Training for New Zealand.
After just completing a 4500 km cycle across the continent of Australia putting me at this point 3/4 of the way around the Earth, I have my sights set on New Zealand next. I will cover the entire country cycling from bottom to top.
Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long isolation, New Zealand developed some very diverse animal, fungal and plant life. They even have penguins. New Zealand has more penguin species on their shores than any other country. Thirteen of the world’s 18 penguin species have been recorded in the New Zealand . I found kangaroos so interesting in Australia especially that you could even get right up beside them in the wild.New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to go to get up close and personal with these cute little birds. Nine species breed and the rest are “Just Hanging Around” Penguins used to be able to fly but are now grounded but are great swimmers.
New Zealand Penguins
The country’s varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic lift of land and volcanic eruptions. The country was the filming location of the Lord of The Rings movies using its very diverse topography to enhance the mystic feeling of the films. You can even visit the Hobbiton in Matamata near Auckland.
New Zealand’s capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland. Polynesians settled in the islands that were to become New Zealand somewhere between 1250 and 1300 CE, and developed a distinctive Maori culture.
Being a firefighter my brothers have been supportive in each country. The New Zealand Firefighters are tough. When I cross New Zealand they suggest lighthouse bottom Invercargill (Bluff/Stirling Point lighthouse)
Bluff Lighthouse
To the northernmost tip lighthouse 400 km north of Auckland (Cape Reinga lighthouse), covering every inch bottom to top.
Cape Regina Lighthouse
I will cycle north to hopefully take advantage of the consistent winds out of the south. The northernmost lighthouse is where the Maori people believe their spirits leave the island. Similar to what the Hawaiian people told me they believe as we cycled around Kaena point on the northern tip of Oahu The journey will be a total of 2100 km and 18,000 meters of climbing.
Very early into the journey I will attempt to set a Guinness World Record. I will cycle up the World’s steepest street.
I intend on making The Guinness Book Of Records for the fastest vertical ascent by bicycle — up Baldwin Street Hill. The Guinness people said I would make in the record books if I do it fast enough.Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, New Zealand is the world’s steepest residential street, according to the Guinness.
It’s so steep they had to replace the asphalt with concrete because on hot days the asphalt melted down the hill
It is 350 meters or 1,150 ft long a slope of 1:5. That’s (19° or 35%). That is, for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the elevation changes by 1 metre.
I think I’ll walk down though. A sponsor has promised to buy 25 beer at the nearest pub if I make it, this should bring out a big crowd. I plan on sharing them! This is the closest New Zealand pub to my steepest street World Record Steepest Street Climb Attempt in Dunedin that my sponsor is offering 25 free beer. They have 35 taps and 1500 bottles.
If we get enough people coming we could break a second record!
Send me an email and book a spot!
I am a Firefighter on a Global Circumnavigation by bicycle for Cancer Research.
See my progress on my website www.firefightercycle.com
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