This year we had another strong Cycleways Team competing in the 2011 Mcleans Island Mountain Bike 12 Hour race consisting of Phil Patterson, Nick Clark, Dave Ives, Mark Richards and myself.
Phil was the man to get the race rolling for us and with a Le Mans start to the race that meant for a short run amongst a fair amount of caos as riders ducked and dived for their bikes. Phil came in second after the first lap making up huge ground after he struggled to find his bike in the crowd from the start. With myself heading out second in the team I pulled some good time into the leading team only a few seconds behind with a very quick lap and then Nick went and slotted us into the lead. With Dave and Mark holding their own the race, the day went really quickly and the weather could not have been much better!
Once the 6 hour riders were off the track that meant for even quicker lap times and less traffic to deal with. I had an excellent third to last lap which was the fastest lap of the day overall so I was buzzing once back at our team site! I followed that up with No2 fastest lap of the day.
The North Canterbury Cycling Club Junior Team had a strong ride, keeping us on their toes for a while and their fastest rider Anton doing double laps but our team was too strong and consistent and we took the overall win in the end!
Thoughts go out to the few riders and their families who had attained serious injuries including one fatal heart attack.
Big thanks to Rod and Jane from Bluedog Events for another very well run proffessional events and to Matt Bailey and the Team for all the support, not to mention Mum and Dad for all the usual bits and pieces that go about in these events!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Dusky Trail 2011
Todays race was the 2011 Dusky Trail mountain bike race held down in Twizel. 44km of mostly open four wheel drive terrain. This involved a few wee pinch climbs, a few river crossings that made for mandatory dismount, boggey patches and some false flats that made you feel like you were grinding away and pushing harder than required! All this mixed together with a nice day with the sun coming out during the event.
From the start it wasn't long before the front of the race saw 3 of us riding away. After several Kilometres of shingle roads and tarmac the 2 riders with me were starting to slow the pace so I pressed on over the rough terrain. Here there were 3 of us all on 29ers (and a 1-2-3 at the finish) and the big wheels were fantastic over the bumpy surface. I jumped at the front and pushed on and a couple of minutes later (not long before the first river crossing) I looked back and saw I had a gap.
Once through the river I kept the pace up and had a strong ride to the finish. The false flats that gradually climbed up into the valley also on some damp sections felt quite energy sapping but my Trek 29'er bike felt superior on a course like this.
I am also using a new set of Geax Barro Race Tyres which I have been using in the Short Track Racing here in Christchurch. Right from the first race I thought they were fantastic! The hook they have at high speed is excellent and on one of the high speed shoots coming down to a tight left hand corner to start the climb they provide real confidence for me to hook into at pace. I'm looking forward to racing them in the National Rounds kicking off in January.
Next weekend is the Mcleans 12 Hour Event held right here on home ground. Keep a look out for a fast Cycleways Team in the Orange colours!
From the start it wasn't long before the front of the race saw 3 of us riding away. After several Kilometres of shingle roads and tarmac the 2 riders with me were starting to slow the pace so I pressed on over the rough terrain. Here there were 3 of us all on 29ers (and a 1-2-3 at the finish) and the big wheels were fantastic over the bumpy surface. I jumped at the front and pushed on and a couple of minutes later (not long before the first river crossing) I looked back and saw I had a gap.
Once through the river I kept the pace up and had a strong ride to the finish. The false flats that gradually climbed up into the valley also on some damp sections felt quite energy sapping but my Trek 29'er bike felt superior on a course like this.
I am also using a new set of Geax Barro Race Tyres which I have been using in the Short Track Racing here in Christchurch. Right from the first race I thought they were fantastic! The hook they have at high speed is excellent and on one of the high speed shoots coming down to a tight left hand corner to start the climb they provide real confidence for me to hook into at pace. I'm looking forward to racing them in the National Rounds kicking off in January.
Next weekend is the Mcleans 12 Hour Event held right here on home ground. Keep a look out for a fast Cycleways Team in the Orange colours!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Le Race 2011
Todays Le Race went pretty well all things considered. After just getting back into training with no base miles done yet I finished with a very respectable net time of 2 hours 53 minutes and 6 seconds. Conditions were tough along the summit roads with high winds, little visability and rain, this all made for a solid 100 kilometres.
From the start the body was pretty cold and up the to the kiwi I had a bit of work to do getting back onto the main front bunch once the body started to warm up. This whole section onto the down hill toward Gebbies pass went pretty steadily.
The downhill's were very greasy and once I had some clear vision I saw that the whole field had split up with some riders way down the hill (most were the top riders I think) so I pressed on and got some nice passing manoeuvres going. On one of the cattle stops on a bend a rider skated on the deck infront of me - not the prettiest site but he got back up.
By the bottom of the hill I was inbetween the leaders and the main front bunch so I settled back into the up coming group. A few Km's into the flat section one of the top riders who was with us pushed the pace and I fell back. I kept pressing on and a couple of riders caught me up and we got some good momentum going. Just before the Akaroa hill the Peloton caught up also but as soon as we hit the hill it was game on! I settled into a very good rhythm and dropped the peloton and caught and past quite a few other riders ahead.
Once I got a fresh bottle at the top (thanks mum) it was the last 40km to the finish. I was with a few other riders but eventually it became 3 of us right to the finish with myself being the middle rider.
I crossed the line 23rd overall with a pretty cold body and tired legs but all in all a very good outing!
From the start the body was pretty cold and up the to the kiwi I had a bit of work to do getting back onto the main front bunch once the body started to warm up. This whole section onto the down hill toward Gebbies pass went pretty steadily.
The downhill's were very greasy and once I had some clear vision I saw that the whole field had split up with some riders way down the hill (most were the top riders I think) so I pressed on and got some nice passing manoeuvres going. On one of the cattle stops on a bend a rider skated on the deck infront of me - not the prettiest site but he got back up.
By the bottom of the hill I was inbetween the leaders and the main front bunch so I settled back into the up coming group. A few Km's into the flat section one of the top riders who was with us pushed the pace and I fell back. I kept pressing on and a couple of riders caught me up and we got some good momentum going. Just before the Akaroa hill the Peloton caught up also but as soon as we hit the hill it was game on! I settled into a very good rhythm and dropped the peloton and caught and past quite a few other riders ahead.
Once I got a fresh bottle at the top (thanks mum) it was the last 40km to the finish. I was with a few other riders but eventually it became 3 of us right to the finish with myself being the middle rider.
I crossed the line 23rd overall with a pretty cold body and tired legs but all in all a very good outing!
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