Carl and Katie NZ XC MTBikers

NZ MTB Cup Cross Country, Christchurch Cat2

2012-01-22T12:44:00.001-08:00

Spending the week in Christchurch leading into the second round we were stoked to have found summer, FINALLY. Weather conditions however took a sharp turn Sunday and the day saw cold southerlies and rain broken up with flashes of summer. With the rain nervs were high wondering if the dry tires would hold up on a track we had never seen in the wet. Rumor had it that it would not turn to mud like Dunedin but more to a slippery greasy surface. The first lap was indeed a little wet, however sticking with the dry tires worked out as the laps following it was back to the dry track we knew from practice laps.

Spectators were out in full force and really supportive it was a great atmosphere.

CARL – ELITE MENS

I was a bit nervous with the weather and having full on dry tires on, but after slipping and sliding a lap it started to dry out fast. I was sitting in 3rd for a few laps behind flying local Brad Hudson and DP Dirk Peters. All I wanted to do was enough win and try save some gas for next week. As Anton Copper caught up yet again, I went with him again I was the only one to be able to go with him and soon opened up a very healthy lead into the decent. Then the locals boosted…Anton was gone and brad was coming back. going on to the last lap I was buggered and really starting to feel the size of the hill, but Dirk and Brad were together and racing hard closing in. once I got to the top of the hill I rolled down and enjoyed the win. hopefully the gas tank will refill asap.

Chch

KATIE - ELITE WOMENS

Bit of a tangle at the start saw me pushed out and off to a bad start taking a bit of time to close gaps and get back up to the front of the field but never quite to Karen Hanlan’s wheel. From here 2nd place it was with Jolanda Neff close behind. A much better performance than Dunedin and staying true to what I am hoping and have been planning for which is getting stronger and stronger each race as the season progresses. Debbie Retief did a great job in the feed zone even with my sudden change of drink plan as I changed to just water and my Enervit gels (with instant boost :) after feeling rather uncomfortable on a stronger drink mix ratio I was trialing for the race. It was also great to have my dad out there supporting me as I am from Christchurch originally I always enjoy my stay here with Dad. Even the dog was supportive who tried chasing me at one point, I was too scared to look just praying dad still had hold of the leash as BRAINS are something unheard of for Alvie the dog.

Enjoying a recovery day today – with recovery ride follow by Hanmer Springs as the evening plan before heading to Nelson to get the track dialed in for Nationals on Tuesday.

Daily post article - Jones and Peters battle the mud to beat aussies

2012-01-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/jones-and-peters-battle-the-mud-to-beat-aussies/1240251/

NZ MTB CUP ROUND 1 – cat 1

2012-01-15T22:51:00.001-08:00

Dunedin put on the weather leading into Sundays event 6 weeks of no rain and then it dumped down on friday, and it was another muddy race in the student city.

The race was held on signal hill, meant for a good atmosphere bringing the xcers and dhlers into the same event village. The track was brutal a hard climb followed by a muddy descent, very testing.

Sundays weather held out, with rain threatening but holding off until the race and prize giving was over – it almost felt like summer racing up signal hill, it wasn’t until after the race the hail which the met service had predict came.

B4 the start between the Ozy boys

(photo by Kashi)

Carl – Won the elite men’s race after 6 laps in field which was stacked with NZ and 2 of Australia's best men Chris Jongewaard the Australian National Champion, and Paul Van Der Ploeg, we were all racing for crucial olympic qualification points in the cat 1 event, right from the start my self and under 19 Trek world racing rider Anton Cooper rode off the front, Anton sprinted me into the single track at the top of the hill and was stuck between racing him for his 5 laps for pride or racing my 6 laps safely and winning a UCI Cat 1 race, he was out descending me all day and slowly pulled away so that was that he won his race. I won mine. I’m still buzzing after winning this race and with 3 more cat 2 races in NZ i’m sure it will be more of the same tactics.

Katie – 4th place in an equally strong women's field tackling 5 laps of the tough track, with Olympian Rosara Joseph, Karen Hanlan who claimed the win, and Jolanda Neff (Swiss rider and jnr World cup winner) coming in ahead.

Definitely and exciting race to kick of the season, next weekend Christchurch on another demanding course. Christchurch is often known for turning up the heat with scorching hot days with the heat providing equally tough conditions to factors like mud. We are now in the swing of racing and like a few months ago craving the next chance to prove ourselves on the track and see what we can put out on the day.

Tour de Whaka

2012-01-09T01:38:00.000-08:00

Mean weekend racing the Tour de Whaka and its 4 stages. The format changed slightly with the TT which was ment to be on Sunday being moved with the threat of really bad weather, and what a good call that was, as Sunday it pelted down for the XC race.

Carl's Weekend of racing: After the Hill Climb we both were winning I was up 15 seconds over Dirk and 45 second over Mike Northcott. We went started at the bottom of direct road and went to the top of frontal labottomy. In a hard training ride I usually get up the hill in around 15 and half mins, so i thought 14 and a half would be a reasonable time for us in the race but the conditions were perfect and I pulled out a 13.25.

The super D was from the top of Spit ends down Pondy dh into Pondy new and onto Rollercoaster. It was a huge 18min 30 secs with a 2min uphill in it, for me and Dirk that 18 odd mins couldn't seperate us. Both of us finishing on the same second. We were 2nd equal with Sam Shaw smashing us by 20 seconds.

On the TT of old chevy I was really nervous because my lead was only 15 seconds and I wanted more.

At the end, after Ra had talked us all up I pulled 12 second more over the 5km track to Dirk,

After day One I had 27 seconds over Dirk, 1.03 over Sam Shaw and Mikey Northcott 1.04.

Day 2 It was so wet and windy over night the tracks were very flooded but we still had a race to do.

Right from the start I wanted to push it, as it's so closer to nationals so I took off with about 4 attacks from the front few of us along the first few km of road, into the first single track there was a chain of 6 of us at the end of the track there was 4 and then the first hill there was just myself and Dirk. We had a massive battle all the way to the finish with me coming out on top and taking the win of the tour by 28 second.

Carl

Katies Racing: my first day of racing in the tour was a bit flat. I struggled to put the hammer down in the hill climb, and the nerves were definately high at the top of the hill with the uncertainty of my position. The beauty of a stage race was there were still 3 more races to go. A ride down Billy T was the chosen route to get to the start of the Supper D which is always good fun. We then got to enjoy some interesting 'banter' and stories at the top waiting for our turns. I spent most of my time however eyeing up food, although I was smart enough to ride up with a jacket in my pocket I forgot to pack in something to eat. Stage race nutrition = EPIC FAIL! I managed to score a few lollies thanks Sam and Nigel (mmm straight from a bikers pocket, with no wrapping...). The Super D was good fun and I was stoked to get to the end, to the tent area where my food was waiting... although instantly after consumption I wondered if I would regret eating that much during the TT which was fast approaching. Old Chevy is a testing wee track, requiring effort throughout the whole duration which made for a great TT and no regrets on the food front, I was much more comfortable than the stage prior where all I could think was FOOOD!!. I finished up the day with around a 1min lead.

After the racing we went out to the pig and it was great meal and evening, the guys spent the night on Carls case getting him geed up.

The rain set in over night and Sunday morning the XC race was still on. perfectly muddy and wet! There were no real climbs to seperate everyone up or gain big advantages but I hoped I would be able to extend my lead and find my race legs which were not all there the day prior (protest from the interval training during the week, or maybe just the hill climb, along with everyone else's :) ). I really enjoyed racing with a couple of the JNR guys especially if they were infront testing the puddles and not me, although I was the test rider for biggie on the lion trail. On the whole I felt a bit better during the XC race than Saturday, stoked to take the win. It was a great event to open up a get some race hardening before Dundein our first National round.

Katie

PHOTO/BEN FRASER Daily post

check out the Daily post write up. http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/jones-pips-peters-for-win/1231605/

2012

2012-01-02T23:24:00.001-08:00

Its all on, the racing begins this week for us and we are very excited to get into racing on our new Treks. We have been training hard and trying to avoid racing to soon, but with 3 weeks until nationals the racing kicks off. This weekend in Rotorua, N-duro events are holding 2 separate events.

First up is an Eliminator race which will be held in the government gardens, Rotorua on Friday night. This is a new XC style of racing, its all for the spectators and its a hell of a lot of fun for the riders. for those who don't no what an Eliminator is… its 4 people on the start line racing around a short track of 1-2mins with the top 2 riders going through to the next round. The track’s usually include some tight turns, jumps and or other obstacles. Its going to be good fun and the more spectators the better so head on down if you are out and about.

The second event is the Tour de Whaka similar to a roadie tour but mtb’s and in the Whaka forest of Rotorua. Saturday and Sunday will see 4 stages with a Hill Climb a Super D down hill on Saturday, and an XC race and a Time trial on Sunday.

Its going to be an epic weekend here hopefully the weather turns it on and if you can get over to watch or race make sure you do.

Bikes for sale

2011-12-14T13:06:00.000-08:00

Both our bergamonts are for sale if anyone you know or yourself are keen on bikes let us know.

we have only owned them 7 months so they are still boosting :)

Give us an email. They are on trade me some where im trying to sort it with trade me cause i cant find them

The week has been all on for us!

2011-11-26T12:43:00.000-08:00

Waiariki Academy of Sport camp - Ohope

Wednesday through to Friday was the Waiariki academy of sport Camp - this camp is for Tier 1 athletes and those who are actively engaged with the academy which included athletes from all squads mtb, golf, Kayak and the general sports squad.

The camp was full on - we had seminars covering a range of areas educating us to excel in our sports, with Craig Tiriana speaking with us about the media, which is a useful tool in promoting ourselves, sponsors and of course our sports. Sam Thompson - physical conditioner at Waiariki also presented us with information on Nutrition, Recovery (SLEEP), and Strength. Also included in the 3 days there were sport specific training sessions for the bike squad this entailed a road ride to Ohope on Wednesday and a mountain bike session in the hills and team building activities 6am runs along the beach, orienteering, surf life saving activities, a boot camp activity, and a much needed pool recovery session.

This camp is ultra important in recapping on the year what has been accomplished and getting us ready for the year ahead it also helps strengthen the Waiariki culture which this year especially after the recent departure of leader Jane Boren is essential in keeping us strong in the pursuit of our goals with the support of each other.

New Bikes Arrive In Time For Huka XL

Photo by: ANDREW WARNER

FRESH WHEELS: Katie O'Neill (left) and Carl Jones will be riding new bikes when they race the Huka XL on Saturday.

Check out the daily post article by clicking this link in Thursdays paper showing off our new sponsors and bikes as we prepared for the Huka XL in Taupo http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/duo-face-some-hard-work-in-big-money-race/1184907/.

Trees Fall like dominos in The Huka XL

After the camp was over on Friday we packed up and down to Taupo to register for the Hula XL race which doubled as the Marathon National Championships. We spent the night at home getting ourselves and NEW bikes (which arrived on Wednesday) ready for the race. With a few hours sleep and a 4.30am start it was race day GAME ON or so everyone thought as 7am rolled around and we were charging off the start line. The weather however, threw out strong winds had other plans. After about 40km the race was called off, trees were falling like dominos on the track and it was too dangerous with the amount of riders on course to continue. Karen Hanlan was leading the women’s, followed by Fiona Mcdermid and then Annika Smail in 3rd with Katie in fourth. While the men’s was lead by Mike Northcott at the time of call off with Dirk Peters in 2nd and Tim Wilding in 3rd, Carl was in 5th. It is of course disappointing that the race was called off however under the circumstance every rider understood the risk with many grateful to just get out of the forest after some close close calls.

2011/2012 Waiariki Trek

2011-11-21T16:59:00.000-08:00

This year we are fortunate to be welcoming some new sponsors.

Our major Sponsors 2011/2012 will be Waiariki and new addition Trek New Zealand.

We are really excited to be on board with Trek New Zealand and the opportunities they bring, including some amazing new race machines!

Last week we received our road bikes the Madone 4.7

and tomorrow will see the arrival of our Elite 9.9 SSL race mountain bike

other sponsors we will be welcoming are;

Enervit - nutrition products
Geax - Tyres
Rotorua Cycle Centre - Local Rotorua Trek dealer, the place to get your Trek :)

we also want to mention the sponsors who will be continuing their support for the 2011/2012 to come;

Bike Culture - Bike culture will be continuing to be our mechanics keeping our bikes in primo condition. these guys give us endless support, definitely the place to go to get your bike fixed in Rotorua!!

Waiariki - as mentioned Waiariki are continuing as a major sponsor as we continue our studies, and involvement with the Academy of Sport. Waiariki invests a huge amount in its athletes helping us gain results.

2012 Scholarships and applications for Waiariki Academy of Sport close 30 November 2011, if your sport is a focus but you want to continue study check it out... endless opportunities. http://waos.waiariki.ac.nz/scholarships.html

Bring on the Huka in Taupo this weekend... but first a 3day camp with Waiariki in Ohope hope the rain holds off :)

Bay of Plenty sports awards

2011-11-20T18:30:00.000-08:00

Waiariki at the sports awards

Was a great night had by all at the Bay of Plenty sports awards

Waiariki had many finalist including our hard working mountain bike coach Evan Mcrae for coach of the year. Evan was up against Gordon Tietjens who took the award and went on to take the supreme award. Myself and flatmate Luuka Jones who is preparing for the Olympic games in London for Canoe Slalom were both proud to be finalists for the sports women of the year award which was taken out by well deserving Lisa Carrington who is the current world K1 200m Champion.

It was an amazing night, motivating and inspiring celebrating sporting sucess and fueling the fire for more sucesses to come.

Update

2011-10-17T01:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update for those who are still checking the blog... Join us on Facebook 'Carl-Katie' we know its the new way of following and is easier to keep it short and you informed.

We are back into training already as Nationals are a month earlier this year, so we are already in the full swing of things.

We are also actually finding time have some fun around the training and the work trying to pay back the trip, we have been getting out a few times we had 2 good mates 21st, going fishing a couple of times now Rena has wrecked that though. We have even been out sailing tonight at lake Okereka.

We will get a full plan of things to come soon, but in the next few weeks we are thinking of doing the Whaka 100 and the Huka XL in Taupo which is actually the Marathon Nationals this year

Carl

A little late World Championships update

2011-09-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

A little late than never, now Im back home with my family in Whakatane after an epic trip home.

Worlds finished off the trip pretty sweet...

My aim was top 40 and I started 75th so well near the back of the over 100 riders, It was on from the gun I was been blasted by mud and stones on the start lap, Lately the start laps have been pretty good giving you a chance to get to the single track in a good spot, and move up as best you can. this start lap went on a 4 wheeled road for maybe a km and half then into the main climb of the track, before it went sharp right back into the single track down hill. It was balls out all the way to the single track then again like always in the big races it was bottle necked and we were all running while the front ones boosted away. I was 71st after the 1st start lap then the track opened up and I was boosting feeling like Katie did so I was stoked.
It had been looking like it was going to rain all weekend and then after 3 perfect laps it pist down, but it just made me love it more just like nationals, I had got up to 62 as it started to rain then after the 1st wet lap I jumped up to 52nd and had done the 35th fast lap, as it was getting near the end of the race I was thinking about the 80% lap out rule and thinking I was well inside it was because I didn't feel that far down, and usually top 60 riders are on the lead lap. on the 2nd to last lap I had moved even further up the field into the late 40s but on the final climb I really blu a valve and a few guys snuck past me down the last decent. As we were coming to the 80% I saw a few guys standing there, I was instantly stunned what the hell was happening I didn't no ( well yes they were pulling riders). So I was pulled with a lap to go, the bit that pist me and everyone else that was standing there off was it took 2 and half mins for the leader to come past us and we were 300 meters from the finish line. So there was No way in hell we could have been past by him or got in the way, my 90 year old nana could have walked to the end and not been past.

So 36 people made the last lap a world 1st... and everyone around was shocked and pist off but I finished up 52nd in my 1st year elite. I was happy but at the same time I didn't no if it was good enough. but after the race everyone was rating my ride and when other teams asked how I went they were rating it also so I think 52nd is good haha. you wait till next year...

Back home now, its good been home but freezing cold but im hardy complaining.. no riding and fishing and ski trips to plan and maybe a little work for old Evan to repay him for a perfectly executed season.

We cant thank everyone in Europe that helped us out, enough and we made some very good friends. we wish they will come to New Zealand so we can host them like they hosted us.

there are pics to come but im kinda really excited to go whitebaiting now haha so ill post them tomorrow morning when jet lag wakes me up at 3am

Thanks
Carl

Race photos and an epic adventure

2011-09-03T00:35:00.000-07:00

Race Start, No where to be seen.. I had to move up in the climbing getting boxed out near to the back after starting in 21st

Frustrated with a chain jam

covered in dirt after spending more time on the ground than upright as things got wild after I bent my bars

Post Race Adventure - the break off the bike kicks off in full force as Sam, Ant and I concur the Via Ferrata

U23 Womens World Mountain Bike Championships

2011-09-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

The race of the year rolled around very quickly. This morning I woke up a little sleep deprived after the very very sound proof ski chalet we were staying in failed along with my ear plugs to drown out the noise of others who couldn't sleep, although feeling as though I had been hit by a bus I had until 5pm to pick myself up from this which included a 20minute power nap and alot of relaxing! by the time 2pm hit I was eating my pre race pasta and I knew what was coming and was feeling ready, all the training had been put in, all the resting leading in had also been executed perfectly and all that was left was to get the head into gear and go out there and hit it hard!

off the line I did not instantly rocket forward but by the first climb I found myself on the edge of the grass bank going for it hitting gaps and moving as far forward as I could before the single track. my first laps went well and at one point I had managed to get into the top 10 here I got a little excited and things got a wee bit loose on the rooty technical track, a few mistakes followed which I came back from followed by a spectacular fast line down a steep shoot in the track when an inside line passing tactic went a little wrong and I flipped my way down to the bottom. The body took a fair impact and i struggled from here loosing positions but fighting as hard as I could to keep it together and stay in the race, these two last laps after my crash were full of pain but I limited my losses and managed to finish in 15th.

