Hi Rob,
Finally getting around to telling you about how brilliant the Motatapu ride was!
Absolutely loved the ride, eating dust on the shingle road, battling tussocks across paddocks with a head wind, roaring through muddy creeks, pushing the bike up steep rocky inclines, carrying bike through rivers and the best bit, the steep rocky descent with drop off into a gorge on one side. It was hard work in the heat but great fun. The 9 river crossings in the last 2km were a surprise, thought I was doing really well time wise until I hit the rivers! The descent was hairy, the heart was pounding but I got into attack position & went for it. Was particularly proud of myself for handling the descent so well.
A huge thank you for all your help & support. I would never have tackled the ride with as much gusto pre-Roadie Rob sessions!! Especially descending the rocky track, without the skills & confidence you gave me, I would have been a wobbly mess! The biggest thing I got from you, aside from the MTB skills, was confidence to go for it & not hold back. I did think of you quite a lot on the ride! Mostly thank goodness I came into contact with you but also I saw so many dodgy riders that needed Roadie Rob in their life!
Have attached a photo Michael took at the last river crossing 50m from the finish line. Concentrating really hard as didn't want to fall off in front of the crowd!
Cheers & many thanks
Clare