Day 5. The legs are heavy. The rain is heavier.
Yesterday afternoon, during our informal debrief over a beer, we found ourselves - entirely in jest - trying to engineer ways to shorten today’s ride. The body was already tired, and with the promise of rain and cold temperatures, the prospect of another long day in the saddle wasn’t exactly welcoming.
I’m pleased (and slightly amused) to confirm that Taupō delivered on the forecast.
We woke to drizzle. The temperature hovered around 10 degrees, and most riders opted for two jackets and whatever else they could throw on to convince themselves this was a sensible undertaking. It felt less like a cycling kit decision and more like a sanity‑preservation exercise, with every extra layer buying a small measure of comfort.
We rolled out, and almost immediately were met with rolling hills that gently - but persistently - tended upwards. As the kilometres ticked by, we stopped pushing squares and instead focussed on finding a rhythm, eventually settling in once the legs warmed up - perhaps half an hour in.
Normally, the descents are the reward. A brief relief for the legs and, here in New Zealand, often technical and engaging. Today was different. Descending in the cold and wet demands a different kind of focus. You continue to pedal to stave off the cold, search for the driest possible line through streams of water running across the chipseal, and stay hyper‑alert. It’s taxing. Not rewarding.
About a third of the way in, we stopped for drinks. It was clear the conditions were pushing most riders to their limits. The Design Management lads from Hutchies - never ones to ignore a problem without hunting for a solution—huddled around the restroom hand dryer, hoping it might restore some feeling to frozen fingers. Again, seeking small measures of sanity preservation.
From the stop, we pressed on toward the Taupō township, following our original route to showcase some of the region’s best roads. But with riders visibly suffering the effects of the cold and operating at the edge of comfort, the Chain Reaction support team made the right call and pulled the pin early. We didn’t ride the full route, but it was absolutely the safest decision.
Warm pizza awaited us back at the hotel and was demolished in record time. Soon after, most riders disappeared in search of the nearest hot shower - arguably the most satisfying part of the day.
Day 5 wasn’t about hero efforts or big watts. It was about resilience, judgment, and getting everyone through safely. Taupō delivered the challenge; the team delivered resolve.
Tomorrow, we go again.
Aidan Murphy
HUTCHIES