Stoked with the race I had form in my legs and gave it my all.. everything except flipping down a shoot.

I am nicely dosed up on pain killers and about to head up for Ant to work his magic and fix up my back so I get out there and have my full on Kiwi supporting form for all the racing to come!

All the support on the track was amazing! and every one back home thinking of me it all helped!!! thanks!

Bitter sweet, Bring on next season
Katie

Basel/Muttenz Racer bike cup

2011-08-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

As always the racer bike cup pulled the numbers and some big names with 72 in my race, and lots of national teams having there last hit out before worlds. The track was based at the local horse trotting track and was super flat, it had a 1 minute pinch climb and a 1 min decent and that was it the rest was dead flat, full speed along road paths and in and out of trees. Not an ideal race for riders my size but it was perfect not to take too much out of me before this weekend.

The start was around the trotting track we were told we were doing 2 laps of this then 7 of the actual track I thought that was straight forward, turns it wasn’t, after getting to the front coming into the opening in the track, the tape wasn’t down everyone slowed and looked then decided it must have been 2 and a half laps they meant, so we all took off for another lap, at this moment I started to get swamped because I was on the outside of the pack setting myself up to exit the track and then I slowly drifted back. Down the 1st straight of the actual track I managed to move up again but then myself and 4 or 5 other guys got on the wrong side of the tape and had to go the long way around everyone then break back through the tape so into the 1st climb I was a little flustered but mid pack and I felt strong. Every lap I was Just off the back of bunches that were being pulled by big freight trains and had to work super hard to get back on them. I ended up 32nd I thought I was doing better than that but on a course that was not suited for me it’s ok and I was only 5.40 down on Absolon.

We are now up at Champery with the NZ team in a big ski house, its just about all rest for me and Katie.

Katies race is Thursday at 5pm so that’s 3am on a Friday NZT there is no freecaster for her race but UCI live timing is just as exciting.

My Race is on Saturday at 430pm so Sunday 230am NZT and freecaster is not free for this one it cost a few euro’s so if you want to watch the action live you will have to sort it early. Otherwise live timing... otherwise just wake up in the morning and look

Thank you to the Schmutz family for having us yet again on this trip, we stayed at their house for quite big amounts of time thoughtout our trip, they are the coolest family in europe and we will miss them.

Chur
Carl

Swiss Bike Trophy Bern - City Race

2011-08-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

Last night we raced our first ever city race, and it was one of the coolest experiences we have had.

We lapped around the city center of bern with jumps, ramps, stairs and other obsitcals, loads of spectators even with epic thunderstorms belting the rain down and plenty of excitement all around.

Elite womens -Katie 6.15pm

The Bern city race was aimed to be my last hit out before the Worlds falling at the end of a 3day block of intensity training. I had never done anything like a city race but it was exciting and lots of fun I had to rapidly learn new skills i.e. jumping, and riding over obstacles I was a real newbee to the city riding concept. Nathalie Schneitter of switzerland stormed through the circuit with Lea Davison from the usa right there impressively powering over all the obsticals and around the course. The technique these top elite women had is a huge eye opener as they attacked the obsticals with full speed and confidence even in the stormy conditions. I did not have this same confidence an struggled with no legs at all after the hard block of work I put in over the last few days on the champery Worlds track and in interval sessions (where I will have a claim to fame of pulling away from Carl the night before in an interval session.. where were those legs last night I ask?? I am now thinking Carl was pulling a sneaky one and saving it up for last night), I pulled out after a few laps after my legs virtually brought me to a standstill up a hill. I am hurting for a reason and the taper down now will bring full gas next Thursday in the U23 Womens World Championships. And setting up a circuit like this back home for training is now definately a MUST! Waiariki Makoia campus city race I am thinking:???

Elite mens - Carl

This was by far the coolest race I have ever done, I love technical stuff and this course was pack with it, we had massive flights of steps we had to boost down over logs over jumps the works and on the start line the 4th or 5th thunder shower of the evening was wanting to burst on us. 20 seconds after the start It was all on rain so hard you could see not a lot and we were all soaked to the bone. It made the techy course even more scetchy, but even more fun I have never raced in rain that hard it was intense, this shower didn't stop though. I had a solid race after yet another average start, but there was no way I was racing for the hole shot on roads like ice. I was riding infront of a lot of the packed out field of big names for quite a while even attacked Chirstoph Sauser and Mathias Fluckiger, never had the chance to do that before. I think I finished up 29th I wanted a top 15 so I could get some cash back and some UCI points, but when I have never beaten the top 20 guys I was pushing shit up hill after not committing to the dangerous start. I had the most fun I have had in a while though. Im doing one more race before worlds this Sunday in Muttenz, in Basel Switzerland its a racer bike cup and most of the guys im racing next weekended will be there so its all on...

Chur check out some of the action below. No videos of Katie as I cant use my own camera

Champery - 3 day Training block

primo backpacker and owner Catherine

The world champs Spirit in Champery

riding to the track for training

the drop

some rooty action

Val Di Sole, Italy - final world cup

2011-08-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

Valley of the sun - Sure was every day!!! Perfect

U23 women’s (Katie’s report)

We arrived in Val Di Sole on Monday night to primo mountains and weather which lasted the week. We made our way to the track on Tuesday and it was a tough one but it seamed to be one which I felt suited my strengths. It had a great deal of climbing with some pinch climbs which required more concentration and strength to get up and some fast descents, I really liked it but knew it would be a hard race demanding a lot from the body.

The U23 women had 40 starters the strongest field yet on a demanding climbing track, I was seeded towards the back end of the large field which made for a hard start. Off the line the legs did not go and I came through in 24th after the start loop. In the second lap I managed to move up 8 places to 16th and I was feeling as though I could only get stronger however when taking my feed I bounced my bottle back at my poor feeder and ended up without one for the lap, I then took on a gel regardless of not having water thinking I should at least keep the energy going in, big mistake. The gel was impossible to take down and stomach with no water on a hot day and it made for some shaking riding resulting in a time consuming crash with a minor mechanical. I dropped a few places and then seamed to yoyo around for a bit not feeling flash at all. I finished the 4 lap race in 15th pretty disappointed and a little out of it to say the least at the finish where I decided I would crash just riding along the grass no holes in the ground or anything.

Carl - Elite men

Ill keep it short. It was over 40 degrees I usually go mint in the heat but today I didn’t. We had been at a bit of altitude for the perfect amount of time for it to work against you, and had done it a bit wrong with our training up here maybe. I honestly don’t know what went wrong and altitude is the only thing that could have made me feel like a slug. I had a really good start as some of you may have seen on free caster, people said I was seen and mentioned on having a really good start… I had done all of that feeling like arse and maxed out all day, my data shows I was in a small little box of pain the whole race but going no where. It was probably the worst race I have ever had and it just happened to be a world cup so I’m gutted

After the race we were able to watch four Cross racing, the downhill with and Anton Coppers 2nd cross country jnr world cup win. From here it is all focus on training in the build up to the world championships in with the U23 women’s race in12 days. We will head to the track in the morning and it will be all on!

Nove Mesto na Morave World cup

2011-08-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

The event was off the scale we had been here for 2 weeks to limit our traveling, and we watched the event take shape the track change daily.

After watching Anton dominate it in the under 19 race the pressure was on to try get good results under our belts also. I (Carl) am writing this blog Katie is organising things for tomorrows journey to Italy.

So our race day rolled around Katie was up 1st at 10.02am starting 2 mins behind the elite women she got down to business early and moved up well, however it turned a bit pear shaped for a lap or 2 losing huge amounts of time to the riders in front, in making some time consuming mistakes (her lap times tell the story). After running around for the first half I watched the end of the race from big screen from here I could rest my legs while watching the racing unfold. I got my lunch and I look up to see Katie had pulled it back together, and pulled back over a min on the group of girls in front of her, her laps only got faster on the last lap pulling the 5th fastest lap time and stomping home for 9th, she had moved up to 8th on the last lap but cramp on the last climb thought 9th place was better. So im stoked for her but she wanted better. :) And I reckon better is what will come with the winner of the race today was only 40 seconds in front of her in the race we ballsed completely up 2 weeks ago in Ostrava....

Katie rolls the inside line moving up in the start lap

On to my hurt fest... 2pm, called up 77th with like 10 rows in front of me and 4 behind I was dreading the start loop it was perfect for the fully grown man to pound me. It was a wide and fast road with 2 power climbs in it, and lots of space for me to move up and back as it was, I was moving up lots but it kinda stayed even with the other chaps rolling around me, the laps were short and we were out to do 7 plus the start lap. After a few mins it went into the 1st single track from the start loop, and it bunched up hard we were barely moving as frustrated as I was there was nothing I could do about it on an 8 min start lap I lost 2 and a half mins, Not Ideal... I was in 100th place. As soon as the track cleared a bit I was on a mission every group I caught I didn't wait a second, I just kept on rolling past and attacking the off my wheel.

Every lap I moved up spots but the damage had been well done by now. My lap times were faster than my position every lap so it is very frustrating to see. I moved up to 77th in the end back to where I started. I had given every thing and got a hole lot of nothing I race with my Garmin and I defanitly was in the red the whole race with an average heart rate of 183 that is my threshold so that was mint to see. So all in all good race not happy with the place though at all. Its a world cup though and its all about the start it always has been so...

We had a mean post race dinner with Luuka, and Mike after they came from there kayak world cup to our world cup to catch a bit of the action! now its on-wards and up wards to Val di Sole in Italy where we do a 10 hour mission drive tomorrow after training. The track sounds like it may suit again

Sorry cant sort Videos and pic's now way to tired, and have a splitting head ache I will try do some at some stage just come back and check it out latter in the week.

Chur

Carl

Graeme Murray Photo Shoot

2011-08-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

Graeme Murray Photo Shoot

http://www.graememurray.com

This is a bit of actions we got up to before we left NZ,

Thanks heaps Graeme

More shots to come

ITS MONDAY!!

2011-08-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

Ok its getting close to exciting times, Monday the week of our first World cup race, time is flying by which works perfectly for us as we can’t wait to race in what will be our second ever World cup race.

After Ostrava we have been based in Svetnov, a small village about 20km from Nove Mesto Na Morave where the World cup will be held. We have had good accommodation at Czech cottages and it has been great to be in a little village with well nothing, time to chill and train!

Training has still been smashing us so this week coming into the world cup will be a much appreciated drop in the millage, but I’m sure the increased intensity will make it hurt none the less.

We have had a 3 training sessions on the track since being shown around by the Merida Czech team, who had it dialled – with their manager being involved with the track and event. We also became famous New Zealanders on the Nove Mesto Na Morave World cup website from this pre ride.

http://www.mtbworldcup.cz/item/trat-uz-testovali-i-novozelandani/category/news?lang=EN

Our claim to fame

The track primo, it is around 4km with 4 steep climbing sections and 4 rooty descents broken up by a few scattered rock gardens. The track was not ridden in last week but once all the riders arrive it will definitely get a lot faster and smoother too.

http://www.mtbworldcup.cz/?lang=EN

Link to world cup web page – there is a video which shows a few fun parts in the track

our amature videos of our first play on the track - thought it may be exciting for the blog - few trees in the way, glare form the sun, and a bit of a yarn.. translation "a bit stiff at the bottom" as I went off a rock in the wrong direction:)

We will head out to the track Tuesday/Wednesday when the track is marked out and perfecto for the race, our last ride they were out working hard, some more rocks went in to a few sections making what was the “rock and roll” feel a little less rock and rolly – which turned out great for Carl as the rocks it was missing early in the week were causing him a few male discomforts when his bike geed out.

Todays plan is a bit of R&R and hopefully some of the NZ Kayakers are rolling through the area and we will get to catch up.

OSTRAVA CHACHAR - race reports

2011-07-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

Average race after a average weekend is how it was really.

We were not sure if the racing here would be the same high level as the Swiss Racer bike cups, but it definitely was. The race doubled as the final of the Central European cup and a UCI Cat 1 race, and some teams made their way over here, as the world cup is 2 weeks away. We stood at the start this morning watch loads of Pro teams and National teams from all over Europe, warm up and get their bikes cleaned and looked after, this is a dream for us that if we keep working hard we too can have aspiring amateur athletes looking up to us. The track was drying but no way near as fast enough for us, we still had dry tires on, and I was not risking running tubes again after my last two tubed races, so we sucked it up and raced.

Carl

It was a hard day to say the least in warm up I was boosting and was really thinking I was going to go good, I started well up but soon as we got to single track I was skating, there was a really cool peace of track though were I honestly don't know what the euros were doing but it was a sweet hot line, on the 1st lap I past 5 guys on one 40 meter peace of track I was stoked, that was as good as it got every lap. All I was gagging for was a climb but the track was really flat with only a few tech pinches but we had to run up them anyway, the mud was stuffing everyone's bikes up but I found the time to stop and clean my bike up cause it was really pissing me off. I finished up 20th where I should have been in the top 10 had I been a pro racer for the weekend like I have been for the other races.

Just so everyone doesn't get worried this race was a race a last minute one which we were going to wing, so wing it we did. The next 3 are down to the T every thing is PRO from now.

Katie

I think Carls very straight up summaries of our weekend of winging it provide insight into our frustration. It is hard to go with the flow when we know that to preform at this level we need every advantage we can get. I am a routine girl when it comes to racing, from dinner the night before to pre race nutrition... it has been so long since I have tested why but after today I will return to the routine. I am also a firm believer that when a race is muddy "I had the wrong tires" is a bad reason to race poorly as mountain biking is not just having skill, not just having power, and not just the equipment you need all these. So we suffered the consequences of our poor preparation for this one (but again it was what it was, a last minute add in which was directed at finishing off our hard training block and starting off our racing - so mission accomplished in this sense).

The field was strong and consequently I was ranked further down than in some of the other races, the start was through a flat paddock which we twisted our way up making for a slow but congested start. The first two laps I really struggled with the muddy sections, loved the technical rooty steep sections (with carls hotline) and loved how my legs and form were from the hard training. I had a lot of ground to make up and was far back in the field but determined to do so and with the track tacking up nicely in the last 2 laps I was able to ride my way back through the field up into 9th place in the elite women's which I am pretty stoked with.

A relief that the weekend of winging it is now over :) and tomorrow we are heading to our next accommodation which is going to be great perfect for what we need, great tracks and great people oh and a kitchen, so Carl has no reason for McD's :)

Katie and Carl

Rambalings Pre Race - What a day

2011-07-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

Holey shit today has been epic... I was stressing hard most of the day but now im over it.
Sorry for the language at some points in this but its how the day was.

Started in Praha (Prague) we went for a bit of a sight see as we couldn't check into our hotel in Ostrava until later in the afternoon and the track open until after 6pm.
The night in Praha we had tried to plan to have a kitchen in our apartment as we knew tonight in Ostrava we didn't have one... so that was mint we had a kitchen with no pots or pans... we got one little pan from the chap down stairs and we cooked up some chicken breasts... hole breasts as we didn't have a knife... then fired up some pasta in the pan... no pot... that was meant to be dinner, turns out it was lunch.. any longer in a hot car and it would have been the trots.

Anyway with our cooking out of the way we got in some sightseeing, Charles st bridge and some of the old town in Prague, pretty impressive and with Hot chocolate even better. Then it was off to ostrava a 3.5hr drive away... the roads in czech are no autobarn we bumped our way to Ostrava arriving a bit after 3 to our hotel.

Check in at the hotel did not run smoothly, with our capacity of the czech language starting with hello (dobridon) and ending with thank you (diky) it was hard to explain that our bikes would be coming inside. With use of google translate on the internet katie and the lady at the hotel came to the understanding there was no where for our bikes and they were NOT aloud in our room.... sucks for them! however they got us back as there resturant is closed on Sunday and now this means our one meal we could easily get will not be available.. guess we are even and with a shower made for a 3 foot midget they really jibbed us.

We got to the track after driving in circles for the good part of 2 hours and it started to bucket down hard. I packed a sad and didn't want to get my finger wet and soggy, plus our bike had to get in the hotel and to function in the race tomorrow with no way of cleaning them, So after not eating since before 12 now been around 630 we headed off looking for food... yea good one all the places are pubs and cant read a menu... I can read one menu though McDonalds so after trying for an hour and half to avoid McDs, I ended up there and Katie went to some hong kong fuwi place and got some rice dish and vegetable dish.

Now: 15mins ago I had a bath because of the midget shower... the water was the colour of a river so got out of that in a hurry, but not before I got my finger all wet, which by the way got put back on all crocked so now I have a deformed finger that I have no feeling in, and still has all the blood on from the day it happened. Might give it a good clean now though. Still haven't decided if ill race, probably will as I have been riding all week and I feel fast, I just haven't used my finger at all yet so don't no how it will handle it. Ill Man up though for sure

ok we are off to bed now to get some much needed rest and listen to our good old English DRINKING songs from the pub below. "Where did you come from where did you go ... cotton eye joe"

Carl

On the move again

2011-07-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come to leave what has been home for the last month, Karlovy Vary Czech Republic.

