Les voyageurs au grand coeur

New Zealand bike trip to promote blood donation

This new adventure will take place only in the Northern part of New Zealand. First of all, the climate is nicer in the North than in the South; then, there are more camping sites, more internet coffees and so on. Both departure and arrival will take place in Auckland, the economic capital, but I'll reach Wellington, THE capital, in the middle of the travel, after 16 stages. I'll get back to Auckland ridding through the eastern part Island, through the two national parks Egmont and Tongarino. I'll get also to Taupo's Lake, in the middle of the country. It's the highest lake of the island, created on a volcano crater… I should be back in Auckland after 26 stages and 3000 kilometres!

3000 kms - 43 days- 26 stages

… i.e. more or less 115 km a day , 20 kms an hour. Some could say than I will be more relaxed than I was last year. I would remember them than this time, no "donkey"! Fabien will not be there to bring my stuff, so I will be riding with 20-30 kilos on my shoulders (clothes, shoes, computer, cameras…). The mountainous ground is sharper than in Europe, the luggage might seem very heavy sometimes. Morevover, my bike is not the same. My race bike staid in France, I found here an Hybride Bilke. It's stronger to ride into pathways I might find inside some "end-of-the-island" places, but I'll certainly not go faster!!!

I'll be ridding at the end of the winter, beginning of spring… not the best period to go for a ride! Old friends (rain and wind) will certainly join the party! If one of them becomes angry (or both), then the nice ride turn into a endless war. And Fabien will not be there to film, to build the tent up and down, to buy food… small things that take lots of time and energy.

During the numerous rest day, I'll be acting from the promotion of our action and I'll be visiting the great places I'll be passing through so as to make you discover with me this country … But, as my only vehicle will be my bike, I might ride more than 50 kilometres during a rest day! Am I going for a 4000 km-long ride! Nether mind… your pleasure is mine!

Last year, the adventure has been very difficult. I recover about 2 months later. This year, the challenge is also high but it's not the same. For instance, no more 300 kms-long stage! So, just three last words to conclude: TO BE FOLLOWED…

Julien 

Julien Leblay is a student in Tourism and Territory Valorisation in Clermont Ferrand.

I love cylism. I’ve already ridden more than 20 000 kms. I’ve already made twice the turn of Massif Central (in 2001 and 2002), a turn of the Alps (ridden up the famous cols ridden during the France Tour, 2003). The most important thing is that I was taking part last year in a fantastic challenge: the European Tour by cycle and motor.

In August, 1997, I had a tractor accident: I felt down in a ravine. Conclusion: 4 days in coma, my two lungs had exploded. Blood donors saved my life. I want to thank them with all my heart and to promote their action. So, I created my association “Great Heart Travellers” and made a Europe Tour last summer. To carry on, I’ll go for another trip, in the other part of the world!