PRE RIDE DAY

It has been a long time since Bicycle Victoria set foot in New Zealand. And this year was an occasion for those to reminenance of the past. The ride would take us accross the West Coast of the South Island.An area known for its strong winds, which we found out later in the ride.Having worked all day, I caught the midnight flight from Melbourne to Christchurch, grabbing last minute supplies from the Duty Free shop. Landing in Christchurch the NZ Customs were very strict on the tents that we were carring. Checking for soil deposts, (Can't blame them wanting to keep their country beautiful from pest.). Once being cleared I headed off to the campsite at Hagley Park. This would be the starting point for some Volunteers (170 in total) and some riders who wanted to get there early. Those who arrived there before myself were welcomed with a major down pour...... (Guess it's a good way to see how good that tent you brought is). After setting up my tent in Hagley Park I decide to check the town out to see what it had to offer

On the way back had a few riders asking where Hagey park was... they must of thought that i was a local Played along with it and showed them were it was... asking questions like were they were going to ... how long... was fun while it lasted. Now being awaike for over 40 hours it was just a matter of waitng for the rest of the team to arrive . When the bus did turn up, it was good to see Keith (my team leader) and the rest of the Bicycle Victoria crew. Now it was time to meet some of the people that I would be working with and going through any questions that they may have on what happens on a ride which was a shock to their systems. Running a roster on work hours... you must take some consideration that this is a holiday for them as well and try and let them enjoy it.

The one good thing on being on the Campsite team is that you get first pick of the site. We do try and be fair, But being one of the first ones out each day we need to be in an area that we would not disturb everyone when leaving in the trucks. (Well thats our excuse and we stick to it) Well Christchurch is a great town, Plenty to do... and the place to be at night down there is called the strip... that's where all the pubs and clubs are located. This was just down the road from Hagley Park, so you can imagine a group of drunken Aussies singing as they stagger back to their tents. It's times like these you wish you had that camera. Dean and Jeramy (our Security Guards) were cool guys, shacking their heads as we strolled by... guess what guys this is just the start.... beter get use to it. There was a rumour going round of a group comming back late singing load and carring on like Pork chops..... Mmmmmmm wonder who that was?????