This month has been torture in terms of training putting in a large block, although it was all suffering it was definitely made easier with our great location where we had everything, flat, hills, really technical single track. So a massive thanks to Renata and Vasek, and Renata’s family, for showing us Karlovy Vary and welcoming us into their home.

Last night we drove to Prague, which looks beautiful a city full of history. We have a small chance to take in some sites this morning prior to our drive to Ostrava where we will be racing a UCI cat1 race, but after the accumulated weeks of training in our legs we might have to stick to sightseeing from the car this time round in our flying visit to Prague.

Carl is yet to decide if he is racing tomorrow, although his finger is healing well it is not yet back in use, we will ride the track this evening and he will see if it is up to racing.

Will keep you posted! We are off to see the 'old town' and recommended Charles Bridge in Prague

A Bit of an update on an unhappy finger

2011-07-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a wee miss hap, our bikes needed new brake pads so a straight forward pad change was needed it all went sweet until, my bike was rubbing so while we wheel was spinning quite quick I went in to make an adjustment and as I grabbed the calliper my right braking finger went into the disk. It all happened so fast I knew what I had done but was in a wee bit of shock looking down I thought my finger was a goner, but lucky for me it was still there just cut a long way through. After getting back in the house and a good 20 mins of hanging in a sink feeling very grogy and all faint 5 minutes of that I was out of it and could see any think or hear much (I’m a real pussy with blood and pain),we started trying to think about what to do next it defiantly needed medical attention so we searched out the hospital and boosted there.

They couldn’t do a whole lot but clean it out and F#$% me they cleaned it out alright, it couldn’t be stitched because of the nail so they just strapped it back with a whole lot of bandages and sent me on my way with instructions on where to go in the morning for its bandage change and check up. So today after struggling to find where I had to go, I found a doctor behind a big steel door in a packed out patients hospital (thanks to Katie’s persistence that surely even though no one spoke English she would find someone to look at the finger) . I was fully shitting myself but it was clean and the doctor spoke English, when they took the bandages off it was manky as, they cleaned it as much as they could bandaged it and gave me orders don’t move it, don’t get it wet, ice it, go to the hospital in the weekend to get it checked and bandages changed, and come see me Monday...

So yea here I am just chilling it’s not really buggering me up to much for training because the tour de france is motivating me so much I just go riding. It’s not ideal and I defiantly can’t use my hand at all. I missed a really important double session of training yesterday, I tried to do it after the tour but it started to rain and one handed arm under my arm pit intervals don’t really cut it so I came home and wrote the day off.

Today however the rain stayed away and the tour motivated me again, and I got a easy ride in on the roads still riding with my hand up under my arm pit but riding. I’ll be on the roads for a week I would say.

We have one week left in Karlovy Vary until we move across Czech to a UCI cat 1 race in Ostrava I’m looking forward to it as I was feeling super fast at the start of the week then a bit tired from training later in the week but defiantly feeling the best I have ever felt and I will be trying my best not to let this one get in the way of any think.

Carl

Karlovy Vary (our new training ground) and our trip here

2011-07-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

After Val d’isere we headed to check out the kayak scene and catch up with Luuka and Lou. We made it in time to watch the women’s final race which was impressive this sport is down to the wire and technique is so important.

Waiariki rep!

After the finals we went out for lunch – We had to go for the unhealthy option after Jane delivered the bad news that the academy would be without its top dog and driving force with her departure at the end of the year. Jane has had so much input into our sport and none of this will be neither forgotten nor go to waste.

mmmmmmmmmmm

After our binge and major brain storming on how to survive without Jane (with no immediate conclusions) we were back to the kayaking where luuka and Lou paddled in a lighter race a bit more fun but with cash up for grabs an exciting one to watch. It was 8 gates and one paddler would go with another setting off 5 seconds behind they would have to catch the one in front. If the gap was less than 5 seconds at the end the chasing paddler would go through and if the gap was more the front paddler would go through.

pre race - in deep thought

Scoping out his competition in luukas bib

Luuka and Lou were the chasers, but made the massive mistake of sitting on the line for some valuable seconds after the beeper went! Lou made it through to the quarter finals but luuka just missed out. It was an event like the XC eliminator event in cross country pretty exciting to watch.

Lou gunning it

Luuka putting in a powerfull stroke!

In the mens we cheered on John Hastings a Canadian who stayed at the tihi athlete flat in Rotorua last year and should make the Canadian Olympic team, We at Waiariki would like to take some credit as he spent a day on the erg in the middle of the Mokoia campus.

John Hastings in action

It was a primo day all around in the sun

We spent another night in France and then made tracks in the morning to Champery Switzerland (which was a small detour on the route to Basel) where the world championships will be held. Although you are strictly not allowed on to bike on the track we went for a run and scoped out the track. It’s mean track and was as dry as a bone so we got to scope out lines. In the dry it looks to be a hard fast track but we can predict the carnage that would occur when this track is wet. Either way it is going to be a mint challenging track.We also did some riding in Champery we road right up the mountain and decided after seeing the massive huck in the xc that we should do the coupe de monde dh trail, a few hundred meters later and we were both walking - that is one step track not made for an xc bike at all. We were latter told its one of the steepest DH tracks that is raced in the world.

Next stop was Basel in Switzerland to break up our drive, fortunately Pascal and his family put us up for the night. Pascal was off in the early hours of the morning to catch a flight to his next race we won’t see him again until possibly the Czech world cup but wish him all the best for the Swiss National championships!!!

Carls Favourite sign

In the morning we got in hard training ride and were on the road again the autobahn helped the drive go by quickly and in no time we were in Karlovy Vary, we met our friends Renata and Vasek and then their parents who Kindly are putting us up for the next 3weeks while they are enjoying a holiday in Germany.

Film festival

We perfectly timed our arrival to Karlovy Vary with the film festival and we had a great few days with Renata lining up some films (English translation and all) and even an impressive party that we weren’t invited to and well under dressed. Of course we avoided the drinking part, with two hard training sessions in the morning, and got through the night with a chocolate crêpe instead!

Renata and Vasek's Power plate studio - tried a work out (carl suffered as usual)

Make up time

Its great here and we have a really wicked mtb circuit technical with monster hard climbs and really sweet decents that are even testing Carl, and currently Luuka is in town on her rest week after her world cups has been primo hanging out on the other side of the world.

a section of our track - techy and fun

Chilling out - as if we have not left Rotorua

a feature wall like we have never seen before

Coupe de France Val d’Isere – Quick update before we hit the road

2011-07-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

U23 women podium - (more photos to come hopefully we can get one of Carl leading out the race)

We weren’t sure what to except at this race with a World cup in Canada falling on the same weekend and new the big hitters would be missing but Val d’Isere (to be a world cup venue 2012) put on an outstanding event. This race atmosphere was going off and the track was great and exceptionally hard due a big part to the altitude of 1800meters which had our New Zealand lungs screaming. Even with the World cup on the fields were large and consisted of some strong euro’s whom had opted not to travel to Canada, with 106 starters in the men’s and 35 in the women’s.

Carl – 7th Elite men -Whole shot into the first corner and flat out racing the whole time with some top Swiss, Frenchmen and Italians it was a hard day.

Katie – 9th Elite women, 2nd U23 – consistent clean race, a nice change from the bad fortune in the past few weeks.

Off to watch a white water Kayak World cup slalom race, Luuka and Lou from Waiariki NZL competed in the qualifying yesterday disappointed to miss out on the finals – this is racing in Europe in all sports down to the wire every second counts and these girls will be sure to be making the finals in the WC’s to come so look out.

Congratulations to the XC riders at MSA – NZ is in for a good year of cross country racing and good luck to the Kiwi downhillers today.

We hope to have internet again soon, but we better get on the road.

Carl and Katie

Racer bike cup CHUR, Switzerland

2011-06-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

We arrived to our accomodation in Films Switzerland (20mins up the mountain from CHUR) late Tuesday evening. Katie fell asleep on arrival I woke her for the best tasting dinner yet and we ate dinner in bed and then Katie was out like a light again she was pretty cut up still with the road rash on the arms and legs and bangs to the head it was best she tried to catch up on her sleep while I went training in a thundershower and located some essential places in the town a dentist just incase and a doctor also just incase.

Wednesday we were eager to check out the racer bike cup track in Chur so we piled into the car and drove down, Katie couldn’t ride for $H!T, one handed and 1km an hour didn’t really cut it she tried to keep up for awhile but soon threw in the towel and decided to leave riding the track to when she could hold on so another easy day for her. Sam and I checked out the track with the U23 auzy boys it took awhile to find it but a local set us in the right direction.

The track at first we thought was a bit roady but as it was ridden roots and rocks were exposed and with some fast off camber sections it made for a bit of fun. The track had a good climb, two fast decents, false flat and a road section so something for everyone.

Race day turned on a stunner over 30degrees and not much wind, as always ladies first - in the 12pm race and then the men to follow.

Katie

Raced day came around pretty quickly, but I had managed to heal up well for race day but it was a pretty painful week more painful in the fact I could not train and was getting really frustrated playing the waiting game by Thursday I could do some speed training but was still unable to comfortably ride single track so I left my track prep until Saturday which was ok as the track was easy to learn.
The start was fine and I was again able to move up the field but this was short lived as after a pinch which we had to run I couldn’t find a rhythm or speed and the other girls road around me like I was standing still. I am not sure but I think I was at the back or very close to last for the first two laps with nothing in the tank the legs were as flat as ever, Carl was great I think he instantly had figured the legs were underdone for the race in that I had not been able to the proper training he instructed me to down a whole peak fuel two coffee shots in one go I follow these instructions so loaded up on peak fuel I started to pick up. By the last lap I was on 14th ‘s wheel and I went past giving it every bit of what my flat legs had they had enough and I went past (maybe it was carls yelling the whole way up the hill as he warmed up) then toward the top I found my self on 13th place wheel I was excited and thought I was finally coming back. But at the bottom of a shoot I got a bit off line and then cramped (a side effect of a little more caffeine than I am used to and a hot day) the cramp caused me to ride out of the decent sitting on my back tire all very exciting and happy to be still upright I went to ride off still holding my position BUTTT my chain was off (due to my crazy ride down the hill) I finally got it free and back on but fell back to 15th.

So how would I describe that race, hard!!! I gave it everything but had nothing so spent the day hurting at the back of the field. I hope this has woken the legs back up and with a race in France this weekend I will be putting them up to the challenge.
Carl
I had a prick of a day, it started off good. I started well I moved up from 30ish up inside the top 15 in the 1st few minutes then the real hill started and the groups started rolling around me I couldn’t do much but watch them go by. By the 2nd lap I felt like I was along way back but on the 3rd I started my come back on the climb I moved around a few groups again and started descending really fast but got wide and hit a sharp stump I had been looking at all week, saying don’t hit that. Good one. I hit that, but for the 1st time in a few years I had a tube in. (We had new tires on that would take a lot of effort to seal and take days to get right and no air compressor so we had no choice but to run tubes). So that went flat in a flash, pretty pist I had to take it easy on the carbon rims so did a bit of walking and watching people go by then on the tarmac did a bit of riding properly would have been faster to run but could be arsed running a few km’s. got to the tech zone changed it and boosted again. That was short lived going from mid pack to really close to the back was hard but I stuck to it and gave every think for a few laps then Nino past me so I was kinda glad I had 1 less lap to do at this race… I kept the hammer down and a few laps latter the 3rd place bunch came past me I held on for a km maybe but the constant pace on the hill I soon blew and just lapping. By 2 laps to go I was really in the Cooked/Overheating/Hurting/Over it stage and really struggled to stay upright on the bike on the last decent I just about had one of the helicopter me of this hill side moments but just saved it to the surprise of the people standing there. I don’t know how but I think I was 39th out of 67 starters 22 of them DNF ed I think Nino lapped all but the top 20 which I think and was hoping to had been in. I haven’t seen results so don’t quote me on anything.
Tubeless is where its at…..
CHUR
Carl and Katie

We have been missing the internet, eager to find out how the Waiariki slalom paddlers and Tyler in the English armature (golf) went this weekend.

What a week

2011-06-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

A root canal, some longer harder training rides, a small local race with a nasty crash and the circus.

This week we have been with Pascal Schmutz a swiss mountain bike racer and his family mother Beatrice and father Dieter getting so well looked after we do not know how to begin to thank them for their generosity.

The root canal - Katie

So we better start with the nasty root canal first, yep I was right the pain I was in the Engelberg race was the sign of my poor tooth on its last legs. On Thursday I woke up and had no pain I thought how great is this I may not need to go to the dentist at all… but then after strong advice to get to the dentist anyway I went. When I went to the dentist and said it was the most pain ever for 5 days and now is better he laughed and said good you want need an injection. Turns out he was right the nerve was dead dead dead and it was YUCK! So part1 the drilling and xray and removal of the nerve is over part 2 is on Tuesday. The tooth is really wobbly as drilling into a tooth which is mostly fake anyhow from an injury to it in 2009 is not that great I have mastered cutting fruit up and eating slowly without using my front teeth. So I think I have the dental side under control.

The circus

Pascal and us outside the circus

Swiss National Circus

Beatrice and Dieter shmultz invited us to come along to the Swiss national circus it was a great night and having not been to the circus in years we all enjoyed it. After the Circus we went to the roof top beach here in Basel it is on top of a carpark and has been converted into a beach bar, with sand, a pool and a relaxed and nice atmosphere, from the roof we also got to enjoy the lunar eclipse, so a great night all round.

City beach

The great swiss food

During our stay we have been fornuate to have had some very swiss meals cooked for them and they have all be so YUM! “Raclett” and “Cholermus” are two of the meals we really liked.

Raclett

The training rides

In Basel there are various single tracks and we have had a sample of these with a few 2hr + rides with Pascal. It is great to be shown the tracks and has been mint for our training.

The Race

Today we started in reverse the men were off first with 6 laps and then the women at 3pm with only 3 laps. The track was some little climbs with some fast slippery downs and quite a bit of fast roads.

Carl’s Race

After a big week leading into this race I was feeling a wee bit tired but it was “gut“. The race was back to the hour and a half racing it is ment to be but at the same time it was a less serious race. There was however quite a few fast riders were there to try get the 400CHF that was up for grabs and the money went back a long way. We had to start 2mins behind the U19 riders and there were also good riders in there (top 10 at the last world cup) and we were all going for the same podium so it was a hard ask for us. I played a bit of a tactical race because I was getting sat on and euro sprinted into every single track, its pisses me off slightly so I started attacking the hill and trying to stay away. On the last lap I was flying again and the guy I was with attacked me on the hill I held his wheel and attacked the “scheisse” out of him over the top and got a slight lead and into a steeper running part of the track I really ran with everything I had getting a bigger enough lead to finish up in 7th with 2 U19 in front, Pascal was back in front of me this week in 6th so 2nite I get dinner happy with the little bit of CHF I picked up so I can feed myself for a week.

Carl

Katie’s Race … Katies’s Crash

The ice cream makes her happy

It was not a big race and so there was no pressure all I had to insure was that I got in a hard session to toughen me up for the race the following weekend and try collect some money for the dental bills.

Off the line I was a snail (after being slack in the warm up department and watching carls race instead) but I picked up on the first clmib slotting into 4th on the first decent and quickly pulled away from 5th and gained on 3rd place. I managed to catch 3rd place and but she was a racer that’s for sure and played some interesting tactics, sitting on, darting in front into the single track and then sitting back up and calling me through to sit on me again like the last climb except when she called me through I decided I had enough and knew I was stronger and instead of rolling through and letting her sit on I sprinted she did not like this and started sprinting with the next single track fast approaching and then swung across into me to get into the single track before me and we both went down in a high speed crash on tarseal and gravel. 15minutes into the race, mine was over. I was patched up with some nasty deep injuries on the joints which although deep enough for stitches they recommend I try butterfly stitches instead as the arm and knee need to move.

I hope to heal quickly, and have a final appointment with the dentist on Tuesday so will aim to be on the bike again Tuesday until then sitting is good. Even though crashing is not the most positive experience I am still loving every bit of the racing over here (maybe because I only raced for 15minutes??) but regardless bring on more racing!!!

Katie

We have 2 more days in Basel and then it is off to Chur for our final swiss racer bike cup! Will keep you posted.

Katie and Carl

Racer bike cup - Engelberg, Switzerland

2011-06-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

The view from our window - well when it isnt raining

OK... Prepare yourself we have written a small novel but we haven’t had the Internet all week so sorry for the lack of updates. We have been chilling out up in an apartment on the hill above Engelberg haven’t really seen much up here as its been raining lots, and bloody cold we have seen the view 3 times in 5 days, 3 times as in a few hours here and there then the rain comes back. Training in leg warmers and jackets isn’t so bad especially when you get to do hill interval training at 1600metres. The weather turned fine for the race though (our medusa mud tires didn’t end up being needed but got to hit it out on the drying rooty trail which saw some interesting times in both of races)... read on for some mint results :)

Katie’s Race 3rd U23

Today was much better! Ok still not perfect but this is why I am here, to learn and gain the experience to race at a top level by the time worlds rolls round. Form is there, well the best form I have had in my life and to think this is only the start with mainly just endurance training under our belts and the last week of racing. The race start was terrible, my gears skipped and I nursed them back on only to find myself dead last hanging on the back! Not at all enjoyable :(. I had to wait to the climb to redeem this awful start and tried my hardest to snag onto the back of a group just making it on to one Samara Sheppard fellow NZer was charging on the front of. I locked into the single track and was pretty loose and getting more trouble from my gears. Costing me heaps of places. The next 6 laps I worked my way through getting a person every now which was great but still was getting more enjoyable times from the gears. On the final pinch on the last lap I had the joy of this again and was passed by another U23 rider and try as I might I couldn’t get back past before the finish and finished 11th, and 3rd U23 1 spot out of the money. So as I said not perfect but getting there!

womens U23 podium 2 kiwis up there :)

After my race the Bergamont Swiss team manager came to congratulate me proceeding to say if we need any help to come and see them, if I hadn’t needed to dart off to the feed zone for Sam and Carl I would have had my bike straight there to get the love it is needing but will have plenty of time this week to sort it and it is just great to know that they will be there to help us out!

