Godzone 2017  - Chapter 6, Queenstown:  7 days of adventure made up of Hiking, Mountain biking, Kayaking, Canoeing, and whatever else happens to pop up, in this case - abseiling and white water rafting. All done while navigating off maps with a team of 4 - fun times!!!

​

The Team: Freedom Fitness and Coaching

​

Richard Dove – Team Captain/leader and veteran of 4 previous GZ’s and an expedition Alaska. Self -confessed OCD organiser – a good trait to have by the way!

​

Simon Lewis – This was to be his 3rd GZ and our esteemed navigator who seemed to navigate as easily as he breathed wanted to finish this year unbroken and without getting a heli ride off course (otherwise known as a flying coffin).

​

Miles Watson – Having been a volunteer at the past 3 GZ’s we had poached Miles for a crack at competing. It was like racing with royalty as every time we hit transition there was epic excitement to see Miles. Also Miles brings a warped sense of humour - crucial asset to our team.

​

Me (Rosie Shakespeare) – this was to be my 4th GZ and I came on board also with OCD tendencies, warped sense of humour, potty mouth and team nurse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our team goal: FFC – otherwise known as Full …….n Course (fill in the blanks as you see fit). But this was not the only goal. We needed to race to our best out there, do our best all the time and have fun! And be satisfied with our result whatever the outcome if we achieved these goals.

 

The course: This did not suit our strengths as a team, so we had to be focused, calculating and keep pushing to get FFC. Transitions were to be pushed through – only there to hold us up getting to the finish line. Stops were to be minimal and sleep was to be sacrificed if needed to achieve our goal. (Man we sound pretty determined…..!)

​

Day 1 – Prologue – a wee “run” (11km trek with 900m elevation) around fern hill finishing at the gondola – this was where our plan first came into play. It was only day 1 of many and we knew we had to be at peace with other teams moving away from us as we kept our steady pace and didn’t blow out in the first hours of this race. Ernie the Era - my amazing specialized mountain bike was a welcome sight at the gondola and I had a grin a mile wide swooping down Hammy’s for a fun non-technical downhill – anytime I am on my bike I am in my happy place and this didn’t disappoint. We soon left the park and made our way out of Queenstown via a “wee” bump called Queenstown hill – my word this is a steep little number!!! A fast fun downhill had us in transition at the time we wanted - 19km done with 650m elevation on the bike. Here we had x1 inflatable canoe and x1 kayak as a team. This was a 19km kayak/canoe leg. The kayaks floated down while the canoes worked quite hard here. Miles and I found out you can float quite happily backwards down a rapid in the fun AR boats – for experimental purposes of course!

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pull out had us lugging our gear up what seemed a vertical climb to the road – this was “fun”. Then off up the Arrow River for a 6km Gorgeering (is that even a word!!) section to get us to the start of our first big trek. This section was……wet! And consisted of us making our way up the river to get to TA1 (transition 1). I managed to take an unplanned swim on this section, which turned out to be quite good for the boys as not long after a CP required a swimmer and since I was already wet, it seemed only fair I should go and get this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hit Arrowtown ahead of schedule which was awesome as it gave us some time up our sleeve for the Bullendale Trek and picking our route out before it was dark. This was a 45km trek with 2500m elevation, and we always knew that we would not finish this in time to get on the river for stage 3 so knew a darkzone was coming up for us. A darkzone means you are not allowed on the water between the hours of 8.30pm and 6.45am. The first night had us stopping for a 2hr sleep and we were away again on a cool dark Sunday morning. We popped out onto the road into Skippers Sunday morning and trudged up this somewhat soul destroying patch of 7km for our first time over the 100m high (this is relevant if you read on) Skippers bridge. Funny story interlude: we went over, under, off, over this bridge – say that twice fast and then backwards!!!!....kept us amused for some time anyway :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we crossed to head into the 2nd part of our trek we saw the front runners making their way to the raft – unreal! The heat of the day was really on us here as we trudged on for hours making our way to Branches Station in the Upper Shotover. We were lucky to descend in daylight still as it was a tricky bluffed steep descent with consequences if we mucked up. As we arrived we saw Ian, Wendy, Tony and Dev and Coxy and his team getting on the river for an hour of daylight  before the dark zone kicked in. We didn’t spend long in TA2 and dragged our gear the 1km up the road to get our canoes ready for the morning, have some kai and settle down for a full(!) nights sleep.

