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Home / Northern Advocate

Northland ironman Steve York cycles 640km in 33 hours at Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge

Adam Pearse
By Adam Pearse
Deputy Political Editor·Northern Advocate·
5 Dec, 2019 10:00 PM4 mins to read

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Northland's Steve York is living proof 'mind over matter' is true after he cycled 640km around Lake Taupō last weekend in 33 hours. Photo / John Stone
Northland's Steve York is living proof 'mind over matter' is true after he cycled 640km around Lake Taupō last weekend in 33 hours. Photo / John Stone

Northland's Steve York is living proof 'mind over matter' is true after he cycled 640km around Lake Taupō last weekend in 33 hours. Photo / John Stone

Northland's Steve York says he doesn't really like cycling.

However, his efforts last weekend seem to prove otherwise as the 51-year-old spent 33 hours on his bike, travelling 640 kilometres or four laps around Lake Taupō during the annual Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge.

As gruelling as it sounds, York is no stranger to pushing his physical and mental limits.

The Whangārei Hospital podiatrist has completed eight Ironman, finished the 242.7km Coast to Coast and earlier this year, rode 2027km from Cape Reinga to Bluff in 13 days.

Read more: York on a mission to conquer Coast to Coast

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But at 8am on Friday last week, York embarked on what would be his toughest test yet.

York was one of 13 riders who entered in the four-lap division, but he would be only one of eight to finish the following day.

Northland ironman Steve York was quite chipper after knocking off four laps around Lake Taupō which adds to his long list of endurance sport achievements. Photo / Supplied
Northland ironman Steve York was quite chipper after knocking off four laps around Lake Taupō which adds to his long list of endurance sport achievements. Photo / Supplied

Once the initial adrenaline rush wore off after completing the first of four 160km laps, York's thoughts turned dark as he questioned his motives.

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"I started to really doubt myself as to why I was there," York said.

"I just wanted to throw my bike away and never do Ironman, never ride my bike again and I was hating myself for putting myself through this."

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Steve York, 51, at the start of his journey in Cape Reinga in December, 2018 with his children Taawhiri and Manaaki (right). Photo / Supplied
Steve York, 51, at the start of his journey in Cape Reinga in December, 2018 with his children Taawhiri and Manaaki (right). Photo / Supplied

Fortunately, York found his second wind after a short break and reuniting with Jason, one of the other four-lap riders. However, 20km into his third lap in the early hours of Saturday morning, York became weary and started to fall asleep while riding.

Thankfully, he was able to stop for a self-made coffee which turned out to be just what he needed.

"Once I had [the coffee], it was just like rocket fuel and I just started to take off."

Unfortunately, a roadside coffee didn't go so well for riding partner Jason, who had a violent vomiting episode after consumption about 410km in.

York ended his third lap at about 8.30am on Saturday and surrounded by his support team - mother Shirley, stepfather Norm and son Taawhiri - before he started the fourth lap, York's commitment to finishing was tested.

York with his support crew, stepfather Norm (left), son Taawhiri and mother Shirley (right). Photo / Supplied
York with his support crew, stepfather Norm (left), son Taawhiri and mother Shirley (right). Photo / Supplied

"That was the moment when I thought, '480km is good enough, maybe I should just lay here, close my eyes and if I fall asleep, I fall asleep'," he said.

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"But people were walking past, congratulating and encouraging me so I thought, 'I've just got to do it', so I got up and jumped on the bike."

After making it to Turangi and reuniting with fellow four-lapper, Nicola, York battled through the infamous Hatepe hill before crossing the finish line at 5.02pm with Nicola alongside him.

"I was a little bit proud of myself that I did it," York admitted modestly.

"I've tried to relive or recount it and it's still a bit of a blur, it still really hasn't sunk in."

What made York's achievement even more extraordinary was his relatively simple training schedule. Apart from regular indoor workouts, York had been on only three 100km-plus rides since March.

His training regime will have to increase if he wanted to complete the 515km Ultraman Australia endurance race in May, which York was selected for as one of 53 people to participate.

Facing a 10km swim, 140km bike, 281.1km bike and 84.3km run - all to be completed within 36 hours over three days - York knows it will be his biggest test yet.

"The 84km run will be probably be challenging because I don't like running," he laughed.

"I've only been for one run this year and it was on the treadmill for 10km."

York nearing the end of 2027km, 13-day ride from Cape Reinga to Bluff earlier this year. Photo / Supplied
York nearing the end of 2027km, 13-day ride from Cape Reinga to Bluff earlier this year. Photo / Supplied

Despite his obvious skill for endurance-based sports, York was fascinated by the idea of 'mind over matter', the mental strength required to finish extreme physical tasks.

While the father of two considered himself a fairly typical Northlander, York said he prided himself on honouring the commitments he makes to endurance races.

"You lay your mana on the line by saying you're going to do this and in some ways, you don't want to be known as someone who starts something and couldn't do it."

York's ultimate goal is to complete 12 Ironman, which would make him eligible for a legacy pass to the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii.

Steve York considers himself just an ordinary Northlander, even though he has achieved some extraordinary things. Photo / John Stone
Steve York considers himself just an ordinary Northlander, even though he has achieved some extraordinary things. Photo / John Stone

Still undecided whether he would make it to a dozen, York said he was happy to be encouraging family and friends to believe in their ability to do the impossible.

"It might sound cliché but the joy that I'm striving to get is to make the seemingly impossible, possible for other people," he said.

"That's probably the biggest buzz I've get out of doing all of these things, witnessing and watching other people do it."

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