One of the most fun days racing Ive had in a long time!!!!

The race was the "Crank Taupo" an xc race in the morning and then it was dh for the rest of the day. 10am the xc started, it was on all new tracks with some farm paddocks that made up most of the track. I got the whole shot and started to open the gap straight away, Cabin tried hard to keep with me but the gap slowly opened up on him and after about 7km I was out of sight. Even though I was out front I still had something to chase, Yep the lead motos!!! After the first 17km we hooked off and rode the back 9km loop again before climbing the last gravel and then dropping down through the paddock to the finish. I finished the 30km race in 1hr 21min just over 2min ahead of Cabin.

The DH, I didnt have a dh bike so I knew I was on the back foot from the start with Cabin riding one and Des Curry (4th place getter in the xc and 3rd in the dh) as he is one of NZs top dh riders. I decided just to do what I could and have some fun, That I did. I havent seen my fastest dh time as yet but I do know I was third overall the the combined "All Mountain" class.

Every one had an awesome day and this is one race that I will be spreding the word about and going back to!!!

Other than a bit of down time (riding every second day) working and getting back into training properly again, a heap of not much exciting has been going on in my world since my last post. Well up until today that is, Michelle and I raced in the 6hr section of the Moon ride 6,12 and 24hr teams mtb race in Rotorua. I started the race and after the third 19ish minute lap I lead the 6 and 12hr race out rite. The plan was for me to do the first 3hr and then hand over to Michelle to do the next 2-2.5 hr giving me 1 or 2 laps to finish the race. This worked pritty well apart from me crashing while passing a slower rider with a lap and a half to go on my 3hr stint and slowing a bit before handing over. Michelles laps were all pritty close to each other but by the time she finished and I went out I could only get one lap in as I new I couldnt pull a 17min lap before the cut off.

All in all it was a good day with michelle doing 6 laps and me doing 10 laps. My Average hart rate was 180 for 3hr23min and my Average speed was 26.7kph. Im happy with those numbers at this stage of the game as world champs are still a while away yet.