I've done two out of the three N-Duro races on offer this summer and I reckon that will be it. There are two reasons for this: 1. I want to do some other rides; 2. I've run out of N-Duro Money. Riding in a minority class throughout the N-Duro Winter MTB Series netted me three $50 vouchers to use with N-Duro Events. Actually, I'm pretty sure I entered the first winter race using a voucher won during the previous summer series! I've done pretty well out of the N-Duro series that's for sure. Unless we're talking about performance and results.
The 25k short course was more than enough trail for me to bite off and chew on. I had wanted to try the long courses, but so much extra climbing (compared to the 25km course) meant I would run out of legs far too early and be reduced to wobbling to the finish. That goes against the mantra of: have more fun. I wanted to enjoy myself.
N-Duro race #1
Despite starting at the back of the grid (I rolled up a bit late and casual, as usual), I had a fast-ish start and was soon hammering away feeling rather under prepared. I got thoroughly confused at an unmarked intersection in Genesis and ended up taking the long way around (which I considered to be the 'right' way), whereas those in the know went right and took the short cut.
Pinning it down Radio Hutt Rd towards the Katore Rd intersection I was a little surprised to see a woman ride across my path oblivious to my awesome speed. My feeling of relief at being able to easily avoid her was quickly replaced by a feeling of dred as her little Jack Russell Terrier trundled off after her and directly into my path. OMGWTFSssshhhiii!!!!TTT!! DooF! I t-boned the little bugger right in the guts. Hard on the brakes I managed to not run him over, but he did act as a bit of a gravel plough for a metre or so. He made the strangest noise - a mixture of barking, yelping, snapping, and growling, amongst the sound of the wind/breath/life being squeezed out of him. My heart-rate had just gone from somewhere in the 170's to "brink of death" and I felt a bit sick. I stopped and looked around for the woman, but had no idea where she had gone amongst the crowd of people. The dog scuttled off barking and yelping at other people and eventually sat down beside a guy on the other side of the intersection. I called out to ask if the dog was okay, he assured me he'd be fine and said not to worry. Heart rate: "stupidly high".
I carried on up Tokorangi Pa Rd and into the back of Soakhole. My head was awash with thoughts of the little dog bleeding to death internally, the feeling of sickness in my stomach, my heart rate still at "bloody high" and my head feeling rather light. My bubble was burst by the man behind me commenting "you have a lovely pedal stroke". Huh?! Not a lovely bum, shapely calves, but... a lovely pedal stroke? Okay, I'll take it. I thanked him and then proceeded to mash my way up the next few hills as my head and my heart struggled to recover from my emotional ordeal.
Finally arriving at A-Trail, I turned my fun dial to 11 and made the most of one of my favourite sections of track in the whole forest. I sat and spun up to Tickler and continued to cruise in granny for most of the inclines. Be Rude Not To was a blast and I finally got to 'clean' Lion Trail with the benefit of all those gears. I didn't enjoy Grinder at all, I never do - I hardly ever ride it and can never remember which parts are rollable and which require serious commitment. I walked a couple of ugly bits and carried on to Dipper.
The final section of Dipper just sucks. It's hard to maintain momentum with the tight corners and humps and hollows to deal with. Rosebank came at last, but by then I was pretty much running on empty. Not enough breakfast and the huge excitement and stress of hitting the dog had meant I was toast. I stopped and ate a bit more OSM and guzzled some water. Shaky and tired I plodded on towards the finish. I got to dunk Alfie in the Roasebank pond to officially christen him (and test his seals) and rolled out to the finish line.
71st overall, 6th in Open Women, and a time of 1:53:23.
The Mid-week
Heavy rain and high winds brought about the cancellation of race #2. Undeterred, Andrew and I ventured out for a sneaky mid-week precursor to race #3 (now re-billed as race #2) while the kids were in childcare. It was our second ride together in what has turned out to be a hell of a long time.
The forest was green, not from new growth, but from the fresh windfall littering the forest floor and laying down a lush green carpet beneath our wheels. Our usual trails were almost demolished by fallen trees. Apparently there were a few dangerous 'hang-ups' in there too, but we weren't looking up, we were looking where we were going!
As the sign says... we obliged
Carnage stop #1
Carnage stop #2. Where's the trail?
