Stats by Mr Muir
Distance: 65 km
Time: 2:35:55
Average speed: 25.3 km/h
Maximum speed: 74.6 km/h
Temperature Minimum: 9 degrees
Temperature Maximum: -15 degrees
Metres climbed: 946 metres
Welcome to the first blog of the 2020
New Zealand Smiddy Challenge. While tomorrow is officially the first day of the
tour, today’s stage was of equal importance.
A special ride was held in memory of a
Smiddy mate lost in action on the 2017 New Zealand Smiddy Challenge. On the
final morning of the 2017 tour, Ross Noye was found deceased after passing away
in his sleep.
That last day of the ride was
cancelled out of respect for Ross and his family, but the team vowed that
should the ride ever return to New Zealand, a memorial ride would be held for
Ross. That final day was meant to ascend the Crown Range, and while it didn’t
happen in 2017, I can attest to the fact that it did happen today, although in
the reverse (harder) direction.
We rolled out from the BP service
station at Frankton, just outside of Queenstown. Everyone filled up
on muffins and coffee and heard some great words spoken
about Ross, thanks to Stephen Russell and Ken Noyes.
At the ringing the cowbell, the riders were on their way with great enthusiasm and excitement of the 10 km and 800 vertical metre climb.
At the ringing the cowbell, the riders were on their way with great enthusiasm and excitement of the 10 km and 800 vertical metre climb.
The base of the climb was a 10
kilometre section of road away. Although the journey had plenty of traffic, we
always felt safe—thanks to the presence of our front and rear vehicles, driven
by our trusty road crew.
The ascent had its moments, but everyone
climbed it within their limits, not wanting to do anything silly on day zero.
We were all well aware of the five days and 700 kilometres of riding yet to
come.
The view from the top, at 1076 metres
high, was majestic, breathtaking and a worthy reward for our mighty efforts.
Thankfully, all the riders were in
pretty good shape, and the frontrunners’ wait at the top was not long enough to
get too cold, despite the brisk wind circling the top.
After a mandatory hilltop photo, the
peloton was advised to ride down together as one group, which unfortunately
lasted about 200 metres before the downhill demons took over and the group
spread out over a one-kilometre radius.
A quick regroup a few kilometres down
the road saw us roll into our coffee stop at the famous tourist and winter
skiing town of Cadrona.
After coffee it was a very cruisy
downhill ride all the way into Wanaka, where we stopped for the huddle, with
the tantalising crisp Lake Wanaka in the background.
After we got off our bikes Dr Koala
approached me and asked me if I recalled what happened here five years ago.
How could I not? It was the exact
same spot where my wife, Alyssa, and I got married during the Ironman-distance
Challenge Wanaka Triathlon.
What a momentous occasion—to do
today’s ride on behalf of Ross on that same hallowed ground that put into my
arms the greatest love of my life, Alyssa.
As Archie and Furious spoke with
great emotion and passion about Ross in the huddle, my mind also reflected to
the group photo taken of Alyssa and I with our 85 wedding guests and the two
photo bombers—a photo that was blown up to poster size and is framed and hung
proudly on our lounge room wall.
That photo features two of my favourite
people in the entire world—David and Maria Smiddy.
The photo was taken on 22 February
2015. Sadly, three months later Maria succumbed to her short battle with
cancer, and the world was robbed of another amazing and loving human being from
the Smiddy family. To this day the wedding photo of our guests with Maria and
David remains our most prized possession. Especially after David admitted to me
later on Maria was so unwell that she really should not have been there. Maria
was always a stubborn lady.
David’s grief was insurmountable, and
the entire Smiddy community rallied around David and with their love and
devotion, vowing never to give up the fight to search for a cure for cancer.
So the huddle today was both happy
and sad for me, as it was for many of Ross’ friends and family. But the huddle
also confirmed we are Team Smiddy—we are still in the battle, we are still
together and still supporting that great man, David, whose very soul is
strengthened and nurtured by each and every one of you.
Ross came into a lot of people’s
lives in his time. I like to think it was a blessing that he came into the
Smiddy family’s life.
Thanks to Krista, Killer and Wendy
for asking me to do tonight’s blog. It was a great honour, and I wish the next
five blog writers inspirational experiences to write about.
To the 50 riders and road crew, you
guys are simply amazing for the sacrifices you have made to get here,
especially under the current circumstances.
Mater Smiling for Smiddy, Mater
Foundation and Mr Smiddy, cancer sufferers around Australia are indebted to
your passion. For me personally, without you guys, the Smiddy dream would be no
more. Keep spreading the word. Love you all for it.
Last but not least, a huge welcome to
Emily and the team from chem Events—here
to help keep the peloton ticking over and staying safe on the road.
I will always be indebted to Emily
for that first meeting over 10 years ago, when Rowan Foster and I asked for 30
slots at the Noosa Triathlon. From 30, this number has grown into 400 slots and
millions of dollars raised, thanks to our Noosa Triathlon association.
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