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| 1am: is it breakfast or a midnight snack? |
The organisers have you at the starting line in plenty of time to stand around contemplating how much you wish you hadn't missed that last 250km training ride and what a large number 320 is, however, no point fretting now. The night is mild and the wind, which every knows is going to come, is for now quiet. Retina-burning bike lights and flouro banish any night sight you might have had.
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| Get ready |
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| Get set |
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| Go (to the start) |
Iona's friend Helen and riding companion Avril are in the starting grid and we chat briefly, the only other familiar face is Craig from tramping club. He is not riding this year due to broken ribs and other injuries sustained after hitting a wombat (man can they fight when cornered).
After a cursory (and mostly patently obvious) safety briefing, the man with the hooter blows a blast and the field sets off with a clatter of shoes clipping into pedals. Nervous energy is at last transformed into kinetic energy for the crucial first few kilometres where you have to make sure you get in the right bunch.
Rolling the clock back
It's hard to say when the idea first took form that two laps of the lake were even remotely feasible. In retrospect it was probably the thought of doing a brevet and consequent to that; the realisation that in order to even contemplate such exertion I had better be able to knock off a solid day's road riding.Angela had got a bit of a taste for road riding by then and didn't need any encouragement to sign up for a lap. Richard was initially up for a double but then the reality of operating a family, a job, several voluntary commitments and a home brew empire saw him also committing to a single. One more possible starter fell at the first hurdle but nevertheless we had our team and a house in Taupo booked.
I didn't tell many people that once wasn't going to be enough this year. After all, if I failed to even complete the training it would be a little embarrassing. Consequently, Angela was somewhat surprised on the Friday afternoon in Taupo that a) I was trying to get to bed by 6pm, and b) that this was because my start group was at a heinously early hour and c) that this was in order to fit in two laps. And she thought my training rides were mad.
Anyway, long story short ... lots of training, many punctures, more chafe than you can shake a tub of vasoline at ... yahdee yahdee yah ... Fast forward to ...
Lap One
The throng of bikes whoosh out of Redoubt Street and down the hill to the bottom of the first wee climb. At this point the tactics are: keep the pace up, get in a good bunch then stick with them as long as possible; drop to a slower bunch if the pace is too fast but, please god, not a solo first lap because that will be slow and burn too much energy.Far ahead, a small bunch of lights disappear into the night marking the tails of the superhuman contingent. No point trying to catch them. A wee plug of effort and I pull in with a bunch and soon more riders join. We end up with 20 or so pretty much for the entire lap including a tandem.
The night is pitch black with a occasional spats of drizzle. Some of the smarter riders have their support crew stopping at regular points to replace their bottles. Otherwise there is little to mark the passing kilometres. The ride truncates into glimpses of familiar landmarks and the back wheel of the bike in front. Down hills are somewhat exciting; roaring down in close formation with limited visibility and hoping nothing appears on the road in front of your wheel.
Every now and then a lone pink capped cyclist appears out of the gloom. These are the four lap maxi riders and we pay them appropriate homage as we pass.
On the downs and the flats the tandem whistles off with riders trying to catch the wheel before the pack reels them back in on the next hill. It provides a focal point for the group and is never far from the front.
It's still pitch black as the group climbs Kuratau hill - looking back from the top there is a string of brilliant cycle lights marking the line of the road. At Waihi hill the front of the pack gets ahead and I have the presence of mind to put in the effort to make sure I catch a group on the flat straight to Tokanu. Only a bit over 200km to go.
The new bike light is doing a sterling job on the lowest setting but the indicator light has gone from green to blue; whatever that means. Still it's not red which would probably be bad. In any event I am carrying a head torch that will work perfectly well (in the end the main light holds out fine with daylight catching us long before Hatepe hill).
Coming up the lake the wind has got up, buffeting us from the side (west) and the early light catches white caps on the lake. An Aussie pulls up beside and says what I am thinking - the next lap might be a bit tough.
The pack is circulating well and I take my turns at the front. But coming up Hatepe Hill I realise, almost too late, that it has started to separate and once more a bit of effort is required to catch the front group just as they are pulling away at the top. For now it doesn't bear thinking about what it will feel like coming up here after another 160km.
The traditional head wind greets us on the way down the hill but at the back of the pack I tuck in away from the worst of it. From here to Taupo the wind is boisterous but the bunch clips along before being decimated as a few of us peel off to replenish supplies/ go for a wee etc in the town.
