Catching some time as I fly south for Christmas, there’s a chance to sit, consider and write of the year. Naturally, there was much biking. Without any really big trips (longer than a week), I’m pleased to have consistently ridden all year and clocked up my biggest year yet – ticking over eleven thousand kilometres yesterday on my last commute of the year.
The longest ride of the year was way back in January, the Great Southern Brevet, which turned out to be the toughest one I’ve done yet. After being blown off my bike four days in a row, I’ve a new standard for windiness. Fantastic scenery and good company accompanied the challenge and it was a satisfying finish – I look forward to the next one, and more exploring around that area.
Day Two of the GSB, a short section of Otago Central Rail Trail – before we got up high and the wind hit.
A late evening ride up Danseys Pass.
All other bikepacking for the year was North Island focused – much close to home as I thoroughly enjoyed planning and scouting the first Hawke’s Bay Anniversary Tour. Through a mild and dry winter, much exploring of back roads led to a 550 km route from the south to the north of the province. I’d have happily done all that work so I could ride it solo, so I was thrilled that thirteen of us set off together and nine made it to the end on Mahia Peninsula over many hills. In the two months since then, a couple of low-key overnighters from Napier have been well attended and enjoyed; satisfying and such fun to share some local routes with others.
South from Te Apiti Station towards Kairakau.
HBAT departing Waipawa.
Heading to Waipatiki for the last and shortest overnighter of the year.
Strangely, I also entered a MTB race – the quintessential Hawke’s Bay event, Triple Peaks. For the first time since I’ve lived here, the forecast was good – meaning that all three summits would be included. For a MTB race, there was a lot of hike-a-bike and as the name suggests – plenty of climbing. That suited me well, and I was surprised with a top ten finish. Most enjoyable and pleasing to finally get up to the top of Mt Kahuranaki.
Nearing the top of Kahuranaki.
Unusually, biking took a bit of a back seat for three months when, after many years of being a non-runner and wondering if I had a marathon in me, I bit the bullet and entered the local one. Never having run more than ten kilometres, I settled into three months of run-specific training, with only Easter bikepacking distracting me near the end. I lined up on an unusually frigid morning quietly confident that I’d somehow run fifty percent further than I ever had before. It all went as expected and I was pleased to finish easily within my goal of four hours. I’m not sure I’ll ever train for another, it takes too much time away from riding – but more trail running and keeping run-fit that way appeals.
Since then, running has mostly been Saturday morning Park Runs – which I find a great way to get the weekend started. I’ve enjoyed a little bit of Park Run tourism, but mostly I’ve run my local one and it’s been good to get to know a few people there. It’s now regularly over a hundred people out running and walking the flat, smooth five kilometre course. With my attendance being somewhat sporadic (biking trips take precedence), I was well pleased with improving my best time a couple of times throughout the year; now down tantalisingly close to nineteen minutes, that leaves a good goal for 2020.
My first island holiday, in Niue, was great to have planned straight after the marathon. Completely different to any other vacation I’ve ever been on, I thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing week spent with Adele and James and McKirdys snorkelling, walking, exploring and eating our way around the small island. Managing to tack a weekend in Melbourne on to a work trip for my birthday and a long weekend visiting family in Sydney were worthwhile additions to make up my complement of overseas travel.
Closer to home, various volunteer opportunities come and go. Favourite ones are always helping out at different events – biking, triathlon, running and so on, so I look forward to more of those next year. A steady stream of guests have been through my home this year, some of which help to offset the cost of house maintenance. With a new roof, some building work and finally finishing painting the exterior of the house, it’s looking good and should be able to withstand the elements for many more years. Painting weatherboards while listening to books I find pleasantly relaxing, but there will be far less of that next year – so more time for exploring near and far on a bike. Cycle touring guests arrive with irregularity – they’re good fun and always happy to share stories of places toured and ideas for more rides.
Work this year has been fulfilling as I settle into the role of Process Safety Engineer. Pleasingly two projects that have been going for three years reached significant milestones – most notably our safety case was approved by the regulator, the inspection next year shall be an interesting gauge of how we’re doing embedding many new systems introduced over those years. A mid-year course had me sitting an exam for the first time since university; rather out of practice and with seventy-five percent required to pass, it was a bit of a shock to the system (especially four hours long), so I was pleased to pass and be able to add Functional Safety Engineer to my few qualifications – not that that helps much with riding bikes. 2020 will prove to be interesting as all those in the direct line above me are changing roles, and my role will continue to develop.
Not something I’ve done, but very exciting news nonetheless: there’s recently been a new arrival in the family and I have my first nibling. Many congratulations to Adele and James, I look forward to meeting young George shortly. Unexpectedly, he’s also my middle-namesake – quite the honour there. I’m down south for the holidays, there may be a little bit of riding and running between the festivities and time with family. I expect next year will develop further on that part – I’m particularly keen on a couple of riding routes this summer that have been on the list since I moved to Napier. Best wishes for all.