2017

Whaka 100 2017 #oneofthetoughest

Whaka 100 2017 #oneofthetoughest

Whaka 100 2017 It’s been a while since my last race report. To be honest with you all, after arriving back from Italy and repetitively replaying 24 Worlds in my head over and over and the fact that half way through I ‘gave up’ has really got to me. The fact that my own mind bet me really plays with my emotions regularly. I guess it was the first time in my life that I fell short of a goal I really wanted to achieve. As Garth would say “It’s all just character…continue reading →
Wembo 24-Hour World Championships 2017 Finale Ligure, Italy

Wembo 24-Hour World Championships 2017 Finale Ligure, Italy

2017 WEMBO World Endurance Mountainbike Championships Finale Ligure, Italy   Part One:             Preparation perfectionist I set foot off the plane in Milan. My first time overseas in more than 7 years. I’d never raced or even ridden a bike overseas before. I had high expectations for Europe. Before I knew it we were on the motorway heading north in search of somewhere to train in the warm climate. Europe is truly next level. I won’t go into detail about how the system works over here or how different life is. We spent…continue reading →

Pre Italy Departure Review

What am I doing here? 15 months after Rotorua 2016 I find myself sitting on an aeroplane next to my coach Chris Willett and mechanic Tony Jump. Where could I possibly be going. None other than the beautiful Finale Ligure. The 2017 World Endurance Mountainbike Championships is beckoning. When I crossed the finish line in Rotorua as I earned an U23 world title Italy 2017 crossed my mind but I never saw it as a realistic goal. I hadn’t travelled overseas since around 10 years old. The cost to not only get myself…continue reading →
Moonride 12 Solo 2017

Moonride 12 Solo 2017

  • Posted on April 25, 2017
  • /Under 2017
Moonride 12 Solo 2017 After planning to enter National Single Speed Championships for a workout and a half on the weekend of the 22nd I found myself without a ride to Wellington. Instead I settled for a 12 Solo at Moonride Rotorua. Since Xterra a few weeks earlier I was hitting the kilometers hard. With a few 100km plus rides in the past couple of weeks and one 200km effort the legs were prepared for the pain they were about to suffer as I lined up for Moonride. Infact the mind was too.…continue reading →
Xterra Mountainbike 2017

Xterra Mountainbike 2017

  • Posted on April 13, 2017
  • /Under 2017
Xterra Mountainbike 2017 After focusing on strength, nutrition and flexibility for the last few months it was my first opportunity to try out a fresh set of legs along with new tactics, brand new Trek Top Fuel and a new approach to this race. Leading into the build up to a big race like WEMBO I like to trial lots of different ideas around race preparation and set up so when it comes to World Championships I could perform at my best. Xterra Mountainbike was the perfect opportunity to do this. The race…continue reading →
Tokoroa Summer Cup #2 (Postponed)

Tokoroa Summer Cup #2 (Postponed)

Tokoroa Summer Cup #2 (Postponed)   2 weeks after the Rotorua 8 I was still not back to full strength. The Helibike Rotorua 8 really drained me. With almost no riding for the previous week leading into the Tokoroa Summer Cup I was going in weak, low confidence and I had lost the edge of my fitness. Not to worry though. My Coach Chris Willet and I had planned for this to happen as the ‘pushing boundaries’ exercise prior to Italy to establish some limits. Now that the Rotorua 8 was over my…continue reading →
2017 Helibike Rotorua 8 Race Report

2017 Helibike Rotorua 8 Race Report

After a few days of rain the Mountainbike Tauranga club rolled up to Waipa Carpark for the Helibike Rotorua 8. The club had 12 solos and 3 teams which was a great turn out. The Junior Academy riders rocked up in strength also. The Tauranga team set up all together as the rain belted down. We grabbed a quick snap and then lined up on the start line. The Tauranga Academy line up for a photo while everyone is still clean and dry. Photo: Sam Somerfield The start line was one row spread…continue reading →
Camelbak Summer Cup #3

Camelbak Summer Cup #3

  • Posted on February 13, 2017
  • /Under 2017
After the first round of the Summer Cup in Palmerston North being super windy and the second round in Tokoroa being cancelled due to a storm. It was time for round three. Mountain bikers from all over the country journeyed towards Rotorua. Athletes came from as far north as Northland and Auckland right down to a strong Wellington team and even riders from Christchurch. Longmile road was where the event village was set up. With the start/finish at the foot of nursery road.   We rocked up to the Longmile Road on Saturday…continue reading →
Camelbak Summer Cup #1

Camelbak Summer Cup #1

The first race of the year is always an important one. In my opinion it sets the rhythm for the year. In 2016 I had a great start with a 2nd at the National Cup in U19. However, this year there is no National Cup. Therefore, I found myself lined up on the start line the first round for the Camelbak Summercup held by Nduro Events. After a wearing in a fresh drive chain from the week before I found myself ready to go. It’s always tough racing 2 weeks after Christmas and…continue reading →