No secret recipe for Kane’s 19th tour
Taking on the Tour of Southland may seem like a gruelling task, but rider Travis Kane – a veteran of 19 Tours – says it is all about having fun and enjoying himself.
Coming back from a devastating injury as a teenager, where he was told he may never walk again, Kane said every tour was different but he always had a good time.
He is heading towards being in an elite club of riders.
With 18 completed tours under his belt, he said the aim for him was 25 all up.
‘‘Im 37 now, so that’s not that long really, the thing is you’re a long time dead so you might as well be doing stuff.
‘‘I don’t think I’ll ride 30 tours, that would be crazy. I always thought it would cool to ride it with [his son] because he’s 10 now, like a father and son thing.’’
The tour kicks off tomorrow with a time trial around Queens Park at 4.30pm.
There are 114 riders from around the world competing for the top spot in the tour.
From his first go 19 years ago, the only thing that had changed for him was the quality of the riders.
‘‘My first tour was with the SBS team. I’ve still got the old jersey, but now it’s just getting harder and faster. Whether that’s [my] age or the guys getting faster and stronger.’’
This year Kane is a member of the Business South team, which boasts vibrant pink colours, and more than 20 different sponsors.
‘‘It’s very metrosexual. It stands out in the rain and it’s about getting the sponsors name out.’’
Finishing mid-way through the pack most years, the challenge was always just getting over the line. ‘‘If I get across the finish line I’ll be happy.’’ When the first race day comes around, there is no real ritual, but a good breakfast and a good attitude will play a part, he said.
‘‘A bit of porridge and bananas, and you’re away. There’s no secret recipe for me, maybe this year we’ll do pink marshmallows for the pink colours.’’
A part-time athlete, Kane’s training schedule only gets busy in the months before the tour begins.
‘‘I don’t do a lot of training and stuff. I’m just a glorified weekend warrior really.’’