A Biker's Tale

Description

An hilarious tale about an epic event, written from a unique perspective. To be able to appreciate the story, the reader needs to be young at heart, have a vivid imagination and a love for adventure. If that sounds like you, join the writer on his journey, and experience his daily ups and downs with him. The Tour Aotearoa is a mountain bike 'brevet' (a timed, long-distance cycling event) covering the length of New Zealand. It starts at the most northern point of the North Island, Cape Reinga, and finishes at Stirling Point, just south of Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. The Tour is held biennially and requires participants to follow a set route covering 3,000 km which consists of existing mountain bike trails scattered throughout the country and connected by back country roads. The Tour is unsupported, so participants carry their own gear. To be awarded the brevet, the riders need to cover the full distance within 30 days. The writer took part in the 2018 edition of the Tour. His experience was different from what he expected. He encountered all types of challenges, from getting lost to physical ailments, serious weather events and loneliness. In between he had plenty of time to contemplate and let his thoughts and imagination run free. It helped him pass the time. He was seen late at night, furiously hammering away on his laptop, regardless of how tired he was, reliving the events and contemplations of the day. It helped him make sense of his journey and how it fitted into the complex world we live in. He called it his 'administration'.

Dr John Hellemans is a well know Christchurch Sports Medicine Practitioner, athlete, coach and author. He completed his medical training in his native Holland before immigrating to New Zealand in 1978. John has combined his medical practice with an active sporting and coaching career. He won 6 national triathlon titles in the 80's and 8 World Championships Age-Group titles in subsequent years. John has coached several athletes to World Championship titles and he has been involved in four Olympic campaigns. John has published widely in the scientific and popular literature. His memoir 'Never, Ever Give Up?' was published in 2018. With his background in sports medicine and coaching John has developed a special interest in the difference between exercise for health and training for performance. He is intrigued by the ability of elite athletes to push themselves beyond their physiological boundaries. His research has involved self-experimentation, which has included participating in extreme endurance events. In 2002 he completed the grueling Mizone Endurazone Multisport Race which covered the length of New Zealand. At the age of 60 (2013) he competed in the Hawaii Ironman and two years ago (2018) he took part in the Tour Aotearoa, a 3000km mountain bike odyssey, also covering the length of New Zealand.