Tough ride proves a fitting memorial for tough year

TEAM: Richard Bleakley (top left), Diane Kerr, Kim Reyburn, Dave Bowers, Kerry Reyburn, Jack Broome, Mike Waymouth, Geoff Crawford, Haemish Reid; Aaron Gascoigne (front left), Kevin MacKenzie, Alex Discher, Steve Battye, David Seymour, Greg Alexander, Kevin Douglas, Erin Ratahi. PHOTO/PAUL FANCY

AARON GASCOIGNE reflects on one year since his father-in-law, mentor, and mate passed away suddenly during the BDO Wellington-to-Auckland cycle race. He and a crew of riders got together last month to commemorate Michael John Springford.

It was as though I was in the peleton at the Tour de France, but it was actually the Tour de Springers - the memorial ride to remember the great man.

I had set up the time for 7.30am on February 23 (his actual birthday). I anticipated it would just be me with my bad '80s moustache, another tribute to Michael. The annual "Mo for Mick" has started, grown by only the staunchest of riders, because, let's be honest, a big bloke like me in lycra with an '80s moustache ... it takes a fair bit of courage to go out in public.

Anyone reading this can now begin his own "Mo for Mick" if he's riding the Tour of Northland this year and join in the festivities of facial hair. It's bloody itchy.

We will be crowning a winner at the Duke of Marlborough on March 22, and with my wispy effort I don't think it will be me.

Anyhow, I digress. To my utter surprise we had a troupe of around 20 riders turn up - the hardened warriors if you like. It had been pelting down all night and it was threatening to again.

But out we rode towards Pataua North - a ride MJS and I completed often. Not long into the journey I felt a sense of competition as the bunch had separated due to several punctures and I was by myself peddling through the picturesque countryside through native bush, up hills and along gullies.

Luckily for me, I was spurred on and motivated by some great friendly Pataua residents.

I rounded a corner not fully knowing what position I was in 20-odd kilometres into the ride when a blue ute came hurtling around a corner towards me. The driver extended his arm out the window and released two fingers upward. "I'm second," I thought to myself, and I gave a big wave and a yell of thanks to my spotter.

I drove the legs harder and around a bend I saw my ol' nemesis Paul Fancy from Avanti Plus.

Now it's not really a competition between he and I - I'm 100kg and he is a racing sardine of 65kg dripping wet - however, we were racing towards a big downhill and with the natural force of gravity I knew I could take him.

And there it was, again with the help of a local resident this time in a 1993 white Toyota Corolla with lowered suspension I got the word that I was number one - I was leading the pack - out of the window the kind gentlemen thrust me the sign I was looking for that said, "Buddy, keep it up 'cause you're number one, you're in first position". He probably could have used his index finger rather his middle finger, but I knew what he meant and it was special.

In all seriousness - there it was, all of us at Pataua North looking at the stunning crystal-clear water; waves rolling in, people going about their daily routines, friends of Michael chatting and laughing about the week that's been, all going about things in a very normal way, finally. I was honoured to ride with the 20-odd people who turned up. It was a pleasure to be with them, a pleasure to ride with them, and humbling to see the respect that they showed to a great man.

It has been a tough year for the family, friends, loved ones, LJ Hooker staff and everyone who knew Michael. We miss him, we love him, and we will never forget him. On behalf of Sharyn, Manuel, Jacinta, Lyndon and Callum, thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for making this year a little easier.

Until we all ride together again - RIP Michael John Springford.