Olly Shaw

Just over a month out from the and I'm already getting excited to experience this race again. There's five days of racing this time round, extending the fun (or the hurt depending on how things are going 😉). It's going to be a bit different for me this year as I'm teaming up and will be racing as a men's pair, but I'm hoping to secure another yellow jersey at some point through the race!

Excited for the big weekend ahead with the kicking off today! I'm lucky #13 for both today's eliminator and Sunday's 100km race (which also doubles as NZ MTB Marathon Champs). I've raced the 100km twice before although the last one was bang on 10 years ago, so I'm looking forward to seeing just how much the race has come since then, and also testing myself against the best riders in the country over a tough course. I've got a little bug at the moment (the joys of having two little ones 😉) so hopefully I can shake that for Sunday, but regardless it will be a good time out there with the 3000 other riders taking part!

Monique, Luka and I are so excited to welcome the latest addition to our family! Gracie Mia Shaw was born on the 4th of July, happy and healthy. She has been an absolute trooper so far and we are so proud to now be a family of four. Gracie Mia has been named after both mine and Moniques Nana/Oma. Sadly my Nana passed away a couple of days following Gracies arrival but we are comforted knowing she now has a guardian angel looking over her ❤️

Enjoying our last few days as a family of 3 before Shaw Baby #2 comes along! We're all excited to meet her, with Monique secretly hoping she will get her mini-me 😉

And just like that my 2022/23 'Summer' of racing has wrapped up. I wasn't able to race as much as hoped with a few events being cancelled with all the terrible weather (Triple Peaks, Craters Classic, T42), but I was still able to line up at some awesome events. My highlights were:
🥇Volcanic Epic Solo
🥇Highlander
🥉Gravel Grind Taupo Cycle Challenge
4th @ Karapoti
Really happy with the progress I have made over the past few months and I'm looking forward to taking another step forward before the start of the next season. There's not much racing on the calendar for the next few months so it's a good time to focus on some weaknesses and enjoy the weekly Night Racing!

🥇at the Highlander today - a fast flowy 45k MTB through the Whaka Forest. As always it was so cool to be out there racing, and it's always a nice day when you are able to take the tape. I felt pretty good out there and was able to build a lead early and then get into TT mode to bring it home. Thanks to and team for continuing to put on quality events, and to and Luka who continue to make days like these possible! 📸 thanks to



ltd

Gravel bike goodness 👌

Easter traditions 🍫 So good to get out there after a rough couple of weeks with Luka, Monique and I all going down with a virus post Volcanic Epic. Hot X Buns is one of the best, old school tracks in the forest and one you have to get out and do over Easter. Thanks for keeping it running perfect!

Stage 3 was a fast and furious one at Cougar Park. Course tampering meant the course was shortened to just over 30km which in turn led to an all out effort. I didn't have the best start but once I settled into my rhythm I seemed to come right find my flow. 1st solo again so I take a nice lead into the 4th and final stage!

The Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race is throwing up some awesome racing in amazing locations. Heres some snaps from yesterday in Kinloch. It was freezing at the start but quickly warmed up into the perfect day for riding. Such a privilege to be wearing the Tineli New Zealand leaders jersey - hopefully I get to keep it to the end!

Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race day two is in the books! 60 odd km around K2K in Kinloch constantly spent braking, cornering, and accelerating made for full gas racing. Really happy with how I backed up from yesterday and retained the solo leaders jersey. We are at the halfway mark now but still two tough stages await. I'm loving the stage racing format though so I'm excited to see what each day has in store!

Some action pics from day one of Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race. With just over two hours of racing it made for a high intensity and hectic first stage. I was happy to find my groove and cross the line 1st solo - a positive start to what is going to be a tough four days!

Time to get back into the racing groove - we are only two days out from the inaugural Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race! 🎉 Really pumped to be lining up at this one! When I decided to focus on MTB, this was the kind of race that motivated me the most... 200k's over 4 days with 4000m elevation. The course looks epic so I think we are in for some awesome racing!