Our accommodation is ideally situated just off the water front and it's a startled Sally that sees me pull in about 0620 (about 4hr 45 after starting and 45 minutes before she was expecting me). Allowing another 5 minutes to reach the end of the lap this is almost 20 minutes faster than my best single lap; I don't think about what this says about the foolishness of over doing it on the first time round.
Angela and Iona have already left on their lap and Richard is just getting ready to think about sauntering down to the start line. We compare notes as I cram a banana in and Sally does the pit crew thing (strip lights off the bike, replenish goody bag and water bottles, supply sunscreen etc).
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| Pit stop; counting the bike |
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| And he's off (again) |
It's a grey windy morning as I zigzag through town to avoid the starters on the main street and get to the start of ...
Lap two
Amongst the bikes cruising the streets I spot a lone enduro cap and catch him on the edge of town in the hope we can team up. He must be tuckered after the first lap though as he drops behind on the rise out of Taupo. Half way up, there is a roar from behind as the elite riders scream past up the hill. They are absolutely flying and the sound of their tyres on the road is fearsome. As they disappear in a twinkling of lycra clad bums, a green cap rider (8 laps) comes into view toiling up the hill. He looks at me with wide eyes as I pass and says "F*** that was scary!" Given that he has probably been hallucinating for the last two days that's really saying something.The trip west across the top of the lake is hellish. It's a strong head wind and the only riders in sight are group 9 (sort of like group W if you are familiar with Arlo Guthrie). I catch up with four enduros; two team up for a while but when it dawns that they have been letting me lead for longer than is polite, I look back and realise they have dropped off some time ago.
The tail end of the group W riders are a sad but admirable bunch. The first stragglers are mostly well padded and I wonder at the woman pushing her bike up a gentle rise after less than 20km. Surely they wont be finishing within the cut off time but at the same time how incredibly brave to try. Then there are the two people on unicycles and one on a penny farthing; they are making reasonable progress though and look like they are aware of what they are in for.
Around the first relay interchange (40ish K) the main race route rejoins the road I am on. I'm hoping that there will be some of the early bunches coming through and if I can just catch one of those ...
The first bunch whistles around the corner when I'm about 100m away and disappears off up the hill - Bugger!! I carry on alone whipping past increasingly spritely group W riders.
It's a long while before the next group comes through and I manage to catch their tail. Things are looking up now but I have spent a lot of energy fighting the wind on my own. After awhile I drop to the back and then let them get ahead. A while later another group comes along and I hold them for a good distance, finally being spat out the back just before Kuratau hill. It's very dispiriting to see 50 to 100 bikes riding away and not a damn thing you can do about it.
From then on it's pretty much solo, occasionally a pair and every now and then a bunch that I can hold onto for a few kilometres.
Finally it's the second drop down Waihi hill with no-one to get in the way and the utter relief of knowing that the worst of the hills are done with. A passing single lapper gives a couple of kilometres respite but I drop off when I realise that I wont be able to share the lead. It would be a bit rude to just be a leech.
Another single lapper catches up and draughts me into Turangi and onto SH 1. After a bit I get fed up and pull to the side and slow so that he has to take the front. He gets the hint and we swap the lead for the next 15km. Just as I'm about to drop behind a bunch catches and keeps things ticking along for a bit longer. However for the last 40kms I have to let each bunch pass as there just isn't enough left in the tank to hold on.
I've just dropped off the back of the latest pack on the approach to Hatepe hill. A pistol shot rings out and the rider behind and I simultaneously let loose the same expletive. His back tyre has just blown and so is the only one in that bunch that I beat up the hill. It's the first time I have been completely out paced on this hill and when I get to the top I promise myself a stop at the drink station. It's a chance to refill a bottle, lie flat for a few minutes and regather. One of the woman keeps asking if I'm OK so I suspect I look a bit crap.
The wind is even stronger now and knocks riders around on the drop to the lake and along the shore to Taupo. The start of the ten kilometre count down though is the point when it really is apparent that it's almost all over.
The gentle airport rise is ridiculously hard but then it's into the Taupo streets and there are plenty of sights to distract a tired mind from the complaints of tired legs.
Over the last rise the westerly careens gleefully along the straight and slap into the face of the riders. The maximum speed left in the legs is just enough to get to the chute and then the crowd carries me to the finish (not literally - that would be cheating).
As usual, the end of these events is emotional. From about 20km out finishing suddenly seems possible, at 10km it seems probable but there's still a bit of work to do, at about 3km it seems imminent if the body can just hold up. For the last kilometre it is certain; anticipation builds to a peak, the line flicks by then everything crashes into overwhelming relief. The normally stoic Richard confirms this when be returns from his ride; confessing to be close to a wee tear when he crossed the mat.
