Thoughts on the Christchurch Tragedy

What a nightmare. The shocking events in Christchurch are at the forefront of our hearts and minds. It is the most difficult of times as our friends and fellow Kiwi's in Canterbury deal with the devastation and loss of life. I know those of us with kids have certainly been holding them tighter these last few days.

Our Bushlove email circle was quickly lit up with inquiries as to the safety of Nick & Sarah Kennedy, especially when early reports of the hospital being evac'd were coming out and we were unsure on the reasons (Nick is a doctor). We were very relieved to find they were ok.

I've been struggling with whether light hearted, joke packed blogging is really appropriate at the moment, considering the enormity of the Christchurch tragedy. But I think some more light hearted fare should make an appearance next week. I can't see any harm in a bit of mood lifting for those who choose to look for it.

Its a bit of tough saying that "life goes on". But it does, to varying extents. There is something reassuring about routine. Although it would have been difficult for the players it was still good to see the rugby continuing during the week. The MTB National Champs is in progress in Dunedin too, and I am sure many will have struggled to find motivation for their efforts. I am attending a wedding in Canterbury next weekend and will do my utmost to celebrate with gusto and reduce the length of the long shadow cast by the earthquake. Love and family should be celebrated with vigour.

All our thoughts, best wishes and condolences to all Cantabrians in this most difficult of times. Be good neighbours. Stay strong and hold each other close.

Kia Kaha.




Ps. Don't let the memory fade. Make sure you have a plan for your family and have supplies you might need. You never know what is round the corner. This govt site is good. Read it.

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News just in, someone in Bushlove can still get results

Seeing as the rest of Bushlove are a seemingly big bunch of non result getting nancy boys (cept for Ash, she's so hot she doesn't even need to race), I had to add to my race calender an XC race. Whilst In Nelson for a Dh race on Fringe Hill as part of the Rabobank Direct National series, I decided to do the Xc race.

"Wait whats this you say, a DH. But Ricky, we know you as Bushloves DH god, but we didn't realise that you've gone back to DH"

This is true, Indeed these days I am racing and mechanicing for the Monster Energy Dh Team. And pulling once more the only real results the bushlove gets, with a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and now 4th over the series to date (kinda hoping I don't keep the trend going, I don't want a 5th).

But I digress, back to the XC, Gauranteed a poduim with only 3 vet1's racing, I wasn't worried. I KNEW I was going to suffer. Doing NO Xc training or riding would mean a hard day at the office. Espeshly as Uncle Derek, Jeremy and Mildie meanly made us do 5 laps. The start was awesome and I started with a hiss, but no roar and settled in straight away. And by that I mean I let EVERYONE go ahead of me. Like most of the vet 2 field. Naturally I could of destroyed them with the calves of doom, but I was in a nice mood.........yeah, that was the reason. Into the first dh and Jared (in vet 1) stacked and let me past and I was off. The other chap (who's name I can't remember) past me on the next climb, and I whipped past on the last descent of the lap. I then held a lead on him which let him get to within 50 meteres or so on the climbs.then I'd stretch on the dh's. Mocked a sprint at the end for show in true bushlove fashion.

Then I spectated for the elite race, in the proper fashion, by screaming at as many of the riders as possible. It's really amazing watching a proper race on a multilap course. Where the intensity really shows who is the best rider. As opposed to single lap races where people tend to be closer together and there are no spectators cheering people on constantly. The best riders in multilap races really do stretch out. Dirk was on fire, as Was Uberfreak Anton who caught and passed the 2nd placed elite rider and put time into him. sure he did 1 lap less, but the way he was riding, another lap was well within him, amazing!!!

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This just in: All Blacks Respect the 2XNC

From Angry via Reuters:

Am at concert in martinbourgh
Conrad smith the all black is sitting in front of us with his girlfriend , I just caught him talking on the phone to richie mccaw telling him the the 2xNC was sitting behind him. True.

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