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Tour Aotearoa for I Am Hope

  • TA Day 26 - Lumsden to Bluff

      14 March 2024
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    The final day of Tour Aotearoa! A nice, flat and easy terrain to Bluff. It felt quite emotional and slightly surreal to pedal the last few kilometers. I just want to say huge thank you to everyone who shared their support and best wishes with me along the way. I couldn't of done it without you all ❤️ I'm truly humbled to have exceeded my fundraising target. I know this will make a huge difference to young people around Aotearoa.

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  • TA Day 25 - Queenstown to Mossburn / Lumsden

      13 March 2024
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    Rode over 100km of gravel roads, tackling Von hill (our final killer hill) with a headwind, and crossing the Otago-Southland border. Just what you'd expect your second to last day leg to be 😅 it was a beautiful route going through the Mountains Cycle trail. Weather was great again. Can't wait to get to Bluff tomorrow 😃

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  • TA Day 24 - Wanaka to Queenstown

      12 March 2024
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    Tackled another big hill today on the way to Cardrona and the peak of Crown Range but loved the sharp downhill to Arrowtown. I got to enjoy an afternoon in Queenstown. I can't believe there's only two more days left 😃

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  • TA Day 23 - Makarora to Wanaka

      11 March 2024
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    My favourite leg of the South Island. The most stunning day. Weather conditions - perfect. I was cycling along lake Wanaka and Hawea for most it, and I had about 30km of tailwind, which was a bonus. No killer hills and mostly sealed roads. Beauty! I could have pushed through to Queenstown today but decided to enjoy the afternoon in Wanaka. I've done a road trip before on the South Island, along the West Coast and Otago region and that was great. But bikepacking is whole new experience. You can see more details as you're moving slower and a better appreciation of your surroundings. I'll never forget this experience.

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  • TA Day 22 - Haast to Makarora

      10 March 2024
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    A short and sweet cycle but with a killer hill to the Haast Pass 😅 Again, the landscape is just mind blowing and surreal. I feel so lucky and privileged to call Aotearoa my home.

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  • TA Day 21 - Franz Josef to Haast

      10 March 2024
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    I made the most of the sealed roads and cycled 155km. It felt tough even though I had harder routes / terrains on the course. There were hills everywhere and, my legs and back were suffering. Sitting on the bike the whole day is not the most comfortable position 😅 However, I continued to be blown away by the scenery. The air is so fresh, the water is so clear, the mountains and forest are so green. I loved every moment of it. Got to see the Fox Glacier, lake Paringa and stopped over at the Salmon Farm Cafe for lunch 😃

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  • TA Day 20 - Hokitika to Franz Josef

      10 March 2024
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    My journey continues along the West Coast, going through more mountains, rivers, a few lakes (lake Lanthe, lake Wahapo and lake Mapourika), and some nice small towns, perfect for when you need a coffee or snack 😁

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  • TA Day 19 - Greymouth to Hokitika

      7 March 2024
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    Rode through the beautiful West Coast Wilderness Trail. It's so stunning and it's showcasing some of the West Coast's best scenery and landscapes. So worth it 👌

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  • TA Day 18 - Reefton to Greymouth

      6 March 2024
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    I decided to take the cycle bypass from Reefton, which was a much easier route. The other route would have been extremely challenging with all the rain we've had. It was an easy cycle to Greymouth. I enjoyed some fresh Whitebait fritters and a cold Cider for lunch at a small town called Blackball 😁 it's nice to have a bit of downtime once in a while.

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  • TA Day 17 - Murchison to Reefton

      6 March 2024
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    Foggy, cold, rain, mountains, rivers, more rain, head wind, forest and more rain!!! It was another tough day but you just have to keep pedaling 🚴‍♀️

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  • TA Day 16 - Tapawera to Murchison

      4 March 2024
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    It was a fairly easy route / terrain. There were lots of beautiful mountains along the way and I stopped at lake Rotoroa for some lunch (or sand flies had me for lunch 😒) However, today felt difficult. Not only was it raining most of the day, but my body is starting to feel more tired. You start to question why you're doing this 😅 that's when it's nice to see supportive messages from family and friends ❤️

