News is filtering through from Belgium that our very own Grimpy (aka John Ginley) has today retained his UCI World Masters Cyclo Cross title on the demanding purpose built course at Mol.
Congratulation from all your team mates John, perhaps now you can give us an easier ride next Wednesday.
Whilst John has been conquering all before him, our Southern Hemisphere team has been riding high in the antipides. Here's Pauls report of his recent MTB win.
85km Huka Challenge
Firstly
congratulations to all the Pyskil Team for outstanding performances and the
many PB's that are just reward for all the training and commitment in
the build up.
Being from the
"Dark Side" I fancied the Huka this year and entered with the
normal intention of having a few training/recce' rides to get a feel for
the course. Unfortunately I only managed a very limited couple of rides when
assisting NZ Fire Service run their National Champs there last month, however I
did ensure I climbed the "Grinder" that would be included twice in
the race to assess one of the biggest climbs.
On Friday for a
leg loosener and a bit more familiarisation I took Lynda for a spin out on the
first 30kms of the course along the very scenic river past Huka Falls and on to
the Aratiatia Dam and back. Whilst helping her with one of the little
climbs she fell off and the air was blue!! I let her calm down and eventually
really enjoy the ride
I entered Group 2
with the predicted time of 5 hours that seemed about right having checked last
years performances. Whilst lining up I noticed in Group 1 a NZ Fire Sevice
rider who had come second in the Champs and had won the over 60's Huka category
last year (just over 5hrs) and who was only slightly younger than me! I
purposely kept quite and hoped to see him later in the race?
We started and the
pace was reasonable with two riders one in NZ Army kit and the other an under
18 from Kerikeri who were clearly working hard passing other enthusiastic Group
2 riders, I latched onto them and by the time we passed the Bungy Jump off Spa
Rd we were leading the Group. We started to reel in Group 1 riders and
after approx 6kms I saw the Fire Service rider heading a group of 5 riders, we
quickly (and quietly) passed .them at a good pace that we maintained until
we entered the woods (approx 25kms) leading somewhere into the Craters Park.
The trails were
riding well and again we caught and passed several riders until we latched onto
a very good group led by 2 Ladies who were controlling the pace
and riding beautifully and were especially talented on the interesting
twisting terrain and descents!
We finally reached
the first ascent of the Grinder and rode it very steadily and I resisted the
urge to push on, over the top we held out our arms for an Hawian style bangle
to be placed over and kept proving we had climbed it during the second ascent.
The descent was very fast and part way down I shipped my chain causing me to
stop and quickly sort out before chasing back on. Once out into the open the
terrain changed to barron, dry, loose and twisty stuff that if you forced too
hard would have you sliding over the edge! I was right on the Girls wheels with
4 guys on mine when without warning the ground gave way causing my front wheel
to slide out throwing me and the bike tumbling down the embankment that was
covered in sharp brambles. The guys asked if I were okay and I told them to
crack on, with difficulty I untangled myself and the bike and scrambled
back up to the track checked the bike, my arm was bleeding from a few deep
scratches I removed some obvious prickles, checked that my half eaten
banana and gels were ok and set off!
Plenty of
adrenaline flowing now and after a couple of kms I latched back onto the Group
and settled down for a few kms. I suddenly felt something was missing and
reached for my pump, it was missing and had come out in the the tumble. This
was worrying but no way of changing things so fingers crossed and a bit more
stress! I recognised we were approaching the Grinder again and this time I
couldn't wait and pushed on hard quickly getting clear and catching
another rider who I rode with almost to the end.
I ate the
remainder of the banana a second gel, had a drink from my bottle that was
getting down and might run out. I had passed two stations and knew there
was another somewhere and would/should take on fluid there.
There was about
20kms to go I felt good when we came out into the open and the last drinks
station I stopped and downed 3 cups of electrolyte and the helpers commented on
the blood and I smiled and said I was getting too old for this .
I recognised the
tracks near to the Craters car park that twisted you around the Ferret and
Tourist trap. I was on my own at this stage and the Ferret seemed to go for
ever making me think was I doing it twice when without warning I hit something
hard that stopped me dead and threw me off, my right leg (hammy) cramped badly
and I feared I might have punctured my front wheel! Thankfully no damage just a
fright and reconcentration!
We caught several
of the short course riders including one very talented young man who I
followed through tight single track for a couple of kms before passing and
congratulating him, one for the future.
We were
approaching the woods before the lookout over Taupo and I thought we must
be doing another loop as I had about 73kms clocked? I recognised the track and
mentioned it to another rider who said no its straight to the finish, I didn't
need any more encouragement and accelerated across the field up the incline
across the temporary bridge down across the field up Ferry Rd where we
were camped and merged into the finishing straight rubbing shoulders with a
startled roadie, keeping the hammer down until I crossed the timing mat
"no repeat of last years balls up"!!
I had no idea of
time throughout the ride and at times whilst climbing in a group felt to be
losing time. I am happy with the 4hrs 35mins thinking it might have been
longer. I finished 19th overall (230 riders) winning my category
with plenty in the tank recording 78kms and expecting another few kms, I will
know for next time and as always its about preparation. Definitely Group 1 next
time.
Fantastic event
extremely well marshalled by cheery people (thank you all) and very well
route marked. Come on you Roadies consider some proper riding next
year? Lynda's
still removing prickles.
