Well here we go. Its quarter past 12, and I said that I would get Charlotte from school at half past, better check that everything is sorted. Bikes on the rack, nice and secure. Shoes, helmets, glovesCheck. Food? Yep. Off we go Collect Children from their schools.
Fuel up at In-laws in Hamilton, looking to build up for tomorrows ride. I know that I should eat during the event, but I just can’t handle it, but I have some pikelets just in case, and I’ give them a go in the early part of the ride. If no ill effects, I will have every second lap until they run out. Hope I have done enough fitness work. I really want a podium in this, even though it is really just a build for the Whaka 100. Otherwise going round and round the same lap every 25 minutes is boring. Yep, I think that I can do it, I am going better than I was last year (13 laps, 4th place) and I think I can do 14. That should do it (I later found that Jamis had entered their sponsored riders in this event, so I didn’t have a hope!)
Just leaving Hamilton, and Crash!! A car is parked in our boot! Not my beautiful bike! (was that out loud?) “You OK Elliot?” “Yep”.Better check the damage. Hey, they look ok. Get them off the rack. Oh, no, the frame is damaged, but I think I can ride it. No, a closer look reveals more damage; I don’t think it is worth the risk.
“How’s yours, Elliot?”
“Knackered. What do we do now?”
“Go home, I guess. Nothing to ride, it’s all a bit pointless”
“I want to go anyway. It will be fun”
“Ok, but no point in taking the bikes. We’ll leave them in Hamilton. A couple of phone calls, and we have a bike for Elliot from Avantiplus, meanwhile a policewoman has arrived at the accident, and asks for details. I hand her my license, and say that I busy trying to arrange the loan of some bikes for the race tomorrow. She says ok (turns out she is a bit of a roadie, and completely understands our distress).
More phone calls, and Jamie till say “yes I will turn back and get my other bike” I make sure that he is comfortable with the idea that I may decide tomorrow morning that I may be too despondent to ride “I’ll get it anyway”, he says. Good bloke.
Saturday morning, I am still a bit flat, you know, and I don’t want to do the event. However, I get caught up in the atmosphere at the park and decide to go..
“10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 go!” We’re away! Bit of a struggle getting through to camp ground, Jafakids yell support (feels great) down the hill, across the bridge to the climb. Legs hurt, but they always do at the start, and then finally get into a rhythm. I’m away, I can do this and enjoy it – this is why I like to ride. Bike feels good, corners really well for what is essentially a jump bike, Bugger! I am down, didn’t make it round the corner, how come? Back on and then the reason is obvious – front tyre is soft. Oh well, If I ride gently, it should make it to the end of the lap…..no off again! Stuff this, I will walk it out and take the day off. Yep, that is what a loser would do!
I choose to run it out I hope someone from the club passes me so I can send a message to ask someone to help with a tyre change. Check with a marshal to see if I can short cut, no, she tells me you have to follow the course. Damn. Shortly Roy passes me and I tell him about the tyre. Running is starting to hurt, but I have thought for a long time that I should practise, but too late now.Finally, I arrive at the campsite to find that Roy and Pete are ready with a tube and pump, and Birgitte is ready with the soothing words “that was a bit slow, Martyn, you need to improve a little.” Nice. Good thing is that it is not hard to improve on a 38 minute lap! I think I can. I tell her.
Tyre back on and it turns into a good day on the bike completing 12 laps ( I thought it was 13). I am happy that I did it.
