Sunday, December 31, 2023

Tri Adventure Year in Review 2023

We can’t quite believe that we have just ticked off 16 years of Tri Adventure…… and it’s been 6 years since we have posted to this blog, so Kim thought it would be a good idea to use the blog for our year in review, like we used to!

So much has happened over that time way too much to post here…. However, you can see some of the highlights on our Facebook page and of course Tri Adventure members have been able to keep up to date with all our adventures via our weekly newsletter!

January 

Geoquest NZ was postponed .....so we still travelled over the ditch for a bit North Island adventure.  We hiked at Cape Reinga, Omapere and spent time with good friends Peter & Carol in Auckland.  Then we headed to Taupo for some fun with adventure girlfriends Debbie & Emma who showed us some amazing places in their stunning backyard...

Hiking at Cape Reinga - top of NZ

Hiking at Omapere

Riding with Peter in his backyard

Hiking with Debbie near Taupo

Happy hour at the hut

Great weather for day 2 of the hike

Kim at the tarn




February

 The QRA Paddlegaine is always a highlight - good to see Albert and Janet out on course.

Janet & Albert at the Paddlegaine

Legends Adventure Race - this was the first of may Legend Expeditions.  Set in the snowy mountains of NSW - to say it was epic was an understatement.... Sloshy & team took out the event with the Mountain Designs Wild Women second.  Kelsey and team had an amazing race as well...Really looking forward to the 2024 instalment on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria!

Wild Women at Legend

Sloshy & team

Kelsey & team

March

Toorbul Tri Adventure - we put on this entry level event at Toorbul on request from the local community.  Thanks to those who participated and helped out on the day.


Maxine ready to race


Lance and partner

CP in the mangrove mud!


Wildfire Raid was held at Bribie Island.  A busy event but lots of fun with many of the Tri Adventure gang taking part.


Nathan & Cass

Sloshy & Trent

We won the shoes!

April

Terra Nova was held in Ulladulla.  It was lovely until the rain set in!  

Riding in Ulladulla before the rain

Rogue Raid - as usual this was a fantastic event.  Many Tri Adventure teams and many Tri Adventure volunteers.  Michele, Fiona & Jan spent a memorable night at a remote TA in the pouring rain - that's adventure racing!  Well done to Sloshy, Oskar, Glenn & Liz for taking out the win...

Adam

Tara

Hayley

Kelsey

Cass

Rachel

Kim & Ash

Winners!

May

X-Marathon - the Aunties travelled to Lakes Entrance for this one.  It was another wet event but we had success in taking out the short event and finished with bubbles as per usual...

On the boat in Lakes Entrance

Soggy start to X-Marathon

It's still raining!

Wild & Co 6 hour - great fun racing this one - but more rain!  This was becoming a pattern!

Moody paddle on Ewen Maddock Dam

Mark

Susie

Tri Adventure gang

Escape Raid - such a lovely venue for this year's event.  Most of us had or were recovering from a nasty cold so there were some very average performances - well, except for Sloshy & Nathan and Nicola & Mark - they were winners!

Lake Moogerah campsite

Nick & Gina

Nicola & Mark

Nathan & Sloshy


June

Our annual pilgrimage to Geoquest - and this year it was to South West Rocks.  The event was particularly good with some epic paddles and a climb up Mt Yarrahappini (with memories of 2006 event for those who go back that far....).

MD Wild Women & crew

Cass & Kim

Amazing pic on the headland




X-terra Switzerland - we travelled to Europe and first up was X-Terra Switzerland.  Kim held her own amongst the locals and managed to win her age-group and an entry into the World Champs.  Oh, also, the big cheese - what a prize!



Kim wins the cheese!

We then travelled to France for some fantastic rides and hikes via Komoot - Riding up Alp d'Huez was a highlight!




Alp d'Huez
Top of the climb


Oldest road in France



July

More hikes and rides followed in Spain and Andorra.  We were lucky to be able to stay with a friend from Eco Challenge who gave us some great local tips for our adventures. Back to France for some more of the same and watching a stage of Le Tour was very exciting too!

Hiking on the edge
 

High up in Andorra


Sunflowers were a highlight

Waiting for Le Tour at Moulins

Noosa Enduro - There were so many of the Tri Adventure gang in the Enduro this year.  We were on support for them and it was definitely a fun day out!

