That race be way fun to do.

Reading your post certainly put a smile on my face as it reminded me of my cycling days. During the late '80's when my Grandparents (on Mum's side) were living at Welcome Bay in Tauranga, my Grandfather found an old adult tricycle in the swamp and brought it back to life again for me. He modified the seat so that it had arm rests and a seat back and nailed a pair of roman sandals to the pedals so that my feet could say on the pedals,

The madam trip to the dairy was a trip to remember :). After my Grandfather and Mum acting as a brake whilst going down the driveway I was cut loose on the footpath and ended up in the gutter a few minutes later after getting the speed wobbles. While I was waiting in the gutter (with my feet strapped in the roman sandals) for my Grandfather and Mum to pick me up a van full of Mongrel Mob Bros stopped to pick me up. The Bros asked me if I was ok and ripped into my Grandfather and Mum for not looking after me when they arrived on the scene. After the boys left Mum told me they could see what was going to happen and when the Mongrel Mob boys left Mum said she was not sure if she should of laughed or cried when the boys told her off. She was also worried about her Father as he was laughing so much. Once I was back on the trike I was given a leason how to use the brakes.

Before moving out to the Country in '89 I clocked up 560kms averaging speeds up to 20kms per hour cycling around Welcome Bay, Manuwera and Papakura. I did a few trips from Welcome Bay into Tauranga and the Mt. and cycled out to Ardmore Aerodrome from Papakura.

Lololol

Awesome M, why did you stop cycling?

Incidentally Dad crossed the finish line in fine form! What a buzz.

I stopped cycling as I moved out to the Country and as it is too hilly. Since '89 I sold the trike and started riding the farm quad bike and the odd horse. Since I pushed myself around in my manual wheelchair around London in '99 durng my OE I got a frile pushing myself long distances. I've still got to complete two more seqments before I can say I have pushed myself from the Western to the Eastern sides of the M25 (which is the Motorway that goes around London) I keep saying I will do the Auckland Round the Bays but haven't.

Whats next on the agenda for your Dad? The Round Lake Taupo Cycle Race? My Aunties Brother has done it many times and if I can recall its a 24 hour endurance race :)

Oh, I for got to mention that my trike had a 5 gears.

Not sure what Dad has lined up next.

He did a cycling, running, kayaking triathlon event a few months ago so is into those too. Kayaking being his forte.

I too keep saying ill do things that I havent. Fortunately we're both young (ish) yet :). Happy Birthday by the way!

Have either your Dad and or you considered to do the Coast to Coast Triathlon from Greymouth to Christchurch? I see that it is scenic from what I've seen on TV. I've been on the Tranz Alpine Express which was amazing - highly reccomended.