My Updates

Richard Kennaway
Friday 27th NovThis ride is not all about me but I can say I've been pushing pedals for 25 years generally competitively with a great bunch of people from the Rangi Rockets including the guys Im doing this ride with.
I did this ride some years ago and we did 4 x 200km days, so this time it is going to be cruisier.
After doing all the normal road racing events like K1, K2, Taupo etc I'm at the age where touring sounds more fun so I'm looking forward to the riding next week with a great bunch of guys.
Richard Kennaway
Share

Barry Larsen aka Bazza -
Thursday 26th NovWhat a privilege to be part of this adventure. When Ropey mentioned the plan to me I immediately offered support as I had loved having a similar role a few years ago at the Coast to Coast event.
Ropey, one of the most adaptable people I have ever met & should have won Toast Masters International such is his ability to talk & motivate.
Simon is perhaps the most considered and logical person I have ever met, he could have been our Prime Minister or at least our mayor, however, the good news for us is that he choose sport & comradery over politics.
Geoff as he stated in his bio is a great example of a busy person with a balanced life. He has turned his life around, becoming very fit, while continuing to run a busy and successful engineering business.
John I have yet to meet but if he is mates with this lot, well then that's good enough for me.
Richard is not usually shy however he has not fronted with his bio and will pay the price on the road next week.
As for me, I am very happy to be going along for the ride, & just be the drummer in the band.
PS - The reason why my photo is next to everyone's name is because I cant figure out how to insert better looking bloke's pics
Share
Geoff Chilcott
Thursday 26th Nov A few (10) years ago I was working long hours, not exercising and tipped the scales at 105kg. I took a long look at my life and decided that changes were needed both in lifestyle and exercise. I joined a gym, met some new mates who were ex long distance runners and started cycling. I cut back on the long hours at work and after a few years of eating salads, exercising and having some seriously cool fun I'd lost 25Kg! Share
Simon Blincoe
Wednesday 25th NovLife is full of challenges; some we seek out, others are thrust upon us. The opportunity to undertake a challenge with great company, through stunning scenery and at the same time support a worthy cause, is too much to ignore.
I met Barry during his marathon running days, we both competed in and managed relay teams, worked on Club Committees and coached together - his skilled management style and ability to inspire people is legendary.
So when I heard he was Team Leader and Camp Mother I knew this would be a trip not to be missed.
Looking forward to being part of this great team challenging ourselves to raise vital funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation along the way.
Cheers Simon
Share

On Road Team Leader - Graham Rope aka Ropey
Wednesday 25th Nov Cycling was a sport I was lucky to be introduced to by my good friend Barry Larsen. Having previously dabbled in the triathlon world on a bike I decided to give it another go and Barry showed me that a couple of laps of Lake Pupuke, Takapuna were possible before fatigue set in. We then had coffee after and I soon thought this is the way forward with some social connection and meeting new people.Once I did my apprenticeship with Barry Larsen a World age group triathlete, who was to tip me in a tight finish at the Whangamata international triathlon ... he set me free to take the cycling sport more seriously and I ventured to Kiwivelo to get a real road bike .. . Now I was ready to ride with pelotons and mates that I had also run with over the years.
Simon Blincoe and I ran many marathons and so the transition to long distance cycling seemed to be in line with running and time on your bike meant you got sort of better and fitter. His encouragement and support was infectious and so I then became a keen cyclist competing in round Taupo, K2 and many long fun rides.
One of the most enjoyable rides was from Auckland to Coromandel township with mates and these rides became annual events.
Cycling has now been a way of life. Maintaining fitness, meeting people, gaining more friendships and cycling places all over NZ and Australia pre Covid times. Covid also meant we could cycle for fitness around our bubble so we were able to get out and get fresh air.
Post Covid and while riding with friend Richard Kenaway, we decided it was time to venture south and experience riding down the West Coast of the South Island and turn it into a holiday ride and week .
Hence we are about to embark on the West Coast tour adventure with a team of 5 riders and team manager Barry Larsen.
To ride with mates and enjoy the scenery and fit into size large cycle jerseys can only be good for you. When Barry suggested we could raise funds for Prostate Cancer foundation NZ we all felt this was a very worthwhile cause and we jumped at the opportunity to support the cause . So here we are on the eve of our tour from Christchurch to Arrowtown and if you wish to follow our tour and journey check out Polarsteps app “west coast cycle tour 2020 . Bound to be some photos to share as we go !!
Cheers
Ropey
Share

Meet the riders John Tutill
Monday 23rd NovI always say yes
I was shit talking to a mate about 13 years ago about my cycling prowess (i had ridden from Castor Bay to Devonport a few times) He thrust out his hand and said we will cycle Taupo this year ! I shook then asked about the event ! My son 13 at the time says I am doing it too (he would have canoed to the South Pole in his underpants if dad said we are going) We purchased another bike both with 3 rings on the front and both over 10kg and did about 2000kms training. I did a 5 hours no minutes no seconds and Jack did a 5 hr 1 minute, the rest is history
It has taken me to some great places with great energized people.
Share
Thank you to my Sponsors

$515
Vaughan Anderson

$208
John Tutill
It was great to have you on the team JT & thankyou so much for your donation

$157.25
People On The Coast
Thank you to the kind folk on the coast we met on the cycling adventure who contributed to the cause

$156
Pete Lietz
Well done great effort guys

$104
Max And Lyn Marsh
Well done guys great effort and for such an important cause. Baz, you now need to turn your attention to organising 5 days of golf (18 each day) in Queenstown, including one round at the hills, sponsored by your friend Michael Hill. If he not your friend he needs to be and you are the one person who can do that. Let me know when tee off is and I'll be there....I'll even drag Norm along. Cheers (your 20th best friend) Max.

