Training & Prep
Preparing for a ride of over 3,113 km from Cape Reinga to Bluff takes more than just getting on the bike it’s about building strength, endurance, and mental resilience. Here’s a look at how I’m getting ready for this epic challenge:
Weekly Training
Long Rides: Building endurance with progressively longer rides, up to 100 km.
Hill & Elevation Training: Tackling hills and elevation gain to prepare for New Zealand’s varied terrain.
Speed & Interval Work: Improving pacing, stamina, and recovery on the bike.
Strength & Conditioning
With the guidance of The Athlete Factory, I’m working on:
Core strength and stability
Leg and upper body strength
Injury prevention exercises
Recovery techniques
Skill Practice
Bike handling in different weather and road conditions
Maintenance and quick fixes on the go
Navigation and route planning
Tracking Progress
Recording distances, times, and elevation gains
Logging daily reflections and lessons learned
Setting weekly and monthly milestones to stay motivated
Mental Prep
Endurance rides aren’t just physical they challenge your mind too. I focus on:
Staying positive and motivated during tough rides
Visualizing the journey ahead
Building patience and resilience
Daily Ride Timing Guide - Cape Reinga to Bluff
- Target speed: 18 km/h average
- Estimated time per kilometre: ~3.3 minutes/km
- Ideal daily distance: ~98km
- Estimated moving time: ~5 hours 15 minutes/day
- Total time on road (with stops): ~6-7 hours/day
Time per Kilometre by Terrain
- Flat/sealed roads: 2.0-2.5 min/km (24-30 km/h)
- Rolling/hilly terrain: 2.8-3.5 min/km (17-22 km/h)
- Big climbs/gravel: 4.0-5.5 min/km (11-15 km/h)
- Strong headwind/heavy rain: 5.5+ min/km (<11 km/h)
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