Racing Greens

Published: December 1, 2009

by frog

This Saturday just past, four Green MPs made their way up to Taupo to compete in New Zealand’s largest bicycle race. Each MP rode 40km of the 160km around Lake Taupo as part of a relay team: the Racing Greens…but were they riding to win?

Here’s a lighthearted look at how our MPs trained and prepared for the big race day…

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This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.

Published in Environment & Resource Management by frog on Tue, December 1st, 2009   

Tags: lake taupo race, racing bike, Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

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3 Comments

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1. tautokai.baxter

   Posted December 1, 2009 at 1:19 PM

   How did everyone do?

   Like or Dislike: 0  0 (0)
2. Kevin Hague

   Posted December 1, 2009 at 4:12 PM

   We had a fantastic time! It’s a great event, and fun to be part of. All were tired and under-trained after an exhausting week of urgency and battling the Government over the ETS and private prisons etc, but rose to the occasion (and crashed – figuratively – later). Good to spend a bit of time with the Taupo Greens too. Good cycling weather with overcast conditions and even a little bit of misty rain. Metiria managed two legs (so that’s 80km), Russel discovered the joy of Leppin Squeezies and by his account didn’t fall off despite using cleats for the very first time (not something I’d normally recommend for an event) and Kennedy reckons the Hatepe hill is nothing compared to Kashmir (or was that Cashmere?)

   Great reception from other riders for our team with our custom Green Party tops (thanks Krank Dirtwear!) We’ll definitely be back next year!

   Huge respect to Trevor Mallard, who managed the full 160km in 4hrs 58mins – a great time (how did you get time to train Trevor?) and good to also acknowledge Louise Upston and Hekia Parata who were also part of relay teams.

   Like or Dislike: 3  0 (+3)
3. rachel anderson-smith

   Posted December 1, 2009 at 11:04 PM

   Great effort Green team! I’m relieved you all managed to keep the rubber side down and finishing 164 out of 256 teams in 7:23:26 with very little training is certainly respectable.

   I think Met should have a couple of weeks rest and then start training for a solo effort in 2010. She definitely has the willpower for it overcoming two punctures on the weekend. As for Russel cycling Taupo on Saturday and rafting the Hurunui on Sunday, prospective coast to coaster perhaps?

   This event isn’t just one of worlds top seven bike races, it’s a celebration of cycling and an opportunity for cyclists to be at the top of the road user hierachy for just one day. A brilliant event for us to have been part of.

   Like or Dislike: 3  0 (+3)