For a glimpse of the highs (witnessing Ireland destroy Australia and Italy) and the lows (Hypothermia) that Andy went through on his tour of New Zealand, watch the video below.

A massive thank you to everyone who helped out with the Digino Challenge. Don’t forget you can still Donate Online. The IRFU Charitable Trust have also launched the jersey worn by the team on the tour to help raise funds for seriously injured Rugby Players. View Jersey Now

Dunedin had been completely infiltrated by the Irish for the Italian match. However, before we could rejoin the festivities there was the small matter of the ‘Kangaroo Court’ to contend with. This Kangaroo court was set up to individually trial each of us for our crimes on tour. Nobody escaped humiliation.

The “Cycling Irish” at Ireland v Italy

The octagon in the centre of the city was the perfect setting for the party.There was a sea of green. I have never seen so much face paint, green wigs and flags before. The traveling army were in great spirits and as we marched to the stadium it seemed inevitable that we would beat the Italians that night. The men on the field did the business and the the stadium atmosphere was electric well after the final whistle. It was the perfect ending to an amazing journey.

The Irish after their win against the Italians

Our tenth day on the road was to be our final one. The early wake up calls and the constant struggle to uniform up in our Lycra attire, the dehydration and constant hunger would all be a memory in only a few hill climb filled hours. My body thankfully had held up to this point and other than a complete lack of appetite for electrolyte drinks and energy bars I really didn’t want this incredible journey to come to an end.

Everyone had a spring in their step as we saddled up in Middlemarch. The climbs to Dunedin varied from the usual drags to the now also very family sheer ascents. The cycling terrain was our most challenging since before Queenstown but with the finishing line in sight we had that extra imputes to scale our final set of hills. Considering the amount of kilometers we had clocked up it was a credit to the whole pack of cyclists that we were still able to reach Outram, our last stop off point before Dunedin in great time.

The Final Train to Dunedin

As we set off for Dunedin at a more reserved pace on the coast road it really did feel like we were part of a team. The final train worked seamlessly. It must have been an impressive sight for any passers by. The hours and hours of quite literally blood sweat and tears were about to come to an end. The group was at its tightest at that point. We all had a mutual respect for what each other had achieved. For some, this journey had started almost a year ago. Fundraising and planning, leading to charity events through to tough training and finally a far more difficult few weeks on the road and it was all going to be finished in only a few kilometers.

The full cycle crew having just reached Dunedin

As soon as we crossed the finish line in Dunedin the bottles of bubbly were passed around. I could barely put down my bike before I was handed a glass of champagne. The party had well and truly begun with everyone hugging and singing. The support crew had their car radio at full blast pumping out all the cheesy celebration numbers. Forgetting the time difference I rang a few numbers in my phonebook to share my illusion. Needless to say they all rang out… I might have been a little disheartened if I wasn’t on cloud nine.

DJ Gaillimh blasted out the tunes on our bus from the beach to our hotel. My voice was nearly gone by the time we arrived at our hotel after we roared out the likes of ‘Horse Outside’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. At the hotel we donned our glad-rags and dancing shoes before being greeted by none other than Declan Kidney. He had taken time out of his hectic schedule the day before an international to congratulate us on our efforts and genuinely seemed impressed. I wished him best of luck against the Italians!

Declan Kidney greeting the IRFU Charitable Trust Cyclists in Dunedin before our celebration dinner with the president of the IRFU, John Hussey

We had a congratulatory dinner on the harbour with the player’s parents and other travelling dignitaries hosted by John Hussy, the president of the IRFU. Everyone was given a chance to take the stage and sing as the wine flowed. It was a late night! The celebrations continued into the next day.

The ride to Middlemarch was nothing short of a joy. Rolling landscape, light winds and sunshine made the day pass without a hitch. There were a few tough climbs early in the morning and some long drags after our break but most of us were well able for the route. The day on the road flew so we had plenty of time to chill out in the afternoon sun in Middlemarch.

Digino’s Andy and Mick Galwey in Middlemarch

Although we cycled as far as Middlemarch we stayed in the rejuvenated Hyde. Hyde was a gold mining boom town of the 1860′s Otago gold rush and with more and more people enjoying the recently restored Otago cycling trail the town is experiencing a rebirth. Our final meal on the road was served up to us in a newly refurbished school house. The food on the trip was really great but everyone agreed that our best meal of the tour was in Hyde.

Our final night on the road was spent at Otago Central Hotel in Hyde

We were warned in our morning briefing in Alexandria that there would be one or two long hills to contend with on our way to Naseby, but compared to what we had encountered to date we’d be well able for them. Now the countryside seemed much more like Ireland. It felt like we could have been in Wicklow or Connemara for long stretches. In fact after only a few hours into our cycle we came across a suspended bridge named after none other than our own Daniel O’Connell.

