WTMCycling

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WTMCycling session, then another three stragglers took a wrong turning!!! Jim Robinson However, the troops forgave me, and when I was going to postpone an un- Well, the pedals have been spinning scheduled walk around Wellington's round, and another year has passed wharves, taking in the Maritime Museum beneath the wheels. What's been because I had gone into hospital for a happening in the cycling world of veins operation, they would have none WTMC? of it, and promptly organised a wheelchair for me to lead the trip from, We haven't done any touring, except after my discharge from hospital. for one-day efforts (emphasise effort!) Michael Hollis and I zipped over to So - three years on, what have we Masterton and back one super-hot day achieved? last summer, a feat repeated by a solitary Mike Moran more recently. We have tramped the coastlines, The 'Akas' and Mangaroa have also climbed the highest hills and ridges, been done numerous times, especially enjoyed the forests of the by me (being a slack layabout of a Orongorongos and Tararuas from varsity student, I hear you say. Waikanae to Holdsworth, and Kapiti Right!) Island. The reason our touring has been We have provided a facility for all curtailed is simple; racing provides age groups of the club to enjoy where a better outlet for disgusting none existed, except rarely, before. competitiveness. Michael has joined But now more trips should be slotted up. with a vets group who run timebetween our once-a-month reasonably trials once a fortnight, and he has easy tramps for the eager, young, also joined me in a few races. Mike fitter members, who can't be out every promises that he's going to come out weekend but would like to do an this summer. occasional more-challenging day tramp. Racing is a real buzz, but sometimes As a Day Trip leader I have found that it helps to be a masochist. This organising the tramps has become year's Palmerston North to Wellington easier with experience except for one road race was a case in point; the thing - those fiendish weather forefield was decimated by strong casts! I have long since learned southerlies and four degree tempera- NEVER to trust a word they say, until tures. Both Michael and I were not I open my eyes on Sunday morning and masochistic enough - we dropped out. peer out of the window to see for myself what is happening outside. Michael recently splashed out in a big way on a top quality racing bike (quote: "The most expensive vehicle I've ever bought, but worth every cent.") I don't know if the change was physically or psychologically influenced, but I can guarantee he Even then, unless the sun is shining has sped up a great deal subsequently. or it is hosing down, when a decision has to be made on those doubtful days I don't know how many budding bikies whether to go or not, Aunt Aggie's there are out there, but if you are corns would be more reliable than the interested in racing, contact me. weather forecasts we get. I have Most races have handicaps, so everyane called off trips with rain predicted has a chance. It's a great sport, and it turns out fine and sunny. And hard but very satisfying. vice versa. So anyone with an aunt with reliable corns please let me have her phone number! We look forward to many years of exploring new areas of Wellington and enjoying the old favourite tramps again, and we will spread our wings into the Wairarapa during the longer summer days. THE Our motto still is: WE AIM TO ENJOY END IT, NOT ENDURE IT!