Home is where the heart is, and its where I started. Originally from sunny Hawke’s Bay I moved to Wellington 14 years ago. It didn’t take long for the windy city to become my home. With a bustling city life and plenty of mountains around it was good for a social life and offering plenty of off the track escapes. I’ve always retreated into the bush or mountains when things get overwhelming in order to clear my head.
I got into mountain biking just over a year ago. My husband and I were looking for a hobby that had (seemingly) a one off cost, no strict timetables or ongoing contracts. We bought entry level hard tails – Giant Talon 3 $600nzd.
My first outing and I was hooked. Here was the passion I’ve looked for my whole life. I was addicted I wanted to ride 24/7. I signed up for intro skills courses, nagged the husband to get out, bought lights so I could ride all winter. I went to Hamilton for work – took my bike, going up home to see the parents, took my bike. Obsessed. This video sums it up perfectly: How to buy a mountain bike
The husband was unfortunately not obsessed. He came out about 5 times and after that I was predominantly riding alone. As I got faster and braver I started finding people at work, through friends and randoms through facebook who also rode – riding with someone is much safer. It also means you can push the boundaries more….
Through all this I naturally started losing weight and gaining confidence. I was meeting new people and had a new zest for life. I was finding myself doing my hair every day and wearing all my beautiful work dresses. Previously I had been too scared to wear them and would even avoid the supermarket for fear of people looking at me. People were noticing. I was getting compliments – platonic and not so. Old friends were excited that ‘Katrina’ was back. I had been lost for so long and compromised who I was for something I thought I wanted. I started inwardly assessing how I had gotten so lost and how to avoid it in future. From here drastic changes were made and exciting adventures began.