Riding the distance: Massey alumnus Sam Shaw’s 638km day on the bike
When Sam Shaw rolled into Wellington after riding 638 kilometres from Auckland in a single day, he had done something extraordinary. The Massey University alumnus had just set a new fastest known time for the solo ride, finishing in 17 hours, 21 minutes and 34 seconds – more than an hour faster than the previous record.
For Sam, who averaged around 36.8 km/h across the North Island, the achievement wasn’t just about speed. It was about preparation, persistence and a lifelong love of riding.
“It is a dream to even do it,” he said after arriving in the capital. “But to do it so fast is so good.”
From Rotorua trails to global racing
Sam’s journey with bikes began in Rotorua, where he grew up surrounded by some of the country’s best mountain biking trails.
“My parents biked a lot too, and I’d tag along after school. We had this big crew of kids who’d spend hours at the dirt jumps and BMX track,” he recalls.
The sport quickly became more than a pastime. For Sam, cycling became a way to balance life. “It helps me create a good, healthy work-life balance,” he says.
His love for mountain biking eventually took him overseas, racing around Europe and living a life that was, at times, far from conventional.
“I really enjoyed camping and van life while racing abroad,” he says. One memory stands out: after a race trip in Europe, he woke up to find his tent had completely collapsed during the night. “I woke up in a completely flat tent, basically as my sleeping bag, after sleeping on the ground for the night,” he laughs.
But for Sam, those experiences were part of the adventure. “They definitely taught me you can race at an elite level while having a great time around the sport itself.”
Finding balance at Massey
In 2017, Sam graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology. He was a member of the Massey Academy of Sport while studying.
Looking back, he says that time played an important role in shaping his perspective.
“I really enjoyed my time at Massey, making lifelong connections and a different perspective on life. It was a chance for me to step away from elite-level sport and focus on study and my social life while creating a healthy balance with exercise.”
That balance has stayed with him ever since. “Since Massey, it has been a lot easier to combine my work, social and sporting lives.”
The idea that sparked a record attempt
The inspiration for the Auckland–Wellington ride came from watching another endurance cyclist. Sam explains, “Watching the previous record holder’s video on YouTube –Lachlan Morton, really inspired me to do the ride.”
To see if it was possible, he first tested himself with a 471km ride from Wānaka to Christchurch. After that, he gained the confidence that he could take on the time if he found a good weather window.
When the conditions lined up, the plan was simple: ride non-stop!
And that’s exactly what he did.
648 kilometres without stopping
Sam left Auckland at 4am and rode through the Volcanic Plateau and along the Desert Road before arriving in Wellington just before 9:30pm.
He never stopped, not even once.
“Yip, I didn’t even unclip once,” he says.
Even basic necessities were handled on the move. To keep himself fuelled, Sam relied on a mix of bananas, gingernut biscuits, carrots, Coke and high-carb drinks, eating consistently throughout the day.
“The plan was just to keep eating consistently,” he says. “Towards the final 50km I couldn’t eat anymore, I literally would have thrown up.”
The ride wasn’t without its physical challenges. At around 500 kilometres, severe cramp struck. “But it was gone after a mince and cheese pie, smooth sailing from that point onward.”
Mentally, however, the challenge felt surprisingly manageable.
“Honestly none of it was a mental challenge. I was in the zone the whole way and had a great crew supporting me.”
Riding in the zone
Maintaining speed across such a long distance required careful pacing. Sam used a power meter to manage his effort, targeting around 300 watts for the first 500km and avoiding pushing too hard on climbs.
To stay focused, he relied on breathing techniques. “That kept me in the zone the whole way.”
Two moments stood out as particularly surreal: leaving Auckland in the early hours of the morning, and arriving in Wellington after covering such an enormous distance.
“The very start at 4am riding through a quiet Auckland city and then finishing late in Wellington were the two sections that I thought were wild,” he says.
“Even just thinking about the distance covered when I rolled into Postshop Lane in Wellington felt nuts.”
Bringing the record home
For Sam, reclaiming the fastest known time held special meaning.
“Stoked to bring it back to NZ for sure!” he says. “Awesome to hear from Brian Lambert’s family as well, an honour.”
Today, Sam lives in Wānaka, training around his work as a builder. Despite the impressive record, he says the ride stands out for a simple reason.
“It’s by far the best thing I have done on a bike,” he says. “I think just the combination of the preparation and execution of the mission. It all came together so well, and I’m still feeling satisfaction months later.”
For Massey students and alumni balancing work, life and big ambitions, Sam has a simple philosophy.
“My biggest focus is usually on feeling great all the time,” he says.
“Focus on the journey: the day-to-day sessions without worrying about the end goal and stay consistent.”