Tour Aotearoa is a 3000km cycle journey from Cape Reinga to Bluff, connecting up cycle trails, tracks, paths, gravel and sealed roads to avoid as much traffic as possible. Conceived by the Kennett Brothers, the first brevet was run in 2016: people had to cycle along the route, self supported, in between 10 and 30 days, with a minimum stand down of 6 hours a day.
A couple of my friends did TA16, and I happened to be driving up the West Coast at the same time as lots of riders were coming through. I followed the Facebook group and was inspired by their stories. After running a trail marathon and developing a niggling injury, I was looking for a new, non-running challenge. So at the end of 2016 I emailed in an expression of interest in the 2018 event.
Although I’ve done a lot of cycletouring, bikepacking is a different beast. I’ve enjoyed learning and researching and feeling like a newbie. It’s been an awesome focus during a period when Richard and I aren’t able to have adventures together.