6 hour Enduro at Korere

Shane and Mike getting ready to start the 6 hour. Shane on bike 193, its his first competion ride since buying the new bike.















Here is shane racing past the pits on lap 2. Sadly this is the last photo I got of him as after this he didnt fuel up his bike and he ran out of gas 3 km from the finish and had to push his bike for 1 and half hours to get to the top of the hill so he could c coast back down. So shane only rode for 2 hours of the 6 and we packed up and went home.

I did try to get one of the stewards to take some gas to him but one of the riders chose that moment to learn how to fly and broke two ribs. All spare stewards went to the aid of this rider and sadly shane was forgotten about until I threw a little tanty!!!! but it was too late by then as shane had just made it to the top of the hill. Next year we will be better prepared and will fuel up every 2 laps!!! Still a great day out the weather was perfect.

Shoe Clinic Duathlon At Rabbit Island

Today I entered the Shoe Clinic Duathlon at Rabbit Island. It was a walk 2km, mountain bike 11 km and walk 2 km. I hadn?t trained for it but decided to enter it with sheer grit and determination that I can do it.

We arrived out there at 9am and were one of the first to enter. With what was meant to be an overcast drizzly day, it turned out to be a glorious sunny day nice and warm.

We got under way at 10.00 on the dot. Walkers and runners all started at the same time. I meandered off and shortly set my sights on a lady about 40 meters a head of me and made it my mission to pass her. About half way round the walk mission one was accomplished and I steamed my way off to get my bike.


by nylesphotos

I leapt on to (ok grappled) my trusty stead and peddled off to start the 11km mountain bike section. This is nice I thought......sunny day, birds chirping........large deep puddles of mud..........splash........ didn?t fall off but looked like I had....I was covered. the course was mostly sand and with the rain the day before was rather boggy in places but that made it fun. About half way round the lady from mission one past me, so I uped the tempo and peddled off after her and nearly passed her again as we came round to the finsh of the biking leg.

I threw my bike down..(Literally) dragged my helmet off and pounded off after her. Once again she became mission one!! and I did get past her about half way round again and stayed in front right to the finish.


by nylesphotos

I think I finished first in my class and will find out tomorrow night. But I did wind a spot prize. A really flash Tee-shirt from the Shoe Clinic and on the front in large bold letters is "BROOKS" how fitting I thought.

So now I am training for the next race in a month. This time it will be a road race around Founders Park.

I will put photos up once this silly blog site lets me...it won?t load up the upload for photos bit.

Funerals and Reunions

My Gang died quite suddenly. It brought home how precious life really is. I hadn?t seen my Gang for some time and suddenly I felt so badly for that.

Me and the kids traveled across to Blenheim for the funeral. There were their own drama?s in that journey. Shakara and Kayne traveled with me in my FTO........squashed in like sardines. Teagan took her own car and traveled with two friends. Unfortunately teagans car only made it up the gentle Annie before spluttering to a stop. So they had to turn back and get her mates car. This car only made it as far as Havelock before it locked up and stopped. So they hitched the rest of the way.

I was most honored by being a pall bearer from the church and then to the grave side and Kayne did me proud by wearing his ATC uniform and honoring Gangs service with that.

The one up side of all this is I got to met up with family I had not seen in 2o years (Kerry my cousin) and Aunts and Uncles from 6 years ago. Plus I got to see my Dad again, that was the most special of all.

I didn?t realize just how much I miss him being a part of my life until I went and spent 8 days with him and Jo-Anne. The kids were most excited to see him and uncle ray as they had not seen either for some time.

Its just so sad that it took such a moment in time to bring us all together but I am thankful for the time we all had

Dunn Mountain

On Sunday (16/07/06) I got very adventurous and grabbed my trusty bike to head off and tackle Dunn Mountain.

The day was picture perfect with just a small splattering of cloud. Sun was shining birds were singing................and I was gasping over my handle bars yet again.

The pic is me at the table which I thought was half way .................... was actually quarter.

The ride was fantastic. It is a gentle gradiant that you hardly notice. I rode for 2 hours and made it to the 4 x 4 track which is the half way mark as one of the guys told me as he whizzed past me. So I turned around and headed for home. It may not have been a steep track but wow, did I whiz down. Took me 20mins to get to the bottom.

