NZ MTB NATIONALS (Nelson)

With the NZ Nationals being a one off event to get a national placing, this saw a strong elite field take to the start-line.

Nerves were high, but after a good warm up on the bike instead of the wind trainer, they settled a little for the start. Starting on the 3rd or 4th row again, I knew I had to make the 1st lap count....

The gun went and Carl went BLOX! Cleared the field for the 1st half of the climb before Mike jumping into the single track 1st.  Out of the 28 starters I had a good start and at the top of the climb was about mid pack. Down the single track which was a skittery, rocky/rooty pedaly decent, then hard right onto another gravel road climb, straight out of the saddle and dug deep to claim my spot in front of another 5 or 6 riders. The track climbed through the forest with some really steep pinches on the exits of corners which were taxing on the legs, with a very soft/dusty pinch that required a lot of energy and weight placement to clear. The descent is awesome, fast and supper dusty with some sharp rocks that had the potential to rip sidewalls open.

We drop down to pass the Feed Zone for the 1st time where I chucked a bottle before heading up for another switchback climb with some roots and a few more pinches to make the legs burn, turn at the top and start another super dusty descent before a quick squirt on a gravel road and into a fast piece of non techy single track to pass the Feed Zone for the 2nd time before crossing the line to complete a lap.

I managed to work myself into 12th place for a couple of laps before the legs started to slowly lose some horse power, I slipped back to 15th spot for laps 4 and 5. Coming through the Feed Zone to get my last bottle to get me over the line, I started the climb up the gravel road in 15th for the last time and although I was still in the outside chain-ring, I was at the top of the cassette, the legs feeling like arse 2 riders got onto my wheel and attacked into the single track at the top, I went with them but went in behind them. The next climb they rode away from me, I tried to go but I had nothing left, frustrated I found a rythem to get me though this dark place I was in as another rider slips by.

I knew this was going to be a tough day in the office and it absolutely was! Losing 3 spots on the last lap was the hardest pill to swallow, I beat myself up pretty bad when I was warming down.

18th out of 28 and didn't get lapped out for the NZ Nationals. Its on paper and I had fun...

Thanks to the Team at John Bull Cycles for there support and getting the Scott dialed in, it didn't miss a beat,
Breads Of Europe for supporting me and Blox Apparel for all your Apparel needs.

A few weekends off now before heading to Wellington for round 3 of the National series. Some solid training will need to be done to find some form I know I have.

Keep safe, see you on the trails!

NZ CUP round 2 (Christchurch)

After recording a DNF in round 1 a week earlier, I was keen to put a result down on paper and finish.

After a good week of training, race day rolled around... Turning up to support and help partner Kristie and good mates Emma and Craig in the age group races in the morning I didn't envy them, cold winds, rain falling, and a slippery track. They all did well while I huddled under the ezi up trying to keep warm.

The rain eased then stopped in time for the afternoon race. After a shocking start and leaving the start loop in all but last spot (20th) I set to work right away. It bottle necked at a double creek crossing and i was off and running gaining a few spots... I settled in for the first lap, found a rythmn and kept standing on the pedals, crossing the line in 16th after the first lap... I pushed hard and made ground on laps two and three but got stuck on the climb and the decent following wheels where i should have got a little more mongrel and muscled my way past. I ended up having a good battle with a couple of local boys, with Logan doing a pretty funny dance on the side of the track due to cramp!  Eventually I crossed the line in ninth to finish about 12mins down on winner Carl, but I finished and didn't get lapped out, so I'm pretty happy.

It's clear I still have a lot to learn about racing at elite level, it's a huge step up from age group racing. The intensity and speed is truly eye opening, while I''m gasping for air, others find another gear... This was only my second race of the year, so as the season continues and I get more racing into the legs I should see some good improvements.

Really happy with a top 10 result and even picked up 2 UCI points HAHA

Looking forward to heading up to Nelson for the Nationals.... a race I know will hurt.

NZ CUP round 1 (Dunedin)

Heading down to Dunedin Friday with the windscreen wipers going marked a sign of what was to come. We rolled down the hill into Dunedin around lunchtime and headed straight for the bike shop to get some mud tyres... maxxis beavers seemed to be the best we could get hold off so these got blown on.

After catching up with a mate for lunch it was up to the new venue Signal Hill to catch up with some guys and see what they had to say about the track. The climb was steep, wet, slippery and hard to clear.... the descent, well just hang on for the ride.... after 30mins I had heard enough and jumped in the car with out riding (rest day) and up to the Aunt's to unload the car and settle in for the night with the sound of rain on the roof.

Saturday we woke with the sun shining! After sifting around in the morning I headed to the track mid afternoon to knock out a couple of laps.... the climb was dry as it was in the open and had the sun beating down on it all day, but it was steep and relentless.... pinched hard at the bottom, eased a little then pinched then eased then pinched, there was no recovery to be had on the climb!

Starting the descent I didn't know what to expect, I cruised down the first rocky section, over some little kickers then onto a fast open section....hard left into the trees and HELLO MUD!  I slipped down to the first obstacle a wee drop that was roll-able but I thought it would be faster to hit dialed... so I walked back up and went for it.... Landed on a root, burped the front tyre and got up close and personal with a tree! No scratches on me or the bike!  I walked the remainder of the descent and checked out all the lines. Chucked a tube in the wheel and went for the next lap, this was a lot better. Cleared the descent and was happy. Off home to polish the bike and get some food and listen to the rain on the roof.

Sunday morning passed and soon I was on the windtrainer warming up in the sun!.... The start was a short 30m sprint to a 180degree corner, another 30m to a 90degree corner then up the climb.

Nerves were high being my first elite race and I wasn't aggressive off the start losing a few places, hit the climb (which was dry) and fell into a rhythm to sustain for the climb. Hit the descent (wet and wild) and a couple of riders went down in front of me. I managed to get around them and nail a gnarly shoot down some roots, before more congestion on a tight corner... eventually popped out the bottom in 11th (from15 elite riders).

Up the climb and the legs felt heavy, chased hard to catch the wheel in front but couldn't close the gap, Slipped and slid the descent with some really comical moments and some big cheers from the crowds from riding some techy mud drops and some from complete out of control passenger riding novice stuff... still managed to hold my spot.

The third lap the legs went well up the climb but the descent wasn't so good. After clearing the shoot I hit the next corner hard and had a lot of weight on the front to make it stick.... it didn't stick. Nothing big but time lost. Mud was all over the bike from the previous laps and it proved too much... On the forth lap at the start of the climb the legs felt their best but the mud caked derailleur caught a spoke and ended up in the rear wheel... end of race for me.

Disappointed that my first outing ending in a DNF. This was a brutal course on the bikes and team at John Bulls will find this out when the strip the Scott back to service it.

Time to take the valuable lesson learned and move on to round 2 at Living Springs on the 22nd and make it count!

Thanks for the support so far.....