Braemar Gut Buster 12 hour adventure race

Media release: Saturday, 15 October 2011

Hail, southerly winds, a 7am shot gun start and competitors were off.  A total of 17 teams had to navigate their way over Braemar Station by kayak, MTB and on foot with a total of 1410 points up for grabs. With temperatures below zero and winds reaching 15-20 knots, kayakers faced waves of up to 1.2 metres while on Lake Pukaki, an experience enjoyed by most with some saying it had been the best kayaking experience ever!  By 10am the sun had appeared making the rest of the day fabulous.  Five teams opted not to do the kayak section. Once out of the kayaks competitors jumped onto their MTB and made their way to the bike/run transition where they refuelled and made their way, on foot, to the highest point of the course ‘The Dome' (1910 metres).  The only obstacle on this section seemed to be the icy sections which some competitors seemed to enjoy by sliding down by any means possible! The highlight of the day proved to be the run section with magnificent views seen over the MacKenzie Basin and the Southern Alps. Results: Race :  the winning team with 1080 points was ‘Passed it' (Jim Cotter, Matty Graham, Ray Hope and Milan Brodina),  followed by Kronic Fatigue.

Byron Bay, Australia. September 2011

 During September 2011 I have spent few weeks over in Byron Bay, NSW. Friend of mine hooked me up with a surfski so I could continue my training for upcoming Braemar 12hr adventure race. It was my first time on the ski and I have to say that sometimes it was very challenging trying to make it through 1,5m waves. I have also met up with my friend Braiden Currie - who just recently won Anaconda multisport race. He lend me his road bike so I could explore the beutifull hilly Byron Bay area by bike. It is a great place for training and I can't wait to go back.

NEW RIDE - EPIC 29er - - few pics

Epic 29er

2x10, BB30, brain , oversized 142mm rear through bolt.

Carbon frame, tapered head tube.

Brain in front REBA as well :)

80km Lake Tekapo MTB Pursuits

I decided to enter another winter race - mtbiking around Lake Tekapo. It has been raining over night so I was not surprised that the original course had to be changed. The rivers were too high so we were going to cycle there and back on the west side of the lake instead of crossing to the other side. I was glad to take some layers of clothing off in the last minute bacause it stopped raining just minutes before the gun went off so .

A small group of about 13 of us got quickly away.The 4wd track has been very wet and muddy with countless puddles.  There has been lots of water splashing around. At that time riding in the pack turned to constant spitting mouth fulls of dirt and trying to see through glasses completely covered in mud. But as soon as I took glasses off the constant flow of dirt was hitting the eyes.

After 30km we hit few rough climbs and our bunch slowly spred. I found myself riding with Jim Cotter, keeping  pressure on and trying to getaway from him. When I was crossing flooded side creeks I was riding by myself keeping Jim behind. After about 10km I passed another rider. That motivated me to keep pushing myself, constantly washing off mud from my Polar monitor with water from CamelBak to monitor my heart rate.

I rode by myself. Legs started to get tired. I had maybe 10km to go with few climbs and that's when I got passed by the rider I passed earlier. I rode about 50 m behind him right to the finish line not finding the legs to push.  I managed 7th overall place.
It was tough 80km and definitely the muddiest race this season.

Mt.Isabel Challenge, Hanmer Springs, 2011

Everyone I have talked to about this race told me, that it is allways raining and cold on this winter race. Ready for the worst I've entered this mountain multisport race. During briefing the race organizer told us to dress warm as it is very windy and 0 degrees on top of Mt. Isabel. It was hard to believe it as it was warm and sunny at the start.

The race started with a 9 km mountain run up Mt.Isabel to 1319m. Within the first 20 sec our heart rates rose and we were climbing. I do not favor races starting with run, so at begining I was just runing in my own rythm. After 1/2 hour the climb got steeper, I started to feel good a was gaining places. After 55 min of climbing and mainly crawling on all four I was at 20th place right at the peak of Mt. Isabel. The hardest part was over - now just fast descent down the ridge to the bike transition at the Jack's Pass. I was looking forward to the bike leg as it was my first race on my new bike. I've entered the world of big wheels and spoiled myself with Specialized Epic 29er. The bike just flew through the steep course and I've managed overall 8th fastest bike time.

The clock stoped after 2:13min. I finished in 6th place only 4 sec from 4th place due to narrow finish shoot. I have realy enjoyed the race and hope to be back next year to better my time.

Ps: thanks to James from CYCLERY, Timaru for hooking me up with such an owesome bike.

52km GERALDINE MTB RACE 20.3.11

For a change I did not have to drive for hours to the race venue. This time the race was right here in Geraldine, which suited me as I could have a wee sleep in, good breakfast and still have plenty of time for warm-up.

Standing on the start line - it was raining. Again. After all those hrs of training and past racing in the rain, it does not bother me any more and I see it as an advantage to fellow competitors who are not used to it as much as I am. The gun went off. Single line of bikes created in no time as we headed off to the river 4WD tracks. The tracks were so muddy that the tire selection was critical. I have put a new tire on just before the race which was smart thing to do. I was also happy with my race tactic as I made sure I'm working with someone on the long straight flats, gaining valuable meters on steep climbs and have a clear run on tight technical muddy single tracks.

