A moment to savour the long winding road down memory lane.
It’s a strange thing to finish and be successful at completing such an epic challenge as a team but the essence of crossing that finish line is captivated by the eye and ear. I knew what we had achieved together as it required months of training, dieting and preparing mentally then the reality when the rubber hit the road. I had prepared myself in the event I might be pulled off the bike at some point as to how I would address that in my words at the finish line plus if we were successful in achieving the full distance.
When it came time for speaking, following speeches of congratulations from Karen Wilton CEO of Laura Fergusson Wellington and Nicky Wagnor Minister for disability Prickly Behind's turn came.
So many emotions, I wanted to capture the moment on another level hearing the cheering and seeing the expressions as words started tumbling out as I expressed my gratitude to all present for the outstanding occasion and especially to the team who both acted and dreamed, planned and believed to achieve this challenge.
Climbing Porter's Pass was a real highlight with the team working in a relay lining up at the door of the bus eagerly waiting for their turn to run up and give Prickly behind a little more grunt knocking their chins on Prickly helmet as the road was so steep in sections and Prickly determining if I just keep turning that crank I hope I can inspire the team to not give up was an imagery I relayed to those at the finish line, that never give up spirit got us all to the top.
Cameras were a clicking from every angle capturing the moment as supporters moved closer to share a moment with Prickly members of the Blind Foundation plus Deaf Blind Association were present with some having seen Prickly in the early stages of his journey to where he sat today, now Prickly behind. A very apt name as so so many have lead the way helping to see Prickly navigate his way safely over some extremely challenging mountains and the Master Himself opened the eyes of Prickly understanding that with Him in control there are no barriers, no limits but only possibilities when faith is activated.
There were some special moments catching up with folks at New Brighten as I sat on the tandem, a message came that Molly the coach was around half an hour away the cool sea breeze started to disperse the supporters, a coffee cart right now wouldn’t go amiss.
A little while later the tandem was maneuvered close to the door of the coach and Prickly Behind with the support of the team pulled himself up and then took each step with a team member lifting each leg to climb the three steps to his seat behind the driver’s seat. A tired team opted for good old Southern fish and chips all round as we settled into our accommodation. Introductions were made to our relief bus driver for the return trip the following day, Dave from Picton.
After a slightly later rise, and a very comfy bed for Prickly I must add, another hearty breakfast and it was hit the road time for what would be a long windy journey down memory lane. We would leave Christchurch heading through North Canterbury, then turning inland just north of Culverdan to head over the Lewis Pass passing Hamner Springs where the Molesworth adventure had ended in 2015. A stop at Springs junction for lunch in the sun with Dave our new bus driver telling story after story of the various surrounding countryside and small town we passed through.
One story caught my interest about a town in North Canterbury called Pegassus. I knew this small town from a trip in the early 90.s when a tow truck recovered my ute from the inland road South of Kaikoura and the tow truck was based in Pegassus.
A man with a dream and a significant amount of money set up a model of what he has dreamed of turning this small country town into in the early 2000’s using an old disused building in Christchurch and employing around 700 Chinese at a cost of $7 Million to create a full sized model that folks could walk through and explore every nock and cranny. Some believed in him and his dream, his dream cost him all he had and a significant amount more. The dream never evolved in quite the way he had dreamed it and sadly he hit the wall financially before his dream of turning Pegassus into the ultimate small town boasting a population of 7,000. His health declined after his financial ruin and he passed away in his late 50's. The Todd Empire have taken over the project and the town continues to grow, but at a low pace, as good things do take time.
The highway North from Christchurch through to Picton is a busy one these days with the highway through Kaikoura closed,. On the inland route through the Lewis Pass earth works are taking place at many points to widen and eliminate dangerous black spots and the need to upgrade a number of single lane bridges with such a heavy volume of traffic now using this highway and the highway through Kaikoura closed till at least Christmas.
It was at one of these points I raised my hand to wipe the window as there was some condensation with no air conditioning, the team spotted me and laughed at Prickly clearing a spot on the window for a better view, well the view was pretty amazing with my eyes wide shut.
After lunch team members took the opportunity to pop up and sit with Prickly to chat over their experiences of the challenge. I asked each of them what was the highlight for them. It was great to learn that for a good few of them they had never seen the parts of New Zealand we had traveled and ridden through. Not only were great memories of our magnificent South Island fresh in their memory but the team spirit that had grown through the challenge and we felt like a family it was said.
Kind regards,
Phil Thorn
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"To achieve great things, you not only need to act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe"
"One should never creep, when one is compelled to soar"
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