 

Bardie

Jen & Richard

Tara

Support crew yoga session!

August

Hells Bells - Kim was absent from this year's event but the rest of us were there.  Great course that Adam & I helped vet, hang CPs and then bring them in...  Well done to all the teams!

Nathan

Great finish Tara, Karen & team

MD Wild Women

Nathan & Team


WWAR Skills Clinic - we held our annual clinic for a kick-start into the sport of adventure racing.  Thanks to Fiona & Richard who helped out on the day.

Fiona & Richard

Kim shows Deb some map features

Great group at the clinic

Mojo Raid - this was the last of the Mojo Raid and it was a sad occasion for the organisers - but a fun event for us competing.  Well done Mojo team on some fabulous events over the years!

Adam & Jan at Mojo Raid

Kim & Tara

September

The scheduled Cyclegaine was cancelled so we went and did the Hard 50km on Noosa Trails.  A big day out in one of our favourite places to ride.

Hervey Bay - we also headed up to spend some time with the Tri Adventure Hervey Bay gang.  Sorry that Amie was not there!

Lighthouse on Big Woody Island

Nathan & Kim

Before the paddle back to the mainland

Geoquest NZ - another NZ trip and this time to beautiful Napier for Geoquest.  The Mountain Designs Wild Women led for most of the event - it was very exciting and such an amazing place to visit - especially the famous Craggy Range winery...
Views of Napier and MD Wild Women

The finish

Hiking the Craggy Range with winery in the background

October

Cyclegaine - we finally got to do this one which was based at Woodford.  Great to see Greg and Michele making a comeback to racing after countless times volunteering.  We loved the course - especially the section on the old Wamuran rail trail...

For better or for worse...

Adam & the Aunties

Cass & Ali

Tara & Adam

Wild Women AR - This year our event was one of the best - possibly due to the great venue - Noosa North Shore.  Oh, and the weather was perfect....


Kass



Jen & Greta

Tre-X – Kim was keen to qualify for the Cross Triathlon World Championships next year so she raced at the local Tre-X event.  Sadly the swim was cancelled, and it was very hot - but Kim cruised home to victory once again...

.


After it was cancelled due to floods last year, Jan headed to Tassie for the rescheduled  Rogaine Champs.  Teaming up with former race partner, Shan, it was a very cold but fun time with old friends. Steve and Shan were the ultimate hosts.  We also ran into Hayley when riding in Derby.

Finish of the rogaine

 

Met Hayley in Derby


November

Top Dog ARWS Oceania Champs.  This new event was a hit with Canberra locals and many others who were keen for a taste of ACT adventure.  The Mountain Designs Wild Women had the perfect event and took out the women's champs - Mitch and team were victorious in the mixed category and overall.

Heads down on the maps

MD Wild Women at the finish
Great job Mitch & team

Wild & Co 6 hour - we had some more fun on Lake Samsonvale for this event.  Tara was a great volunteer on the day.

Adam & Anne

Aunties on the bike

 

December

Thanks to all of you who attended our 2023 break-up session.  Such great fun coasteering around Noosa headland and then a fabulous brunch at Sunshine Beach surf club.  

What a great crew!

Ali & Gina

Fiona & Richard

Amie
Ready for brunch at the surf club


NZ Adventures 

All of a sudden we were back in New Zealand!   The new Coronet Loop was a highlight and one of the best back-country rides we have done.  Well worth it if you are in the Queenstown area.

Riding the Coronet Loop

This trail....

Views forever

Tekapo Rogaine - this was the catalyst for our NZ trip.  Such a great event and we caught up with many friends from near and far.  The 15 hour roving was perfect for us.

Map planning in a cowshed

Rogaine views

Rainbow

Wanaka - we then went back for some quality time in beautiful Wanaka.  Hiking up Roy's Peak via the locals track was definitely a highlight.  Catching up with Wanaka friends, Janet, Tim, Tess and Em - fun times with you all.

Kim & Tess

Summit of Roy's Peak with Tess



And now we have arrived at the last day of 2023 and are off for a local hike up to Mapleton before the predicted storms - Happy New Year everyone - see you in 2024!!