It’s not only the racing which is great here the whole atmosphere is and we can focus everything into training and getting in some great sessions. Only problem is currently I am having problems with my favourite tooth, the one from 2009 Worlds it is not pleasant my guess is its infected a bit but maybe the infection has spread to the gum which is causing incredible pain in my mouth. I have been trying to escape it from the past 2 days and turns out only now after the race Carl decided to mention he had bonjela! Yus a bit of relief! Hope it can get better on its own as well do not feel like a trip to the dentist!!! Also with all this time on my hands I managed to do a pretty good assignment and finish one of my level 7 papers A+ :) I could handle more of this action! Train study and race...

Katie

Carls Race - 11th elite men

Carl rolling to the start at call up

Best start ever, into the 1st climb was going good inside the top 10 then some chump saw me going around him and swerved and took me out, I didn’t go down but ran a few meters with my back wheel well over my head thinking I was about to eat it. Once I got going again I had lost my good start and I was going all animal trying to get back around everyone, passing a good 20 riders by 100 meters from the top then had a good 5 go back around me into the 1st down as I had blown my ass already.

A few laps of recovery and really taking it easy on my front 1.8 mud tire that I smoked into a rock and didn’t really like the feel of how much air was left in it... turned out the track had dried out lots and I was just slogging a mud tire around with me but it was still go in some spots.

Only snap I managed in the race on his last lap - nearly home to 11th

Every lap up the hill (it was a 136 vert meter climb maybe a Km long) I was making a lot of ground on a group of 7 riders soon as I got on the back they attacked and it split again 3 going off the front with Ozy Paul Van Da Plog pushing that group along nicely, Coming onto the last lap I was boosting and I was in 14th but I wasn’t done just yet hitting the climb in the big ring with Pascal Shmitz ( A swiss guy that was in Nelson this year, and we are staying with him the week) I don’t remember if I sat down the hole way up, catching and passing 1 rider at a time... I couldn’t even see any on the other guys so I was kinda settling for 13th but chewing on my stem with my boost on, I past a few more guys. Finishing up in 11th place, picking up some coin and some UCI Points. Supper stoked with that, kind of a few dumb ass decisions along the way but shit happens when you are racing

This is carl with his prize money - note to every one Carl thinks female bikers do not know how to wear there bike clothing properly and points out any female with and arm warmer down, helmet on a lean short leg flick up (thats me!) and anything but here is proof that CARL JONES has a lil curl out the front of his helmet not so tidy now!!! :)

:) Carl

the link below takes you to the results in English :)

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.racerbikescup.ch/&ei=R_30TeHZD8_Ysga_5uDCBg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dswiss%2Bracer%2Bbike%2Bcup%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-nz:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7SKPB_en%26prmd%3Divns

the boys relaxing after the race

Racer bike cup - Granichen, Switzerland

2011-06-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

So the first race of the season. the one that the results only get better as our speed builds we are doing a 5 week block of racing this being the first and only a few weeks into our speed build up, we had a mixed bag of results again...

Check out this race pack there is enough goodness in here to feed me for a week

The days forecast for thunderstorms turned out to be a baking hot day, and we cooked in all 29 degrees of it. Katies race kicked off first and she was feeling good, recovered and had scoped the track in her warm up coming back ready to go. She was not ranked very well on the start but went unbelievably well I was half way up the first hill when I saw her swing out passing a number of riders to slot in behind 2009 world champion who went on to win the race. I thought we were in for a big day however things went very wrong from here and turn into the one of the worst performances I have seen from Katie, I knew she would be disappointed it was well below her capabilities. In training I think I may have knocked her confidence a bit she was capable of all the technical sections but on the jumps was coming down short on her rear wheel, and risking puncture or a smashed rim, I recommended she take it easier into these and manual through them. This caused her to loose a lot time and confidence in her ability I later saw that nearly every female rider even the top placing ones were coming down short and some got away luck while others punctured or getting hurt as I had said. This week we will be going over these skills big TIME both of us want there not only to be the confidence but the skill so she can clear the gaps with no risk at all which she is easily able to do. On the whole Katie could climb well and her start was good, she told me "rode like shit today... but I can climb" :) so we are working on it.

Taped out 1st climb

Katie quickly got back to the car in the 20minute gap between races changed and ready to support Sam and I in the tech/feed zone. Ranked 8th going into it all I wanted to do was stay in the top 10 (got called up 14th lots of hard cores turned up) which would be possible if I was as fast as nationals. But reality is that I have only just started what it took me to win nationals so I was kinda pushing $h!T up hill. Started ok ish and we all bunched up for most of the climb then some one hit it hard spreading us out quickly. It felt really weird being at max heart rate for so long but felt good. The laps were very short laps so with Burry and Florian out there I had been lapped out in the back of my mind.... but not this year boys. My first 2 laps were ok again but I felt average, from then on it was all on, from sitting and only just making it over the steep pinches to out of the saddle powering over the top. Felt like a new me, I picked of a few chaps I was having battles with and gapped it finishing up 20th 12 mins behind Florian but still in wasn't very pretty but still ok. We did 9 laps of the very techy and very cool track. It was mean cant wait for my legs to come to the party wont be to long now.

Hurt box other side of feed zone

we didn't really get picks as we were both in feed zones.

Cheers
Carl + words of Katie's

Zurich/ Granichen

2011-06-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

We have moved on from Germany, where we were staying with the Karle and Annemarie Dieterle for those of you who know Joe Dieterle from Whakatane and now based in Tauranga this was his parents they lived in a small town called Wolfach 45mins from the Offenburg world cup track. The training there was unreal some days we would go up the mountains in to the black forest and climb to peaks near 800meters and other days we were riding flat cycle ways out of town, or just go do laps of the best rated world cup course out. We stayed for free and hardly spent anything on food all week, they just cooked and feed us none stop it was great. better still Karle didn't speak a word of English and Annemarie only a few words but we got by fine. We can not thank them enough for there help last week it was unreal.

Annemarie and Karle

It only gets better, now we have moved to Joe's sister Katrin and her partner Clemens house for a few days in Zurich they have a very tidy town house flat its very cool. they have gone to Karle and Annemarie's for a few days in Germany while we are hard at our training.

We have been driving out to Granichen each day where the racer bike cup is been held this weekend the track is a really short yet very cool track, properly one of the cooler race tracks we haven't been able to do 1 small climb and decent but we did the lap today in around 8minutes and 1 of the organizers said the laps take 11-12 minutes and we are doing 8-9 laps... this is what European racing sounds like, hard and fast, well it will be with the likes of Burry Stander and Florian Vogel, the Fluckiger brothers and many more big names rolling out for it.

We are busy trying to sort out where we are going to base for the next few week as we are heading into the most expensive parts of Switzerland up in the mountains.

......We no why everyone here is lean mac donalds on the 1st night (we had to it was 1am and nothing open) we got here cost 18 swiss francs for a burger chips and drink($24nzd) that wont be happening again.

Carl

Black Forrest, Germany

2011-05-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

5 days in europe and we love it!

Firstly check out our new bling for our bikes Carbon Citec wheels!!

(Karle and Katie)(haha)

Wednesday night was a late arrival it was not until after 1.30 in the morning we reached our accommodation, a really neat old castle converted to a hostel!

However every thing went perfectly and our car met us at the airport and our thule bike rack fit perfectly with the bikes.

We woke nice early thanks to jet lag and enjoyed a full breakfast before heading to Black Forrest in Germany to where we would be staying for the next week.Joe and Katrin arranged everything for us to stay with their parents Karle and Annemarie There home is lovely and they have spoilt us over the past few days. Black forrest is the perfect training ground with mountains and the optional flat recovery ride with the amazing Offenburg World cup track a short drive away.

This is Thomas our dinner time translator

On Saturday and Sunday we watched the world cup as we mentioned we felt it was a good choice for us not to race, as one could easily make a mistake at a race of that level and with jetlag it was not a risk we wanted to take so early in our plan. We learnt a lot from watching, it is not often you get the chance to watch your own race and see what it takes to be the winner of the world cup!!! So it was a valuable trip. We also got to support fellow kiwi´s Sam Shaw, Karen Hanlan and Rosara Joseph!

We have had some great training here and are looking forward to tomorrow where we will have our last hard session in black forest on the world cup tarck before leaving Wednesday morning back to Switzerland. Where we will be staying with Katrin in Adliswil, Switzerland which is not too far from our first Swiss cup in Granichen! Can´t wait to race!!!!

<<<< Evans crew

Will keep every one updated!!!!

Switzerland bound

2011-05-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

We ran out of time to update everyone before we flew out at the moment we are on route to Seoul in South Korea where we have an 18 hour stop over and put up in a very flash hotel for the night. Be good to look around another part of the world.

Any way a few more thank you’s to...

Pete and Julia Calnan, the Whakatane lions club, and Greg from Thule for getting a bike rack sorted for us in less than a week. And thanks to our grandparents and mums for giving us more money in the last few days.

We had been thinking about racing the Offenburg world cup 2days after arriving, but we feel this could be a bad idea due to jet lag so it’s a good idea to sit it out so we don’t get sick/injured or some think stupid early on. We may still do the pro eliminator race which is a 4x type event around a short 1min 30sec lap with the top 2 progressing to the next round... seen as massive power units have been winning I don’t think we will last long

For Korea it looks mean for what we have seen so far... a bit smoggy! Wish we had more time to check it out, we sacrificed site seeing for a core work out this morning so Evan, Sam and Jane will be impressed or shocked!

Ill update the rest of the flying and driving through Switzerland when we get to Germany on the 26^th (27^TH NZ)

Hope winter treats everyone well

Carl and Katie

New Bikes are here

2011-05-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

On Monday our flash new bike's arrived and the bike culture boys have tricked them out with a few lighter parts so we are ready to roll.

Our other bikes are for sale, if you or anyone you know needs a bike ($3000) we need the cash for Europe so the sooner they sell the better. If you want any more info on the bikes email us

Thanks

Carl and Katie

Huge Thank Yous

2011-05-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

We are only 2 and a bit weeks away from leaving for this year overseas campain, we fly out on the 25th flying to Zurich in Switzerland arriving two days before the offenberg world cup, we might just hit this one cold turkey and jet laged we will see though.

We have had lots of people helping us out with some money this year. Last year we pretty much funded ourselves and have struggled since so a masive Thank you to the following people, Orange Motor Company, http://www.orangemotorco.co.nz/ , Destination Rotorua www.rotoruanz.com ,

The Ohope Lions and the Pohutukawa branch of the Ohope lions, also to Clive and Mary Thornton,

the Kiwanis Club of Whakatane, the Family as always and Evan

We will post our race plan so people can keep an eye on the blog and races we are off to do

Thanks Again

Carl and Katie

Oceanias

2011-03-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Last race of the season and we didn't quite get this one right. Our heads were in it but a few decisions regarding training during our week leading in left our legs with no snap the top end just wasn’t there. Gutted to get it wrong for a big race but shit happens, we know exactly what went wrong the whole week, nothing to do with the coaching of Evan just bad decisions on trying to recover and sharpen the legs on our behalf. Although 10points for being recovered on the start line a shame the legs were enjoying it a bit too much and cruise mode was on. We won’t be taking deviations from the coaches’ master plan in future we didn't execute the sessions as they were outlined and suffered the consequences. The course however was great fun and boasted some challenging rocky sections and was a good honest mtb track, passing was all out railing in the bush or putting the power down hard when there was opportunity.

Katie’s race U23 women’s Runner up Oceania’s

Due to new rules the U23 is run as a separate race, a major issue was that we were set off 10metres back on the elite women which lead to massive congestion up the first climb and did not give the chance to open up, further frustration was it also allowed for gaps to form as we weaved in amongst the elites to try to get clear tracks. I really did get frustrated after the first lap as I watched the leading U23 ride away while I was behind another rider (elite) struggling to get a chance to get past. I had to really focus back on just riding hard and forget all this for the next laps, I managed to get back on the tail of the leading U23 however one tricky section of the track which only 2 Australian women had dialled one being Rebecca Henderson the lead U23 and the other elite Rowena Fry, meant that Rebecca opened up a gap again which she extended each lap. As mentioned I did not have the legs or the top end speed on the day and could not make up for missing this technical section, which was very disappointing and cost me the title. Rebecca Henderson took the win after a great ride with outstanding skill, I placed 2^nd, and Samara Sheppard 3^rd. All and all in a strong field we were amongst the top elites for our 4 lap’s even despite our difficult start.

I am really happy with my season this year; I have ridden consistently and am bridging the gap to elite riders who last year were a long way ahead. I think this consistency and improvement in my racing along with mistakes I have made which I can learn from and work on in training to come will equip me for nailing a great international session this year.

Carl’s race

All week I was finding it hard to recover, I went out for lap’s of the track learning my lines every day some days doing a lap and giving up I was finding it hard to get the legs back after only 6 day’s recovery from Colville Connection, a 72km mtb race which I struggled with the distance and pretty much wrecked myself to get 2^nd place, cool race though.

I was trying my hardest the whole race and just continually lost place after place until I finished up 10^th bit of a shit way to end the season ae!

Time for a break – Tramping, camping, study, and a lot of working to earn the money to get to Europe!!

Waiariki 2011 Athlete Function

2011-03-03T22:17:00.000-08:00

Tuesday was the athlete induction day at Waiariki where the new athletes were welcomed in and everyone got stuck into some team bluiding at the lake. We were a bit late coming down from Auckland but it looked as though everyone had a great day and we joined in the last activities which as usual invovled getting into the lake.

Wednesday night was the more formal side of things, the 2011 athlete function. Formally a number of new athletes were welecomed to their squads and achievements and progess of the accademy are celebrated.

I was super stoked to recieve the manaakitanga award for 2011 for high academic achievements and contribution to the spirit of Waiariki! I must make one pretty good coffee (thanks for teaching me Tim, its clearly paying off). The award is back up on the wall at Tihi with one very jealous Carl whom had possesion of this award last year :)

Samara Sheppard won the Waiariki athlete of the year award after her sucessfull 2010, While Sam Sutton took out the World champion award for taking on the World and coming out on top!!!

Thanks Waiariki :)

National Championship photos

2011-03-02T23:13:00.000-08:00

Waiariki team BBQ

Elite and U23 men start

Carl holding his breath as patty gets ready to hit it

womens and U23 Start

spot the Waiariki riders yeyah new tops

sam must have been in the bush taking this one

the pain face - Running is not my specialty

in the zone

in the 'house of pain'

still in the 'house of pain'

faster running than riding

National U23 champion :)

Elite mens national Champion 2011

Carl, Dirk, Mikey, Cabin, Brad - Elite mens podium

Rosara, Karen, Katie, Bridget, Eloise - elite womens podium

Photo's by Sam Thompson

It’s going to be a good year - Both National Champions... Yeeeha!

2011-02-27T17:55:00.000-08:00

CARL JONES ELITE MENS NATIONAL CHAMPION 2011

The best day of my biking career so far... I wanted this so bad for the last 6months have been dedicated to this race to prove a point. The day of the race I felt slightly tired and I love that feeling, In warm up my bike felt light and I felt fast, it always feels like this when I’m peaking so I knew I was at my best before the start. Race started with Waiariki team mate Patrick Avery boosting off the front and me slotting in 2^nd this is how it stayed for the 1^st 2 km then we were into the hill where Dirk came around me and attacked, I went with him and we rode away from the other boys, as he sat down I still had more in the legs and for the 1^st time this year I attacked Dirk back harder than I ever had before and gapped him, and rested on the decent so I could go again on the 2^nd hill. The 2^nd hill was the technical up and down section of the track and due to the rain of the week we were running for a few hundred meters, (I hate running even enough to not run at all when it says to on my programme that I was following to every detail) once at the top it was a slippery traverse across the top until the DH where I was riding until on the 3^rd lap I worked out I could run faster down it. My lead slowly increased until I was out to 2min 30 gap half way through the last lap and was told by Evan to back off (the decent) and seal the deal.

I had pushed my body well beyond its limits and was cramping very bad from lap 2 but I was determined to win for my family and for my poppa who died at Christmas he loved my racing and always wanted me to do well and be there to see it, and for everyone who has put all the effort into my career so far, there it was for them. The goal Evan and I set 5 years ago to win the elite national title was ticked off the long list

KATIE O’NEILL U23 WOMENS NATIONAL CHAMPION, 3^RD ELITE 2011

Yesterday I got back what I wanted the U23 national title. The build up was great and l felt focused and able to overcome any obstacles. Even down to taping my knee due to hurting my tendon and making custom repairs to the broken shoe which caused it the night before nationals. Very happy they lasted but looking forward to getting a new pair of luois Garnier shoes this week, which I have missed this season!