$104
Andrew And Kati Garrett
Thinking of our sweet friends! Missing you guys!

$104
Masnada Family
Great work guys! Look forward to following the journey. Ride safely.

$104
Paul And Lee Brosnahan
Go Baz How many km are you planning to do?

$104
Pete & Chris Snelling
Good stuff guys! All the best for the ride.

$104
Lincoln Golf Club Wednesday Whackers
Good luck guys from the Lincoln Golf Clubs, Wednesday Whackers

$104
Julie Reeve
Well done guys

$100
Deb And Graeme Lynch

$100
Geoff Chilcott
Good to be part of the Westcoast adventure Well done Bazza for organizing the fundraiser- Its a great cause

$93.60
Barry Larsen

$90
Ben And Sophie Colgan
We are not only donating to a fantastic cause, but a fantastic man too. Good luck Barry, to you and the riders! Have fun and enjoy it. Much love, from your friends in the UK.

$78
Mike Howe

$67.60
Michael Lyons
well done Bazz and team, Id like to join you for the ride in the future.

$67.60
Gordon
All the best with the tour a great cause

$67.60
Philip Morton

$67.60
Mark Hinkley
Good luck guys.

$67.60
Chris Boberg
Great work guys and great cause Boggie

$67.60
Jenny C
Fantastic achievement. Well done

$65
Lynda Wilce
Well done everyone. A very deserved cause. Thank you.

$65
Edit Horvath
Excellent work! Well done!

$52
Simon Blincoe

$52
Trevor Strong

$52
Campbell & Olive Boyd
Well done Barry and your team. Keep up the good work.

$52
Scott Larsen
Well done guys on the huge ride! Great idea for an amazing cause.

$52
Kevin Connell

$52
Al & Max

$52
Kirby Family
Good luck team Awesome cause All the best From Lloyd Rosemary & Zach Kirby

$52
Geoff And Ali Chamberlain

$52
Anonymous
Go well

$52
Anonymous
Hope you have honed your cooking skills Barry those cyclists can definitely eat

$52
Peter Rowell
Enjoy the moment good luck with the weather

$52
Shirley Smith
Well done Barry

$52
Jen & Paul Smith
Go well, stay safe and have heaps of fun for a great cause

$52
Andrew Kelleher
Well done Simon and friends - awesome effort

$52
Gayle And Michael Scrase
I am so impressed by all the resumes. What a fabulous group!!!!

$52
Laurie Chilvott
Well done you are all legends

$52
Steve And Angela Northey

$50
Ken Coulam
Have a great ride

$50
John Cutler

$50
Paul And Trish Cropp
You brave cycling guys bring a whole new meaning to the term harden up! Well done.

$41.60
Barb Kramer
Good on you boys and keep pedaling ! Love your work and effort !

$41.60
Kathleen Fell
Enjoy your biking adventure with your buddies Barry. Laughing and catching up with great friends are always to be treasure. Keep safe. Kathy and Billy

$41.60
Lynley
Nice work guys, inspiring cycling! Hope Barry has been an efficient water boy!

$31.20
Liz Cain

$31.20
Donna Rhodes
Great support barry..

$31.20
Ellen And Ian Mccartney
Happy to support - great cause. Travel safe.

$31.20
Paul & Paula Langrope
Great cause and enjoy the trip

$31.20
Sel
Good work you Eden and Tepapa rep.

$31.20
Chris Ward
Great stuff Barry and colleagues. All the very best. will follow with interest.

$31.20
Ange Aldag
Glad to hear you’re doing okay right now.

$31.20
Jack Shaw

$31.20
Anonymous
Loving the updates camp mother😁

$31.20
Jack Tutill

$31.20
Logan Granger
Come on.... Barrrrrry!

$31.20
Ken & Cathy O’rourke
Congratulations Barry & the team. Well done !

$30
Helen O'shaughnessy
Well done guys, superb effort

$30
Carol Walker
All the best ,what a great cause Cheers Malc & Carol

$30
Leah Blincoe
Legends all of you

$29.12
Katrina And Dale
From Katrina, Dale, Quintin and Archie

$26
Anonymous

$20.80
Scott Saunders

$20.80
Gary And Sharon Lovell
All the best to u all great team although theres a couple of suspect members!!🤣🤣

$20.80
Paul Angland
Great work team

$10.40
Quintin & Archie Rhodes
Well done Poppa & the team. Maybe we could do this one day

$10.40
Simon And Cherie Murdoch
Great job guys, love the updates Camp Mother!!!

$10.40
Anonymous
Thanks for looking after my grandad on the tour Barry.