What a race that was! Karapoti really lived up to its billing as the classic, old school, NZ MTB race. The race is steeped in tradition - looking at the course records and winners over the years you can really see the history of mountain biking in New Zealand. It's a race I've watched from afar but have always wanted to experience and see what it was all about. I was stoked to get the chance this year and although I didn't have the most ideal prep with a bug a week out from the event, it was so cool standing on that startline (literally as well because it started pouring down two hours before the start!). My race went relatively smoothly (no punctures, crashes or explosions), which was all I could ask in my first attempt, and I was able to cross the line in 4th overall after some awesome battles. I had such a good time and learnt so much I'm already planning for the 2024 round! Thanks to for the road trip as well 👌

Race weekend coming in hot 🔥 I'm lining up at Karapoti on Saturday. It's a race I've always wanted to do, an iconic NZ MTB event, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it is all about!

MTB and Gravel racing...that's the focus for 2023! There are so many awesome races around the country that I can't wait to experience. Its been a really nice change of pace to focus on one main discipline and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of level I can reach. I already kicked things off by lining up at the last round of the NZ XC MTB Series in Pirongia last weekend - it was definitely an eye opener to see the level of the riders in NZ at the moment but so much fun to be back between the tape. Excited for more!

One month down in 2023 and its time to get back into racing, although maybe not the racing you're thinking of! After 15 years of racing triathlon I've decided to make a change to spend more time with my growing family. I have absolutely loved the events, the training, the racing, the people and the travelling that triathlon has provided me but I am as equally excited about the next step in my sporting career. So what's next?..

What a way to wrap up 2022...two weeks away on a family holiday in the South Island. So many good times and adventures leaves me looking forward to what 2023 has in store!

What an introduction back into racing...two races in two days, finishing with two second places. I am well and truly broken now but it was great to be back out there and fighting at the front. Thanks to for the great organisation!

Last session in the bag, tomorrow we race! 📸

Welcome to Tahiti 🌴 Excited to race in this tropical paradise at this weekend and also to be back on the start line of an Xterra World Tour race!

Did a XC running race in Tauranga today. The plan was for Monique to come over with Luka for a day out and hopefully get some photos. Turns out there were some photos...but only of Luka. So enjoy the baby spam!
On the running side (I promise I did actually run) it was a fairly average day as I learn how to run XC and start to build some form. Looking forward to more of this racing over the winter! Hopefully some pics of the race will follow shortly!

I've been pretty quiet for a little while on social media, but my life certainly hasn't! Between family time, work, training, DIY and everything else, it's definitely been a full on few months. So it was nice to recently get dressed up as a family for a day and enjoy a little social outing at a friend's wedding. The little man loved it and I've got to say he looked pretty cute. Enjoy the baby spam!

Loving my time in Hanmer Springs. Currently down here for a little training camp over the weekend to get ready for a few big races coming up with Xterra Wellington Offroad Festival and Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka Triathlon! Today was a good hit out on the MTB around some of the passes behind Hanmer, a solid run off the bike, a swim, and also some time in the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa hydroslides 😂. Good to keep it fun while getting the work done!

2021, what a year it has been! Its definitely been one of the most challenging years for me as an athlete, with only one race completed (and that was in January 😬), and six months recovering from bilateral hip impingement surgery, but its been one of the most exciting and fulfilling on a personal level. Watching Monique progress through pregnancy, welcoming Luka into the world and seeing him grow and develop over the past three months has been amazing and reinforces what is really important. Looking forward to seeing what 2022 will bring - but here's hoping for more adventures, travel, training and racing with the family!

Nine months since I last ran, and six months post surgery, I am finally able to get back out there! Definitely a mixture of excitement and nervousness (as you can probably tell from the photo), but I'm hoping that it's all been worth it and I can get back to what I really enjoy doing! Starting small - 30 mins of 2 min walk/1 min run, but at least its a start and I can build from here!

First open water swim of the summer season ticked off with a great bunch of members. Not often I'm swimming in the Blue Lake in October. I reminded myself why - it was freezing. I think I might wait until December for the next one 😂

The past two weeks since meeting this little fella have flown by. I've enjoyed the time off work but unfortunately it's time to get back to the office 😢 At least I have these two to head home to 😍

Eyes won't fully open after the lack of sleep over the past seven days 😂 but it's been nice to be back out in the forest and make the most of the good weather! Although theres a bit of uncertainty around the summer season with the current Covid situation, I'm continuing to tick off the training sessions in hope for some racing soon!

Monique and I are so excited to introduce you all to Luka Patrick Shaw! Luka arrived in the early hours on the 29th of September and we have been smitten since. Luka's name is so special to us as it means bringer of light. We are also thrilled to be able to incorporate Paddy in there as he continues to shine down on us. He has been a trooper so far and we are enjoying all the cuddles and naps back home now!