The PNP Spring Series, one of the best annual MTB series in
the country- and something I always look forward to racing in. With Under 19
women officially racing in C grade I was pretty excited for what the committee
had in store for this year. With 5 races in various venues across Wellington,
with a range of pure cross country, enduro and endurance races this year’s
series was one of the best yet.
The first race was at Makara, and for once Wellington
weather was actually smiling down on us all- and tan lines might have reformed over
the course of the race. With Khulan racing in C as well I was kept on my pedals
and definitely had a good race on an awesome course. And it was exciting having a nearly full podium.
The second round was at Wainui, and the weather was almost
complete opposite. The best way to describe the course was Muddy. With it pouring
down the night before the race the day was overcast (and freezing), but still
fun to race in. With Khulan and Izy Alloway racing it was pretty rad that we
managed to get a full podium despite the weather!
The third round, the most cross country enduro to ever
exist- so the only one that I’ve ever done. As it was at Makara this year, it
was good racing down my local trails. With each grade doing a different
combination of Peak flow (the sick new(ish) trail), North Face and Ridgeline
there was definitely a range of trails to be ridden.
Having missed the Belmont round the next Race I did was the
final round, at Mt Vic. If there is one word that captures every single Mt Vic
race, it would be steep. So naturally this was no different. But it was still a
pretty fun day. With being assigned to do 4 laps of the course, it was always
going to be a long day. This round I got to enjoy the company of Khulan as we
ended up racing round the course together- which was good fun! It was pretty
awesome that we managed to get 4 girls racing this round!!
It would have been impossible to go to any of the races
without the help I got from absolutely everybody! Cheers to everyone that came
out and pre-rode the courses with me, racing a course blind isn’t a lot of fun!
And to Mum and Dad for driving me round Wellington to pre-ride said
courses. Also thanks to everybody that
gave me lifts to the various races! Mostly I want to thanks Mud Cycles for
supporting me and my bike- and giving me endless encouragement (I even got
baggies!). The boys at Mud are some of the best out there- with some of the
best banter, as well as support! Can’t wait for the rest of the summer- after
exams that is!