New Zealand Cyclocross Champs 2009

The second ever NZ Cyclocross (CX) Champs was held at Pukete MTB Park on Saturday 29 August. Contrary to CX tradition, the weather was near perfect with clear skies and plenty of sun.

The benefit of the beautiful weather was that the kids could come and watch me race, without fear of hypothermia and misery. We rolled into the carpark, unloaded the contents of our car, and somehow managed to carry it all through to the event village a short walk away.
Ella was dressed in her waterproof pants, so was happy enough to romp around on the grass or picnic blanket, playing with twigs, and inspecting the contents of the buggy. Oliver was on his balance bike, which kept him occupied, happy, and mobile (safely away from the race course). Dad had is face smooshed up against the back of a camera, and I was riding my bike. We were a happy family.

Family conference - Oli is in the middle

The first race of the day was a fun race - no timing, no results, just a way to get a feel for the course, have some fun, and try to win some spot prizes. It was kicked off with a Le Mans start, with a twist - our front wheels had to be removed! I had track nuts on my wheels (no quick release), so was luckily exempt. While we were out of view of our wheels (and my bike) the race officials moved everything around. Even though I jogged the start, I had a pretty easy job to spot my bike tucked in behind a tree and I found myself out on the course amongst the first handful of riders. I soon lost my good position, when I stopped at the top of the first bank (after clambering up it carrying my bike) to let a train of fast riders through.

The course was pretty flowy, with a mud pit (dubbed the "rhino pit"), a run up (up the bank), a long section on grass (with a few small bogs) that crossed the drainage culvert a few times, then another run up (bank), and more grass to take you back through the finish area. I did a few laps, did my best to grab a banana hanging from the tree, and tried not to tire myself out too much.

The best part about the fun race was riding past Oliver and Ella each time I finished a lap. At first Oli seemed to think it was a bit strange that Mum would ride past, wave out and shout "Hi Oli!", but by the third time past he was giving me a big grin. That was amazing to see him enjoying seeing me race and it really spurred me on.

After the fun race we stopped for lunch and spot prizes. We enjoyed our family picnic in the sun, under the pine trees. Oliver commented on how muddy I was - I was covered in mud from the knees down, with splatters everywhere else.

Getting a bit sideways in the rhino pit.

Andrew took the kids home for a sleep after lunch, and I stayed on for the main race. After a bit of faffing about with packing up the car and taking a friends bike home for them (while they took their family to the zoo!), I made it to the start line just in time. Datsane helped me out by bringing my bike out to the carpark, and telling everyone to wait for me!

The main race was a lot harder. I started at the back of the field (after a minor glove malfunction just as the race got started!). The pace was faster, more furious, and I was a little frazzled after the panicked start. I caught up, passed one or two people and tried to settle in to it and have fun. I think it was fun for two laps and then it got really hard. My ratio of 39:18 was too tall for me. I started getting bogged down in the soggy bits and could barely keep my bike moving forward. I walked/jogged/ran a few more sections to try to keep the speed up and conserve energy.

The leading woman passed me three times throughout the race... I forget how many times the leading men passed me! I was completely outclassed by the eventual winner - she was a Kiwi CX racer from Boston, over here for a holiday. Second place woman was a competitive road racer - she passed me a couple of times too! Third place was me. Hang on! What?!! Yep, I snaked in for third because quite a few people didn't bother racing in the main event. Crazy. And I was stoked. I scored some beers and bananas from the race sponsors for my efforts.

After prize giving I spent a bit of time clearing mud and grass from my bike before riding back home. It was about 10kms home, taking the most direct route, and seemed like a great way to loosen up my legs and prevent things seizing up too much. I got home to find Ella still sleeping, and Oli still NOT sleeping. After a beer and a shower, I got to relax with the kids and reflect on what had been a pretty good day in my books.

Thanks to Greg Gibb from Imagine Media for the photos.

Tired, dirty and happy!