{"id":651839,"date":"2026-05-05T20:47:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T20:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/651839\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T20:47:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T20:47:13","slug":"a-poetic-reflection-on-a-10th-anniversary-tour-aotearoa-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/651839\/","title":{"rendered":"A Poetic Reflection on a 10th Anniversary Tour Aotearoa Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

A decade after she first toed the line of the inaugural Tour Aotearoa bikepacking event in New Zealand, Hana Black returned for another go at what she calls \u201can exercise in self-propelled relentless forward momentum.\u201d In this look back, she eschews the traditional recap format and instead takes a poetic approach to summarizing her experience\u2026<\/p>\n

Words and photos by Hana Black<\/a><\/p>\n

Starting way up at Cape Reinga
So many keen riders gather in the gloom
Sun rising at seven as we start rolling south
Stirling Point our far-off goal<\/p>\n

Soon we\u2019ll be thinking of nothing else
Stick to the rules and stay on the course
Six hours stopped every day is a must
Sneaks and short-cutters scratched from MAProgress<\/p>\n

\"Tour<\/a>
\n\"Tour<\/a><\/p>\n

Swept along in a peloton past a shark on the beach
A sense of urgency\u2014swiftly spinning the cranks
A series of stages: 4 Squares, caf\u00e9s, places to sleep
Some strategic short days, some push the body too far<\/p>\n

Study the map to see what\u2019s ahead
Survey the contours, silently curse the route setter
Slog up steep climbs, keep ahead of the snail
Sweat stinging your eyes, salty stains on your kit<\/p>\n

\"Tour<\/a>
\nStop at the summit, stretch with feet in the air
Sore bum, quads, knees\u2014and more
Summon the strength to settle back on the saddle
Swooping down switchbacks, smiles galore<\/p>\n

Snap a shot at the controls\u2014all 29 points
Spectacular kauri, suspended bridges, giant kiwi
Sailing on harbours, speed down a river then across Cook Strait
Sometimes in the dark\u2014though the view\u2019s not so great<\/p>\n

Stay focused, keep pedalling, scan your position
Sit up, spine straight, shoulders slack, relax
Squeeze your glutes tight, and
Switch on your core<\/p>\n

\"Tour<\/a>
\n\"Tour<\/a><\/p>\n

Suck in the air\u2014slow and deep to your belly
Scroll through your mantras as you sweep with your feet
Slow, steady, slow, steady
Smooth, smooth, strong<\/p>\n

Sugar and carbs are essential fuel
Snack and sip at steady intervals
Stay hydrated to avoid gastric upset
Stomach issues problematic\u2014if you forget<\/p>\n

\"Tour<\/a>
\nStuff yourself silly at every stop
Salty chips, a pie and another flat white
Sit down and devour a pub meal with a shandy
Celebrate the stoke with treats and candy<\/p>\n

Slowly but surely 3,000 kilometres slip by
Secretly wishing Bluff wasn\u2019t suddenly there
Smiles spread wide under the sign at the end
Standing tall, satisfied, lifting your bike overhead<\/p>\n

\"Tour<\/a>
\n\"Tour<\/a><\/p>\n

Savouring memories; seventeen days of sun, wind and strain
Starting to scheme\u2014maybe do it again?
Switch the bike, new shoes, more comfortable shorts
Something to aspire to in another ten years<\/p>\n

Summer 2036\u2014set it in the calendar now!<\/p>\n

Further Reading<\/p>\n

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.<\/p>\n