In this episode Sarah speaks with Simon Noble, a keen cyclist and recreation consultant based in Dunedin. They mostly talk about trail grading – Simon’s specialist subject and a hot topic of conversation (amongst nerds like us, at least). Turns out there’s much more to trail grading than just whipping out the tape measure in order to ‘manage expectations’. Dig down a bit and you might just discover a can of worms!

Scott Emmens is a guy who bikes for the simple love of it. He's a keen bike tourer and bikepacker, who also does a lot of trail running. In this episode we chat about how, when and why he bikes. We also talk about his days of organising a couple of bikepacking events, and his work for Ground Effect, the Kiwi bike clothing manufacturer.
Scott's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/multisportscott/
Ground Effect: www.groundeffect.co.nz

This episode of the Pedal On Podcast follows our two earlier episodes in which we looked at the then planned Tour Te Waiponamu, and talked to some of the prospective riders. In this episode we check in after the event, with Brian Alder the race organiser, and participant, and 4 other racers. We talk to overall winner Ollie Whalley, fastest woman Georgia Whitla, Steve Halligan and Hanna Black. We hear how the race panned out for each of them, what they went through physically and mentally, what worked and what didn't, and what they'd do differently next time. And we ask each 'Will there be a next time?'.
The Tour Te Waiponamu is a bikepacking race from the northern most to the southern most points of New Zealand's South Island. It is through some of the most rugged and spectacular country that Aotearoa has to offer, much of it privately owned and normally inaccessible.

Check out:
www.facebook.com/tourtewaipounamu/
www.dotwatcher.cc - for event reports and photos
www.hikebikecake.com - for rider and rig profiles
Instagram: #tourtewaipounamu

This episode is a special one. Our guest is Dr Ihirangi Heke. Ihi is a keen cyclist as you’ll hear. He’s also a really smart guy, with several degrees to his name.

His main area of interest is in using the outdoors, including cycling and other activities, and traditional maori knowledge, as a medium to improve health and wellbeing, particularly of Maori, and other indigenous peoples.

Ihi has an approach that is different to conventional health practices, and one that he believes has relevance for everyone.

Ihi loves bikepacking, and is about to start on the Kopiko Aotearoa. His approach to bikepacking is also refreshingly different to how most people do it.

https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/tapuwaekura/
https://100maorileaders.com/dr-ihirangi-heke

In this episode we continue coverage of Tour Te Waipounamu, which we began in Episode 14.

If you’ve listened to Ep 14 you’ll know that the TTW is a bikepacking race between the northern most and southern most points of New Zealand’s South Island. Most of it is thru the mountains and back country, and much is through private land, which is normally inaccessible to the public.

The race starts on February 14, 2021. This episode was recorded 10 days out from the start.

Firstly we catch up with Brian Alder, the race organizer, for some insights into what he been up to through the summer, and what goes into organizing an event.

We also have a brief chat with 4 entrants, Steve Halligan, Georgia Whitla, Hana Black and Ollie Whalley, who we talked to in the earlier episode. We hear how they are feeling less than two weeks from the start, and how their preparation has been going.

You can follow the event in real time at https://ttw21.maprogress.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tourtewaipounamu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tourtewaipounamu/
Dotwatcher.cc, a UK based site that follows bikepacking races around the world will be providing regular updates and commentary.

It was the vandalism of Taupõ's big bike sculpture that gave Brett Cotter the idea for the fundraiser film festival, The Big Bike Film Night. It now tours nearly 50 towns and cities each year and is the must-see for lovers of biking, adventure, films – and the thrill of big screen cinema. Sarah chats to Brett about reels on wheels, and what motivates him to put in the mahi.

Episode 14. Tour Te Waipounamu - a new bikepacking event

In this episode we’re looking into a new bikepacking event, the Tour te Waipounamu.

The TTW is a 1300+ km race, scheduled to start on February 14 2021, at the northern most point of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, and finish at the southern most point of the island up to 12 days later.
In between it will pass through the South Island’s high country, that land between the plains and the Southern Alps with a deserved reputation as a harsh, beautiful landscape.

We start with a chat with Brian Alder, the event organizer who is also planning to ride, and then go on to talk with a few of the other entrants.
We talk to each about their backgrounds, their expectations for the event, preparation and planning.
First up is Hana Black who has an impressive bike touring background, and is now dedicating her summer to preparation for the TTW.
Then there’s Ollie Whalley winner of the Tour Divide in 2012. Ollie’s been committed to family and work for the past few years, and is looking forward to getting back into racing.
Following Ollie we chat with Georgia Whitla, a runner and adventure racer riding her first pure bikepacking event.
Finally Steve Halligan, who we’ve talked to in a previous episode, and who’s quite likely to be competing at the front of the race..
Between them they offer some great insights into what the TTW will be, and how they feel 2 months out from the event.
Closer to the event we’ll be getting back in touch with each of them to record another episode looking at how preparation has gone and how they are feeling going into the race.
Finally after the event we’ll do a follow up to see how it went.
There will be an event facebook page set up closer to the start date, and dotwatchers will be able to follow the race on MapProgress.

So, sit back and enjoy this episode of the P O P…

Links:
Tour Te Waipounamu
Instagram #tourtewaipounamu

Hana Black
Instagram @hanablack
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hanablack.nz
www.highlux.co.nz/alaska-to-argentina

Steve Halligan
Instagram @steve.halligan
www.selfpropelled13.com

Simon Kennett is the second of the Kennett triplets that we've chatted with. The Kennetts are the band of brothers who have contributed so much, and created a unique place for themselves in the Kiwi cycling scene.
In this episode Simon talks about:
Early memories of cycling, and developing a love for cycle touring
Bike racing in the 90s,and being one of the first Kiwis to race the Tour Divide
Organising events
Bikepacking with his young daughter Miro, and what he did to ensure that was a great experience for her
Working on planning and strategy to increase and improve cycling in New Zealand, and the changes that are coming.

http://www.kennett.co.nz/people/simon/

Support the Masaka Cycling Club, and help young Ugandan cyclists become champions.
www.masakacyclingclub.com

Philip Wyndham is a keen mountain biker, trail runner and hiker who’s been involved in the travel and adventure tourism industry for many years. Currently, he’s the general manager of Adventure South NZ – a company specialising in small-group, guided biking and hiking holidays, many on the New Zealand Cycle Trail’s Great Rides. In this episode, Lee talks with Phil about some of his own adventures, what makes a great (and bad) guided trip, and the future of adventure holidays in Aotearoa, post Covid-19.

Stephanie Carins is woman of many and varied talents. A cycling instructor and community bike workshop mechanic, she also makes her own cycle clothing, teaches piano and is a member of the ‘South Seas psych-rock trio’, Birdfeeder. In this episode, Sarah talks with Stephanie about learning to ride as an adult, urban cycling, bike bloomers, and her six-month bike trip around Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.