$399.00 ex tax
Soon the days of MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) stays will be a fond (or not so fond), distant memory. But if you do find yourself having to visit a facility in the near future – take some advice from road race champ and veteran traveller Courteney Lowe (2013 National Championships New Zealand – Road Race Winner).
In July 2020 I boarded a plane from my ‘American’ home in Asheville, NC to my other home in Tauranga, New Zealand.
I had no idea what it was going to be like staying in a hotel room for 14 days and I can’t say I was prepared. I was still racing road bikes at an elite level at this stage, so I had arranged to have a JetBlack trainer and my bike delivered to me so I could continue training in my room for the remaining US season.
After arriving I also realised all the little things I needed that I would never have thought about; a US to NZ converter, coffee press, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner and SO MUCH MOISTURISER from the 24/7 air conditioning.
I landed a room in an Auckland hotel where there were windows – but they were locked, and the walking area was around a few car park spots that I just couldn’t bear walking around ( I had just come from the middle of summer to a pretty cold, rainy NZ winter).
As I was still competing, there was still plenty of pressure to train, and I think that is what helped me get through – work + training + Netflix. Not all that bad.
Fast forward one and a half years, and I headed back to New Zealand and this time I was so prepared!!
My parents had my bike, trainer, coffee, converter and all the essentials packed and ready to bring to me. I felt completely ready for ten days with all my things, until I was informed I was being diverted to the Christchurch facility.
After the initial anger that transformed into a total meltdown, I had to go into planning mode and sent out an SOS. Thankfully, my uncle was visiting Christchurch for the weekend, and he saved me with a converter and coffee.
My social media SOS brought in about 15 bike options, and Murray at JetBlack sent over my absolute miracle, the JetBlack VOLT™ Smart Trainer.
After the initial frustration had disappeared, I began to find many positives in the situation.
For example my window opened this time, and that delightfully warm, fresh air was game changing. And the walk was far more desirable in a 27 degree heat! I was able to walk in a 110m lap three times a day, for up to one and a half hours at a time. I clocked an 8km walk one day! I would not recommend this in your Birkenstocks.
When I had the bike delivered I received a very stern talking to from the ‘hosts’, instructing me that I could only ride the trainer between certain hours of the day, to not disturb the neighbours.
What they didn’t know is my JetBlack is probably one of the quietest trainers on the market and the television next door was way louder than the trainer (and my neighbour reeaalllyyy liked watching TV).
Coming into MIQ this time I had a lot less stress on training. I decided to stop racing in 2020 and focus on work, but I have and always will have a love (or maybe an obsession) to riding my bike. So it was imperative to have my JetBlack set up to keep me moving and sweating.
This in turn kept my mental health in check and my ten days in isolation more productive and less of a burden.
At the end of MIQ I could almost say I felt refreshed, all caught up on work (and Netflix!) and honestly a little fitter than when I went in. I also learnt to appreciate the delivery of both food and clean, folded, washing and couldn’t understand why that didn’t continue happening at home!? I am extremely thankful to the people who provided me with my necessities to make it through, and to the staff at The Elms Hotel in Christchurch who went above and beyond to make my ‘jail time’ as stress-free as possible.
At the end of MIQ I could almost say I felt refreshed, all caught up on work (and Netflix!) and honestly a little fitter than when I went in.
I also learnt to appreciate the delivery of both food and clean, folded, washing and couldn’t understand why that didn’t continue happening at home!?
I am extremely thankful to the people who provided me with my necessities to make it through, and to the staff at The Elms Hotel in Christchurch who went above and beyond to make my ‘jail time’ as stress-free as possible.
