There had been months of planning for this by my team - myself, Andrew and Robin. Robin and I were especially excited because, as R&R Sport riders, we both had new all-mountain bikes to race and test.
When my family and I got to Rotorua the day before, we decided to leave our gear at the hotel and go for a quick burn -hoping to see the lads,plus pre-ride some of the trails. We manged to do both. The trails were riding amazingly - RotoVegas at its best.
Later that evening everyone met for dinner (Leonardo's - best italian I've ever had!) We were all excited and ready!
The next morning I got changed and rode over to meet the others at the start at the Holiday Inn, shortly before briefing. Once formalities were completed, 5 people at a time 'tagged on' their electronic scanners and rode off to which ever Stage they wanted to start with. We waited around 10minutes before it was our turn to tag on and go.
After a short ride uphill to the first shuttle stop. Luckily it didn't take to long for the shuttle to arrive to go to the first Stage at Gunna Gotta.
After a short ride uphill to the first shuttle stop. Luckily it didn't take to long for the shuttle to arrive to go to the first Stage at Gunna Gotta.
Stage 1: Gunna Gotta + A Trail.
We were all nervous for this one because we didn't know what to expect. We were each given 30 seconds space and then raced down - Robin, Andrew then me. This stage was quite tricky but not super long. I ended up over-taking Andrew and got close to Robin.
We were all nervous for this one because we didn't know what to expect. We were each given 30 seconds space and then raced down - Robin, Andrew then me. This stage was quite tricky but not super long. I ended up over-taking Andrew and got close to Robin.
Stage 2: Huckleberry Hound + Little Red Riding Huck
We had to ride for quite a while before we came to the next shuttle pick up area, but luckily only a short wait for the shuttle. In my opinion, this is probably one of the best parts of the forest. Robin went before me again, so I gave him a 20seocnd head start then Andrew went after me. This trail is mainly a downhill with table tops and big fast burmed corners. I was having a blast on this course and near the end I had gotten really close to Robin. Robin couldn't believe me that I gave him 20seconds so he told me that the next stage he was going to go after me and see if he could catch me, game on!
We had to ride for quite a while before we came to the next shuttle pick up area, but luckily only a short wait for the shuttle. In my opinion, this is probably one of the best parts of the forest. Robin went before me again, so I gave him a 20seocnd head start then Andrew went after me. This trail is mainly a downhill with table tops and big fast burmed corners. I was having a blast on this course and near the end I had gotten really close to Robin. Robin couldn't believe me that I gave him 20seconds so he told me that the next stage he was going to go after me and see if he could catch me, game on!
Stage 3: Billy T + G Rock + Roller Coaster
This is the longest stage of them all and with the challenge being laid, I wasn't going to let Robin catch - I wanted to prove my speed. As agreed, I was the first to go and had the pressure of everyone watching but I was all good with that. I felt good on this track until about half way where I thought I had a flatty - it felt like the back wheel was skidding out. With the pressure on to beat Robin I decided not to stop until I was 100% sure that it was flat. Surprisingly I got all the way to the bottom without stopping or even slowing down either. Robin wasn't far behind. Neither of us knew who had won that stage (it wasn't back until base at race HQ that evening we found out I managed to hold him off).
This is the longest stage of them all and with the challenge being laid, I wasn't going to let Robin catch - I wanted to prove my speed. As agreed, I was the first to go and had the pressure of everyone watching but I was all good with that. I felt good on this track until about half way where I thought I had a flatty - it felt like the back wheel was skidding out. With the pressure on to beat Robin I decided not to stop until I was 100% sure that it was flat. Surprisingly I got all the way to the bottom without stopping or even slowing down either. Robin wasn't far behind. Neither of us knew who had won that stage (it wasn't back until base at race HQ that evening we found out I managed to hold him off).
Stage 4: Corridor
Robin, Andrew and I slowly made our way to back the shuttle pick up was but this time we were heading back to the other side. By now the shuttle queues were getting fairly large and Robin and I were fed up with waiting so long, so we decided ride up and meet Andrew up at the top. It was a quick up hill ride that we easily bet the shuttle. Corridors was the shortest track which we blasted down - all pretty close to each other. After our last 'shuttle beating' effort, Robin and I decided to ride back up again for the last stage.
Robin, Andrew and I slowly made our way to back the shuttle pick up was but this time we were heading back to the other side. By now the shuttle queues were getting fairly large and Robin and I were fed up with waiting so long, so we decided ride up and meet Andrew up at the top. It was a quick up hill ride that we easily bet the shuttle. Corridors was the shortest track which we blasted down - all pretty close to each other. After our last 'shuttle beating' effort, Robin and I decided to ride back up again for the last stage.
Stage 5: Tokorangi + Soakhole + Challenge
This time Andrew was already at the top when we arrived - faster shuttle + tired legs. This time we closed the gap at starting, giving each other couple seconds gap. The first trail wasn't too difficult but at the end was a 10m vertical climb over 200m. Even though that doesn't sound bad, trust me it was especially hard on the legs after doing a full days worth of riding. The road sprint to the Challenge Trail reminded me of Stage 2 but (in my opinion) was far better. Challenge is awesome!!! I was quite sad when I had finished.
This time Andrew was already at the top when we arrived - faster shuttle + tired legs. This time we closed the gap at starting, giving each other couple seconds gap. The first trail wasn't too difficult but at the end was a 10m vertical climb over 200m. Even though that doesn't sound bad, trust me it was especially hard on the legs after doing a full days worth of riding. The road sprint to the Challenge Trail reminded me of Stage 2 but (in my opinion) was far better. Challenge is awesome!!! I was quite sad when I had finished.
Meeting back at the shuttle pickup, even though we were all knackered, we decided that we had enought time to redo one more stage. I did Stage 4 again and found out later after the race I did it a whole lot more quick the second time. Andrew also did Stage 4 while Robin elected to do Stage 5.
We rode individually back to the start/finish - fizzing about the great tracks. Individually and collectively we had done well - comparing well to some of the serious downhill types.
We met later for a 'good old fashioned' pub dinner in town with all the families and riders. I was buggered but Robin still had enough energy to tackle some of the extreme rides at the carnival in town that night. It was the right way to finish off a great event.
We met later for a 'good old fashioned' pub dinner in town with all the families and riders. I was buggered but Robin still had enough energy to tackle some of the extreme rides at the carnival in town that night. It was the right way to finish off a great event.
Man I love Rotorua can't wait to get back again!
Thank you R&R sport for allowing Robin and I to trail those full sus-bikes for that weekend!
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