So next weekend I have recurited 2 other mates to come up and go the whole way up. Will keep you posted.

Back On My Bike

Yay, I have finally been able to get out on my bike.

On saturday with the sun shining and the birds singing. Shane and I packed up the trailer with motor bike and mountain bike and headed up the Hira. Shane opted for the fire breaks and death defying rutts. Me, I picked the safe old boring gravel road. I road up Sharlands Creek Road. It winds up to the top of Sharlands Ridge.........yep up hill all the way. Took me about 80 mins to reach the top ............... yes and about 10 stops gasping like a fish out of water............but I made it. The ride down was great.............20mins to the bottom..............yeee haaaaaa

On sunday, I dragged my bike out and threw myself back into those little unforgiving shorts and headed back up again to investigate a trail i passed on the way. I found that bike seats are very very firm....specially on the second day!!!!

The trail (above image) I had found started off really easy and had some creek crossings and lots of over hanging ferns with fan tails flitting along with me. Awesome, but eventually i had to give up and turn around as it quickly became to steep for me to ride up (or down).

but I still had a blast.

brachial neuritis or parsonage - turner syndrome

Parsonage-Turner syndrome is a condition characterized by inflammation of the network of nerves that control and supply (innervate) the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and arms (brachial plexus). Individuals with the condition first experience a sudden onset of severe pain across the shoulder and upper arm. The muscles of the affected shoulder show weakness, wasting (atrophy), and paralysis (atrophic paralysis) within a few hours or days of the onset of the disorder. Although individuals with the condition may experience paralysis of the affected areas that lasts for months or years in some cases, recovery is usually complete. The exact cause of Parsonage-Turner syndrome is not known.

The specialist has told me that it I have to let the nerve re grow at 1mm a day. Hence why it takes nearly a year to recover. The good news is ..... I can ride my bike again and basically go back to doing what ever I like. The numb fingers will eventually go away and will take some time to regain the strength in my arm.

My Trip To Melbourne

8 days in Melboroune catching up with family. Some of who i have not seen in over 20 years.

Meeting new wives and children was amazing.

We had a great time exploring melbourne and learning how to take the train and not get lost.


The market was mindblowing and had I not have been in so much pain would have gone nuts and spent all my money in one hit. Then the Factory outlet shops...........man I could go back there any day.

Loved the zoo, but the main animals I wanted to see were not out....all hiding in their borrows.

Wild Kangaroos made our day. These guys just hop around at my brothers home, most afternoons they are there.

Sadly due to a mountain bike injury I did 3 weeks prior to traveling, I spent my whole time in pain and unable to sleep very well at all. On returning home it has been found that i have trauma damage to my neck and have pinched my nerves. Great stuff!!!!

Flying home was great. Had our own dvd screens so the trip went really fast.

Then to top it all off I broke my tooth in half with a lollie on the plane...............................

Its Been awhile

Its been awhile since I have been here.....I have been so busy with work, family and trying to find some my time....that i just ran out of time.

I cant believe thats is half way through the year already...where has it gone. its nearly my birthday and I refuse to be that old this year. I still only feel 20!!!!!

Click here to go to my Webshots album

This is where I keep all my photos.

I have the folder that has my wedding photos, a folder for each of my children and a folder of Shane and his motorcross races and now I have my own sport folder......Triathlons!!

Just click on the link to go and see, but dont forget to leave me a message to say hi

This is a link to ginas blog

Peter Brown Memorial Motor Cross, Blenheim

Shane Landing a Jump

We went to the two day event over in Blenheim. Shane got 4th which is a great effort. 90 riders showed up to make it an action packed weekend.

I forgot how bad the sun and wind is in Blenheim and got a really badly burnt face...hmmmm.....should slip slop slapped some more I guess.

This was taken while over in Blenheim on a family visit.

My grandmother was not well so we all raced over the hill to be with her.

Nyle and her wonderfull kiddies

My Kids

Strange how things turn out sometimes aye..........

At long last I have my 3 wonderfull children back around me........and everyone is happy. No axe murders in this family..........not yet anyhow.