BikeNZ Track Cyclists Outward Bound

New Zealand’s leading cyclists will be pushing themselves to new limits when they embark on an Outward Bound course on Saturday.

BikeNZ in partnership with Outward Bound have put together a programme for targeted athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to foster personal and team development.

Fourteen riders who are part of BikeNZ’s High Performance Track programme will embark on the eight day course which has been customised to meet the needs of the team. Activities include kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, tramping, and the famous Outward Bound overnight solo experience.

“From the moment it was suggested that BikeNZ could have the opportunity to send a group of our elite athletes to Outward Bound I have been 100 percent behind the idea,” said Tim Carswell, BikeNZ Head Track Coach.

“Having done the 23 day course myself when I was a rider in 1998 I know firsthand what a difference Outward Bound can make to an athlete’s drive, focus and determination.

“Now with our riders cementing themselves as some of the best in the World, we look for every opportunity to make gains and I know that with the Outward Bound approach our athletes will benefit in a multitude of ways both on and off the bike.”

Key objectives of the course for the athletes are to develop leadership, expand comfort zones and enhance motivation and develop the attitudes, character and qualities required for success in elite sport as an athlete

Commonwealth Games medallist Sam Webster is excited about the opportunity to attend the course.

“It should be a really good experience. It has always been something that I have wanted to do. I’m a bit disappointed that we don’t get to do the full three week course, but we get the best of both worlds this way.”

The riders participating in the course are: Alison Shanks, Jaime Nielsen, Kaytee Boyd, Gemma Dudley, Alex Neems, Sequoia Cooper, Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster, Simon van Velthooven, Eddie Dawkins, Matt Archibald, Nathan Seddon, Henrietta Mitchell and Stephanie McKenzie