Biker channels ‘Kiwi way’ for tour
IT TAKES A BRAVE and perhaps foolhardy type of person to attempt cycling’s Tour Aotearoa. This epic biennial event sees participants ride the length of mainland New Zealand, following a set route which covers 3000km of mountain-bike trails, connected by back-country roads.
Tour Aotearoa is a mountain-bike ‘brevet’ (a timed, long distance event) and to be awarded the brevet, riders, who must carry their own gear, need to cover the full distance within 30 days.
Legendary New Zealand endurance athlete, doctor and coach John Hellemans took part in the 2018 edition of the tour and shares the experience in new book A Biker’s Tale. John encountered numerous challenges, from getting lost to physical ailments, serious weather events and loneliness.
In between he had plenty of time to contemplate and let his imagination run free. Most nights he would hammer away on his laptop, detailing the events and reflections of the day.
“I calculated that it would take me a good half day to cover the required distance, leaving plenty of time for rest, relaxation and sightseeing. It thought it would be a great way to see the country and celebrate my 65th year,” says John, who found the reality much different.
Challenging terrain, injuries, illness, rain and more rain accompanied on his journey south.
“I had to rely on all my experience and apply all I had learned over the years from the Kiwi sporting psyche to keep going,” says John, who believes New Zealanders have an uncanny ability to endure hardship and adversity.
“Every Kiwi grows up close to nature. While most visitors are intimidated by New Zealand’s vast wilderness, Kiwis embrace it. Having grown up in the Netherlands, where every nook and cranny of the country is cultivated and put to good use, I have no such background,” says John.
“When I first arrived in New Zealand in 1978 and observed how sport was played — uncompromising and with a zealous passion of religious proportions — I remember thinking, ‘Oh, so that’s how you do it.’ I applied the ‘Kiwi way’ to my own sporting endeavours and results came surprisingly quickly.”
John says consequently, he had a solid career as a triathlete in his adopted country before turning his energy to coaching, where he’s worked with some of New Zealand’s best performing triathletes, including Erin Baker, Kris Gemmell and Andrea Hewitt.
Recognising that the Tour Aotearoa would require logistics, organisation and navigation skills and being realistic that these are not his strengths, John decided to invite a friend to accompany him. John Hudson — Huddy to his mates — seemed the perfect fit.
The pair thought they would travel and experience the country in a leisurely and enjoyable way, but fate had other plans. Huddy had to quit the tour on Day 3, due to circumstances beyond his control, leaving John on his own.
“My daily contemplations while on the move helped me pass the time and distract me from my troubles,” says John, who would use his time on the bike to set the world to rights, pondering everything from domestic and professional issues to world affairs.
“The mind-numbing monotony of turning the bike pedals over and over again, day after day after day, should not be underestimated. Even the at-times spectacular scenery is not enough of a distraction, and the only thing let is to let your mind wander and explore its nooks and crannies.”
Despite the challenges John encountered, giving up was never an option.
“I realised that during the journey I was connecting with my adopted country more than ever, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Somehow that connection seemed to be intensified by the adversity I encountered. Giving up might have broken that spell.”
Besides, there was the matter of the daily contemplations, which needed to get to the finish line in Bluff just as much as the writer did. A Biker’s Tale is the end result.