I had a terrible start to the race I slipped down the edge of the track trying to get around a rider and back on the wheels of the lead girls FRUSTRATING to say the least, I managed to get past and then pass another rider to get the track clear, from here I really put in the effort to chase. By the top of the climb I had closed in on Fiona Mcdermid and passed her during this lap, from here it was Karen Hanlan and Rosara out ahead. The second lap I continued to chase but made mistakes when I was pushing, it was from this point I felt the most important thing was to secure the race I was in, which I had a great enough lead to keep within comforts to take the U23 win. Nationals was definitely raced more with my head than the body but I had done what was set out and cemented the win.

Congratulations to Rosara taking the elite women’s win, and Karen Hanlan for putting up a great fight for the tiltle. What a machine first year mtbing and second place in elite womens. Last but not least Carl who put it all out there and got the result!

Katie and Carl

Thanks from the both of us to everyone who has played part in helping us achieve our goals with a special thanks to our families, Evan Mcrae our coach, Bergamont bikes Craig and Philipp, Endura clothing, Waiariki Jane Borren and Sam Thompson, and the bike culture guys we really appreciate everything.

Final round NZMTB Cup Christchurch

2011-02-19T00:12:00.000-08:00

Its been a great week in christchurch. Staying with family and getting to catch up with everyone is always good so have throughly enjoyed it with my brother even timing an operation perfectly so he had his lovely sister to come and visit and ask lots of question like does it hurt and many more obvious annoying ones.

We also had a chance to catch up with the bikecycle/bergamont guys and see the great things they have planned for 2011. One thing we trialed for the week was sportique, we loved the massage cream which helped to recover the legs and Carl really enjoyed the shammy cream which he happily announced at prize giving. Its worth while giving the products a try, anyone who raced nationals has a sample in their pack and to get 5% off just mention Carl’s or my name to bikecycle.co.nz just give them a call and your all set.

Now to the racing –

My race (katie)

I was really excited going into this race, to race Rosara Joseph is really exciting as she is such a talent. My race did not go supper well however, with some more mechanical issues (I miss bikeculture!!) and just feeling not too recovered from the weekend before, running really isn’t my specialty. Never the less I still placed 3^rd in elite and hung in there. I followed the race with a nice recovery swim and a huge meal back at dad’s which his partner Chris had kindly prepared, will get the bike sorted tommorrow and then Monday will be the journey to Dunedin.

Carls Race

First few laps was quite tame I lead the 1^st lap then my self Mikey and Anton Copper boosted off the front every lap on the climb but were caught on the down by the locals. Then after 3 laps Anton attacked, it caught me a bit off gaurd as I was behind Mike at the time and I chased hard been 15 seconds off Anton at the top but then he really delt to me on the down hill from then on I was chasing him for the remainder of his laps (5) but he did still deal to me. After this it was just me Vs Kyle Wood who has really shot up at the right time close to nationals, I started to back off slightly towards the top of the hill but then he was closer to me than I had expeceted, I had to put the head down again and give 1 last push taking my 1^st elite win this season without an inform Dirk in the feild.

Lets do it all again next week a J

Yum banana cake is now iced!! So we are off (Jane promiss this wont be seen in the skinfolds!!)

UCI cat 2 Nelson

2011-02-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

We arrived in sunny nelson on Thursday to stay with Mark and Eloise Fry at their beautiful home just past Richmond. We were very fortunate to be invited to stay, we have redirected our mail and will be moving in for good... we wish.

The Nelson track was mean, really fun to ride and made for great racing especially with the stacked feilds with a number of international riders also in there.

Katies race

It was all go off the line Karen lead the climb ahead of Fiona and myself, and then we were hot on her wheel for the descent and the first lap continued like this. In one of the last descents down to the start finish I had an off, back up within seconds to come through the start finish 6seconds down and charging back on to the wheels ahead of me. As I was climbing up the gravel I heard a rubbing and thought bugger I have bent my rotar then as I turned into the first descent I had an almighty snap and that was the back break gone. This lap was a long 5km of running, riding, and crashing as I slipped into 4^th then managed to climb back into 3^rd as going up was not a problem, however had to run the last few km’s and went backwards through the feild. I made it to the tech zone where I was completely unprepared (Our sparewheels were not arriving until christchurch) Luckily Paul Mcdowell and Mark Fry helped sort me out a wheel which invoveld swapping cassettes and alsorts so a huge thank you to them 26minutes later I completed lap 2 and was on my way. I was determined to get back on the podium and get some all important UCI points and cash however the gears werent holding, bottles were missed and I got every bit of bad luck out of the way.

I now eargerly await national champs, feeling in great form and ready to come back from this dissapointing race. Thanks to Jeremy Ingles for lending me his wheel for a few days and the guys at bikeculture for sending Mikes own race wheel down with instructions to ride it like i stole it. THANX J

Carls Race

Feeling really great I was ready for this. Off the start I was matched for the pace, however I then started to go backwards and didn’t really feel as though I was firing. With a bit of frustration I downed a whole peakfuel in one go and within minutes I was off on the chase, trying to get back to the front end of the race. I ended up having a good battle with Mikey which ended in a sprint finish for 3^rd with Mikey taken the line honors. Dirk and George battled at the front until Dirk slipped away from our roadie friend, blood mountainbiker G-bizz.

Here is a link to the results

http://www.mtbnz.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/xc3-nelson-results.pdf

Lap 3 and 4 for me aint right looks like I’m Nino and then just myself again. Looking forward to getting it right and brining some form to nationals.

http://www.shuttersport.co.nz/galleries/rabodirect-2011-nz-mtb-cross-country-cup?page=1
Photos can be found on the link above

Up dates and N-Duro 2 or 3

2011-02-05T23:56:00.000-08:00

Nduro 2 Race cancellation

2 weekends ago saw bad weather and as a result two mountain bike events were cancelled in Rotorua. This was a great call, as we collected the course markings on Monday and Tuesday we soon found an obstacle course - trees everywhere, new lakes had formed on the tracks and many slips to deal with, to ride that day would have been dangerous. The weekend free of racing allowed for some indoor cricket so it was not all terrible.

Golden wedding anniversary celebrations

The following weekend was spent celebrating Kath and Gordon Smith (Carl's grandparents) 50th wedding anniversary. a great day full of lots of lovely food, and an interesting training session which resulted in the state highway flooding obstructing our path home and leading to some bush bashing. Pretty amazing what mother nature was throwing down that weekend.

beside the road/river, up the bank full of goarse and long grass - hating every metre

25minutes later: the other side - (4wd's had water over the bonnets in the middle)

N-Duro Race 2

A hard weeks training later, the hardest yet and it brings us to the N-duro today. Today was again double silver we are making a habit of finishes up in the same position.

Carl’s race – Open Men

Dirk Peters – 2:02:02
Carl Jones – + :57
Sam Shaw – + 2:24

The day started of with alot of pain after a new core workout on friday and a hard week of training with the race to finish off the last hard full week of training. I was very nervous warming up as I was hurting but couldn't get the heart rate up but I new now it is all or nothing.

Race started and I found my self slipping off the front, however after the 1st few mins Dirk came around me and the race was on he took off and me and Patrick Avery were the only ones able to go with him, it only lasted a little while untill we were all riding by our selves, I had quite an up and down race but I was still fast even when I wasn't firing on all the clinders. I had a battle with Sam Shaw for most of the race going back and fwd. Dirk and myself could see each other a few times in the race and we pushed the pace even harder. Every thing is just slipping into place nicely now and I am feeling really quick, so all is good.

Carl

katies Race – Open Women

Annika Smail – 2:18:05
Katherine O’Neill – + 2:51
Karen Hanlen – + 4:41

Feeling appropriately smashed from the weeks training I was getting really nervous this morning, unsure of what the race would bring and if the body could handle this session.

Warming up like Carl I was not feeling great which only increased the feeling that I would not keep pace with speedy Annika and Karen, the race however surprised me a bit.

I started off alright up with Annika and Karen, although this was short lived as I hit a really rough patch through soak hole and only just made it out the other side. From here I was on my own and when I felt good I would put hammer down which eventually paid off as I caught Karen down ‘pondy's’ and managed to finished up in 2nd place. I was unable to catch Annika, in the pursuit to do so I suffered from some intense cramp in the calf muscles even dropping me to the ground when I tried to run through the water crossing. The cramp was a result of not taking on enough water as I ran out in the Chinese menu and only had Coke from here (not the ideal drink for dehydration). I will be trying a product called Elete in the next race this will give that extra edge in hydration.

Katie

RABODIRECT 2011 NEW ZEALAND MTB CUP - ROUND 2 XC, PAN PAC ESKDALE MTB PARK, NAPIER

2011-01-16T01:54:00.000-08:00

This weekend was the 2^nd round of the NZ XC MTB cup and with some UCI points up for grabs it made for a bit of exciting racing. It was great to see most nz xc riders came out to race especially when everyone is in different training phases around this time. Both the men’s and women’s field were strong and it’s exciting to think of the great racing to be had at the national championships in late February.

Katie – Elite women

photo taken by Michelle Bellamy

I started my morning off with a complete rookie moment (or blonde, or completely dumb), I decided that I could quickly ride backwards out of the track, bad move! I collided with Mikey Northcott luckily no damage was caused although adrenalin was running high and I felt not only like an idiot but terrible. Sorry yet again to Mikey – who was great about it (should have had me on the chopping block.)

After my interesting warm up we were already lined up and the race was on the way. During the race I had some fun battles one with Eloise Fry where we tried some of our road racing skills and had a little attacking session one after another. Overall I road consistently although when I started feeling I was in a good rhythm and had the track dialled I got cramp in the legs, the next hot race I will need to have a bit more water and also add some drink mix to prevent this. I spent the first 2 laps in 4^th and 3^rd and then kept 3^rd place until the end. Fiona Macdermid and Karen Hanlen battled it out for first and second place with Fiona claiming the win.

Carl – Elite men

Photo taken by Michelle Bellamy

I was ready as ever I have felt a bit of form coming on after vineyards, and was keen to try get as much UCI points and cash as possible. Dirk Peters put yet again an impossible pace on the 1^st climb leaving Myself, Mike Northcott and Stu Houltham gob smacked and fighting it out between ourselves, we pretty much had the best race we have ever had together chopping and changing positions every lap, it was actually quite fun. I sat 2^nd for quite a bit of the race just trying to catch Dirk, but Mike smashed it past me on lap 5 of the 6, and on the last lap me and Mike went hit for hit on the last climb with Mikey having the final say and rolling away from me after that it was all about getting to the end before Stu, I ended up 3^rd after a good hard race loved every bit.

Results can be found at this Rotorua mountain bike club link

http://www.riderotorua.com/news/rotoruamtb194pd12.pdf

Now its back into a hard block of training before heading to the south island – we are looking forward to the hurt. During the block we will be including the N-duro series races with the 2^nd round this coming weekend.

Carl and Katie

Back to the Dirt – silver for the both of us

2011-01-08T19:01:00.000-08:00

The nduro summer series was kicked off today with the first race. We hung up our road bikes and went out to see if we could remember how it’s done. Despite one crash and a bit of cramp in the hands (Katie) we still knew what riding a mtb was about. No rest, no surges just straight out going for it.

A bit of disappointment for the day when Carl took a wee detour on some other trails as a result of people flicking arrows around and pulling down tape. It is disappointing that people out there would change the markings after the n-duro guys have spent the time marking it out.

We still have a major focus on training and a smaller emphasis on the actual racing side with our main event for NZ’s summer still to come so results now are just a bonus. We are happy with our efforts, Bikeculture riders took out first and second in both open men’s and women’s categories, Katie behind Anika Smail who was flying down the hills and through the single tracks up with the top guys, and Carl behind Dirk Peters by 2 mins 18.

n-duro races are fun events held on some of NZ’s best tracks so get along to the next one and we will see you there. Thanks to Marcus, Dean and the team

Carl and Katie

Tour de Vineyards

2011-01-06T21:04:00.000-08:00

4 days 4 stages over 357km of racing

Stage 1 - 60km circuit race 12laps

At the start of this I was so nervous I felt sick, the pace for this race is usually something of a tour de France stage this year it wasn’t like previous year. This year I didn’t even know if I was going to keep up, my last road race was this tour last year and I hadn’t raced the roadie since then ether, however I have been training hard for mountain bike nationals and doing lots of road work.

The race started off well and I found myself having a few turns on the front of the peloton of just over 100 riders, a small break went up the road while I floated down the back of the bunch (right where ya don’t want to be, it makes it twice as hard) so I started riding up the side I saw a few guys going off the front trying to make a break away to get to the other 8 or so riders up the road, next thing everyone was slowing down letting them go... seen as I was full tap on the outside I thought stuff this I’m out of here, literally as hard as I could go (Garmin data after shows max heart rate as 200) I attacked and had Josh Atkins a member of Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong development team on my wheel he soon rolled around me and we were off we got a bunch of 12 or so together where we lapped as hard as we could until we caught the other break, I was stuffed by this point and couldn’t lap through very well. We ended up staying away from the main bunch where most of the big hitters were putting 1min 45sec into them, so I was 18^th on GC at the end of day 1 and had a good gap back to the other 80 ish riders.

Stage 2 - 128km Takaka hill stage

I have never had a good day up takaka but it is usually on the 3^rd day this year it was day 2 and I was hoping for a good 1. Early on in this stage there are a few sprints so the pace was on, then there is a KOM on the top of the raye saddle, Jeremy Yates and another were up the road so they got the 1^st 2 place points and I thought I might give it a go to get the 3^rd but George Bennett and Josh Atkins (livestrong boys) and James Williamson (Pureblack Racing) were also going for it, I was matching them up the climb and over the top however James was going to get it so we sat up and rested over the top and waited for the peloton to come after that things got even harder Rollston got on the front for about 30 mins and completely drilled it I was near the front maybe 15 riders back everyone was in single file 100 riders long, I didn’t think I was going to last that however I did, it didn’t get any easier after a small bunch attacked in a feed zone on one of the bigger hills we were all balls out trying to get back to them I was trying my best to roll through and do my work to catch up so I didn’t lose too much time on GC however it had its toll and I had to sit in and rest up as much as I could before the 18km climb of takaka hill, I rolled into the bottom of it with a hell of a guts ache don’t know what from, and wrecked legs I did the best I have ever done up there but still lost 8ish mins to the leader.

Stage 3 - 119km stage with 3 KOM’s

This stage was hell, I had a good few hours, 60ish km to go I blew bad as it was a really hot day and I started on my peak fuels way to early, for the 1^st 2 hours I was on the front of the bunch drilling it trying to catch the break that was up the road, then it all went down hill from there, at the feed station I could only get 1 bottle and no food and I was well out of water so the bottle went straight into me, then we had about 35km to go with 2 hills I was all over, getting dropped from the main bunch and only just hanging on to the guys I was riding with to the end. That afternoon I was in a bad way I ate more food in 2 hours than I eat in 2days, drank lots and by night I felt like I might come right for day 4.

Day 4 – 50km hill st Crit

All I wanted to do was stay in the bunch and finish off the tour in a good way, so that’s what I did, the circuit was only a 2.6km lap and we had 20 laps where we had some really tight corners to get round hitting speeds of over 65kmph, jumping man holes, hitting cats eyes and some really rough roads it was very scary but fun.

I wanted a top 20 finish in the tour this year but after having a shit day on day 3 I just wanted to do as good as I could, I ended up 30^thonly 13 mins down and would have made the top 20 if I didn’t have a that bad day. o well defiantly be back next year and will look to do a lot more road races after having so much fun and meeting new people.

Thanks to Sam from Waiariki for looking after us and sorting most of the trip.

Season is all on

Carl

Nelson - Tour De Femme

2010-12-31T12:52:00.000-08:00

Another year with the Waiariki gang back in Nelson for the road tours first up was the Tour De Femme and still to come is Tour de vineyards. Tour de femme was 3 days and 5 stages which Samara Sheppard and I represented Waiariki in whilst the guys supported from the sidelines.

Day 1

Stage 1 - 11km hill TT

I started off good, feeling strong really loving the steep part of the climbing. About 10minutes in got sharp pains under the rib cage, a result of shallow breathing it bloody hurt I started to back off so it would ease and before I knew it I had climb to the top. I was disappointed with my time and didn’t get to really thrash the legs as intended, but with 4 more stages it could still be accomplished.

Stage 2 - 48km 6lap circuit race

My legs felt really good and still relatively fresh from the mornings mere of a hill climb, although under the ribcage was still sharp. The circuit race went well and I managed to stay up the front of the bunch, close down an attack and move forward for sprints and give them my best attempt. The fast experienced road girls have little fear and will swing out and manoeuvre around bikes with ease, I would love to get into more road racing and learn this as I really did feel strong... so not yet a sprinter or roadie but will continue trying!

Day 2

Stage 3 - 70km road race

The course was really good, with lots of climbs to keep the legs burning. Again I stayed with the front bunch and felt strong like I belonged to be there and was not just hanging on for dear life. The last phase of training has been accomplished and I have a large base underneath me which enabled me to feel strong until then end which was a steep hill climb. Although it was a hill top finish the times were not individual and despite a large gap between riders everyone ended up with bunch time a bit disappointing and did not impact GC.

Samara and I having a chilly river dip to get ready for the 19km TT... well as ready as one can be.