​

Day 2 and 3 - Monday morning greeted us at Branches Station with a frost…..!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here was the only time we were a bit slow in transition and we lost 15mins getting on the water. It was an awesome paddle that kept us busy picking good lines and having a bit of fun in the waves. We came off this paddle really really cold but satisfied and happy that our training session with guru Bob Maclachlan had been put to good use. Back up the road and an abseil off the bridge waited for us (I refer you back to a previous comment about 100m high – you need to be impressed here!). This had the potential to really scare the heebies out of me as I’m not a major fan of heights. But it turned out to be a real highlight and I loved the descent and stunning views as I lowered myself off the bridge. I have to say I felt about 10ft high here and really stoked not just to have done it, but to have put my fear where it belonged – Rosie - 1 Fear of heights - 0.

​

A wee swim back in the freezing morning to the canoes and we got changed ready to go back over the bridge for the last time: over, under, off and over! This trek to the rafting was…..well it was pretty hard I have to say. Always a wee sting in the GZ tail and this was no exception. By now it was hot and the climbing was short and steep and a bit unrelenting. Razu our amazing and very laid back Nepalese guide met us for our trip in the rafts. This was so much fun!! My main memory is of his awesome skills in putting the boat where it should be while yelling at us to get down and me looking at Richard in the back and giggling uncontrollably as it was so much fun!! Would do this again in a heartbeat.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

From here we hit TA4 ready to see our bikes again – YAY bonding with Ernie :-) Miles continued being famous in TA and we got ourselves sorted. We thought we had dropped the ball a bit here but were told we were at least 20min quicker than any of the teams that day in transition. Off we went ready for a 38km stage with 1510m elevation. The moonlight trail was so much fun and one I really want to go back and ride when I am not so shattered and have more of a play bike (sorry Ernie!). I loved this part including the downhill trails that led us to the MTBO (mountain bike orienteering). We had been told earlier in the day to get here in daylight by Adam and Warren (race directors) as some teams had spent hours in there the night before. So it probably wasn’t ideal that we hit it right on dark!!! I really enjoyed this bit as we all pulled together and methodically nailed each checkpoint (CP) without a hitch. That said it still took 4hrs so it wasn’t fast at all.

 

We hit TA5 and all came to the conclusion that we needed to go through the night here to give ourselves the best chance of full course. Funny really, in my other 3 GZ's I’ve never pulled an all-nighter so was a bit apprenhensive about it all. In good spirts and full of a warm absolute wilderness meal we headed off for Stage 6 – Mt Crichton: 21km with 1880m elevation. We renamed this Crichton McCricton face – this renaming was meant to replace me swearing a lot (not sure it worked). The first few check points kept us all on our toes and Simon totally nailed these! And so the ascent through the night and into the small hours of the morning, then the daylight……..can I just mention here I am not a fan of sidling or slippery tussock grass - all of which was in massive abundance here – yes you guessed it – Tussock McTussock face amongst other words was used freely and often. Dark times here for me and the boys were great keeping me going and as always on hike taking a bit load off me weight/gear wise. We hit the beauty of the lake at the top (which if I cared at all was just awesome) just in time for a helicopter to land and some tourists to hop out…..What!!!! – helicopter Mchelicopter face I tell you!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last push had us over the top then just a wee 4hr descent in massive oppressive heat to the lake – did I mention it was really steep and really hot…..well it was….really steep and really hot!

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

The lake was just awesome to see and I felt a bit like a walking/staggering zombie at this stage. Simon got his blistered feet tended too then we were off for an 18km paddle to Glenorchy, and if I do say so myself we nailed beating long course – WAAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our celebration was short lived as we knew we had only part of the plan covered, we had now only given ourselves the chance for long course – we still had to do this thing!!! Hot meals again and we bypassed the pub in favour of a sleep as it had been 43hrs without at this stage. So we got up the road a bit and found an awesome week spot where we crashed out for 4 blissful hours of sleep.

​

Day 4 – Wednesday morning and we were on stage 8: a 110km MTB stage with 1550m of elevation to get us to Halfway Bay. Sleep monsters came to visit both me and Simon in the dark hours before daylight hit and I can confirm that hitting yourself in the head does not help one iota in trying to wake one up! Just in case you wanted to try…..

