I would have to say "BIG".

Everything here is big, cars are big, roads are big, shops are big, meals are big.

But that's not why you are here is it.You want to know how the New Zealand contingent is doing...

So today I headed on down to the venue, and got a chance to meet some of the locals and check out the place. Lake Natoma is a hydro lake to the east of Sacramento. It is just like lake Karapiro but much, Bigger...

It is an excellent venue for water sports. There is a purpose built Aquatic Centre at the base of the lake, for rowing, kayak, canoe, skiing... did i mention how Big it is

Most of the New Zealand contingent have been for practice sessions now.

Here are the senior women

And the senior men

They got most of the tents up today, and I'll be helping out with the setup of the computer systems tomorrow morning.

Here are a few more pictures of the venue.

Looking towards start	Team Tents	Start line from other side

I wanted to check out the place a bit more, so I grabbed my trusty chopper and headed on down the bike track.

As you can imagine, i didn't last long, the chopper only has one gear, and it takes about 50m to stop with the pedal brakes.

I did however see some wildlife, a snake went across the track in front of me, but by the time i managed to stop, i was out of zoom range, so no photos of the snake.

It is reasonably hot here, I was told it was about 90 degrees this afternoon. (In NZ speak, that means 32 degrees). Apparently it can get up to 110 (40 degrees). I was also told it rained for a day a couple of months ago, and it will probably rain again.... in October.

And just incase you are wondering,
No, i am not missing the New Zealand weather at the moment.

Here is a view from the bike track, looking back down the course, about 5km past the finish line

And remember, you can click on the photos to make them "BIG"