This Saturday, Rufus Wenlock and Joe Nation are racing the 3,000-kilometer Shaky Isles route along the length of New Zealand. The twist? They’ll be starting at opposite ends, meeting for a high-five somewhere in the middle. Learn more about Project Double Shake here…

Words by Rufus Wenlock, photos by Anton McGeachen

Project Double Shake is a head-to-head race with Joe on a course called Shaky Isles, which runs the length of New Zealand from Bluff at the southern tip to Spirit Bay in the far north. The route, designed by Brian Alder, the creator and organiser of the Tour Te Waipounamu, avoids main roads wherever possible, instead weaving through New Zealand’s rugged backcountry and remote landscapes.

project double shake

In a twist on the usual ultra-racing format, Joe and I will start at opposite ends of the country. We’ll cover the same distance and elevation, just in reverse directions. With no way to accurately gauge how far ahead or behind the other rider is until almost the very end, there’ll be a heavy dose of strategy, mental games, and uncertainty thrown into the mix.

Being set in New Zealand, an island nation surrounded by the ocean, the weather is bound to play a major role. Conditions can shift rapidly and vary wildly from region to region, meaning we’ll likely encounter the same sections of trail under completely different circumstances.

  • project double shake
  • project double shake

Thoughts on Direction

Northbound – Rufus Wenlock: Going northbound was my choice as I’d attempted the course in that direction before but only made it through the South Island. This time, I felt like I needed to finish it off. With the South Island leg being so familiar, my main focus will be timing the inter-island ferry. There are some big gaps in the schedule that could really throw things off if I get it wrong.

I’m especially looking forward to the North Island. Most of that terrain is new to me, so getting to explore fresh ground in my own country feels like a real treat. There’s a lot more climbing up north too, and this is where Joe and I will likely cross paths, so the “race” aspect of this challenge will really come into focus here for me. With resupplies becoming fewer and farther between as I head north, keeping the power up while fatigue sets in will be the real test.

  • project double shake
  • project double shake

Southbound – Joe Nation: Even though it was out of my hands, I’m happy to be starting from the northern end of New Zealand. I’ve spent very little time up there, so it’ll be good to see the sights through fresher eyes. And since it has the majority of the climbing, getting the north done with stronger legs could work out well! If seeds of doubt start to grow, I’ll be motivated to keep the momentum up as I’m pedalling towards home. Stoked to have the chance to see what New Zealand has in store.

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