This time is no exception, as the line flicks by the loud speaker welcomes one of "our enduro riders", mispronounces my name and says I'm from Auckland. I make a beeline for the pineapple while Sally rallies around with ministrations ready should they be needed.
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| Mr someone unpronounceable from Auckland |
There are two things on mind now; a patch of grass to lie on and not moving my legs for a good wee while.
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Results
I had set out with the stated aim of coming in below 12 hours and that I would be pretty happy with 11:30. In training I had completed a loop in 5:30 (excluding a 20 minute break) mostly solo but had been shattered by the time I came around to Turangi again and stopped for the day. On this basis there was a glimmer in the back of the mind that 11 might be a possibility but pretty unlikely. On the lead up week the forecast wind didn't bode well for a good result.The results on the web record my stats as:
10hr 52m 53s
18th of 80 enduro finishers
17th of 70 male finishers
7th of 35 in the male 45 to 54 division
But I choose to think that if I was a woman I would have come second.
But it's not actually all about me
Iona and Angela have decided to team up for their lap. Iona is an experienced hand at this event but is notable for treating it with less respect than some might consider appropriate (ignoring start time groups, neglecting to scan her timing strip at the start, carrying a picnic, stopping for coffee ...) but enjoying the occasion and coming back for more. Angela on the other hand is a first timer and only aware how horrendous the western hills can be (but did conquer Hatepe in training). |
In the end Angela discovers that those commutes up Ngauranga gorge have put more steel in her legs then she realised and although Iona sets the pace through the hills, Angela is anxious to push on for the end and leaves her to her second coffee at licorice cafe (around the 120km mark). This is all after they are collectively told off for fronting up at 6am for a group they haven't registered for - still, the organisers aren't about to kick someone out of group W are they?
Angela's lap is interspersed with helpful people (including bystanders) diagnosing the noise from her bike and suggesting she should really get it seen to. Iona on the other hand is asked if she has beer in her pannier ("yes if the price is right!").
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| Competitor 1270; leading the pack |
Richard wanders in looking not particularly tired but a bit sun burnt. He has employed admirable tactics at the start, first by pushing into a higher start group ("Honestly sir, they had run out of stickers at the desk when I went to swap groups"), then by catching a fast bunch off the start and holding onto them for most of the ride and picking up the next group when he got spat out the back.
He has positively relished his first real taste of bunch riding; revelling in the close calls when drink bottles appear on the road out of the scrum of bikes in front; the roar of fast bunches scorching past and the adrenalin of travelling at 40+km/hr 6 inches behind the wheel in front with someone on each shoulder. At 4hr 58m 26s his is an impressive debut. He and Suzie head off for the hot pools to ease tired legs (Suzie having usefully used the day with a trail run up to Huka falls).
Angela, Mike and I potter around to Iona's motel to greet her and then Helen. Helen has done the double for the second year and is (as last year) quite chipper. We had met up briefly at the starting line but not since. Her riding companion Avril turns out to have had an off after they got separated on the course, to the extent that St John's had to scrub out the gravel rash but not enough to keep her from finishing (apparently completely in character for her).
It is a very satisfied bunch that sit down to a very fine dinner (courtesy of Richard and Suzie) back at the house. Richard, Angela and I have ridden further then we have ever ridden in a day in our lives before and all in better time than we had dared hope.
Iona and Col pop around a bit after 7pm for a social call but Toby is the only one not in bed so they quietly leave us to our twitching slumbers.
Taupo
Once again Taupo has out done itself. The place is humming when we arrive early afternoon Friday after a leisurely drive up. There are people everywhere busy on something to do with the cycle events. And on the day they must have everyone in Taupo and their uncle directing traffic, holding flags, dispensing water, and doing the million other jobs required so that 9,000 odd cyclists can complete their personal event and get their personal time and be picked up in their personal ambulance should that be necessary. |
| Replete do a passable iced coffee (note the date on the cap) |
Our accommodation (Tui House) is better than hoped for with a large double garage to work on bikes, heaps of space and designed such that the early risers don't need to disturb those still abed. It's about 100m off the water front so perfect to stop in between laps.
We potter out to pick up our registrations and wander through the stalls which are selling everything for those last minute cycling needs. The Kennetts have a table with their books and we chat briefly with Paul and Jonathon.
