The Black Stump adventure race has the advantage of being close to home, and is in a place where we would not ordinarily be able to ride. It is on a private farm and mostly runs through completely open farm tracks. It is a very tough event, with many steep climbs and descents.
The race begins in the farm yards and goes up a metalled road, then into a long grassy descent. Good fun. Then across a stream, and back up a dirt farm track to the race village. At this point, the ride seemed easy and fast! Once through the race village, we were on to some slippery single track, with water ruts down the middle. As the ride went on, it got more and more difficult with some very steep climbs (some of which were so steep I had to walk!) and descents.
At one point, the rider in front of me had a nasty fall, and looked as though he was struggling to get up. I stopped, got his bike off him and helped him to sit up. It looked as though his leg was swollen and broken, so I caught the attention of a nearby marshal. The rider convinced me that the swelling was from an old injury and sent me on my way. He got back on his bike and passed me a bit later in the race, so he must have been all right!
Those of us who were doing the 40 km event had to do a couple of extra loops and rejoin the 30 km riders, which I must admit, I found a bit disheartening.
I finally got to the last climb, which was on the road and comparatively easy, then a nice descent to the finish.
Without doubt, this is one of the toughest rides around. 40 km on these tracks will be good preparation for the events that lie ahead. The ride also affords great views, from the Bombay Hills to Raglan, Mt Pirongia and across the Waikato Dairy country.
I finished 17th overall and 5th in my category.
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