The Irish on the Daniel O’Connell Suspended Bridge

With very little traffic we were able to cycle in a train of pairs. In our train each one of us would take a turn at the front to act as a wind breaker for everyone following behind. This rotation would mean you had a different person to chat to every two minutes or so. This worked like speed dating on bikes and it was a great way for all of us to get to know each other. Everyone remarked how beautiful the weather was on our two minute chats.

Flying to to Naseby

The rolling hills were perfect for cycling. If you managed to build enough speed on the way down one hill you could almost freewheel up the next. When the tougher hills came we knew all about it. There wasn’t a hope we could free wheel up them but sure enough, the experience of pacing ourselves up the mountains before did make it far more manageable and nearly all of us were able get through them.

Curling in Naseby, New Zealand

We arrived in the sleepy town of Naseby by mid afternoon. The accommodation was dodgy to say the least. Poorly decorated porto-cabins from the sixties would have to do as there was no real other spot for miles. The less said about it the better. At least we did get to try our hand at Curling, a sport not too many Clare men can say they have attempted. Basically curling is bowls on ice. Although some of the crew seemed to be really enjoying it, other than roaring sweep I wasn’t able to see the attraction.

Mick and Joanne Curling in Naseby

The IRFU Charitable Trust Lads at Fergburger

Queenstown was great but if we were to watch our lads do the business against the Italians in Dunedin we had to get back on the saddle. We said our goodbyes to FergBurger, Lake Wakitipu and our luxury hotel but I know I will return some day.

Chris and Andy leaving Queenstown

The two full days rest for the legs really did the trick and everyone was back on the bike for what proved to be the easiest day of the whole tour. I’m sure Gaillimh was asking himself what all the talk of our hardship was up to that point. With traffic being quite busy we were afforded the luxury a bus trip just outside the town itself. This cut a few climbs out of our day and left us with a beautiful spin along the Kawarau Gorge. The slight drags now and then were hardly noticeable before lunch as we passed some old shacks on the far side of the the Kawarau River from New Zealand’s historic gold rush.

The very impressive Kawarau Gorge

The whole morning was beyond pleasant with little traffic to worry about and a gentle pace that saw all of the tour remain in a single train. We arrived in Cromwell for our lunch break earlier than was planned so we were able to relax in the sun outside the quaint roadside cafés. The local radio station had announced that we would be on the roads that day so everyone we met had questions for us. There was even time for a photo for yet another local newspaper.

The IRFU Charitable Trust Lads at Cromwell

After lunch the group split into two. Anyone who wanted to pick up the pace for the rest of the cycle could go ahead. I was in my element bombing up hills with the pack of stronger cyclist. We really did make incredible time and arrived in Clyde by early afternoon. With its relaxed one horse town vibe, Clyde was the perfect rest stop. We chilled out in the warm sun with a beer at an old tavern before heading off to our motel in Alexandra for an early shower.

The IRFU Charitable Trust Lads enjoying a few pitchers outside a Clyde Tavern

Queenstown has to be seen to be believed. There is a real energy about the place that makes it really hard to leave. We were staying in a great hotel and everyone was receiving some much needed treatment in the spa. A few of us even dived into the ice cold Lake Wakitipu to sooth our aching muscles. It turned out to be more of a painful experience than a refreshing dip.

Hilary, Peter, Chris, Aisling & Andy braving the ice cold Lake Wakitipu

The views from the gondola that takes you up to the Skyline restaurant of the Remarkables and the lake is breathtaking. It’s the extreme capital of the southern hemisphere so I felt completely at home. The last time I was here I did my first bungee and on this occasion I had hoped to try my hand at paragliding, but it was too windy, so I’ll have to wait ’til the next time! Instead, I had to settle for going on a ridiculously high-speed jet boat through canyons. That was a great laugh.

Jet Boating in Queenstown

It was such a relief not to be waking up at first light to be briefed for another torturous day of peddling up hills. Most of the crew had at least one Fergburger and a bungee during the two full days spent there and I think we made an appearance in every single pub in the town.

Brian doing a bungee in Queenstown

We met up with Irish Rugby legend, Mick Galwey and found out that he would be cycling with us the rest of the way to Dunedin. It was nice to have another Munster man on board but I’m not sure he really knew what he was letting himself in for. We were all delighted to have him on board. Everyone had a smile on their face in Queenstown.

