Well another big Taupo Cycle Challenge is behind us and it dished up some interesting conditions with equally interesting results.

This would have to rate as one of the wettest on record with very heavy downpours on the Roadies particularly around the western side of the lake. Wind was not bad and fortunately temperatures were mild which almost offset the wet conditions.

We had many first timers around, many setting personal bests, many returning to Taupo after injuries and absence for some time. We had a strong contingent of Dirt Babies this year all suffering suitably over very testing courses. It's certainly been a milestone event with only one suffering very minor injury which is a great relief. We'll have additional photos posted up on the web site soon along with some from the 4 Day Tour du Hawkes Bay.

I'm happy to report that thanks to your generosity Rickshaw Andy raised $6000 for Heart Kids. Andrew yet again displayed outstanding courage and determination in a typically unique fashion that only someone like Andrew could conceive. This is the second year in a row he has taken on a Rickshaw challenge for Heart Kids as well as taking responsibility for the Development Squad and consequently is the recipient of this years Presidents Award.

There were so many of us that contributed to the weekend which sadly I neglected to suitably recognise at our prize giving so my apologies but please give a big thanks to:
- Rick Holmes for donating all the Champers as prizes this year and secured the Antipodes gift sets
- Andrew Sander for building many of the awards and arranging for medals and plaques to be engraved
- Neil Pardington for designing the awards certificates and Jo Leech for printing them
- Paul Barnes for supplying all of the food and drink at the marquee
- those that helped to erect and break down the marquee and cook all of those sausages.
- our Statistician Philip Orchard for churning through all of the participants details to produce a very detailed analysis for all of you to pour over. 
- Jo Leech for arranging the prize giving dinner 
- Frank Geoghegan for MC'ing at prize giving.

We are very fortunate to have such a fine bunch of willing souls prepared to contribute so much. It's very much the mark of the Onslow Tarbabies.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas to enjoy with your families and friends. A great time to ride your bike too with less traffic on the road but don't forget to ride safe and be seen.

All the very best
Diesel
PFL