Hüttcross

The local Cyclocross series this year had new management, new name, and new awesome experiences! With 6 races and one more or less every two weeks the Cyclocross season lasted a few months. With next to no experience racing Cyclocross I was pretty nervous before the first race. Luckily I had Lisa to run me through the basic skills you need for Cyclocross, namely dismounting and remounting. You’d be surprised by how much time you can gain with smooth remounts.

The first round was a fun new experience that made me keen for more of the masochistic fun we call Cyclocross. The second round had the whole ‘family outing’ effect going for it, as Mum and Dad thankfully took us (me and Jonny) out and did the timing.  With the whole family (minus my two older sisters) it was a fun outing- there was the added fact the Lisa let me ride her super light Carbon CX bike, with the promise of being able to use it at the next round, as she and Kim were going to Canada.

Unfortunately for me Round 3 never happened, as I was sick. But Round 4 came before my CX withdrawal got too large.  Lisa let me use her bike again and said that I could use it for the rest of the season which was pretty awesome. Round 4 was good fun and I could see how I’d improved in both skills and strength.

Round 5 was probably my favourite round, the weather wasn’t too freezing, and I was feeling good despite having nearly 3 weeks off the bike.  It being my favourite was partially due to the fact that at the end Kim and Lisa said that I was looking strong and that they’d be keen to take me to CX nationals, but hey, why not?

The final round, in true Hüttcross style, was dress up. After a panicked run around the day before I finally had a costume. It was good fun seeing some of the costumes people rocked up in, ranging from Alex Revell to Wonder Woman. The only thing I regret about Round 6 is the fact the riding in a black Cat Woman outfit gets hot, really hot. And the long legs get covered in mud, and the mask limits your vision significantly. Despite all of that round 6 was amazing fun and a great way to end an awesome cyclocross season.

The cyclocrossing couldn’t have happened with the amazing Hüttcross crew, Tom Lynskey, Calum Chamberlain and Andy King to name a few. My own cyclocross season couldn’t have happened without Mum and Dad for their amazing support and getting up early to take me out there. Kim and Lisa for their support, belief in me and the use of Lisa’s bike. Ricky, Don and Dave at Mud Cycles for the awesome bike support, and their belief in me.

Cyclocross Nationals

CX Nationals. What can I say; it was a pretty eventful weekend. With snow on the Friday night, the pre-race nerves, and hanging with some awesome people.

For the drive up we had a lot of plan changes, who in who’s car etc. In the end it was me, Kim, Lisa and Lisa’s mum in one car and Jonny and Rob Kilvington in the other. As it had snowed on Friday the Rimutakas were only just opened when we headed off. This meant that, Jonny, Lisa and I could have a super quick snowball fight at the top while Kim and Rob laughed at our antics.

I was pretty nervous the night before and warming up- even though there was only one other chick in Under 19.  Also to add to my nerves we were racing with the open women, this meant yet again I was on the start line with Kim. Earlier Kim had told me “Try to beat as many of the Open Women as you can tomorrow.” so naturally I joked back with “Yep, I will try to. I will try to beat you Kim!” I didn’t actually expect to be riding in second open women for half the race.

The race was pretty tough and I was completely dead by the end but the whole experience was amazing. I’d managed to bag a national title, and got 4^th in open women. I’ve got to admit, getting lapped by Kim when you’re in second place for open women does not at all feel bad.

Wellingtonians had a pretty good nationals; winning five of the eight titles- Open Women (Kim), Open Men (Brendan Sharratt), Masters 2 men (Ben Knight), and Masters 3 Men (Rob Kilvington). Plus all the other podium positions- Jonny Barnes (3^rd in U19 Men), Shane Eagar (3^rd Masters 3 men) and Jonty Ritchie (2^nd Masters 2 men) and Alex Revell (3^rd Open Men) - Just to name a few.

It was an amazing weekend away and it wouldn’t have been possible without all the support I get from everyone. Mum and Dad for funding and just general parental awesomeness.  Kim and Lisa for the ride up there, and all the support they give me.  Ricky, Don and Dave at Mud Cycles for all the help they give me for my bikes! And lastly my brother, Jonny, who was great fun on the trip- even if he beat me in the pizza eating competition.

Santoft Sizzler

Every child loves going away without parents- at 15 some of that thrill is still there. Though now it’s more just the chance to show them that, yes, you can look after yourself (to an extent). As Sandtoft was all the way up in Bulls we had to get there early. So on the Saturday (the day before) we (me, Kim, Lisa and Nic) went for a girls ride in Makara, which was pretty fun. Then it was a rush to get back to mine, grab my stuff, pick up Ryan Hunt and then head to Kim and Lisa’s.

We managed to get to the Hutt and clean the bikes before it got dark, which I though was pretty impressive. More impressive than their quick bike cleaning and the comfy double bed I slept in was that we had pizza for dinner, and yes, it was one each.

It was an early start the next morning (5 o’clock for me), we managed to pack the car and put the bikes on the roof so that we were away more or less when we planned to be. When we got to Santoft it was pouring and cold- just like it had been in Wellington. Lisa and I quickly decided that we would all just ride for a set amount of time. Her and Nic were going to do 1 ½ hours and I was going to do the rest (you had to have gotten your last lap started by the 5hr mark).

It was pretty fun attempting at support crewing for the Cowbell solo riders- I like to think I was more help than hindrance, even if I did drop a bottle (sorry Kim!!). I also dabbled in recording lap time for Kim, Lisa and Nic-any excuse not to do that algebra practice test that was waiting for me.

Racing the course was pretty fun- there was amazing grip because of the wet sandy soil, and there wasn’t too much up. Unfortunately that also meant there wasn’t much down-or recovery areas. But the course was well designed as there were lots of places to pass- I like think I did more passing than being passed.

It was an amazing weekend away; I had lots of fun with some awesome people. Obviously it wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have amazing support from a ton of people. Some are; Mum and Dad- ‘nough said. Kim, for pushing (not literally) me along- probably the hardest three laps I did with her behind me. Lisa, for letting me be in her team- we went with ‘Team Beast Mode’ for a name. And of course all the guys at mud for servicing my bike, and putting up with me popping in there once or twice a week with various queries.