Queenstown, Lake Wakitipu and the Remarkables

As nice as it was to be hot-tubbing it on the shores of Lake Wananka, enjoying the world renowned Ferg Burger in Queenstown was literally something I had dreamed of since I last visited in 2008. Between us and Queenstown was the task of climbing through the Crown Range up the highest paved road in New Zealand!

The lads in Wanaka, all set for Crown Range

The morning we left Wananka there was a very harsh cold head wind. We all worked as a team, taking turns to lead the train to the foot of the mountain up the toughest drag of the tour. If it wasn’t for the hard work of everyone in that train, getting to our first break of the day would have been nearly impossible, not to mention making it up the 1091 meters above sea level that would follow.

The climb after the break was a real slog. Around every corner there was an even steeper incline that would have to be attacked. The support crew were perfectly placed halfway up the climb to shout on encouragement and provide a banana – an absolute godsend at that stage of the climb! By the time we had reached the snow it really didn’t feel like the road was ever going to level off. The sense of achievement at the top wouldn’t be surpassed for the rest of the cycle.

The first view of Queenstown from Crown Range

The descent to Arrowtown was probably a spectacular sight but there was no opportunity to take your eyes off the gravelly road. The zigzagging and fast tight corners were great fun to negotiate but it was a miracle that only one person came off their bike (nothing too serious) that day. From Arrowtown we had a very hilly cycle to Queenstown. Before we would meet the support vehicles again we would have one final short but sheer climb. So sheer in fact, that I was lifting my front wheel off the road as I tried to force my pedels to turn. If you were to stop there was no hope of getting back on the saddle.

On ariving in Queenstown we posed for photos for a local newspaper. Before I knew it we were slugging back Guinness, watching Ireland make light work of a hardy Russian team in Póg Mahone’s. That night, after a huge dinner and with a few more pubs visited, I wandered off from our singing crew for my first Fergburger in four years… and it didn’t disappoint. I was back for another two more giant burgers before we would leave.

My first Fergburger in four years

One of the many waterfalls at Haast Pass

The journey from Haast to Wanaka began with freezing cold rain that just got heavier and heavier as the morning progressed. This rain fed the giant waterfalls that pounded down the steep mountains on both sides of the road. It was sensational. Despite the loss of feelings in my fingers and being soaked through I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.

Andy and Aisling in Full Wet Gear

Before lunch we had to climb the steepest ascent to date. On our way up Haast Pass through ‘Hell’s Gate’ we were flagged by sheer drops to the amazing blue mountain pools. It was a real test of endurance to the snow-capped top and I don’t know would I have been able to keep in the saddle if it wasn’t for the musings of Tommy Tiernan in my earphones. On the other side of the mountain we had a quick rest for a cup of tea at a roaring fire. The weather had dramatically improved, but with a severe headwind promised, we were in a race to get to Wanaka.

Paul and Brian drying off with our gear after the Haast Pass climb

New Zealand has an unrivaled landscape and this route epitomised its magnificence. No sooner were we leaving the rugged terrain of the Southern Alps when we were greeted with rolling valleys with meandering rivers and deep blue lakes.

Digino’s Andy at lake Hawea

The last time I took the trip from Haast to Wanaka it took me only a few relaxing hours in a warm automatic car. This time, after a very long day on the bike I arrived at the lakeshore town, dizzy with exhaustion. Wanaka was every bit as beautiful as I remembered from my previous visit. After posing for a few photos for the local press a few of us enjoyed a beer in our motel’s outdoor hot tub. That night we were treated to an amazing BBQ, full of carbs and protein. A brilliant finish to the greatest day of cycling in my life.

A very tired team on the shores of Lake Wanaka

Franz Josef was the perfect place to rest. Saying that, three days of hard cycling were beginning to take their toll and our team was riddled with injuries. Thankfully, other than a longing for a softer saddle, I managed to keep injury free. This was such a blessing considering I had the Three Sisters to tame before lunch.

Robbie, Andy and Paul at the top of the third sister

The Three Sisters were three mountains that we would have to climb, one directly after the other, only a few kilometers into our longest day of the whole tour. They were a very intimidating prospect and anyone with any sort of niggle would know all about it by the top for the third sister. Although on paper, the rest of the route was quite flat, it wouldn’t be long before the sweeping undulations would turn in to one final fierce climb. Half way up the climb was a beautiful cliff top view of the Tasman sea. This was to be our final view of the west coast.

The final view of the Tasman sea before we headed onto Haast

Any other day this type of climb would be quite doable, but with 120 kilometers and the Three Sisters completed already that day, it really was a tough slog. By the time we had arrived at Haast there was a lot of very defeated looking characters.