Stage 4 - 19kmTT

I found it hard to get the intensity required for this effort as although developing a large base I am still missing the speed aspect but I got through it and finished managed to not loose too much time overall.

Day 3

Stage 5 – 80km road race

Today was the day to try some road racing tactics; I lapped through strong always doing my share of work, attacked the bunch and got away where Eloise Fry (a fellow mountain biker) and we stayed away for a bit it was early on but I wanted to string out the bunch a bit and wanted to have smashed legs at the end of the race instead of just sitting in the bunch until the finish. The race itself was full of various attacks, a few breakaways but in the end everything was closed down to a bunch finish, which kept GC basically the same.

Big thanks to Sam and the Waiariki guys. Sam has been the organiser, driver, strategist and recovery master (preparing ice baths, supervising our river recovery, and in the evenings massage!!). Whilst the boys have been yelling from the side line and always giving advice.

Waiariki Christmas Party

2010-12-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

What can we say.... Pics Say all

Jane with Sam Sutton

Steve the Flat Mate

Will Flat Mate

Luuka Flat Mate

Tyler Flat Mate

Louise in Luuka Jones outfit

The Crew

Carls well Katies clothes

Good times after we went and did a spot of Karaoke at a local bar and then into bed for work at 7am. Training is at its hardest and we are feeling it big time but our testing is showing the hard work and we are both a lot lot stronger than when we got back from Canada... loving it cant wait for February 26th

Oh we are also .com now so www.carl-katie.com

Carl

Mid North Island Cup - Rotorua Round

2010-12-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

Great weekend training, an endurance ride on Saturday followed by a Mid North island cross country round in Rotorua on the Sunday.

The track was hard with no rest - A very well run event put on by the Rotorua Mtb club.

Open Mens 1st Dirk Peters, 2nd Carl Jones, 3rd Patrick Avery

Open Women 1st Karen Hanlen 2nd Katie Oneil, 3rd Sonia Foote

Check out Rotorua mtb club website for full results, other events and news http://rotorua.mtbclub.org.nz/

Taupo Huka XL

2010-11-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since our last report post singlespeeds in this time we have put in a massive block of training and worked hard in order to earn some much needed money. We had a great physically and mentally demanding weekend at Thornton Beach, attending a development camp as part of the Waiariki Academy of Sport. Another big weekend has just passed as we competed in the Huka XL in Taupo.

. .
Thorton beach

The weekend went well in Taupo, we cruised down in the morning after a nice 4.30am sleep in and got in to Taupo just after 6 to be on the start line for a chilly 7am start. The event is enormous, with cyclist everywhere. Taupo is taken over and it is great to see the mix up with elite road and mtb riders, relay riders, people out to just complete the event and people out to have a good time. Some extreme bmxers at the end doing some impressive tricks off the ramp jump with Jed Mildon (fellow Waiariki athlete) taking out the competition and even pulling off a world first manoeuvre.

The race was hard for both Carl and I and not from lack of training, we have really been putting in the miles and pushing ourselves to our physical limits with our sights set on Nationals. Taupo was the 2nd to last day of our training block, so we went out put in a hard session and we are pleased with how we finished up and where we are at in the big picture.

Carl’s race had its ups and downs, the down came first at the start of the race but with his secret weapon (a full can of V???) he felt much stronger in the second half and placed 7th in a strong mens field. While my race went along at ONE pace, yes this even included the start line where I definitely was not keeping up, boy was I glad it was an 80km event. I finished up in 4th.

Arnika took out the women’s for her 3rd year running and Mikey claimed the mens Race. Other Bergamont riders also had some great rides in Taupo, Brendon Sharratt finishing up in 5th whilst young Frank Sutton also put in a great time.

3rd and 5th- Place Single Speed Worldchamps 2010

2010-10-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

Race Week

Monday - converted bike to SS, helped Marcus take down Nduro marking and went for our very first Single speed mountain bike

Tuesday - 3hour SingleSpeed, Ouch - seamed like a good idea at the time

Wednesday - 2hour SS/run up hills due to being smashed from two days of Singlespeeding

16inch World champs - held in the afternoon Carl was up for it - made it to the second round

Thursday - too soft, took the Road bikes out for a few hours for an amazing 24km average - the word to best describe this is 'cracked'

Sweeb Record $500 up for grabs for the winner - We gave it a go, the legs just didn't have it in sub 1minute efforts to even get close to the winning times.

Friday - Important race preparation - the paint Job by artist Michelle Bellamy http://www.bellamygallery.co.nz/

Saturday - Race day

Final Race prep - more paint went on

A crazy start that incorporated sailing & nas car - Carl and I came out ¾ of the way back, if only we had used our head and stalled/biked slowly by the gate

Some hard single speeding with around 1000metres of climbing and 4 beers later (which were all kept down, not too easy when biking up hill) We were at the finish.

Carl finished up in 5^thish and I worked my way up the field to 3^rd place - pretty stoked achieving every goal set, skull/drink all beers, have fun, and finish top 20.

SCOTT MOTU 160 cycle challenge

2010-10-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

I like the way this race is called a cycle challenge as it is one of the hardest races that I have done, with the combination of the distance, the terrain and the weather!

After over a month’s break from racing, and 3months since riding over 100km we decided that we would enter motu as every year we compete and it is a great event. Last year we took on the 160km, where I took the win and where Carl suffered from the motu weather conditions and ended up hyperthermic having to pull out after a great mtb leg.

The race kicks off at 7am in opotiki starting with a 65km mountain bike - The course follows the East Coast Scenic Highway out of Opotiki, turning right at Waiaua onto the Motu Road. The first 12km are on sealed road and the next 53km is on the winding, hilly Motu gravel road. Rain, mud, Chain suck, the fluL, flat tires and flat legs is a summary. Carl managed to get a flat tire before the first climb and had to do a massive effort to get back up there. He managed to catch back up and despite having another flat tire on the last descent down into motu he lead the motu 160 off this first stage. I also lead off the Mountain bike, although far from my fastest time on the motu mountain bike I survived and made it to the end.

From here it was over to the road bike for a 95km stage, which winds you up Traffords hill and then down the Waiweka George to Optotiki. Carl summarized the second stage as “got absolutely demoed”, he was unable to hold on after the work he had to put in on the mountainbike and After 45km he had absolutely nothing left in him having to pull the pin on the race.

I also struggled on this leg it was supper hard I had a few misshaps. I dropped my new garmin which I decided I was not going to leave behind so that was me turning around my bike and biking back for it. The next misshap was the wind up Traffords hill where there were insane 5km speeds, and even some walking. I did not walk myself however wished I had after getting blown off my bike and onto the road luckily an support crew car came through and not another so I could get up off the ground and back on the bike without being taken out. I hurt my back a bit so that didn’t make things very comfortable for the end of the road bike. I got past my Marina Fowel at the bottom of the descent she was riding strong and went on to take the win. I managed to hold onto second place but was completely smashed. I am happy with 2nd and the added bonus of $500 cash prize money. The mens 160 was won by Shem Rogers.

All and all it is a great event and well run. Richard and Elina Usher took out the motu challenge (the multisport event) with Karren Hanlen having an awesome race to finish second in the women’s.

World Champs 2010

2010-09-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

Sitting in our motel bar scaming the last bit of internet to update you before I fly back to NZ can't wait to be home.

The last week in Mont Sainte Anne was a big one...

Team relay

First I started off on Wednesday by doing the team relay for New Zealand with Mike Northcott, Brad Hudson, and Nic Leary.

We had a bit of a mere in this race each of us are meant to do a hot lap of the track, 1st Mikey had mechanical problems so we lost some time there then brad had a good lap, Nic then had 2 crashes and then I had a hard crash into a tree at the bottom of a drop that I was going way to fast for, I wasted a lot of time getting back on track then running up a sand uphill then finding out i was in a massive gear and couldn't ride up the hill jumped off and got that down to a lower one whilst running up a hill, absolute night mere, got to the end off the lap with all my ribs and shoulder hurting and bloody tired and hot. It was probably the hottest I have felt in a race ever and the hardest I have ever gone in a race. Then it was on to the all important recovery for Fridays race.

U23 mens World Championships

I woke on the morning of the race to see an over cast day from hurricane Earl hanging out close by, for the Juniors in the morning i went and sat on a grand stand with Richard Anderson who had crashed earlier in the week and had a bad concussion and a suspected cracked shoulder. Completely gutted he couldn't race and we sat there watching the boys that were leading knowing that he had beaten these guys all season. What it could have been for him.

the cool temps stayed around until about 12 then out came the humidity and sun Quebec is well known for.

I had a really good start position of 30th and on the 4th row so had to start well, after about 30 seconds on the 2nd corner it got tight and I saw people going wide and around me strait into the 1st climb i was still been past at full speed I couldn't do much after running half the lap i got into it under the start finish line 1st lap and a half i was 4 mins down I was thinking WTF that was worse than the World cup with Nino and Absolon at the front. after that back to business i started feeling invincible after my peak fuel that Richard gave me and I went from 50th picking off riders each lap until the last 2 laps where I cracked and lost a few spots but sticking to 39th with dirk only a min in front of me in 36th.

The Winner again was Mathias Fluckiger from Switzerland same as my last year Under 19 in Rotorua the front 3 were Swiss, and now in my last year under 23 the same thing has happened again Swiss power dominated.

Now its time for a break off the bike before the next season begins, thanks to everyone that helped out throughout the year, Bergamont, the Waiariki crew, Bike Culture, Cycletech my family and Evan, and to all the people that helped us out over in Canada

Cheers

Windham World Cup

2010-09-07T08:35:00.001-07:00

Carl

Sorry I haven't updated ya on the world cup race. I had the better start out of the kiwis, I was about 8 rows back, but Mikey and Stu jumped in behind me. Race started well then there was a crash that we all got on the breaks and everyone in front rolled away. We got to the 1st bit of single track and it was stand still then some walking but for me I ran and jumped over people pushed and shoved, still didn't do much I was 3 and half mins down on Nino and the leaders after 1 lap, how ever the track started to clear and I started to ride good only losing about 2 and half mins a lap to them (the best in the world). I ended up getting pulled with a lap to go. but was stoked not to be getting to smashed by the under23 winner I still got a hiding but got 75th ish over all in my 1st world cup and 13th under23

Shit Photo but still You can see how many in the start

Windham World cup

2010-08-31T05:09:00.000-07:00

First World cup a scene we both could get used to...

Katie

Bummer!!! Race morning was running smoothy until warming up to the track where I found my gears were playing up, I tried to tune them but that was a no go. Sram managed to fit me in just before the start of my race to find a badly bent hanger, they bent it back as much as they could but warned me it would most likely snap. I didnt have a spear hanger as the one we thought would fit is for the 2009 bergamont not the 2010. To make matters worse the break would not line up again after sram worked on it (but when weighing it up I would rather have a some resistance on my wheel than no gears). I tried my best to get it to not rub but It didn’t come right so that was that and I had a warm up with the time left. Not the start I had intended on especially after the bike being fine the day before in my practice lap.

For the race itself I had a pretty good start position, and I started alright although could not get into my big ring and gears didn’t all work as flush as they should have. It was when it hit the single track and step climbs where riders were getting jammed up and riding was rougher than I would have liked considering it was playing on my mind that if I was changing rough my bike would not like it, as if the aggressive first lap was not hard enough on its own. I ended up going from an alright position to basically dead last on the first lap. With my legs feeling a heck of a lot better than my over thinking head I caught about 8 riders in the next lap and was just behind nic who wasn’t having a good day either. I was lapped out in 54th place.

Lots to work on ... but for now its time to have some fun in my last week left in canada :)

Quebec Championships Mont Sainte Anne

2010-08-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday we raced the Quebec Championships in Mont Sainte Anne. Most of the track was the same as the track to be raced at the world championships, excluding a few bits to make the laps shorter.

Katies Race

I realized my race was going to be short, with only four laps of a track which was fast and not that long. This meant a hard start to get into the single track first, although this was my intention it didn't work that way and I hooked bars and got caught up a bit, I put my head down and began to chase back to try get to the front girls. My whole first lap was pretty messy after this, I managed to follow another girl off the track as the tape had been broken down and also drop my chain through one of the rough sections. Some how I regained myself and with legs feeling the best they have the whole time in Canada worked my way closer to the front. I ended up 1minute 25 of Rowena Fry however the results are a bit off at the moment and have her down as first when Lilly Matthews from Great Brittan had actually taken the win.

Carl's Race

All of us kiwis had to start at the back of all the Frenchies. I have been having good starts lately so I was eager to get another 1, I had a pretty good one but being a long way back at the start was hard but got up in the top 10 pretty quick. I had only done a few laps of the track so I was still stuffing things up but ended up having a good race finishing 4th to Raphael Gagne 3mins back. Got 150 bucks for 4th so again i can live another week with not a lot of money. I really love that track and the extra bits we didn't do in the race I went out and did yesterday and they are hard and really cool.

We are now down in Windham New York in a really big old house that is out of a horror movie and everyone is scared shit less we will post some pictures and we will get some picks from the race.

Carl and Katie

(Anyone who read the blog yesterday that was handy work Locky and Scott, it has now been corrected)

Bromont Canada Cup Final

2010-08-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

This race was the final race to make the worlds team.

We had been in Bromont since Monday and rode the track quite a few times, we both mastered the track fast and started to get lines sussed the track really suited me with a steep climb that could be done standing.

I was called up 9th to the start line putting me in the second row, I picked my wheel wisely getting right behind Derek Zandstra. My start was unreal and straight away I was beside Zandstra I did not want to go infront of them so hung in with them up the first climb which boosted my confidence. It felt as though they were cruising until Mikey Northcott our National champion layed down an attack, from there the race was on full blast. This race I wanted to stay with mike and was giving it everthing I had to do so. On the first lap I could still see the front of the race only maybe 15 seconds down. After this stunner start I faded a little and it became a battle between the KiwisMikey Stu Houltham and myself, all within 30 seconds of each other the whole race. Coming down to the last lap I took off from Stu to put the chase on Mikey. I finished 10 seconds down on Mikey taking 10th place and 1st under 23 by a few mins.

I was really stoke with the race with some big names there and I also got 91 bucks for 10th and every coin counts when u living from a van.

So from then I was holding my breath hoping it was enough to prove myself to the worlds selectors, everyone was really supportive saying I have done more than enough... and last night I got the email saying im in the Worlds team.

Katie did not however end up with a result she was happy with, many things did not go as planned in her race. Katie's riding is the best I have ever seen, she is going mean fast on the techy sections and really fit and strong this race didn't show it but from here she will be focusing on the World cup at Windham. Katie still has one more year U23 and in the big picture has plenty of time. It is going to be good having two different peaks Katie the world cup and myself the world champs as we will be able to support each other and make sure the events run smoothly.

Carl

Disappointments of not making the world’s team and some good results in Ontario a 7th and a 2nd.

2010-08-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

Whilst Katie is boosting down the High ways of Ontario I thought I would update everyone. As most of you know we have not made the New Zealand team to compete in the World Champs in Mont Saint Anne, Canada at the end of the month. We have been given the word from the selectors that the door is open till the 20^th and the race they are looking at is the Canada cup this weekend. We need to be less than 12mins down on a World cup winner to meet there criteria, so it’s a big ask but we are both up to it. We are backing off the training this week to try get a good result this weekend.

The race just been was an Ontario cup race and this is the province where most of the good guys and girls are from in Canada. We were hoping Derek Zandstra and Emily Batty would turn up so we could be gauged against them, Emily was there watching her partner Adam Morka the winner of my race and her brother, where as Zandstra a no show, however the race went on. The track was about a 2 and half min climb followed by lots of very fast slick flat and false flat single tracks and a few tech rocky and rooty sections with a 30second pinch climb at the end followed by a sweeping down. About 22min lap.

Carl’s Race

I started really well by the end of the 1^st lap I was still hanging on the back of the lead group slowly I drifted of sitting around 8^th and 9^th most of the race last lap I got up to 6^th to be past by 1 other chap about 4mins from the line and I couldn’t respond to his attack, I finished 7th I was pretty gutted to miss the podium by 1 spot but still very happy with how I went, 3mins 47 down on the winner, 25 seconds to the U23 winner and only 1min something to Mikey Northcott our National Champion who was 3^rd.

Katie’s Race

My race was the opposite to Carls, pre race my legs were a bit tight and I got pushed out by the locals on the start line, so when the race started with my heavy legs and being at the back meant for a poor start. I didn’t let it phase me and just waited for the climb to open up. It was a slippery climb on the good line so it didn’t help being in the rough even more loose line to get past the other riders and work my way to the front. I enjoyed the track and the race, and as usual I have come away with things to work on for the next race which is always good news because it’s the potential to get an even better result next time. By the 3^rd lap I got into 2^nd place and this is where I finished up, pretty stoked.

This week we will be focused on getting the best result we possibly can in the Canada cup in Bromont.

Carl and Katie

Regina

2010-07-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we went for our last ride on the awesome trails of Camore and were on our way to Regina. During our stay in Canmore we were fortunate enough to camp next to one of the organizes of a sask cup race held in Regina. We got chatting and it turned out we had definately landed on our feet the entire family was amazing, and invited us to stay for the week in Regina.

The week was great, Kim cooked awesome meals and kept us occupied while Jeramy took us biking. They had 2 kids which meant we got to play heaps of games as well in our down time (and everyone knows kids games are actually fun).

