Madness on a Bicycle Seat

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Madness on a Early in October 1986 on another abortive attempt to climb Mt Egmont, a group of die-hard masochists racked their brains A CANINE CROSSING for alternative ways of spending their valuable leisure time. The wind howled and the rain poured down. Several minutes of silence later and from out of the semi-darkness Determined to do a crossing in fine weather came a suggestion - an idea SO crazy that and having just read where a farmer's dog it had instant appeal - the annual lake Taupo followed two Tararua Club members across, it Cyclethon! occurred to me that perhaps I could take the Some scoffed but a small, adventurous group dog down a peg or two and have my trip at quietly digested the idea. The bunkroom the same time. began to buzz with excitement and anticipation as we listened intently to Noel and At 8.30 a.m. we left Kaitoke and Catherine's accounts of previous cyclethons. wandered up towards Dobson. The dog as We immediately began to mentally prepare usual races ahead and then runs back to see ourselves. Several hours later when the if we are still coming, and races off again idea had sunk in, we each began a quiet himself. How much of that energy will it self-analysis and brain cell count. Were we really that crazy? have left after a few more hours we wondered. The next few weekends saw the intrepid five cycling furiously up and down the coast, The Marchant was a pleasant stroll in round the bays, out to Te Marua, over the warm, sunny weather with the odd sprinkling Akatarawas, up and (thankfully) down the of snow still lying after a recent cold spell. Ngauranga Gorge, and all over Wellington Dog had no trouble in following the track but for the fast approaching "Judgement Day"! Minor setbacks, in the form of a double by Omega had lost some of its enthusiasm for somersault headplant for Fiona and a collision leading and was contented to take second place with a wooden signpost for Claire, put us in the party. On to Aston where we stopped off our bikes for a few days. by the tarn for lunch and to admire the view. Not content to stay long, the dog was soo1 n Back on our bikes, the weeks sped by and Friday 28 November finally arrived. With racing around impatient to be off, it seemed to a certain amount of trepidation (or just have lost little of it's energy. On again, and plain nerves) we set off for Taupo. Fiona by Hector, two of the party were feeling and Claire chatted excitedly until an awesome somewhat weary and had a good rest under hill between Turangi and Taupo (Snake Gully) the cross left the talkative two speechless for a iced-up while dog finds a large (It time. must have been some hill!!) Fiona almost patch of snow to race round in. Stupid succeeded in psyching her cycling buddy animal, it was supposed to be dead tired by out but a burst of enthusiasm at the thought now, not galloping up and down snow slopes. of crossing the finish line was enough to boost our spirits! Down to Kime, on to Fields and a much needed short rest before chasing dog out to Friday evening was spent checking out the Otaki Forks by 6 p.m. nightlife in Taupo needless to say we returned to our motel early to make pre-race Well, we had done our fine weather checks. This involved staring at our bikes crossing, but as for dog, I know who exercised and wondering whether bike or body would who. clap out first. It took us most of the Anyone want to walk a young and a massive joint effort, to change evening a Collie-cross, tyre 1 think I'u give up. and consume some nasty brown stuff out of blue cans. Tony and Paul Gazley and Dog, November 1969 dawned o Saturday morning sunny and a slightly a windy but nothing could dampen our spirits as we filled ourselves up with spaghetti U and baked beans, and taped bulk bananas to our bikes. We headed off to the town centre to register and ran into another Tongue and Meat, Mike Moran, who couldn't hide his surprise (and a little amusement) at our group of obvious

Bicycle Seat - by Claire Silcock amateurs. He asked us if we realised just how far it is around the lake, to which Fiona's reply of "We're going to fake it" was met with a disbelieving, almost sympathetic moral support from the team. There's no grimace. Did he know something we didn't?!? room for namby-pambies here!! Registration, group "piccies" to send home After a jelly-out session on the grass at to Mum completed, and numbers pinned Turangi and every available medic offering to our backs, we lined up at the start with advice for Fiona's eye and treatment, etc, around 750 other fools. The lap of the town we embarked on the final leg (in more ways sorted out the serious from the "fake it than one) of our epic and found that Snake or die" types, and the prepared from the Gully was not nearly as bad as we had anticiill-prepared - who does that pedal crank pated or feared. belong to? The last 20km were definitely the worst, We were off at last! The first 16km went but the finish line was finally in sight. A by with silent questions and more self-analysis. feeling of euphoria overtook the team and "What am I doing here?" I asked myself we crossed the line together, weary but 4060 times. pleased with our efforts. It is very satisfying to achieve something that you set out to The race was well-organised and the drink do, and even more satisfying to see the stations every 16km or so provided a short look of total surprise and disbelief on the rest and morale boosts. Whoever told me face of a fellow Club member who never that the road around the western side of thought you would make it! Take heart, the lake is undulating obviously did the trip Mike for a while there we wondered how in a car!! There were some big hills and many more kilometres we had in those legs!! the sole consolation must be the fact that what goes up must come down! Saturday evening was spent sitting on soft chairs celebrating with a hard-earned beer We experienced a few minor delays in the or three. form of punctures and a broken spoke, but on the whole everything was going very Our finishing photos and certificates are well. That is until a cheeky airborne bug proudly displayed on walls and shelves, and collided head-on with Fiona's left eye and we'll all be back to do it again in 1987. she had to cycle the last 60-odd kilometres with one eye. Not one for giving up easily, Team members: Rex Benbrook, Catherine she gallantly battled on with one good eye Croucher, Fiona Neilson, Noel Pepperell and a fighting spirit, not to mention continuous and Claire Silcock. "LIETE JUL SS EU a Catherine Croucher, Noel Pepperell, Rex Benbrook Fiona Neilson and Claire Silcock