Surprise win for farmer in gravel cycling race
Module Overview
South Otago sheep farmer Alastair Gray got the surprise of this life when his name was called out as the winner of a Farmstrong prize worth $1,200 at the Gravel in Paradise cycling series held in rural Otago.
The four-race series took place between February and May consisting of the Crop Duster in Alexandra, the Puketapu Gravel ‘N’ Tar in Palmerston, the Matakanui Express in Omakau and the White Rocks in Enfield.
The spot prize was a $1,200 Allure travel voucher, which was up for grabs for cyclists in the Ride Strong class, which was open to farmers and proudly sponsored by Farmstrong.
Alastair, 63, was in the pub eating his soup while prize giving was taking place outside and was shocked to hear he’d won the Ride Strong prize.
“Everybody was clapping, and I was like, ‘what’s going on’? It was a big surprise, but a great one.”
Alastair, who entered three of the four races, says he hasn’t decided exactly what he’ll use the voucher for, but it will probably go towards catching up with family.
“I have three adult kids, two in the North Island and one in Melbourne, so it would be great to put it towards seeing them.”
Wellbeing benefits of cycling
Alastair says he thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Gravel in Paradise and is keen to give it a crack again next year.
“This year was my first time entering. I’ve done a lot of road cycling in the past and had started riding gravel roads. I saw Gravel in Paradise advertised and a friend of mine was keen, so we entered.”
He says the event was extremely well run and Cycling Otago did a fantastic job.
“I really loved it, and it was nice to ride somewhere different, meet people and it gets you off the farm.”
Alastair, whose sheep farm is just south of Balclutha, says cycling helps a lot with his wellbeing and is an “age-friendly pursuit”.
“I work by myself so it can get a bit lonely at times. Cycling gets you off the farm, it’s something different to do and you can be social with it. Plus, it keeps you fit mentally and physically and compared to something like running, it’s a bit easier on your body.”
He also has a place in Cromwell, which he can get away to for some rest and relaxation and a break from the farm.
“We also try to get off the farm and catch up with the kids when we can.”
Top job despite challenges
Alastair has been farming for 40 years and still loves the job despite some of the challenges.
“I don’t like being locked up inside. Open air and open spaces are my thing, and I like working with animals so it’s great,” he says.
“It’s really satisfying when everything goes right but that doesn’t always happen. But I’m really lucky I can do it, and things are pretty good financially for us at the moment.’”
Weather remains a constant challenge, but being prepared is key.
“It can be too wet or too dry… in spring we had huge winds here that caused a lot of damage, and all the cleaning up can get quite daunting.”
Alastair says he tries to minimise his output and what he has to do.
“As you get older you get a wee bit more cunning, plus a little less enthusiastic so it’s about working smarter. You can’t be too pedantic about things and just do what you can.”
And his advice for youngsters starting out in farming:
“Be decisive. If you think you should do something, then do it (if you can). And have a social life off the farm so you can get away from it for a wee bit.
“When you start out you may be under financial pressure initially and that can be difficult. But a lot of things are out of your control. Work hard and try not to get too stressed.”
Farmstrong is a nationwide, rural wellbeing programme that helps people manage the ups and downs of farming and growing. Last year, 20,000 farmers attributed an increase in their wellbeing to the programme. For free, farmer-to-farmer tools and resources head to www.farmstrong.co.nz.
Alistair Gray pictured receiving his voucher
