Stories from the saddle: 2020 New Zealand Smiddy Challenge—Day 3

Distance: 140 kilometres

Elevation gained: 1,130 metres

Hump day on 'Smiddy does New Zealand 2020' started with the whispered uncertainty of the true meaning of the Australian Government’s announcement that all non-essential overseas travel should end, and those Australian’s overseas should return.

But, after some rather carefully-considered legal advice from within the peloton, the conclusion was reached that no right-thinking person would consider Smiddy 2020 to fall into that category.

We are riders, not travellers, after all!

So the Smiddies cheerfully re-grouped over a sumptuous road crew-cooked breakfast, ready to roll out in a positively balmy three degrees.

However, proving that legal advice is worth what you pay for it, renowned legal scholar Garath Thomas quickly declared he was abandoning us.

The sadness of that announcement quickly gave way to the knowledge we were now freed from the sprays he regularly dished out to all of us.

It was with a healthy sense of relief we headed north, and almost immediately for our first climb of the day.

After some glorious undulations and a couple of pinchy climbs we turned east and headed straight into the rising sun, bringing warmth and joy to the peloton.

We indeed knew today was going to be the ultimate recovery day Emily had promised us at the briefing.

Rather strangely, in what was to prove to be but one of a number of aberrations, our delight turned to confusion as we turned into a rather lengthy section of road under construction, which shook us all to our very cores.

At about this time, the cynical amongst us thought this was another one of Killer’s sick jokes. Made worse by the fact he was not even on his gravel bike, attending, as he was attending to our own welfare in determining what we would happen to the rest of the ride.

Nevertheless, undeterred by the gravel we continued towards morning tea and ultimately, Timaru; safe in the knowledge that this was a recovery ride we would all enjoy.

At morning tea road crew excelled again not only with the refreshments, but also with a locally-inspired Smiddy Haka, led by Mitch.

It was also at this point that we lost the boys from Sydney, also known as the Wolf Pack. They had entertained us with their hilarity and bike handling skills, which some might say they used to mask at least an arguable lack of preparation for the ride.

Had they decided that without Gareth they could not go on? Or was it a portent of things to come?

We headed out from morning tea with just a gentle breeze from the right, and then from the left, but weirdly enough, and perhaps ominously, not from the tail.

There was a quietness among the peloton which became deafening.

Grinding on into the reverse headwind, towards lunch and our final destination, the group really start to struggle. Our one last short rest stop was welcomed.

It was here, after such a warm welcome to the Canterbury Plains, the mood of the peloton was brought back to reality.

Our beautiful Pagey had the sad duty of telling us a decision had been made to cancel the remainder of the ride so that we could all return home to Australia.

Whilst the news was not unexpected to the group, the reality of hearing it was of course, disappointing.

But this would not dampen the true Smiddy spirit. We were determined to finish well and the stronger riders pushed those who were struggling (or at least appeared to be) back in to the group.

With the love that was evidently in the peloton we continued to our destination. Happily there was more gravel in store for us, and more reverse tail winds. We finally made it, a little behind schedule, and little more tired than we had been led to expect.

Wendo, Mr Smiddy, Stinky Dave, Matt and Killer and all of the road crew did an amazing job to have us fed, packed up, and ferried to Christchurch. We are grateful we had this experience, albeit a few hundred kilometres short of what we had expected. We are Smiddies nonetheless.

Johnno and Kay Kay