Yes, the forecast was for wet southerlies – just what every hardened mountain biker needs to show they have what it takes.
Kingsgate hotel here I come! I am not silly enough to stay in a tent in that weather.
Turned up Friday night in Rotorua to pouring down rain to put up a couple of tents – three jacket layers later I was still soaked through – thankfully I have a hotel room.
The thought of a BBQ for dinner was quickly vetoed by the crew for a more sophisticated (and drier) Italian dinner in town. Which was closely followed by grocery shopping in anticipation of a wet days riding tomorrow.
We were back in time for the start of the 24hr solo and team event. Go Lee go! Imagine doing 24hrs solo on a single speed? Well Lee did 39 laps of a 7km course and came fourth, the only one on a single speed. He is a legend.
Time to head off to the hotel for a bath and a dry nights sleep – I might add I wasn’t the only one heading that way. I hardly slept hearing the rain pounding on the roof all night long – those poor riders out there, they are nuts. Gulp, what are tomorrow’s conditions going to be like?
8AM Race day – back at camp for bacon and eggs on the BBQ and guess what? The rain has stopped!
The mud was like nothing I had ever seen before. Crazy stuff! I learnt new skills and honed others for sure. I experienced my rear trying to pass my front as well – huh what are you doing up here, pedal pedal, get back there. I am sure if I hadn’t laughed at times I would have cried, the mud was seriously hard work.
I laughed my first lap around it was so much fun, then thought I will do another one, so away I went again. I rode in one hour lots in the end, easier on the body and getting dry afterwards.
Our solo 12hr male did very well, 20 laps in total.
Highlights I suppose were the four naked female riders and the one naked male rider that went past, with mud up his butt. Note the girls got a prize that was better than the second place achievers – must be ranked on entertainment value.
Check out the Cateye Moonride site for results and photos.
Thankfully I did not crash all weekend and I am physiced for the 12hr solo in Taupo in September… bring it on!
16 May, 2008 at 18:16 |
Did you get a photo of the girls, lol, or were you one of them???