Is it a healthy obsession?

I was talking to a rugby league friend last night about the merits of rugby and league.

It would be true to say that we both are among a small minority who doesn't get too wound up in the success or God Forbid failure of the All Blacks.

I am a passionate sports follower and patriotic kiwi but I personally feel that the continual hype around the All Blacks is beyond a healthy addiction. Obviously I want them to win but my world won't fall apart if they don't.

New Zealand as a small nation punches well above it's weight in the sports arena and we have had and continue to have world class athletes in many and varied sports.

Along with following the Warriors in the NRL league competition I am passionate about the Black Caps cricket team and take it hard when our teams lose. I know that's sport and take the bad with the good. I know it gives kiwis a great sense of national pride when we do well but in reality it is merely sport and the results shouldn't be taken too seriously.

I would like to see New Zealanders and the media embrace other sports on a more equal basis. I would like to see us celebrate our successes in all sports. Particularly I would like to see women's sport promoted more in the media so there is a balance across the genders. We owe it to our women to value their involvement in sport. We need to use our successful sport's women as role models so that our country embraces the importance of sport for women in their participation for the health of the nation.

I've digressed! Back to more pressing and somewhat depressing matters! We've lost one of the world's best players. We're now at the knock out stage and can't afford any slip ups. For our well being let's hope and pray that the Mighty Blacks get their hands on the Rugby World Cup or the country will be in mourning for another four years.

Sunday Ride

Today my planned 100km bike ride that was reported in Friday's blog On My Mind took on a new route.

When I arrived at Coastlands at 8:00 as I do most Sundays I found that the other cyclists had decided to do a hilly ride instead. The route was to be different but the distance the same. Was quite pleased to hear that news as I love the hills and I'm strong on them.

The ride set out from Coastlands south along SH1 to Paekakariki. From there we took a left turn and commenced our steady climb up Paekakariki Hill. This is where I pulled away from the other riders and continued over the hill and down past Battle Hill to Pauatahanui. After a short stop we rode over Moonshine Hill Road to Upper Hutt.

Now to my favourite part of the route over the Akatarawas. This section of the ride involves a steady 1 hour long climb to the Summit. The Akataras have been closed to traffic for 6 months due to the bridges being worked on. I had to dismount at one point and negotiate a short detour.

Having reached the Summit in one piece I enjoyed a quick descent watching carefully blind corners passing through Reikorangi to Waikanae.

I was now nearing the end of my ride. I put in a final burst along SH1 to Raumati South feeling extremely pleased with myself and knowing that I'd had an excellent ride. On arrival the home brewed coffee tasted real good. I sat down and relaxed as I prepared for the Warrior League Finals in the NRL competition knowing the lawns and vacuuming had been done the previous day.