Taupo

Every year, ten thousand cyclists descend on Taupo for the best cycling event in the world...or atleast that's what they told Dave at the start line. We arrived Friday night to discover the town overrun by cyclists and their swag bags; this is a crowd that is comfortable in their spandex. As we make our way to our B&B, we are treated with the view of Lake Taupo surrounded by lush rolling hills, and the snow capped peak of Mt. Ruapehu towering in the distance.

A good pre-race strategy involves a supper of healthy carbohydrate-rich fare with a good nights sleep, Dave would get neither of these Friday night. We were wolfing down greasy pizza at 9:30 pm, while Mikaela spent the night alternating between climbing into our bed or tossing and turning on the floor. Dave was competing in the Huka Challenge, a 75 km mountain bike course commencing at 7 am. Although he missed the call to the start line and brought up the rear for the first quarter of the race until he found space to pass, he would later call the race the best mountain bike course he's ever ridden. He was also pleased to be in the top 25 of the 400 odd riders :-)

It was a low key weekend. We took in some of Taupo's more notable attractions; the Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon were both enjoyable. Oddly enough, it was the BBQ with my Aunt & Uncle that remains most prominent in my mind. There's something to be said for sunshine, cool beverages, good food and family.