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After dinner on Day 5, the riders were honored to hear firsthand from one of this year’s remarkable charity partners - So They Can.
The team from So They Can shared the harsh realities young girls face in Kenya, along with inspiring success stories they've achieved. The entire group was visibly moved, feeling a renewed sense of purpose to push through the final two days of this incredible challenge.
That renewed motivation was put to the test almost immediately, as Day 6 greeted us with relentless weather conditions. New Zealand delivered its harshest combination of wind and rain for most of the day, with only brief moments of respite from the relentless conditions.
However, everyone in this group has significantly sharpened their skills and strengthened their bond with fellow riders over the previous five days on the road and so we all left determined to make the very most of the day to come.
The ride departed from Rotorua, heading south towards Taupo, quickly transitioning into agricultural landscapes filled with rolling hills and fast roads. As always, the call of "Free play" sparked a flurry of attacks and counterattacks, with riders finding their rhythm and making steady progress along the 123km route.
Before lunch the peloton regrouped and rode together into a remote lunch stop at a local village hall where the support team had set up yet another delicious spread of food to keep us going. Before setting off riders changed into dry kit to tackle the final 45km towards Taupo.
By this stage of the ride the peloton has gotten to know one another so well and we are beginning to enjoy new fitness levels and bike handling skills and it shows. The group moved well through expansive forestry areas and more rolling farmland before beginning the welcome descent into Taupo.
Yet again the riders were greeted and cheered into the finish line by the ever-supportive crew who add so much to the experience.
Bikes were washed followed by hot showers and hot chips, warm soup and of course some very welcome massage therapy to tired bodies to prepare for the final push tomorrow around lake Taupo. The finish line is getting closer.
