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COMMUNITY CONNECT PODCAST | BACKROAD ’26
What a ride. What a weekend. What a crew.Backroad ’26 is officially wrapped , and what an unforgettable three days it was.
23 cyclists.300+ kilometres of riding.
Tekapo → Ohau → Kurow → Hakataramea Pass → back to Tekapo. And somehow… not a single flat tyre across the entire trip (and just ONE mechanical!).
We were treated to near-perfect conditions, big skies, stunning landscapes, and (mostly) kind winds. The kind of riding that fills your cup.
Day 2 gets an honourable mention… honestly felt like three days packed into one. Starting beside the breathtaking Lake Ohau, with Aoraki / Mt Cook making a special guest appearance at breakfast , we went straight to work. A steady climb straight out the gate, but the kind you want to do, with views stretching back across the basin to Ben Ohau. From there, it just kept delivering. Epic chunky descents through golden tussock. Rolling into Quailburn Road with pacelines flying and smiles everywhere. A few detours to the Clay Cliffs. Others making a beeline for the Wrinkly Rams for a well-earned early lunch.And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better… the Sailors Cutting climb. Stops, photos, deep breaths, soaking it all in. Truly magnificent. Then the drop down to the dam wall, lunch number two (of course), and a gritty push along Aviemore into a headwind that just wouldn’t quit. One last sharp climb with 5km to go… and then rolling into Kurow, straight to the Waitaki Hotel for a cold one, perfectly timed for the Warriors kickoff.
Moments like these are what it’s all about.
A massive thank you to our incredible supporters who loaded up the swag bags (a definite trip highlight!):
PURE NUTRITION
EM’S & OSM
THAT’S ITS
QUIRT CYCLING
You helped every kilometre, thank you.
In this episode, we also sit down with TEAMCPNZ Coach Amanda, sharing her coaching insights.
Most importantly, to the crew. The laughs, the grit, the support, the shared experience… that’s what makes Backroad so special.
We’re diving deeper into all the stories, laughs, and behind-the-scenes moments on the latest Community Connect Podcast episode. And yes… planning for Backroad ’27 is already underway. Trust us — it’s going to be a cracker.
CPNZ MEDIA
Richard Greer – @ric.greer
@teamcpnz