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  • TA Day 15 - Nelson to Tapawera

      4 March 2024
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    I enjoyed a late start in Nelson and had brunch with some friends 😌 My friend Gavin joined me again in the first 30km of my leg out of Nelson, which was really nice. We could smell hops along the way 🍻 Due to the fire risk in the forest around Nelson there was alternate route to Tapawera. This was 29km longer but it's great riding 🙂

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  • TA Day 14 - Picton to Nelson

      3 March 2024
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    This leg started as a scenic cycle as I made my way to Nelson. Maungatapu Saddle was the most challenging surface and terrain I've come acrossed so far. It nearly broke me! I was so happy to see a familiar face when I got close to Nelson. Thanks Gav! ❤️

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  • Day 13 - Masterton to Wellington / Picton

      3 March 2024
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    The final push of the North Island. The Remutakas cycle trail wasn't as bad as I thought. I made it to the ferry to Picton with 10mins to spare. I treated myself to an ice cream on the Cook Strait. I'm halfway there! Woo hoo!

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  • TA Day 12 - Apiti to Masterton

      3 March 2024
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    The longest kms I've completed in a day (180km). Met some great people along the way and again, got to see more of the beautiful countryside. I stayed with my good friends Jo and Jon in Masterton and enjoyed some Maccas for dinner 😂 It was really nice seeing friends along the way ❤️

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  • TA Day 11 - Whanganui to Apiti

      28 February 2024
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    This leg seems to have the most support from locals so far ❤️ It was much appreciated.

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  • TA Day 10 - Pipiriki to Whanganui

      28 February 2024
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    Easy scenic cycle along Whanganui River 🚴‍♀️

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  • TA Day 9 - Taumarunui to Pipiriki

      28 February 2024
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    Hardest day by far... The steepest hill combined with rain, mud, slippery rocks and narrow bridges. I made my jet boat down the Whanganui River just in time 😅

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  • TA Day 8 - Piropiro to Taumarunui

      28 February 2024
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    Completed the second part of the timber trail including the Maramataha Bridge. Enjoyed some lovely scenery ❤️

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  • TA Day 7 - Arapuni to Piropiro (Timber Trail Lodge)

      28 February 2024
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    This was a tough day due to some big hills and gravel tracks. On top of that, I reached the center of the North Island and started the first/hard part of the timber trail. But managed to see some beautiful scenery along the way ❤️ Then I stayed at the Timber Trail Lodge where I met up with Simon and Lana 😁 got a mean feed, shower and comfy bed. Special thanks to mum and dad for their support and encouragement along the way.

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  • TA Day 6 - Kaiaua to Arapuni

      25 February 2024
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    Put in my longest day to make the most of the flat terrain and smooth roads. Passed through Matamata but didn't see any Hobbits 😅

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  • TA Day 5 - Auckland to Kaiaua

      25 February 2024
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    One of the toughest days so far, going through the Hunua Ranges. Ended up arriving Kaiaua later than expected.

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  • TA Day 4 - Pouto Point to Mt Eden

      25 February 2024
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    Had a slow start to the day as i waited for the 4pm ferry to Helensville. I decided to go for a night ride to get to my own bed 😅 My good friends Lana and Zeddy joined me on the cycle. It was nice going through Auckland without the traffic! My amazing husband had pizza and donuts ready for me. What a support crew ❤️

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  • TA Day 3 - Waipoua Campgrounds to Pouto Point

      21 February 2024
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    Rode through the Waipoua Kauri Forest and river. There's something peaceful about the countryside. Pouto Point is a timeless Kiwi Bach town where I ended up staying longer than originally planned. The sunrise is one of a kind.

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  • TA Day 2 - Ahipara to Waipoua Campgrounds

      21 February 2024
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    Gravel roads and lots of hills, but you just have to smile through the pain! Got to see the Tane Mahuta, Lord of the Forest and one of New Zealand's largest trees.

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  • TA Day 1 - Cape Reinga to Ahipara

      18 February 2024
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    Firsr day down. A beautiful sunrise at Cape Reinga and sandy 90 mile beach 😅

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