July 1st 2025: An alpine odyssey

Spending time with inspiring friends is always dangerous for me – I'm easily led when it comes to seeds for fresh adventures. My friend Huw Kingston – an Australian-based Welsh adventurer with a penchant for masochistic challenges that also deliver for a good cause – is a prime example. He asked me to document the start of his latest adventure, Alpine Odyssey Aotearoa, where he plans to cycle 4000km from Cape Reinga to Motupōhue Bluff over winter, taking in each of the 24 ski fields in New Zealand. He expects the journey to take more than 90 days.

But that wasn't enough. For this chapter in his life that reads like a highlight reel, Huw has roped in Laurence Mote. Laurence comes with sound cycling pedigree. He, along with his sister, represented New Zealand in cycling, and his niece, Ellesse Andrews, won two gold medals and a silver at the Paris Olympics.

Laurence whakapapas to Kāi Tahu and is lucky to be here. He nearly lost his life when he suffered an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting back in 2013. Complications, including a stroke, saw him wake from a coma unable to walk, talk or see. He's still legally blind to this day, but testament to his sheer determination and mental fortitude, his recovery has been incredible. That he can even undertake this journey is extraordinary. 

In the Far North, I got to witness something special as these two undertook the first steps in their adventure together. It won't be easy, but both of them, in their own different way, seem to thrive on the physical and mental challenges that lie ahead for them. 

Alpine Odyssey Aotearoa hopes to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on our Pacific neighbours. By linking in the ski areas – that are among the first to be impacted by climate change – they hope to raise the conversations and actions around our climate. They're also hoping to raise $75,000 to build climate-resilient shipping container classroom facilities in Vanuatu. Frighteningly regular, intense storms have been taking their toll on the people of Vanuatu, which sits on the frontline of the climate crisis.

You can't help but like Huw and Laurence. They're both dreamers – dreamers who are brave enough to make their visions a reality. 

You can follow their progress through Aotearoa right here. The tracker is live and shows their current position throughout their journey. 

Donate to their climate project in Vanuatu, being run by Save the Children here.

See you at the beach, Derek

PS We still have plenty of our latest coffee-table book New Zealand's Best Gourmet Pies, for sale. Winter is a great time for pies, or a wee pie road trip, which this book has proved to be very popular for. Buy it from us here and we'll even sign your copy for you.