Regina is completely flat, the race on the sunday was held in a vallley, as they say you have to go down first in Regina to find hills. The track was really fun, and every one in this town is friendly and out to help you in whatever way they can.

Race day went well for both of us, taking out first in the elite women and men categories. The track was hard and hot with a 30 degree day which was even hotter with the humidity. The feild was not as big and stacked as the other races but it was still a really good training hit out, preparing us for the bigger races and getting speed into the legs. (also generally making us tougher especially with the heat).

We can't thank Kim, Jerramy and their family enough they have been great to us, Its been a really good week.

Big drive ahead of us, starting today 2600ish km, over to Toronto.

We are now in Fort Frances getting some free WiFi about to cross into the US

Will keep everyone posted

Canmore

2010-07-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

For the last week we have been based in Canmore, a small town in the rockies where the Canadian national championships have been held.

We were unable to compete in this race due to being kiwis not Canadians but it was an impressive race to watch and we were able to get in some of the best training this year. Geoff Kabush and Catharine Pendrel dominated their races.

The riding in the mountains is endless, the terrain is technical and not surprisingly steep. The week has come to and end tho and we are off for our last ride early tomorrow morning before we hit the road to head further east and onto our next race in Saskatchewan.

Edmotnon Canada Cup

2010-07-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Edmoton on Friday and found the track pretty quickly right in the middle of town. The Track was technical but hard packed and fast. There were roots and off camber sections. On the Friday the track was dry which made for a good few laps.

Edmonton however, has seriously quick weather changes and by Friday night it was belting down with rain. on Saturday morning when we went to ride the track it was clear that the rain didn't do any favors for this track. It was barely ridable.

By lunch there was another change in the weather and it was back to scorching hot. The sun stayed out until Sunday race day so the track was nicely dried out except for one climb which was a mud pit that seamed to get worse and worse.

Katie's Race

I cant recall a time I had been as nervous as I was pre race. The set up at the event was great, music and a good atmosphere, they definitely know how to put on races over here. This was my first lap format race since oceanias with only base training under my belt I think this created the reason for all the nerves.

I was called up on the front line and before I knew it the race was off. I handled the start well and settle behind Emily batty. Too good to be true and it didn't last. The first lap was messy the combination of going my hardest uphills was not agreeing with the descents so I was not very controlled. during the race I managed to inflict a bit of pain not only to the legs and because of the heat but with the muddy climb which most riders (everyone) had to run and with my new shoes I would struggle to clip back in. my right foot slipped off the pedal causing my leg to straighten out (for those that know me my right leg does not straighten due to a back injury, so it stop me in my tracks until the pain eased. It gave me a big fright). That lap was sketchy probably from loosing concentration. I managed to put on a show for carl crashing down a rooty section right in front of him, talk about timing.

It was a pretty hard day, and not a very good result finishing up 11th. Having our first race be a UCI Canada cup race was not the best timing (especially with all the Candians prepping for their nationals the week following). However, the only way that we will get better is lining up against the best.

Carl's Race

As Katie said we were nervous as, the most we have ever been just because of the lack of preparation I think and going into a UCI race having done no speed work at all, and having all of them peaking for there nationals the next weekend,we knew right from the start we were in for the hardest day. Thats how our season starts.

I also was called on the front row because of the UCI points I already had. I thought that would at least delay the ass kicking a little bit, but I pretty much went from 3rd wheel to like 15th in the first few hundred meters. felt quite shit to be honest never had a caning like that before.

After a lap I pretty much blew from trying to keep up and not riding my own race, Scott boosted past me and ripped time into me, had a bad time from lap 2 to the start of lap 5 but then what ever I had left and my peakfuel caffeine hit kicked in and I was out of there started catching back up to others and with my eye on Scott. In the end I just past him and put a few second on him to finish 23rd? and a big 16mins down on the world cup boys lucky Burry or Nino weren't there :)

Vancouver to Edmonton

2010-07-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

What a journey, we left Monday night with the van all kitted out and made it to Abbotsford a town just out of Vancouver. Trained there that night and Tuesday, which the heat nearly killed us it was over 30degrees.

Tuesday afternoon we headed to Kamloops, and early Wednesday morning we went up sun peaks. The riding was sweet and the views were spectacular.

Causally that afternoon as were cruising along in the intense heat BOOM BOOM BOOM, 3 loud backfires and that was the van. We biked 50km back to the nearest town Clearwater where we stayed at a country inn and arrange a tow truck and mechanic for the next day. It was straight from a movie, all the people were overly nice but it worked out for the best. Turned out it was just a small electrical problem so it wasn't to expensive.

We were back on track to Edmonton, via the rockies where the sights were off the sicktor scale.

Canada 2010

2010-07-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

This year has gone so quick, but finally we are both in Canada ready to get back into race mode and gain international experience.

Arrived in Canada July the 1st and had a good catch up at the airport after 3months apart. We were picked up my cousin Alana and her partner Shane as we had arranged to spend a few nights at their house in Vancouver.

An early Christmas for Carl

It has been great staying here by the second day we had brought a motorhome its a pretty mean van, perfect for our adventures.

Saturday 3rd we went on our first bike mission, headed up Mount Seymour on the North shore of Vancouver for some of the famous North Shore riding. Pretty intense with man made structures.

It was pretty scary being way to far from the ground for either of our likings. The riding was fun tho especially when we learnt to stick to the xc trails after having to walk some of the massive structures and jumps on the first track we picked. Its not like anything in NZ roots and rocks everywhere, its awesome how technical it is.

Our first race Edmonton this weekend, Keep ya posted when we can get online.

Just about 1 month up of track building

2010-05-04T03:49:00.000-07:00

Just about 1 month up of track building, we have properly had about 80 percent of our days it has rained or snowed and had a few sunny mint days. We have been working in some extreme conditions today for one, while I’m writing this some of the boys are still up the hill but myself and Scott are back down in the warm house. We woke up this morning and it looked like the weather was closing in, on the way up the hill it started raining and you could see it was snowing just above us, I had all my warm kit on but soon as we started work it just got colder and colder we are working up at about 800meters, by smoko half of us were thinking about going home at lunch because the weather was so bad, after smoko we couldn’t get going again we all were frozen so we decided we would go back down to the hut to warm up then go to our track at 600meters to fix it up because it’s in the trees and shelter from the wind, rain and sleet. Once we got to the hut a few of us were quite cold and after a while by the fire decided to make a move myself and Scott gapped it to the house had a shower and got warm. Kind of looks good again out there but I’m not going back out again today that was the coldest I have ever been in my life.

Building is hard going on the body and hard on the training, I’m not doing a hell of a lot of training as after work I’m just too tired to get back on my bike and go out again, I still feel I’m doing enough riding but not as much as I would like to be, but with all the digging I think I will be sweet come Canada. I have been doing a bit of running when the weather is too bad to ride and I haven’t run in about 9 months so legs feel super good and not saw at all.... NOT My legs are hating it.

Only 2 more months of hard work then off to Canada away from this Chilean Autumn/Winter, Winter don’t start till June gutted for the boys that are coming when we leave in July, the weather isn’t going to be nice then I wouldn’t think.

Carl

First full week in Paloma

2010-04-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

I have just got in from my first full week of building mountain bike tracks in the mountains of Chile. The week started off very good we were off to finish the track we had started in the few days we were here before the weekend and got in to it and got it done by Wednesday afternoon, pretty cool benched trail. Thursday we changed location we went from about 600 meters to around 800 meters to make a more tech rugged trail, and the weather turned to shit we have just worked 2 days of 9 hours each, in the pissing rain and today there was a howling wind with rain coming straight into our faces, watching the mountain about 500 more meters above us turn white with snow showers throughout the day, it was hard going we just had to keep working to stay warm, the shit thing is I picked up a cold on Tuesday and have been struggling ever since and that weather properly doesn’t help.

We have about a 45min climb up to where we work and we do that every day with some super technical up hills and then a few really hard downs coming home, just riding to and from work is about an hour and half so its mint training no matter what, and now I am smoked my arms back and legs hurt so much I don’t know what to do with myself.

We have 2 maids that do every think for us it is pretty cool we get every think cooked and made and cleaned for us all we do is work come home and sit here smashed from a hard day’s work. We have limited power and internet usage because we are on a generators and it’s only turned on in the morning and late afternoon. As for now we are all sitting in the living room having a few beers and just chilling, we get given 2 beers a day haha so we save them up and have a few good nights.

Tomorrow we may do a few hours over time work in the morning but if the weathers bad I ante going out there. But at 2pm we are off to town, it takes a little while to get there because we have to boat across our lake to the dock get a taxi that takes about 45mins on a gravel road then we are there. We are going to do some shopping for a few extra thing we need and some of the boys are going stay the night in town and party it up with the locals (Coyhaique 55,000) as for me I’m going to come back home have an early night and try shake the cold and hit up town another time. I think!?

Carl

Day 1 at Paloma

2010-04-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Finally got here at lunch time today to our final location, we are now out of the smoggy city of Santiago it was so smoggy this morning that u could only see a few hundred meters and it stinks and really tastes bad. As we flu south past all the mountains the snow slowly got thicker. We arrived in Belmaceda and there was nothing there but like 5 slums... honestly if you have watched slum dog millionaire Santiago was like that in some places pretty freaky, but any way now we are at our lake and accommodation in Paloma it is pretty amazing just in the mountains with a lake.

I went a had a quick ride up the hill earlier took like 15mins to get a little way up the hill the tracks are so so cool and I only did like 2 tracks. I also did the pump track some of the other boys built and after 6 laps I stacked it on a soft corner but just about every 1 crashes on this corner and I wasn’t the only 1 at the time. They have a mean dual slalom track also over by the pump track which is only like 100meters from the house it’s wicked.

Have our first day of work tomorrow its ment to be fine but the boys said every morning it is clear the ground is frozen and it snowed a bit last week so looks like we are in for a cold wet time I’m not gana post every day haha just thought I would let you No some more.

We are on the net from 5ish till 10ish that’s like lunch time there, but we are all on the net at once so it cuts out lots.

Talk soon

Carl

Track Building - Chile

2010-04-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys
It’s been a long time coming but I’m finally in Chile at the moment I’m sitting in The Holiday Inn which is about 100 meters away from Santiago International Airport, we are staying the night here and flight out to Belmaceda at 830am in the morning. Sounds like the place we are going to is very cool, we have to ride a hour every day up over a hill to work and we get paid for that, has lots of track so my big training rides I won’t have to do the same track twice and there is lots of fish in the lake, trout and salmon so ill be slaying them in my spear time. Looking forward to it a lot just one more 4 hour mission in airports.

Keep ya posted when I get bored until then I think it’s time I hit the sac only got 45min sleep on the plane and I have force out the day. Also I will be on Skype most days around 11-2 or 3 NZ time that is 7ish-till late here.

Thanks to every one for the mint party the other night,
Carl

Oceania Championships 2nd U23 women

2010-03-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Oceania’s this weekend finished off our domestic season, and my build up to this race was not what I hoped…. Going to Dunedin I was confident I was a lot healthier than nationals but still being on antibiotics (after the first course of antibiotics not working GRRR) I was definitely not 100% and as a result my training had not been what it would have over the 3weeks between the two important events. The training focus had shifted from intense training session to recovery/rest, getting healthy was the main objective, at that stage and given the situation it was all I could do.

As Carl said we charged on down to Dunedin arriving at about 4.30pm with enough time spare for a couple of laps. The cold really hit my chest and stirred things up bit resulting in waking up on Thursday feeling off colour, the decision was made that I would take the day off the bike and off the track to keep warm and stay rested in order to feel fresh and well on race day. Friday was my chance for a last lap on the track Carl showed me the lines he had gone over on Thursday and I was really excited and confident to race the great track Dunedin had.

The rest, awesome meals (Thanks to Jo), and great accommodation in Dunedin meant that I woke up on race day feeling a lot better than I had been, with only a bit of congestion and with 2days left of antibiotics It was definitely a good thing. I was ready to put everything that I had on the day out there regardless of the outcome.

I was seeded on the back line, due to my poor nationals result so I had to start hard. The start was pretty tricky as I got blocked out by the riders in front I ended up out of touch with the front of the race from the get go. Managing to get through a few riders before the first single track helped but there was a bit of blocking and what not through the track so I had to wait to the climb to get into it. On the first climb I struggled finding it hard to breathe but as the race went on the congestion cleared and I felt good towards the end of the first lap. Samara Sheppard (2010 U23 NZ national champion) and I battled it out on the first lap and then I managed to get a gap and started to close in on two riders in front of me, who were both elite, an Australian and Michelle Bellamy, on the last lap I managed to get past the Australian but Michelle held me off finishing in 8^th whilst I placed 9^th.

Overall I am pleased with the result, my build up was not ideal but I dealt with it and altered training etc to make it work the best it possibly could. The final result was 2^nd in a strong U23 Oceania championships field to Australian Rebecca Henderson (2010 U23 Australian National champion) With Samara Sheppard 3^rd.

Womens Oceania Short Track (3^rd place)

On Sunday I woke up not knowing I was going to race the short track had a mean big breakfast (too big to complete) and then headed off to watch the downhill and possibly race the short track. I decided once I got to the short track that I may as well race and Carl and I decided we would try each other bikes out and did a bike Swap, I had heaps of fun racing, it was extremely hard, partly because I had eaten a huge amount 30minutes prior which made me feel pretty seedy on the way round and the rest was due to the pace which went from the start line. I spent the first few laps on the back nearly getting dropped but as I warmed up I came right and got past a few others, Eloise was in 3^rd and one place ahead of me so I dug deep and hurt even more to get in front and then thought I had better attack before the last laps or there would be a sprint on, and I didn’t fancy my chances of my legs actually working. I finished in 3^rd with Fiona taking the win, and Nic Leary 2^nd.

I have had a fun few months with lots of up’s and down’s I think this season I have learnt so much, I didn’t get a smooth run. I can’t wait till Canada where I will get to take the next step up in racing getting even stronger and developing as a mountain biker. Thanks Bergamont bicycles, Waiariki institute of technology, Jane, mum, dad, and Carl!!!

Oceanias

2010-03-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Well we hit Dunedin on Wednesday afternoon and got out to the track asap, the weather was dry but freezing the serious southerly that all of you in NZ felt was keeping us wrapped up, We did a few laps of the track together and sorted lines out strait away so we weren’t mucking around much in the lead up days. Friday I did a lap with Katie to sort out a line and then a hard lap, I was primed and ready to go that nite Joe Locky Mcarthur's mum made a huge feed that was perfect pre race meal and a mint sleep we were staying in the mints warmest house in Dunedin, it was a farm stay that had Alpacas cool as http://www.stonebarn.co.nz/

Carl

The race, soon as I turned up at the track I saw all the Australia boys riding round and I got goose bumps rolling though me, before I new it we in the start box and cracking some jokes and getting really nervous. The under 23s were racing with the pros for one podium as we had all season so we got called up amongst the ozy and Tahiti guys. Race started and I just took off strait though some of the big guys and slotted in about top 10 up the first main climb I gave another attack and stuck with dirk peters the NZ under23 champ we rode pretty close together for the hole race with dirk slowly slipping away getting about a 20 second gap on me, coming on to the last lap I could see dirk fading and I gained confidents, within a few minutes I was right back on dirk and did what he does to me when he passes me, soon as I got to him I hit the pace as hard as I could and I got a gap that I just tore open by the end of the race beating him by about 2 or 3 minutes I was stoked with how I went I was 8^th in the elite field and 2^nd under23 with the Australian under 23 national champion Paul Vander Plog getting 4^th in the race, dirk stuck in for 10^th and 3^rd under 23. I was stoke I had beaten dirk as I hadn’t done it at nationals and very happy with where I finished in the pro field.

We have been busy ever since the race down here in Dunedin we have been attending a development camp that MTBNZ is running for us. Only a few days till the NZ team long list is out for the worlds in Canada at the end of August. The team will be confirmed on the 2^nd of August, we have been told on the camp the team is not going to be like last year where world were in Australia and a full team was sent, this year because it is long way to go, so they have set high standards and the only people that are guaranteed a spot are the national champions and the rest of us have to perform at a high standard over seas against the other world class athletes.

Travelling home at the moment had a good time in Dunedin, Katie is driving at the moment so she will do an up date at some stage this week. And this pretty much wraps up the NZ summer for me.

Thanks to every one for the help over the last few months we will post an update when the long list team is out. I leave for Chile in 14days for 3 months of hard work track building then to Canada for 2 and a half months of racing. Keep ya posted

Carl

National Championships

2010-02-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

The good and the bad, it feels like a lot of our post’s end up like this but its racing and the competition out there is tough and getting everything right on the day is not always as easy as it seems. Our accommodation was awesome Ngaio cottage, a little holiday home where we all got the best night sleep in ages. We will start with the bad news first so we can end the blog on a good note.

Katie

When travelling to wellington on Monday I noticed I wasn’t quite right with a very sore throat however with a week to nationals I thought it was just allergies and that I would be able to get on top of it. I spent the next few days getting dialled into the track and all was going well, I loved the climbs, and loved the descents even more, especially after the boys showed me the fast lines.

Anyway Race day sick as a dog, it went a bit pear shaped Wednesday when the throat had got worse and an infection was obvious. I lined up on the start line with no thoughts of being sick, my main goal was to defend my national title and I wasn’t going to just give it away. The race started out ok I didn’t fire off the start line or anything but I was still up there, but by the second climb in first lap I was struggling, I couldn’t breathe up the hills and as a result I crashed down the hills as I was trying to make up all the time I could, by the second lap I was really struggling I was getting caught on my breath and it felt like I was unable to breathe out which completely scared me, I was unable to finish the race and lapped out on the second lap.

