Nick Woods on 'Afternoons with Jim Mora'

The attached link is a podcast of Nick's interview with Jim Mora on National Radio today. He chose the best song ever written' as 'Bicycle Race' by Queen. A rather appropriate choice!

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/aft/2010/04/15/best_song_ever_written_-_bicycle_race

You may have to cut and paste this link to your web browser if you can't go direct from this post.

Cheers

Denis

We're There!

We arrived at the Boulder Bank Lighthouse in Nelson Harbour at around 3.30 pm. We were joined by family and friends who came across in a water taxi. This had to get back to the 'mainland' pretty promptly, so Nick and I were left alone at the lighthouse (we had to paddle the short 1 km back across the harbour). It was a fitting way for us to finish the challenge, just the two of us left to contemplate what we had done over the past 12 days! I am very proud of what Nick has achieved in this challenge. I'm sure at times he wondered why he was doing it and whether or not he would make it. His sense of humour however is still intact and it was this that helped us both through some pretty tough situations. Lynelle in her support role did an amazing job and she managed to keep a brave face in times when it wasn't easy. An enduring memory however will be the support and interest we received from family and friends along the way. This challenge has been about Nick but I believe what he has done has affected many of those who he has had contact with over these past 12 days.

Awesome effort Nick, well done!

Signing of, Denis

Day 12 Map - Final Day

We started on the Rainbow Valley road where we finished in the dark last night. Conditions were better this morning. We swapped mountain bikes for road bikes at the main road and had an awesome ride into Nelson. Geraldine and Hugo joined Lynelle and Louie in the support vehicle. It was by far the best conditions we have experienced on the road (tail wind and mostly downhill). Nick and Denis were joined by Pippa and Hugo - who travelled from Sydney to see the boys finish - along with Mike and Kathy McDonald at Tahunanui Beach carpark for the final two km to the start of the paddle to the lighthouse.

Day 11 Map

Hanmer Springs to St Arnaud (almost). This was a really tough day. Strong head winds and a wet cold finish. Denis and Nick were on their own. Rex and Oscar were in support until Lake Tennyson.

Day 10 Map

Waipara to Hanmer Springs. Rex Prebble joined Denis & Nick for this ride.

One Day to Go

We haven't had a chance to get the blog updated for day 10 and we have just finished day 11! We are now comfortably in our digs in St Arnaud.

We had a tough ride from Waipara into Hanmer Springs yesterday. We seemed to have struck the nor westers at the wrong time. Nick and Rex myself hung in there for the 76 km stage. We arrived to a beautiful evening in Hanmer and relaxed around the brazier.

The day to St Arnaud through the 'Rainbow Rage' could only be described as 'bloody tough'. We had strong northerlies through to Lake Tennyson with a slight reprieve before heading into Rainbow Station when the winds picked up and it turned cold. We put on all the clothes we had to keep warm and at times had to dismount our bikes before we were being blown off them! We also had our first puncture of our trip in the worst place ever. I fixed it in far from record time with very cold fingers. Thank goodness we had no repeat for this leg. We were very pleased to see Lynelle and Louie in our support vehicle as we came through the last gate! We battled on in heavy rain and rode in the headlights of the car to gain a few extra kilometres before tomorrows ride to Nelson.

Its now the next day and although its still raining here in St Arnaud the reports are that it is fine, calm and mild in Nelson.

We hope to get on our bikes from where we left off last night at around 9.30am. looks like we will get wet for awhile but have the prospect of a fine finish.

We plan to paddle to the lighthouse from the car park near the Yacht Club and Coastguard buildings for those in the area and wish to come down and see us finish. Its been a big couple of weeks and Nick and I looking forward to finishing what has been a great adventure!

Sorry about the lack of order in the photos but time is against me.

signing off, Denis

Day 9

We were back to Sumner this morning at 9.30am to prepare for the paddle. We were absolutely blown away with all our friends and family that turned out to farewell us. Special thanks to Chris Milne and his mate Andy who supported us as we headed out on this leg. As we negotiated the swells on our way out in to the ocean, we were happy to see Tony and the Kaiapoi crew arrive to escort us.

Shortly after that we were joined by Nick and his Lyttleton crew and felt very secure as we paddled for our new destination at the New Brighton Pier.
The surf ‘threw’ us around a bit as we beached next to the pier! Once changed and fed (on a delicious mince and cheese pie provided by Al and Holly) we set off for Waipara on our road bikes. We were supported on the way by Mum and Louie, Al, Hail and Holly and Rex, Andrea, Geordie and Oscar. The slight tail wind turned to a head wind about Amberley, however we soldiered on to Waipara, just beating the support vehicles (who had popped in to Pegasus for a coffee, wine, beer and food)!

We enjoyed a few ‘big stubbies’ (bloaters) at the Waipara Hotel before climbing aboard the vehicles to head back to ChCh.

We ran in to a relation of our good friend Denis Kelly’s at the Waipara Hotel. Joshua Elwood and his mate Tony had been on a motorbike ride from Leithfield Beach.

Thanks to our ChCh family for a delicious meal hosted by Hail and Al tonight. We have been so well looked after during our time in ChCh and feel ready to take on the final part of our journey.

Signing off… Nick and Denis