Police News August 09.indd - New Zealand Police Association

PoliceNewsThe Voice of Police• Bob Scott shows the form that took him to victory in the grueling Graperide Ultimate (505 kilometres) cycle race in Marlborough earlier thisyear by being out where he likes to be, in front.- Photo courtesy of Marathon Photos.Zealand – cutting an incredible 40 hours ofthe previous record! Bob has also captured aNew Zealand Mountain Biking title during hislengthy career as well as winning the Nelsonto-Christchurchcycle race in 1993.Australian eventsBob’s career has taken him to many eventsin Australia, most notably the AustralianOttway Odyssey Mountain Bike Enduro earlierthis year and Queensland’s "Epic". He alsocompeted in the World Police & Fire Gamesin Melbourne several years ago, competing incycling, mountain biking and the triathlon andcoming away with gold and silver medals.Bob told Police News that the secret to riding anextreme distance like the Graperide Ultimateis “preparing well.” It was not uncommon forBob during his build-up to the Graperide toride for hundred of kilometres in one hit andduring his cycling career he admits he hasdone extreme rides such as the Christchurchto West Coast ride on around 40 occasions.After a few days he would ride back again.“I’d look to get a good training base of 250-600 kilometres riding a week, with one longride of 200-300-plus kilometres each weektoo,” Bob said.Time commitmentSo where did he find the time to do this andhold down a fulltime policing career? “Afterwork. It’s a very demanding schedule andheading out on the bike for two to three hoursafter work isn't always that much fun,” Bobreadily admitted.Bob said the other major factor in his Graperiderace success was good support. “I have beenfortunate over the years to have very goodsupport and in this year’s Graperide, VirginiaLe Bas (2nd in 202 km race,) Andrea Joplingand Gary Knowles completed the Graperideafter doing laps with me,” Bob said.Also on hand were Canterbury Crime ManagerPeter Read and his friend Paul Threadwellwho did the last 300 kilometres, ensuringthat Bob was on schedule with keeping uphis food and hydration. “Having good supportis the key to doing well is these enduranceevents and I am very grateful for the help,”Bob told Police News.A cyclist’s dreamAt time of writing, Bob was heading off tospectate at this year’s Tour de France andto do some riding on the classic climbs in theFrench Alps.When you speak to Bob, you realise he islike most legends – very modest about hisachievements. There is huge commitmentand dedication required to be as successfulas Bob has been in multisport events andespecially in cycling.Perhaps as Bob was watching the likes ofCadel Evans, Alberto Contador and seventimes winner Lance Armstrong, among theother greats in this year’s Tour de France,there may have been the passing thoughtof what might have been had he discoveredcycling a lot earlier.Visit www.policeassn.org.nz for updated contact details for the Police Council of Sport management committee,District Sports Officers and the latest schedule of events.184August 2009