northern winter. Why not plan an adventure holiday that is in true FreeRanger style? Bring your bike and your hiking shoes, do a few events like the McDonald Downs ride and generally have an actively relaxing time.