First and foremost, a huge shoutout to the Chain Reaction team that kept us safe, fed, and cheered on throughout this incredible journey. You are all rockstars! And of course, a big thank you to our charity partners, BaptistCare HOPESTREET and So They Can, for the incredible work they do and the inspiring stories they shared with us along the way.
Now, on to Day 7! We started off with a relatively flat roll-out along the edge of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, or so we thought. The wind was up, the temperature was down, and the elevation was up as we quickly racked up the kilometer on the journey out. But we powered through, stopping at Bennetts Bluff for a quick water break and some scenic photos.
Heading back into Queenstown, we had a mix of side, tail, and headwinds to contend with, but nothing could stop us from reaching our final challenge of the week: the climb up Coronet Peak. Scratch that - fresh rough chip and cyclists don't mix. Luckily, our ride director Tim came to the rescue with a new route, just like that. Who needs months of planning, right?
But before we could tackle the final climb, we made a pitstop at Lookout Point Queenstown for a quick refuel and a few selfies. Then it was on to The Remarkables, our last climb of the week. This time, we decided to do it right and set off in groups, with a handicapped climb to ensure we all reached the top at roughly the same time. And with the added motivation of a catch car following us, we all made it to the top - no business class for us!
The descent down The Remarkables was exhilarating, dropping 1000 meters over a 10km route. Some of us took the quick option, while others stopped for scenic photos along the way. We regrouped with our support cars, with Dire Straits' "Walk of Life" blasting on the radio, feeling quite chuffed.
The short ride back into Queenstown was a breeze, and we tackled the last two mean climbs into our hotel with determination. Who puts 17% climbs in the final 700m, you ask? The Challenge Foundation, that's who! But with an amazing sense of achievement, we made it. We were welcomed back with cheers and clapping from our support team and families who made the trip across the ditch.
And just like that, our Chain Reaction Challenge was complete. We raised over $960,000 for our charity partners, and more importantly, we raised awareness for the amazing work they do. It's been a tough week, filled with ups and downs (literally), but we wouldn't have had it any other way. We came, we saw, we conquered, all while doing it for a great cause. Until next time, keep on pedaling!
Photos from the day: CLICK HERE
Daily Video Highlights: CLICK HERE
