Cat Eye Moonride 2012

For those unfamiliar with this event, the Cat Eye Moonride is a team relay (or solo if you are crazy enough...) with options of 6, 12 or 24 hour events.

Departing from the usual venue of Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest, this years event was held at Tui Ridge Park, located just outside of Rotorua. For many competitors (especially the 24 hour competitors) this was a blessing with options other than tents for accommodation if you wanted to stay at the course, as well as other commodities such as flushing toilets and.... Hot Showers!

Unfortunately, New Zealand's unpredictable weather meant rain the entire week before this event. This was to have a profound effect on the course as we competitors soon found out. As soon as you turned into the single track and pointed your bike up one of the climbs, the slippery mud (courtesy of our lovely local weather) began a fight with your rear wheel for traction. It was not uncommon to see elite level riders with bikes over their shoulders jogging up the hills, having found it faster to run than try and find traction on the slippery surface. However, although the mud made the uphill a battle, the downhill was fast and freaky, sliding all over the place but never truly losing traction. This made for a few wide grins and some relief from the uphill slogging that inevitably followed.

One thing I believe is worth mentioning is the new timing system. Instead of ankle mounted antiquities that looked like relics from the cold war, event promotions have started using timing chips taped to the back of the numberplate allocated to each team, which at the end of each lap was slipped out it's plastic sleeve and onto the next rider's bike. Not only were transitions faster, but there were far less cases of laps not being recorded. Well done event promotions.

Events like the Moonride are also about having fun...

Results time:
After a hard fought race in a tight category, my team mates and I ( team name DOC Ginger Nuts, despite none of us being Ginger?!) emerged victorious in under 17's by over a lap, with yours truly completing the final lap. The cherry on the cake for us was one of my team mates winning the major spot prize, a Scott Scale 60 (2nd year a JAFAKID has won the major spot prize...). Team JAFAKIDS camel ears, a competing JAFAKIDS team, was also present on the podium, taking out a hard fought 3rd in the same category.

Thank you to everyone who helped with this event, I am looking forward to next year....