This wasn’t the race I had wanted, complete disappointment, I had taken vitamins I was on deer velvet and I was in bed early eating well, everything I knew and was able to take for sinuses I did, but couldn’t shake it. Part of biking is about getting everything right for the big events, congratulations to Samara, the new U23 National champion, she rode a strong race. Even if I had been fighting fit it would have been a hard race but one I am ready for at Oceania’s. As disappointed as I am all I can do now is put it behind me and look forward, So Jane Borren (Waiariki academy of sport manager) is taking me off to the doctor this morning.

Carl

The good news I guess. My week went well and build up went fine. Before the race the Commissaires and Mildy informed me there was no under 23 podium and that we would be racing for our title amongst the pro field, this was not a problem for me as if I was going to win I wanted to win elite but it was still a bit of a shock. At the start we had to start behind the whole elite field but it was strait into a hill so I was happy. I had a good start and was through a line of pro riders before the first turn I thought I had, had the best start form the under23 riders but then I saw Scott right up the front so I boosted over to his wheel, into the main single track climb I was about 4 and was tasting blood and heart rate was bound to be over 200. I was hurting but was all good, Mikey cleared off nearly strait away with Bergamont Brendon Sharratt holding on with myself, Stu, Dirk and under 19 Richard Anderson not far back. In the middle of the race I had another bad patch and was climbing weak as, I just wasn’t getting the fire I got at Tokaroa and at nationals previous to this 1, so I felt like I was just riding my bike was kind of gutted but I was still doing well so was keeping a clear head. At this stage Brad Hudson and Logan Horn had caught me back up and I was riding with them but I still had an extra lap than them and started trying to race them, which was good in a way cause Stu had blown and I really wanted to catch him and on the start finish line going on to the last lap I past him and got a second wind and took off finishing in 4 in elite and 2nd under 23. Well done to Dirk Peters for beating me fear and square and winning his first under23 title as a first year, and to Mike Northcott for winning another elite title, and Brendon 2^nd

Massive thanks to our Coach Evan McRae, Jane from Waiariki, Philipp from Bergamont and the Bike Culture boys in Rotorua thanks. Oceania’s is the next race in a few weeks may do some build up ones between then keep ya posted.

Final NZ mtb cup round Rotorua

2010-02-21T01:31:00.001-08:00

This weekend was the final round of the North Island cup and National Series, We competed in the final of the south island and the 3 North island cups so were eligible for both. For Bergamont it was a great day on the podium. Carl won the North island cup, and placed 2nd in the National Series too Brendon Sharratt fellow Bergamont team mate winning the NZ series. Katie placed 3rd in the North Island Cup and also took out the National Series.

race reports

Carl

Race started well, I stayed on the front from the start. Mikey and I had a small lead at the top of the 1st hill, we kept the pace the same for 2 laps. On the 3rd lap Dirk and Stu were back up with us and I started to go backwards until around lap 5 due to stomach cramps which were really unexpected and painful. I didn’t know what was happening but I just kept going as hard as my gut would let me. In the middle of the 5th lap I was able to open back up and by this time I had slipped back to 5th behind Brendon and Stu. I passed Stu early on, then Brendon at the start of the 6th lap then took off and put a decent gap on Brendon which I was stoked that I could do. But back came the cramps on the last few mins of the lap so I backed it off a tad. I finished in 3rd behind Mikey and Dirk with cramps going on a long time after the finish. Turns out I think I know what the cramps were from so I’m not going to get it at nationals J it was from un-rinsed drink bottles which had been soaking in dishwashing liquid haha mint what an idiot.

Katie

I went out feeling strong and wanting a win, I loved the track and knew it well. In the first lap everything seamed to be going to plan until my second lap. I couldn’t work out what was going wrong, it was only my second lap and my knees were smashed, climbing was the last thing they wanted to do. I kept trying to push through, although on each hill I was loosing time on Eloise Fry, the leader, and Monique and Michelle were reeling me back in. I managed to hold them off down the decent back to the start/finish but my legs and knees wouldn’t climb any longer so away they went.

I finished up in 5th place and was left feeling a bit lost. I wasn’t sure what I had got wrong, I had put in the training and I was feeling strong and confident. Later on in the night a friend, Clark Smith, came over and said he would have a look at my setup and double check it. JACK POT as Carl would say, when my seat was changed over it ended up changing things completely, just through the fact the seat was a different size/shape and that the Ellsworth I used to ride had a steeper down tube angle than the Bergamont bike. Everything was wrong, I was pedalling from behind the pedals, my knees were not lining up where they should. Lesson learnt, as soon as something feels wrong check the set up.

National Championships will be on this coming weekend. Bring on the racing!

Final NZ mtb cup round Rotorua

2010-02-21T01:31:00.000-08:00

Round 2 of the North Island Cup Hamilton

2010-02-15T01:16:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday this week the Waiariki MTB Team headed over to Hamilton to prep the track, on arrival we were a bit worried, Pukete Park lacked climbing! After one lap of the track we were still not sure what to think, It was almost fun yet where is the hill?? We couldn’t work out if the track would suit us or anyone else for that matter but decided if you have the fitness and endurance to last a high intensity race it should be ok. (Although at this point we were in the middle of our last hard hit out week before our taper so another factor which would come into the race on the weekend was if we had enough left in us)

Carl

I had a hard day to say the least. The week leading up was hard, on Tuesday I was still feeling Tokaroa and Wednesday when I per rode the track with the Waiariki crew I did 2laps then lay down and had a sleep on the side of the track... obviously still hurting, Thursday was still a struggle but better than the other days. But I was hungry for another win. Race started and I started well slotted into 2^nd behind Scott Thorne, I was riding Loose as with over 40psi in the tires and running knobbier tires than I should have, I haven’t changed from the ones that came on the bike that’s what this weekend and nationals are for bring out the fresh rubber. Any way after about lap 3 it was over and Evan gave the call back off but I didn’t want to lose any more spots so did what I thought was enough, but Adrian Retief was winding up his last lot of boost and caught me in the last km and we had to have a sprint and he wasted me fair and square even with cramp. Patrick Avery smashed his massive amounts of watts through his pedals and claimed his first elite win, Scott Thorne 2^nd Matt Gorter 3^rd. Glad we are finally into a tapper now and already I just want to race Rotorua and Nationals can’t wait.

Katie

Sunday’s Race kicked off at 2pm and we were away riding the winding and only slightly undulating course. My race strategy was to be in the front few riders at the start but not to go out to hard (mainly because I had no idea what to do on a track like this), basically I wanted to sit in and see what happened when we all were in race mode on this track. My strategy Failed me I did not end up in the front few riders I ended up about 6^th into the single track I was a bit worried back here as I knew if someone on the front hit the pace and I was back to far and they would get away, and sure enough it happened, Eloise Fry put the pace down and pulled a gap I desperately tried to make my way through the field and eventually made my way to 3^rd place and then second. After my effort I was absolutely smashed with Goosebumps and what felt like dehydration so when I grabbed my feed at the start finished I managed to put on a superb show for the onlookers and get tangled in the tape, after this blunder I had a couple more as Samara and I chopped and changed between 2^nd and 3^rd place. Finally I got into a rhythm in 2^nd place and tried to hunt Eloise back down, which is a lot easier said than done, she kept the pace on finishing 40seconds ahead of me. 3^rd place was Monique Avery and she came through fast on the finishing lap I could feel her trying to reel me in. 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd Rotorua!! J I think the race had a good atmosphere and the spectators did a great job it felt like they were everywhere, which was due to us lapping round gazillion corners that went back on themselves over and over HARD HARD HARD work!

We are looking forward to next weekend and then wellington as we focus on our recovery and a few more quality training sessions before these two High priority races. Thanks Bergamont, Bike Culture and Waiariki!!

North Island Cup #1 Tokaroa

2010-02-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

Carl

Yesterday was the first round of the North Island Cup in Tokaroa and the day was a stunner. It was really hot weather forecast said 26 degrees but felt a lot warmer. The day started up with Chris Mildon and Jeremy Christmas tossing up whether we do a 7 lap race and be over target distance or 6 laps and be bang on for under23 and just under for elite. We ended up doing 6 laps of a 6.3km course which we were cutting out sub 18min laps.

The race we started by doing 1 and a half laps of the cricket field the village and cars were parked on I was expecting a hard start but I had a good start and sat up tucked in at the front. I played the race really smart and sat in for the 1^st lap just letting everyone else set the pace on the 2^nd lap Mikey and Richard Anderson had a little gap of about 10 seconds. Myself and Stu were riding together until we caught Richard, once we caught him I hit the front on one of the pinch climbs and put the pace on once I looked back I couldn’t even see Richard anymore and Stu had dropped off my wheel which I kind of got nervous about because I have lots of respect for Stu and Know how fast he really is and I just didn’t think I was good enough to do that. I slowly lost sight of Stu and could only see Mikey about 75meters in front of me and I was slowly closing on him every lap, on lap 5 I caught and passed him which we swapped the lead a few times and on the final lap I got in front and didn’t want him back passed so after a bit of slowing and boosting I did 4 attacks one after the other and on the 4^th he didn’t come back and I kept the pace on. I was getting riddled with cramp that was just squiggling through my carves from lap 5 so it wasn’t a easy feat attacking like I did. I stayed away winning my 1^st elite race in front of my mum, my coach and Jane our Sports Academy manager and all the other people that were out there to watch.

I’m super stocked with my race; I haven’t kicked in a race like I did since 2006... Perhaps it was because I went back to what I did in 2006. Now I don’t know why I ever went away from what used to work. I learnt so much from my weekend about not panicking when things are not going right and lots about my diet, I learnt that if you eat tokaroa KFC the day before the race you become way lighter over night :p, and I learnt if you eat a lot of low GI food you actually go a lot better than eating my typical subway or some other shit food in the hours before the race...mint J hope all stays together until nationals now.

This weekend sees a clash in races with Rotorua hosting an N-Duro which I get a lot of support from Marcus and his team, and the 2^nd round of the North Island cup in Hamilton, which if I do I may have a shot at the national series title. So a bit of a hard week to pick and choose races...

Katie

It was an awesome track, great whether and I was really excited to race and try out some things which hopefully will make me go fast when it counts.

Nic leary took the win, with a gutsy race especially after having a crash at the start which after saw her arm bandaged up. Samara took 2^nd and Michelle Bellamy Tokoroa local took 3^rd. I finished just short of the podium in 4^th which for where I am at in my training is on track, each race progressively gets better and better as I perfect my racing strategy and get more and more speed under my belt. This week my focus will be on rest and recovery in between my hard training sessions making sure I get the rest my body needs.

Hamilton is the race for the weekend coming and I am going to try wake up the racer within me, this will be my 3^rd race for the season so it’s about time I get the race aggression and determination which is needed to race at the top end of the field.

I just wanted to add big ups to Carl for his first pro elite win!!! (must be the new bike J )

N-Duro #2

2010-01-24T16:10:00.000-08:00

We got in to Christchurch at 12am in bed at 1am and back up to make the plane at 530am, had pies for dinner and toast for breaky, landed in Rotorua at 25 to 9 and boost straight to waipa to put our bikes together, our legs felt tired but our minds knew what had to be done...

Katie

The race was starting before I even knew, someone made the comment missed the boat on that one as when Marcus finished briefing everyone was already on the start line ready to race, so if you want to be up front you have to be pretty damn quick. I started the race feeling pretty good but by the top of totarangi pa I realised the extent which I had hammered my legs the day before. I am still getting used to the new bike with its set up my back was playing up when climbing just because I am in a slightly different position which once I am used to it will be awesome and a whole lot more aggressive, although during the race it was killing me. I loved every track though and had so much fun descending on the new bike and made up for my lack of skill the day before in nelson where I was riding very messily to say the least. Thanks to every one for the track and the race it was well worth flying back for.

Carl

As Katie said we missed the boat for the start and started about 5 rows back so I had to start harder than most to get to the front. By the time we stated going up to totarangi pa it was Mikey and Cabin setting the pace with me hanging on their wheels by the time we got to the top I had slipped off the back and was losing sight of them. The track was super hard with 3 massive climbs in the 1^st 20km I always go quite strong on the hills and I was feeling very good apart from the obvious loaded legs from nelson. After the hills one of my knees started to really give me a hard time but i didn’t want to back off because I had a good gap back to 4^th, with about 15-20km to go I could see Scott Green catching instead of attacking right then and there to try get away I just held a gap that he was slowly closing and I knew he would. Once he caught we rode together till the end. We both started slowing down and really playing games with each other he knew he could sprint me and I knew I could usually out climb him, so with 1 hill in the way I knew that was my only chance to attempt to get away, so I went for it after about 20 seconds of going as hard as I could I looked under my arm and he was still there we both just sat up with burning legs and after sitting on him for the last few mins he hit another attack going into the final downhill which I couldn’t match him on losing enough meters that I couldn’t catch on the line losing to the green machine by 5meters and getting 4^th.

Over all we are stoked with our weekend and the last few weeks of training we have had, only just backed off the long, nonstop miles which we have only had 3 days off in about 2 months and a good taper we can still ride like we did.

South Island Cup Final Nelson

2010-01-23T02:18:00.000-08:00

Well it was our first national race since last year and boy it felt like a national’s race, I (Carl) had forgotten what it felt like to do hard national standard laps however I had a very good race, off the start I took the lead for first few hundred meters then held 2^nd wheel up the hill to the start of the single track, George Bennett was leading and from there he won the race. I had a good battle the hole race with Stu and Brendon and Richard Anderson started behind and caught up and we rode together, Stu and Richard myself kept exchanging who was out front with them having slight problems and me been on a new bike had very few. In the end I was in 2^nd and didn’t want Stu and Brendon to catch me on the final lap Brendon really caught up and I only just held him off into the single track decent where I stayed in 2^nd and finished off our priority 1 race a very happy lad.

Katie on the other hard had a bitter sweet race, loved her bike to bits but wasn’t dialled to it yet and by the sounds of it she was climbing well but couldn’t put the race together. She is already talking about the next race and keeps telling me how good her bike rides. She finished in 3^rd behind Samara and Amy.

Sorry if there is typos its now dark and we are driving back to Chch for a late night and an early flight and another hard race J look out for the next update

Carl

New Bikes are here

2010-01-20T20:42:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone our brand new bling bikes have arrived yesterday, Cheers to Mike and Rob from Bike Culture for getting them ride able quick smart, and Philipp from Bergamont for getting them to us for the weekend (Air freighted from Germany). We took them for a burn in the forest and they are amazing I think I just about like Katie’s fully better than my hard tail, it doesn’t bob and when u peddle it you get a roost behind you (not that mine doesn’t any way). She also has a wider set of bars on it which instantly had a better position and more confidence, on a Dh I usually roll away from her on I looked back and she was on my wheel so I started to go as hard as I could and didn’t lose her very easy, and I got worried when I looked back to see her wheels weren’t on the ground on 2 jumps I have never seen her jump before J Very Happy. My bike feels effortless to ride and floats down rough sections so I’m stoked.

After having them only hours they were back into a box and down to Christchurch where we have picked up Katie’s Dads Alfa Romeo and we are road tripping it up to Nelson as I write this for the final of the south island cup, this is a priority One race on our World selection so we have made the effort to come down, after that we are driving straight back to Chch and catching a plane early Sunday morning getting in at 8.50am with the 2^nd N-duro starting at 10am which we are going to try our hardest to make it to.

So this weekend is a big one having a double race hit out. I’m predicting I will go better in the N-Duro because I always race better the second day, but hoping to do good in both hopefully a win or Two on the new bikes.

Keep ya posted

Carl

N-Duro One

2010-01-10T18:05:00.000-08:00

Carl

Race one of the N-Duro summer series; it was a perfect day in Rotorua. I started the races bad and was a long way from the front, I slowly started to pick people off and by the time I got to lookout road which was the big and only hill we had to go up a gapped the boys I was with in search of the front 6 guys. On the decent of No brains I came across Ash Hough slowing me down and there was a rider down and wasn’t in a good way, so I gapped it to find a marshal and ash stayed behind to look after the rider. Soon after I past Mikey he had a bent chain and I had moved into 3^rd and finished 3^rd, Very happy with how I rode after my 15mins of struggling to warm up into the race. And lucky to get 3^rd place with Dirk Peters winning and Cabin 2nd.

Katie

The Race yesterday was hard, off the start line I was slow so ended up getting caught up in some congestion in the first single track. I felt sluggish for the entire race feeling like my legs were made of concrete, and concrete legs are hard to push round for 45km so I was smashed at the end. I really enjoyed being back on the mountain bike having heaps of fun on the single tracks, although I felt a bit novice making some entertaining mistakes, well entertaining for the onlookers. Coming into the paddock to finish I decided to start sprinting to get in before Monique who was right on my tail, the only problem was I overshot the turn into the paddock and ended up on the wrong side of the tape so ended up having to get back under it and by this stage Monique was already waiting on the finish line, it was quiet a fun little battle between us for 4^th and 5^th place. Annica, Nic and Eloise made up the podium with Annika winning the race; it’s awesome to have a strong women’s field like this in Rotorua.

A big thanks to Marcus and the Nduro team as well as our sponsors Bike culture, and Bergamont (our new mountain bikes should be arriving this week)