So, decided not to enter this year (don’t worry mum, I’m quite sure I’ll never enter!).. but they had the urban downhill champs for the second year running in Lyttelton. Actually, I’m unsure if it’s a national event, but anyway, great fun to watch. They do mental things like go down stairs… off roofs etc…

Finally a video of the guy who came 16th (still an epic effort)

Yes, it was a sad day for New Zealand… the entirely wonderful Paddy & Beck said ciao for now and headed (via Hong Kong) back to Ireland.

It was an excellent leaving party, an pub crawl of some of the pop-up pubs. These are places which have sprung up since the earthquakes.

I am really going to miss them – they’re an awesome couple. Paddy was always organising biking trips, up for a game of tennis, a drink. Beck was just incredibly generous with her time with Snowpool last year, I really cannot thank her enough. There wouldn’t have been any stickers, or a banner, or remotely as much publicity without her help.

So yes, I’ll definitely miss having them about. I suspect they’ll be back eventually, and I’m certainly looking forward to hearing how Ireland goes for them, it’s a richer place for it. Mind you, crossing Beck’s kiwi accent with the soft cork accent…

They’ll be back… eventually!

Excellent weekend in the hills for Neil’s stag. No specifics will, of course, be mentioned, but it was an excellent weekend. Saturday was a loop up Avalanche Peak and down the scree slope off Mt. Bealey. Quite a scramble. I am *absolutely* not as fit as Neil & co – was completely knackered by the end!

On the Sunday we did some biking from Cragieburn ski field, and I honestly don’t think I’ve been as terrified on a bike in a _long_ while. Well, terrified might be a slight exaggeration, but only a slight one. All in all an excellent weekend – very much looking forward to the wedding in a month.

Had fun with this one – Steve, Alex, Maaike and I had fun biking the hogs back mountain bike track. Also a good chance to try out the go-pro. Good times.