Nick - Day 11

I stayed the course with the big boys!

Today saw us roll from Kaikoura through the Chch. 180km of initially rolling then fast and flat terrain. But before all that we had to brave the dreaded Kaikoura outdoor pool. John had warned us it would be a wetsuit swim and the run down was certainly chilly. But it was a pleasant surprise and was definately above twenty. No one was stupid enough to try it without a wetsuit, as the snow on the hills behind Kaikoura was a reminder this is not the warmest part of the world. A quick 3km was done - I did a descending set with Blanco and Pete, and the time fair flew by.

After Bfast we rolled out. Again, my desire to swim (and run to the pool and back to get my bonus point) saw me miss the early group and man up to fight with the big boys. The first 25km was warmup pace to the bottom of the KOM. My knee felt sore, but doable, so I decided to give a little of myself and work hard up the climb. I have basically opted out of all the climbs except the Rimutakas, instead saving myself to just complete each day. I couldn't hack the pace of the main contenders, but I found myself in the no mans land behind them and in front of the guys just getting over. It was a double hill, and a few guys and gals hadn't listened closely, as I overtook Tara with 10m to go on the 2nd climb.

After that, it was a freight train to morning tea, courtesy of Dan's last day, then a pretty quick stop at Cheviot as the weather was closing in and we were all getting cold. Back on the road, and I somehow wound up 2nd wheel behind Steven Lord. Man that guy can ride hard. after 30 km I was about to pull the pin, and was urging myself just to go 1 more kilometre when Gordo took over and slowed the pace down. I am guessing i wasn't the only one hurting.

Lunch at Amberly was again pretty quick, as the temp barely got to 15 I reckon. The last 55km was supposedly friendly riding, but that lasted all of about 1km, before Molina laid some serious speed down, before he handed over to David Craig. We fair whistled into Chch. I hung in the whole way and even earned the praise of Molina, who duly noted I was starting to resemble a cyclist. It was the first day I have sat in with the big boys the whole way. No turns on the front, but its a start.

Another flat day to Geraldine tomorrow, but first a coastal 16km run. The fun just keeps on coming.