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Roadside view driving back from Queenstown

Lamberts reserve Slade Point Mackay Australia

 Hi Everybody,

Well here it goes, it has been an interesting time the past few months as didn't really finish off the season in europe that well but did managed to scrape a few minnor placings in the last few races.

Kayaking Hideaway Bay Australia

Coastal walkway Bluff

 So to be totally honest was a year written off to carcater building just nothing seemed to swing my way and far off hitting a home run. Atleast that was end of that part and so after the last race had a very long journey on the way back to NZ swung past Mackay to pop in and see what my parents new enviroment was like, can say one thing the weather was amazing for my stint there and really enjoyed just chilling out before getting back to NZ where started training leading into the tour of Southland which was a very action packed week and got plenty done
So that brings me back down to Invercargill arriving in plenty of time for the tour. Got there a week before to meet up with the team and friends, was riding in the Share the Road team (Same as last year) which has bigger role of premoting road safety in schools. So got plenty schools active in various competitions and making them more aware about the Share the Road message.

After competing in 5 tours already knew what I was getting myself in for but definately was a more placid tour conditions for the week bar the last day where it was a more typical tour day.

Coastal west side of Bluff

So the tour team time trial all went to plan riding to end up finish 7th team so we were all happy to get the tour under way then the 2nd day also went to plan for share the road managing to get 2 riders in the break and securing a significant amount of points for the sprint ace jersey so that put focus on the rest of the week securing the Green jersey with Sam Witmitz. Now here is where my tour turn to custard after getting 3 of our riders in the break including Sam was cruising in the peleton when the was a big crash right near the front of the bunch 5th rider in fact, which yes unfortunately was 6th rider and hit the deck pretty hard grating myself up quite nicely and having 30 odd rider's plough into me, so took me awhile to get back on the bike but did manage to get back on the bike and finish the stage then go to hospital to get all checked out.

Queenstown

Starting the next stages were a bit harder especially for the motivation crashing was all I needed after having 3weeks off I thought, so got out early in the morning to loosen up my wounds.
Which worked a treat as wasn't so stiff come the stage start, so we started with goals for the day to secure the green jersey first and for most and go for stage wins if possible for the rest of the tour. We went close led Sam out to get 2nd in Te Anau and all the rest of the tour just seamed to fly by was a great week with all the team and all our riders managing to finish which was lucky in that respect. 
So instead of doing the usual and flying out straight after the tour decided to stay a few extra days and enjoy some awesome weather and company getting up to Queenstown to see my sister do a tandem bungy and exploring what Stuart Islands nature has on offer, which is a very special peaceful place to get away to definately will be going back when I get a chance.
 Anyway thats enough for now.


God Bless. 
Chris

   

Slade Point