N-Duro race #2, that was #3 but #2 was cancelled and rescheduled as #3 (got it?)
Race #2 kicked off a little later than usual, meaning we had enough time for a quick blat down the road to try to warm up the legs and also lined up at the start somewhere about mid-field. The climb up to Radio Hutt Road sorted us out a bit and we did a short blast through Genesis (taking that shortcut I should have taken last time!). By the time I got into Soakhole I knew I was going to have a slow day. Earlier in the week I'd had some sort of bug and had only just come right the day before. When I popped out on Katore Road I had a bit of Enervit bar which immediately picked me up. A-Trail was wicked. I love the first part of it - smooth and flowy - I never want it to end. At this point I lost Megan who had caught up to me in Soakhole. I figured she was taking a break, so I carried on slowly up to Tickler. Another stop at Tickler to sup on a gel, no sign of Megan, so I carried on.
I had been trying to ignore the knock coming from my back wheel, thinking it was a mis-adjustment of the cones (a problem I had once in the inital few rides with the Alfine hub), but now it was persistent and annoying. Stopping at the first clearing on Tickler, I flipped my bike over and got my trusty Surly Jethro Tool out to check the axle nuts. Oops! The nuts were loose - thankfully I had caught it now, before I lost the nuts or even worse, I lost the back wheel and crashed.
Onwards and upwards to Direct Road I went. It was hot, with a forecast high of 29 degrees (Celsius) and I could feel the heat wrap itself around me as I emerged from the trees. I didn't hang around long and carried on into Be Rude Not To. The trail had been cleared very well, considering the mess I encountered just 11 days earlier. Those guys on the chainsaws do a great job of keeping the trails clear and in top nick.
I couldn't find my flow on BRNT at all. First I stopped to ask a guy if he needed help or tools, as he struggled with his bike at the side of the track. Then I got held up by a woman in front of me, who then pulled off to the side in an awkward place to let me pass but didn't really leave enough room. I edged past her, saying thank you, and carried on once more.
With 11 gears to choose from, Lion Trail was not too bad and I managed to ride most of it. I hopped off a couple of times after stopping to let the fast 45km riders pass and spun out on that one biggish polished root step.
Next we got to ride down Pig Track. It sounds easy enough, but with a large rain rut zigzagging across it and the main line switching sides too, you really needed to pay attention and be on your game. A little spin up Nursery Road (eat, drink) connected us with Dipper. This is a nice flat trail that I ended up cruising to save some legs for the big climb in Rockdrop. That climb sucked!
At the top I paused to catch my breath. I didn't want to be struggling to focus on the descent. I passed my Pinky Smash Tree, identifying it without looking at it ("look where you want to go"). Using my peripheral vision I could see the patch of bark missing at handlebar height. What a dick! It's a skinny little tree that is a fair way off the riding line. I should never have hit it. It just reassures me that it was a one-off moment of inattention and that I don't need to fear it happening again.
We had a huge fallen tree to clamber over part way down Rockdrop and Alden Ardern was there chivalrously helping the women that passed to lift their bikes over the tree. That man deserves a beer!
There were a couple of ugly bits on Rockdrop that I decided not to attempt, but I now have them hanging over me as something I have to try next time. I was feeling tired but okay as I spun up the climb into Rosebank. Here, I found Megan taking a break on the side of the track. What the..? "Weren't you behind me?" "I passed you." "Aye? Where?" Much confusion (mine) followed until Megan explained that she took a short cut (legitimate - if it isn't signposted or taped off, it's fair game) in A-Trail and had been ahead of me for the entire middle section of the race!
We carried on (me in front) and I just wanted to get to the end quickly. I didn't look back and just rode as best as my jelly legs would propel me. Another quick dunking of Alfie in the Rosebank pond (that's 2 - if you're counting) and I rolled across the finish.
82nd overall, 6th in Open Women, and a time of 2:06:52.
Megan finished a few minutes later after cramp locked her legs solid on Rosebank and she had to stretch it out on the side of the track. Yikes!
I was pretty slow this summer, obviously not helped by a serious lack of cycling. I got beaten by my bro-in-law (re-match?) and was struggling on some technical sections. I think my report card would read: "Plays well with others, sometimes inattentive in class, must try harder. C-"
Thanks to N-Duro Events for another great series. What's next??
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