We’ve made it to China. We should be in Baise county, the race venue by now, except Hamish and I are sitting in a dodgy cheap Hotel in Nanning. Split from the group. The two of us have had trouble since checking in at Auckland Airport yesterday. First our tickets appeared to be void… And they were. Frantically calling the travel agent in the evening with a time limit of around 40mins to either figure out what was wrong or rebook new tickets!

Checking in at Auckland International, sorting out faulty tickets

Somewhat sorted we knew it wouldn’t be the last we hear of it. As we boarded we had our connecting flights ticket taken off us and told to ask for knew ones at Shanghai… Amongst much confusion and language barriers we made it to the final airport Nanning and our bikes and bags have not turned up. Hamish and I are waiting for them to turn up while the rest travelled on to Baise via bus last night…. Awesomeness.

Here is the prelude:

I thought training while working full time was tricky, then this polytech course came along. Time managment planning requires more attention than ever and it just hasn’t been getting it. Training out of a tent in dark hours before indulging in 8 hours of practical activity (Rafting, Whitewater Kayaking, etc.) and again at the end of the day. Then of course the part where I’m trying to keep up with the social culture of the younger bucks at the Polytech with me. I’ve been having a full on, good time since my Diploma in outdoor instuction and guiding course began mid February. But it’s been hell of a busy time.

Polyech Raft week at South Canterbury. Strapping the training bike down

Greymouth is good, yeah it rains a lot but it has some mint blue sky dys too and the outdoor activity access is endless with trails, bush and rivers.

Now I find myself back in the wonderful land of China with team awesome – Simone Maier, Hamish Fleming, Marcel Hagener and I. The body has had plenty of endurance training… but does it have enough speed?? Competing in the Baise Outdoor Quest Adventure race, 4 days long. Race starts this coming Monday 18th April.

Last time I was in Baise (2014) we came 4th. Here’s a glimpse at the terrain type and the the village

Departing Auckland… it felt a relief to actually have a seat

Here is the basic race course details:

Stage 1

MTB 36.6km(The elevation total climb 2450m)

Run 21km(4 caves in the middle)

Abseil 120m(everyone finish)

Stage 2

Kayak 15km

MTB 15.1km (carry bike 3km)

Run 7km

Transfer hotel at afternoon

Stage 3

MTB 37.2km(The elevation total climb 2200m)

Run 11.4km

Abseil 60m(one athlete)

Swim 500m

Kayak 15km(about 1km in cave)

Stage 4

MTB 26km

Trail run 28.5km (The elevation total climb 2000m)

Orienteering GPS Navigation 3.5km

will provide GPS track in the MTB section,no course mark.

In the mean time check out the jaw dropping view from Shanghai Airport!

Arriving at Shanghai..smooooooggg

Nanning smog is not much better!

Shanghai to Nanning was a fair haul on it’s own. Here’s to hoping our bikes are somewhere on this map

Flying from Shanghai to Nanning (Nanning is not far from the Vietnam border) then on a bus for 6 hours north east to the Baise Leye county. Back in this green looking area is a nice escape from the smoggy cities. We are here early so prepping is going to be easy and relaxed. Pumped and anxious, never get sick of the trips. Always some good stories garanteed to evolve, infact as said above the stories have already begun.

Arrived at Nanning, now where the F#*! are our bikes! Sorry I don’t speak Mandarin.

This is yesterday also, Marcel decided it was too hot and needed a wash at the Airport carpark (he did need a wash). This is the last we’ve seen of them. Hopefully will find them later tonight!

Baise weather forecast (sweats)

Will post the international teams list once I get my greasy hands on it. For now the focus is to find my bike! Stay tuned.