The army band have come in for the weekend so Sally gets the benefit of their playing whilst waiting for weary cyclists at the finishing line on Saturday, she is also treated to the sights of the gent who ran for twenty minutes in bare feet to get his bike over the finishing line and another chap who finished then had to be carried to St John's with his no longer functional legs dangling below. There's plenty of other entertainments available but we are quite self contained and our only social engagements are pottering around to the Acapulco motel where Iona and Col and Helen and Mandy are staying - somewhat of a tradition for them.
On the Sunday we complete what is another tradition - breakfast at Replete Cafe (nee Gusto cafe): early arrival, nab two tables and hold until reinforcements arrive. It's good food and coffee and a nice bookend to the event. Afterwards we disperse to various points of the compass in the southerly direction.
Comments, lessons and technical bits
Pace
The first lap was (for me) at a scorching pace and the second much slower with a hard,wrung out finish. Tactically it might have been smarter to get a slower group from the start but I doubt it would have been as efficient. The thing that killed the second lap was having to do so much of it solo. If I hadn't stopped between laps I may well have stayed with a group and got around the second lap in better time. This would have required different support arrangements. Ideally you would have supporters around the course on lap two but support vehicles are not supposed to be on the course at this point.Hydration
Two bottles of water and one of electrolyte on lap one. Two electrolytes and one water with a top up for lap two. Seemed to work OK. On a warmer day I would have wanted more electrolyte on lap two. Practically this means having supporters en-route or carrying sachets and topping with water.Nutrition
The nutrition plan was OK except for the reliance on One Square Meals (OSMs), here it is for future avoidance:Mac cheese for dinner at 6pm ish. No problems here.
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| Carbo loading |
Two Weetbix and a little bit of muesli for brekky an hour before riding. No problems here either.
Lap 1: Two OSMs and two bumper bars chopped into bite size pieces (ate about two thirds), one banana. Bars were a little hard to eat but pre-cutting worked well.
Half time: Banana and water
Lap 2: Same for bars plus two bananas. Couldn't eat much of the bars through feeling nauseous. Bananas were good. One gel for a bit of a pick me up for last 20k.
Bike
Merida Scultura Carbon fibre something or other. Love it. After training on a cast iron relic it's a dream to ride on the day. If only I knew of a light weight seat that didn't feel like concrete after 200km and doesn't remove skin from tender places by the end of 320k. Repair kit and two spare tubes in a seat bag (fortunately not required). Bar bag for nibbles worked well. Brand new Blaze bike light worked very well. One charge was enough on low beam which was more than bright enough for road riding. Very happy with performance, will see about durability. Probably not suitable for brevets due to need to recharge.Clothing
The weather was not cold or forecast to be cold so I went light and everything was basically fine - the weather would have had to vary significantly from forecast to have been a problem ...Bike shoes with out socks (as they are too tight and I'm too cheap to buy new shoes); worked fine, no rubbing and no squashing (which I get even with light socks) - I had booties standing by but left them at the house although other riders wore them. Cheap Route 7 '8 panel' bike shorts; OK but felt a little like sandpaper from half way through lap two - (not sure what shorts wouldn't though - also see comments on bike seat). Lap one top: marino shortsleeve top, light marino long sleeve base, light OR rain jacket, flouro vest; worked fine, only need to pull zip down on Hatepe. Lap 2 top: removed jacket and base, kept jacket in pocket - a bit cool when it drizzled but basically OK - didn't have to put the jacket on. Gloves: mid-weight fingered - fine both laps. Arm warmers could have been useful on lap two.
Training
Must have done just enough. Given difference in lap times probably need to concentrate a bit more on stamina. A 17 week schedule off a reasonable fitness base seemed to be about right and I tried to stick to it using my commute as the core with various interesting routes to spice it up, and a longer ride each weekend aiming for a good handful over 200km. However things faded a bit in the last few weeks somewhat, including missing the final scheduled 250km ride. A couple of bike tours were useful additions for time in the saddle and multi day riding (plus a bundle of fun that didn't feel like training). Should really do more fartlek training (repeated bursts of effort) but can't rustle up the discipline.Support
Last but not least ... not having to worry about pick up and drop offs, having things ready at half time, meals before and after sorted out, reminders of things which must not be forgotten (like applying chafe cream), waiting at the end in case legs don't work for walking any more ... all those myriad things that mean you can just think about getting the bike and body ready. Priceless! Last three years it was DIY for me but the support this time made a world of difference. Also, of course, the company of comrade cyclists in adversity.We wont mention the support team that arrived late at night waking their rider on the eve of the big event ... got up too late to see them off to the start then almost missed them at the finish line ... tsk tsk ; )
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