Talofa lava everyone here is the latest newsletter pre the Rotorua-Taupo Ride FYI to enjoy and share with your friends and aiga!

Firstly we give thanks to our father above for guiding everyone safely throughout our travels on the week end and on the course.  It was a beautiful day that greeted us in Taupo, and the cycling adventure was the icing on the cake.  Our USO's Christopher Te'o and Stephen Kenny completed their first "Fun Ride" and gained so much from the experience.  Learning to ride in a group, when to eat and drink and how to position yourself were but a few things that Steve picked up on his ride.  Chris on the other hand rose to the challenge and reveled in pushing himself to do well.  He was literally surrounded by a team of Avanti riders throughout the ride and held his own and gave some back!  Well done USO's.  The bench mark has been set and we look forward to returning to complete the ride again next year, this time with more USO's riding and their families supporting.  It was also really cool seeing many other brown faces riding and the Ironmaori whanau riding and supporting as well.

Thanks to Steve's friend Lara for supporting his progress. Thank you to our wives Lesley and Meriama for coming with us and sharing in what was a really memorable day.   We capped off the day with dinner and more energized conversations about cycling and improving the health and wellbeing of our whanau by "Just doing it!"...Nek minut in October we're doing K2 arguably New Zealands hardest 1 day fun ride!  It's 200km and goes around the Coromandel Peninsula.  It's a challenge and there to be done, so USO will do it.

Isn't it funny how our decision's seem to be made over a coffee or a meal in a cafe or restaurant!  Have Coffee-New Zealand ride, Have coffee-Samoa ride, Have Coffee-K2 ride!

Thanks for staying in tune-keep an eye out for our latest newsletter!

Ia manuia everybody.

T Taufale

Talofa lava everyone, above is the report for our USO Cyclone Cycle Relay in Porirua on the week end.  A truly special experience for everyone involved.  More than 200 people turned up through the course of the day to ride/ support the teams doing the hard yards.

We loved every minute of it!  For more pics of the event go to our Facebook page and enjoy some of the moments captured.

Here is the updated teams list as of tonight.  Some members listed are supporting on the day.  In all likelihood there could be a late rush of names on the day.  Provided that everyone is contributing by way of donation either online or at the event on the day we will keep everything in perspective and include riders as they arrive.

NOTE:  This is by no means the full list of riders and teams for the USO Cyclone Cycle 12 Hour Relay.  We are aware that there are many other riders who will confirm on the day and by all means will try our best to cater to everyones needs.  We want to ensure that all our more experienced riders are split evenly amongst the teams to provide support and encouragement  as 12 hours is a long day.

When family turn up to support we want the loudest cheers and clapping to be centered at the home-start/finish line.

Dont forget to get your workmates to support too.  Anyone else who can't make it on the day, to support by donating online! See previous Blog.

Talofa everyone- Well 24 hours is a long time and for one lone rider, the support crew and safety people would get pretty bored!  So we've changed it to a 12 hour relay starting from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday Feb 23rd based at the Elim church on Heriot Street in Porirua.  Bring your best cheer leaders gear and a donation to support the riders and help us to reach our target of $8,000 to go towards those affected by Cyclone Evan in Samoa and Fiji.  If you feel the inspiration to ride a lap or two and have got a bike, bring that too and have a go!  Ia manuia everybody.

OK everybody- spread the news the USO BIke Ride 2012 will be featured in Tagata Pasifika on TV One Thursday night at 11:00pm.  It also replays on Sundays 7:40-8:10am.  Grab some Pop Corn and juice and your good to go!...we're nervous/ anxious and excited all at the same time-hope the camera work does our looks justice.

While your at it, the planning for the USO Bike Ride Cyclone Cycle Relay in Porirua from 6:00pm February 22nd to 6:00pm Saturday 23rd is progressing well.  Just finalizing details.  It will be a Teams relay event - 24 hours is a bit much for one person! Lol.

USO riders will be spread out amongst the teams as well.  Teams will be whanau based or whanau and friends or just friends!  Whatever works best for you.

Thats enough info for now people.  Have a great week- we'll keep you posted.