Makara Pk Rnd 5 Race Report

Well this was the final race of this years PNP Mountain Bike series. Having already wrapped up the Senior Men's category at the last race in Belmont 3 weeks ago and because I am leaving in 11 days, well its fair to say the buildup has been less than ideal. Especially as Damien (my racing buddy and main competition is somewhere in Central Thailand on push bikes right now!!!)

I have been catching up with lots of people, going out lots, eating lots and generally not riding much. Done 1 ride and 2 spin sessions in the last 3 weeks before this race and eating tonnes of food at the GIS Conference I was at last week. Still the pressure was not really there and went out for a good, yet painful time.

Chris (2nd at Belmont) was there today and I thought he might make things hard for me. Within the first 20mins I was clearly in first and other than feeling like emptying my stomach was really enjoying the race and the tracks and the wicked weather. I could have gone faster but saw no point really and did what I needed to do to win. However near the end of the race I was certainly feeling it with a few twinges of cramp. I don't think I was drinking enough. Bugger.

For those in the know the track went as follows:

• School up St Albans
• Big Toms Wheelie
• Up/Down Missing Carpet
• Up Koru
• Up Sally Alley
• Down Missing Link
• From Pylon 1 up 4WD - loop of Nikau
• Up Aratihi to summit
• 2 loops of Zacs
• Down Ridgeline, then ridgeline extension
• Big Toms Wheelie
• Up Magic Carpet
• Down Live Wires
• Back to school along the road.

It was a great race. Loved the technical single track as it sorted the men out from the boys. I have never seen so much carnage. Especially on Zacs. It is that type of track which needs precision when going fast and I had a few hairy moments. (Hey D I rode the hard bit of the 4WD both times :-)). Lots of blood was seen and a couple of broken bones too I think. Took me 1hr 21mins in total which meant it was the shortest race of the series.

So today was a great way to end the series. Pity Damien was not there but it was all good and meant the pressure was off. So I received a medal and also the trophy for the series today. A cool little achievement and I am quite happy about it. So 1 more race to go next weekend. My last weekend in NZ before I head to SE Asia with Bridget for a few months. I look forward to the 12hr Mt Vic race with the boys from Chch. It will be an easy fast track so we will just have to see how it goes. There is some tough competition entering.

Over and out.

Kurt