Chain Reaction Challenge Update — Day7

Queenstown to Glenorchy return via The Remarkables

Greetings, cycling fans! It’s me for the last time, your trusty Chain Reaction cyclist, and part-time blogger, reporting back on the final day of our epic fundraising ride for kids in need. And what a day it was!

Thanks for following along. Thanks to those wo have donated! If you’d like to donate the Chain Raction Challange and help kids in need, we’d greatly apprecaite it! Your support is invaluable and makes a real difference in the lives of children through our charity partners, So They Can and BaptistCare HOPESTREET.

Please visit my fundraising page by following this link:

Mike Carpendale*This year Chain Reaction has upped the ante…. not only are we riding more K’s with more hills, in more remote and…*www.chain-reaction.org.au](https://www.chain-reaction.org.au/fundraisers/mikecarpendale/2023-sydney)But before I get into the details of our final challenge, let me take a moment to give thanks where thanks is due.

First and foremost, a huge shoutout to the Chain Reaction team that kept us safe, fed, and cheered on throughout this incredible journey. You are all rockstars! And of course, a big thank you to our charity partners, BaptistCare HOPESTREET and So They Can, for the incredible work they do and the inspiring stories they shared with us along the way.

Now, on to Day 7! With a last minute change of plans (more on that in a bit) we’d be tackling roughly 90km with 2200m of climbing.

We started off with a relatively flat roll-out along the edge of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, or so we thought. 48 km and 1156 m of elevation — if that’s flat, I’d hate to see a roller section…

The wind was up, the temperature was down, and the elevation was clocking up as we quickly pedaled on. But we powered through, stopping at Bennetts Bluff for a quick water break and some scenic photos.

A bit of a gravel climb up to the best view point Heading back into Queenstown, we had a mix of side, tail, and headwinds to contend with, but nothing could stop us from reaching our final challenge of the week: the climb up Coronet Peak. Scratch that — fresh rough chip and cyclists don’t mix. Luckily, our ride director Tim came to the rescue with a new route, just like that. Who needs months of planning, right?

But before we could tackle the final climb, we made a pitstop at Lookout Point Queenstown for a quick refuel and a few selfies.

Then it was on to The Remarkables, our last climb of the week.

9.5km with 918m of climbing, an average graident of 9.4% and with some nasty pinches of 18% .

This time, we decided to do it right and set off in groups, with a handicapped climb to ensure we all reached the top at roughly the same time. And with the added motivation of a catch car following us, we all made it to the top — no business class for us! (that’s hopping into the follow car)

It was a touch chilly at the base of the climb so we took refuge in our follow car — ahhhh the heating seatsThis is a **Hors catégorie (HC) climb (a French term used in stage bicycle races to designate a climb that is “beyond categorization”). The view was

The descent down The Remarkables was exhilarating, dropping 1000 meters over a 10km route.

Some of us took the quick option, while others stopped for scenic photos along the way. We regrouped with our support cars, with Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life” blasting on the radio, feeling quite chuffed.

The short ride back into Queenstown was a breeze, and we tackled the last two mean climbs into our hotel with determination. Who puts 17% climbs in the final 700m, you ask? The Challenge Foundation, that’s who! But with an amazing sense of achievement, we made it. We were welcomed back with cheers and clapping from our support crew and families who made the trip across the ditch.

And just like that, our Chain Reaction Challenge was complete. We raised over $950,000 for our charity partners, and more importantly, we raised awareness for the amazing work they do.

It’s been a tough week, filled with ups and downs (literally), but we wouldn’t have had it any other way. We came, we saw, we conquered, all while doing it for a great cause. Until next time, keep on pedaling!

Want to see some of the amazing country this challenge will take us through? Check out the Day 7 video here.

Kia ora for reading and haere ra,Mike

By Mike Carpendale on March 4, 2023.Canonical linkExported from Medium on February 19, 2026.