YOUR TRAINERS...

Deanne Teague

I started at Les Mills in 2003 as an Impact instructor and assistant coach for Fight Club. I also filled in occasionally for RPM before becoming a permanent fixture. I had been teaching RPM in Petone for the two years prior to that.

I have always been into keeping fit, and exercise is a big part of my daily life.

RPM has been excellent and has encouraged me to take up road cycling. I have found that my fitness has stepped up to another level and has given me far more energy to cope with work, study, my busy lifestyle and keeping up with my daughter.

All the GearShifters squad have been highly enjoyable, with ;our past members achieving their goals and with most far exceeding what they had orginally anticipated. This next squad should be just as good - heres hoping the Wellington weather co-operates!!

My goal is to cut my race time for Taupo by at least 20 minutes maybe even get sub 5hours - fingers crossed!!

Veronica Hale

I started with GearShifters in 2007 as a first time rider.

Over the past 3 year I've got into exercise and general fitness in a big way.

My Personal Trainer encouraged me to try everything and anything which is when I found myself setting a goal of the Lake Taupo cycle challenge, but I had never ridden a road bike before - this is when I joined GearShifters.

Since then I've competed in 2 Taupo Challenges, a Grape Ride and an Around the Mountain Race!!

My goal this time is to have fun and reduce my ride time by 30 minutes at least...

Greig Rightford

Les Mills BodyTrainer.

Steve Reeve

Hi.

Have been riding bikes since I was a wee fella when my brother plonked atop of his bike and pushed me off down one of the stepper streets in wellington. Being to small to reach the pedals ,thus no brakes, stopping was achieved by charging across the main road ,up the grass back and crashing into the scrub.

Years latter I can now reach the pedals but still find myself crashing into the scrub on the odd mountain bike ride !

I have been riding with the gear shifters for a few years . Really enjoy helping people achieve their cycling goals no matter how big or small ,and is great to see them improve and gain fitness and confidence during the squad.

Look forward to meeting you all

Richard Chiu

Drafted into a Taupo relay team the week before the race, 40km turned into 80km on the day. Despite being a total rookie it was so much fun I bought my first road bike a couple of months later.

That was 4 years ago and I've enjoyed cycling ever since. It's fun, social, healthy and exhilarating. A ride around the bays on a sunny day is a great way to get some exercise.

This is my third time as a trainer with Gearshifters and I’m looking forward to helping out and making this squad every bit as good as the last. Here are a couple of the best tips I’ve been given since I started:

1. Ride happy – enjoy the ride.

2. Respect the conditions and everyone on the road.

3. After ride coffees are extremely important!

4. Never break-dance in cycle cleats.

Cheers!

John Holyoake

So my first bike was a Raleigh 20, I was expecting a BMX bike, but my mother had no idea about the how my social standing was affected by my ride. In those days my bike was a necessary part of my career as a paper boy, so you could say I was a professional rider.

Since then my riding and the quality of my bike has improved somewhat, and I do it for enjoyment.

This year will be my third time around Taupo, and the 2^nd time I have helped out as a GearShifter trainer. While contributing to my own training, I really enjoy giving something back and sharing what I have learnt over the last few years

For me riding is a way of keeping fit, meeting new people and challenging myself to achieve my personal goals… that’s about finishing, having fun and riding stronger.

Mike O'sullivan

'Old man mikey' as we like to call him has been riding with us and Gearshifters for years.

His last big event was 9 days around the South Island!! His next goal - to beat Dee around Taupo!

Josephine Meldgaard

I joined Gearshifters in 2009 to train for the Graperide - my very first cycling event.

Cycling has been a bit of an unexpected revelation for me - since then I have completed two Graperide's and one Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge with the Gearshifters squad.

I enjoy getting out of the city on my bike and discovering parts of Wellington I wouldn't normally visit. Cycling is very social and a great way to meet and make new friends who are all passionate about getting out and doing stuff.

This year will be my second time around Taupo. My goal is to ride stronger and enjoy the race, but most importantly have fun meeting new people along the way!

Roger Hopkins

Having played many sports I have to say that road cycling is the most exhilarating.

The thrill of riding in close quarters, at pace, and chatting with great people brings me back after each ride.

A coffee and a chat after the ride is a must do; cyclists are a social bunch.

I look forward to learning new techniques, sharing my experiences, and meeting new and previous converts for the Taupo training rides.

I am totally addicted - I love cycling and I know you will.

See you on the tarmac .

Stephen Holmes

I have completed the Taupo challenge 4 times and now have a target of 4hrs 45mins to achieve, which I firmly believe, with the amount of training with Gearshifters, will certainly be achievable in 2010.

I’ve been riding now with Gearshifters for the last 6 month and it’s been great to get out there and challenge myself, be able to ride with the group of like minded people and enjoy what Wellington and New Zealand has to offer. It is the first time for me as a Gearshifters trainer so hopefully I can help with any advice, guidance or questions you may have and give you the benefit of my last 6 years of road cycling.

Stu Turnbull

I competed in my first road race aged 13 in my brown stubbies on my
Raleigh Arena (good old ten speed). After blitzing the young blokes in
their Lycra on Italian speed machines, I discovered cars and beer...

Many years and beers later I have rediscovered cycling and the sporting,
health and social benefits that come with it.

This will be my third training season with GearShifters and my second as
a trainer. Taupo is an excellent event and lots of fun; GearShifters is
a great way to prepare yourself with a like minded social group.

Louise Hockley

Sport has been an on & off affair for most of my life. Academic achievements were more highly valued in my family and so sport always took a back seat to school, university or other study. I had been mucking around on a hybrid bike for a few years after doing one of the Special K women’s triathlons. I looked at people out on road bikes & thought that it looked so exciting – riding in a bunch, going fast and the coffee time afterwards. But without a strong sporting background, I actually found going into cycle shops somewhat intimidating.

In 2007 after agreeing to do the Round Taupo ride after a few too many wines on New Years’ Eve, it was time to get a road bike. There were 4 of us that night, and I was the only one who actually got to the start line. There are many cycling groups in Wellington and I found cyclists welcoming in all those groups. As a busy working mother of 3 boys, cycling has been wonderful for me in so many ways – It’s only half a joke that cycling keeps me sane!

Being one of the trainers for Gearshifters, allows me to help encourage others who’d like to start cycling or get better. Deanne gives so much support and encouragement to other cyclists and I’m honoured to be a trainer with her for the first time this year.

Craige Anderson

Matthew Simspon

Justin Newman