BIKE MARATHON - sunday 20 january

"Biking a marathon in Antarctica"

Today's the day and the weather played its part. Blue sky, no wind, and a big bright and warm sun.

I geared up in thermals, grabbed a banana and hit the road - well so to speak!. I must say it's an incredibly unique feeling riding on ice, I guess it felt like I was walking a tight rope, one false move or unbalance and you're kissing the ground. I actually experienced that yesterday on my trial bike ride. The tyre caught a groove in the snow and sure enough my bike and I took a slide. A very long slide. I remember looking at my watch half way through wondering if I was ever going to stop. Fortunately that was the only crash I’d have over the two days.

I can seriously say Antarctica has to be the best continent for cycling. It was such a moving experience, one I’ll not forget in a hurry. I biked my 26.5 mile marathon in around 2 and a half hours. (my friend dave lent me his gps) I stayed on the bike and rode next to some of my friends who were running. I ended up biking a distance of 72km, and raised $800 for the SPCA. Thanks so much everyone for your support. It was greatly appreciated.

RUGBY - Sunday 13 january 2008

McMurdo vs Scott Base. The day is here.

The sun shone. The snow was groomed. The posts were erected.

The crowd eagerly gathered on the sideline, and watched as players tucked in their thermals, pulled on their beanies and neck warmers. Months of training boiled down to this day. 80 minutes of the coldest, most southern game of rugby.

I listened intently as the American national anthem was sung through a megaphone, promptly followed by the ice breaking kiwi haka.

The whistle blew and the game begun.

The snow covered players from head to toe making it interesting to pick out which team held the ball.

The final score was 12-0 to the kiwis.

I dressed up for the game. The left side of my body was kiwi, and the right side of my body was American. I held both an American and kiwi flag.