Ben
I got my first bike at age 6 a Yellow BMX learned to ride on the park out the back gate. As confidence grew my friends and I built dirt jumps on the far side of the park out of the view of our parents. A few grazes were the inevatable result but no broken bones. When I outgrew the BMX I changed to A Yak Takoma mountain bike. This extended my range to the hills above Richmond riding the forestry trails and firebreaks, and later on the Christhcurch Port Hills. I also had a go at road biking for a while.
Origionally from Nelson New Zealand I have migrated to Canterbury to go to university and then to Auckland to follow where the work is. This has also taken me to Adelaide and Hong Kong.
I completed a BE Civil (First class honours) at Canterbury University and after five years of designing and supervising the construction of bridges and civil structures I successfully gained my chartership with the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand. One year on from this achievement I needed a new challenge before settling into the daily repetition of meetings, calculations, models and drawings of everyday engineering. The physical and mental challenge of riding the length and breadth of a continent many times the length of NZ with the added complexity of learning a new language seemed perfect.
I have made my mark on Auckland's and the worlds transport infrastructure designing many retaining walls and bridges. Clarks Lane footbridge is my best landmark project. Pictured below it is the standout feature of the Hobsonville Deviation, opened to the public just before I leave on this adventure.
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| Clarks Lane Footbridge |
I'm not sure I'm a very good cyclist, with a poor to average cycling history. My major cycling achievement includes the Otago Rail Trail during which I complained loudly for two thirds of the trip, during which I memorably described the first day as the most physically unpleasant day of my life. I stand by that statement. This pervious training has been reinforced with cycling to work a couple of times a week for most of this year. Thus I feel my preparation has been adequate for the undertaking planned.