Half way through the race the field have spread a little and I found myself riding with Timaru rider. We stayed together right to the end putting good pressure on each other. But none of us managed to drop the other one. He out sprinted me to the finish. Unluckily we were in the same age category. I finished 6th overall, and 3rd in my age group after 2hrs 17 min of racing. Happy with my day.

K-BAR AGE GROUPS NATIONAL MULTISPORT CHAMPS, Feb 2011

History has been made at Kaiteriteri beach in Tasman Bay. For the first time in New Zealand national multisport champs took part. It was good to be part of it.
Rain drumming on our tent woke us up on the race day. I have organized all gear and food night before, so all I had to do was set up my two transitions, as the race was going to be self supported – one on the beach with kayak and the other one with mtbike. During my warm up and looking at the sea the kayak leg started to make me little bit nervous - looking at the waves and swell. But all the worries disappeared with the start gun.
The race started with 3 km trail run to spread the field before 11km sea kayak leg. It was good to see so many people cheering us up as jumped in to kayaks. I’ve paddled my Sharp6, but many competitors were using surf skis as there are more suitable for sea paddle. Once we left the safe harbour the sea greeted us with 1m swell and wind coming from all directions. I had limited opportunities to train on open sea, so the kayak leg was about surviving then concentrating on the perfect paddle stroke. Even due to challenging conditions I still managed to keep my placing. I can proudly say after that I am better paddler now :)

It was good to be on land again. The rain stopped as we headed off for 32 km mountain bike leg – my strongest discipline. The mtb course climbed and climbed and climbed more before descending down purposely built sweet single tracks in native bush. We have been warned about some parts of the track being very steep. Due to rain they also became muddy and it was little bit tricky to walk them down. The course suited me well with lots of climbing and I managed to gain couple of places. After 2 hrs of biking my bike’s drivetrain was getting really muddy so I was pleased to make it to the last transition without any technical problems.

Lucy cheered me up in the transition and I was away for the last leg – 9 km trail run. Now we were racing in the hottest part of the day so it was good to be running in the bush. Just as I was thinking that I did not have any cramps trouble, I ran past a guy who was obviously struggling due to cramps. I was glad that I adjusted my nutrition after my last race.
The clock stopped after 4hrs 8min. I finished 2nd in my age group.
Also those who placed within first 3 in their age group qualified for the elite race next day. I took that opportunity to race with NZ top multisporters like Usher, Hagener, Voyce... Those guys are just incredible. For me the second day was more about enjoying myself as I was pretty tired from previous day.

GOLD RUSH 2010

This year Lucy and I decided to team up for Goldrush. It is a 3 day, 375km Multi-sport event, set in the back country of Central Otago following the old trails opened up by the pioneers in their search for gold. It includes kayaking, mountain biking, running and road biking.
Lucy was very strong on all the MTB and road bike legs. I have also improved my kayaking times compare to previous year.
We managed to finished 3rd in open mix after almost 30 hours of racing.

2010 BIG DAY AT THE OFFICE RACE REPORT

It was already warm at 6:15 am when we were leaving Geraldine. I knew then it will be one hot race day. Since Lucy is 23 weeks pregnant we asked friend Derek to help with support, to carry kayak and bike gear around.
The first 40 km bike ride was a good warm-up. Before the race I was talking to a Timaru A-Grade rider and he was keen to go in to breakaway. Knowing that I chose to bike in my cycling shoes instead of running shoes and baskets so I can be more efficient. But nothing really happened. Later on I found out that he had some technical trouble. There was the usual chaos in the first transition and I could not find Derek – who supposed to take the bike off me. So I ran with bike until I saw Lucy. I was ready to take off, just the Camel Bag now. “OH shit!” Lucy sad “I left it in the car!” I never saw anyone 23 weeks pregnant run so fast! Few seconds later I was on my way to 24 km run over Mt.Sommers. The heat started to increase and I was glad for every river crossing – drinking out of every creek trying to get some extra fluids in. I usually don’t get cramps but on this super hot day, at the end of the run I could feel little signs of cramping. I could not wait to see Lucy and Derek at the next transition in Stavely – they had food, water and other goodies to get me back on track again. Half way through the 25 km bike ride to Rakaia Gorge I started to come right. The strength to the legs returned after the rough steep descent from the saddle and I could push it again. I was also expecting to pass someone or to be passed by team cyclists but from this run-bike transition I was on my own till the end of the race. At the end of this bike leg I was feeling good, which was good. I did not wanted to be tired kayaking down Rakaia River.
Next transition was very smooth – Lucy took the bike off me and we ran together to the river while putting on kayaking gear and eating at the same time. When we got to the river Derek was already waiting with the kayak in the water. Well done guys. The 18km of river paddle was my favourite part of the whole race. Water splashing of the paddle going through the rapids kept me cool in this unbelievably hot day. Because there was no one in sight to follow I had to wisely choose a brade and rely on my own. After over an hour it was good to see my support crew again in the transition. Derek pulled me out of the kayak and Lucy /still23 weeks pregnant!/ started to run with me while changing gear and eating again. From the river it was a short 2 km uphill run to bike.
During the last 10 km bike ride to the finish in Methven I looked at my bike computer and saw 33 dg. Celsius.
After 6hrs 37min of racing in very hot weather cold beer tasted sooooooo good.

Splits: bike 1:05:47 run 3:00:03 bike 54:10 kayak 1:05:11 bike32:19 total 6:37:30