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

I loved this ride (minus the sleep monsters!). Daylight approached over the lake as we rode the awesome wee trail around the lake. A quick fix of Simons broken chain (our only mechanical on all four bikes!) before our hike a bike and we were into our work. This was an honest grovel back in the main oppressive heat of the day and Richard did an awesome job of towing Ernie up this hill too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The downhill was so much fun and kept us all on our toes until we hit the river bed and for the final push out through the gorge – the GZ sting in the tail – lots of pushing on short sharp climbs here until we finally popped out to ride to the end of this stage. Simon was really keen to get us going in daylight on stage 9 – Eyre Mountains (33km with 2850m elevation) as there was a tricky exit through rocky bluffs that needed all senses intact. We would have made this but hit TA and were told there had been a rockfall incident and every team was grounded until further notice. I instantly felt sick in my stomach as thought this meant someone had been hurt – no race or adventure is worth that and not getting home. Some hours and helicopters flying over the slip later we got an update that no-one was hurt but we were all grounded for the night until 0530hrs and we would go out on a poled route that the GZ team will mark overnight to get us safely through the bluffs before we were on our own again. This time in TA gave us all a good chance to eat, hydrate, tend to feet and have our 2nd full nights sleep of the race. It was also so good to catch up with mates/other teams and have a natter.

​

Day 5 and 6 – after a 0530hrs meeting we were away. This trek had been adjusted so we didn't get CP 27. It was an honest 1000m climb out which soon warmed us up in the cool morning air. The daylight showed us amazing views at the top of the lake below that we hoped to be on later that day.

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another hot hot day hit us as we trudged on to our goal. Lots of up and down and some sidling (joy) before the final descent into Kingston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all tried to push here and I liken my jog/stagger to that of a drunk/slightly un-cordinated person with a carrot in a certain place!! However it did the trick and we dropped height quickly. It was here I realised we would see Shakey at some stage around or before the TA and this had the effect of making me burst into tears every time I thought of him…….this is not a normal response when I think of my husband – honest!!!! Sure enough when I did see him I was again reduced to a blubbering mess: nice vision really – a staggering, drunk, crying wife – hard core athlete me :-)

​

We hit TA9 knowing that we were in for another full nights sleep as the Lake had been dark zoned and we needed to be off by 9pm so we were in and gone in 20mins to try to get as many km’s as possible on this 47km section. Just before 9pm we found a really cool spot on the lakeside that gave us stunning views of where it all began 5 days before with the twinkling lights of Queenstown and the gondola. The tent went up for the final time and the last of our Absolute Wilderness meals were consumed. A coo-ee from above before we settled in was Shakey saying goodnight :-) (no tears this time!).

 

It was a pretty crappy sleep to be honest for us all. Our bodies were starting to recover with all the sleep so everything pretty much hurt by this stage.

 

The morning greeted us with waves crashing on shore – it was going to be a fun paddle! Sure enough around the point we reckon they were about 1m which made for needing our game face on but lots of smiles and whooping too! It was a pretty cool feeling to turn into the Frankton arm knowing we only had 6km left to paddle and we had finished our GZ and made full course. Not once before this did I dare to believe we had full course dialled. Crossing that line was an amazing experience with x3 of the best team mates you could wish for and Shakey waiting on the other side (and Anne – thanks for coming to see us finish!). Who knew a pie could taste so good at 10am in the morning!

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

As I reflect back on the week we had I am nothing but grateful to have been able to have had such an amazing adventure in such a beautiful part of our world. Often we take for granted what our bodies and our circumstances allow us to do but a race of this magnitude gives me cause for reflection. Will I be back….never say never :-) Of course next year there is a wee bike ride the length of the country that must be done………

​

A massive thank you to Darryn and the team at Chain Reaction Cycles. I love Ernie the Era and am  grateful to the team and Specialized for their support. If you want a great bike shop with quality bikes, then look no further! Also to Len and Kate from Topsport Kayaking, you guys are awesome!

 

Great Southern Brevet 2016: 16th – 24th Jan. Tekapo to Tekapo. 18,356m climbed. 1130km total riding.

 

16th Jan – Day One

 

A leisurely start time of 10.30am gave us plenty of time to wait for the rain to clear and see new (so good to see Fi and John who were there to see us off!) and old faces at the Church of the Good Shepard. The race brief started with Dave retracting his statement this course was easier than past years, in his words: “it’s not”.

.