Life is full of impromptu, spur-of-the-moment decisions. Should I bake some cookies? Should I eat one of my freshly baked cookies? Should I eat another freshly baked cookie? Should I eat the rest of the cookies so they don't go stale? Should I go for a ride to burn off those excess cookies? Should I race the Mid North Island Cup Final at Rotorua despite not having done the rest of the series? In many situations, it's often best just to say yes and deal with whatever comes next, and that is exactly what I did. Having originally decided to take the rest of the racing year off to recover for next season, choosing to race in Rotorua was a bit of a last minute decision.
When deciding to do a race, there are a number of different things that have to be taken into consideration. Am I fit for this event? Is my bike in a race ready condition? Can I actually make it to the race? It seemed like someone was trying to throw a spanner in the works during the week building up to this race with a number of things happening. Firstly, my bike was not fit to race. Due to the number of miles I had been putting out since I got it, the teeth on the front chain rings were worn away like a sugar addict with no oral hygiene to speak of/a dentist's retirement plan. This meant that whenever I went to stand up in the saddle and sprint my gut out down the chain-ring was too worn to withstand the power coursing through it and threw the chain onto the crank. This required a visit to my local bicycle dentist (R&R Sport) Who would hopefully be able to fix the problem in time. Fortunately for me the mechanics were able to perform the vital surgery required and get the Giant race fit again.
The other unfortunate event occurred to my Dad on the Wednesday before the race riding out at Riverhead forest where he took a drop wrong, flipped over the handlebars and landed on his head. His helmet was destroyed on the rear from the impact and he was driven off to Accident & Emergency for an X-ray. Turns out he has a concussion and has sprained the muscles in his neck. He now has to walk around in a neck brace for the next few weeks, on a constant dose of painkillers. It was unsure up until the Saturday (with the race being on Sunday) whether Dad was even up to the drive down to Rotorua, being unable to be left at home in the off chance that a complication occurs due to the concussion. Luckily, he recovered enough to manage (he's a hardy one, my Dad) and everything continued as planned from there on in.
I always love racing at Rotorua. The trails are fantastic, the riders and their support crews courteous but still complete rippers out on track, and the locals incredibly enthusiastic at supporting anything that goes on in the Redwoods. Having had to drive all the way down from Auckland to reach the race, and once you take into count the need to register and the inevitable chatting that goes on between you and anyone you recognise, not a lot of time is left to pre ride the course, something all the locals had obviously done in the week the course had been marked. You'd be mad if you don't! (those who understand the joke will excuse the poor grammar).
Warm ups complete and a general idea of the layout of the course formed, it was time to line up on the start line, ready to race. The start was staggered so the the younger riders i.e U17 and U15 started last, Which I personally do not agree with as us U17's gave many of the older riders a run (or should that be ride?) for their money despite their head start. The start was up Nursery road, a climb that only takes about 2 minutes but is a LOOOOONG 2 minutes due to it being quite steep, and I'm usually trying to out sprint another rider when I ride it. I was second off the line, but was taken as we got further into the climb and dropped back into 5th.
Things got heated pretty quickly once I was blown off the lead group as fellow JAFAKIDS Sam Dakin and Aaron Carr nullified my lead and began to push me. We soon caught up to Tom Coombes, having also been blown off the lead group, and began a high paced battle, with no rider giving an inch. During our crusade to wear each other out beyond the point of carbohydrate deprivation (a dark road from which there is no return) we also passed fellow JAFAKIDS Harriet Beavan and Charlotte Rayner, who were giving it all in the U19 women category, having not been enough riders to support an U17 category. Despite this they still pushed hard, posting times that should make a few of the boys just a little bit nervous... With the odd change in position, we continued like this for 3 out of the four laps.
As we crossed the line and began our fourth lap one thing became apparent to me; I was going to have to get rid of these guys if I wanted to take one of the last two spots in the top 5 still up for grabs. Tom was clearly thinking the same thing and picked up the pace near the turn off at the top of nursery road. I managed to hook onto his tail and together we began to pull away from Sam and Aaron. About halfway through the final 6km lap Tom finally exhausted me and pulled away, leaving me to try and ensure neither Sam nor Aaron caught me. I could tell from the occasional glance behind me that Sam was slowly reeling me in, with no sight of Aaron. Hammering through the final section, Exit trail, I had to keep the speed high and make no mistakes in order to ensure that Sam didn't pull me in. I finished 9 seconds ahead of Sam, and in doing so took 5th place. Sorry Sam, but I believe you have yet to beat me in a race at Rotorua...
For a race I hadn't trained for, in a series I hadn't originally intended to do, against riders who for the most part were a year stronger and more experienced, I am exceptionally happy with 5th. It shows that even as the year draws to a close I still have something to offer as a racer, and am looking forward to taking U17 by storm next year. Now, I am fairly certain, lies a holiday of rest and recovery, as well as plenty of writing and other journalistic pursuits, before preparing for a new year of racing ahead. See you out there!
Robin.
