New Zealand South Island Mountain Bike Cup

 

Race Date: 20 Jan 2008

 

Whilst out exploring the Southern Hemisphere, Nic Smith found himself on the start line of the New Zealand South Island Mountain Bike Cup. Having taken on the scenic 'Vulcaniser' race, he reports back to us from this spectacular event:

"Welcome to Round 3 of the New Zealand South Island Mtb Cup, held as part of the popular 'Vulcaniser' race at the Mt Vulcan Station near Christchurch on Sunday January 20th.

It was a scorching day, big blue skies, but with a fresh breeze off the sea that promised to keep us reasonably cool on the exposed upper sections of the course. The atmosphere was also fairly relaxed, with plenty of start line banter, and the open, women's, juniors and master's races had been well attended in the morning with over 100 competitors taking part in the various categories. A big field when you consider the low population of New Zealand and particularly the South Island.

Everyone had heaped praise on the course, and having managed to do a quick lap before the start, I was inclined to agree with them; though it promised to be a very tough one with over 300m of climbing on each of the six 5km laps we'd have to do. The setting was also fantastic, with the view from the top of the course better than any I'd ever come across.

The view from the top of the course; The Pacific Ocean, and, if you're eyes are really good, in the distance you might just be able to make out Chile...

 

My first race in New Zealand was always going to be a new experience, and I was fully expecting something very different to the British National Points Series races that I've dabbled with on and off since I was about 12. In Britain I've come to know what to expect, but for all I knew most Kiwis would be rattling off 150km before breakfast every morning, and in which case I would be in for a rough ride.

 

Certainly, since moving to Christchurch a fortnight previously, the vast numbers of VERY lean looking cyclists about suggested the Vulcaniser wouldn't be a walk in the park.

I was also painfully conscious that my preparation left a bit to be desired, with a prolonged holiday in Australia en route to New Zealand that had involved a lot of driving, but other than a quick spin round Rottnest Island on a tandem; no cycling of any description. I had done my best to counteract the lack of miles by cycling most of the way from Auckland to Christchurch, but even so, a kicking was definitely on the cards and I was feeling somewhat nervous as we took to the line...

At the gun my first fears were realized as a group of four took off at a ridiculous speed up the deceptively steep grassed climb from the start lap. Quickly abandoning any idea of sticking with that pace, I settled in with a larger group racing for 5th place as we headed out along a swooping section of single-track over the top of the course before plunging down a fast off-camber single-track descent into a wooded valley which took us down towards the sea.

The Start, less people, but just as furious as at home.

 

The single-track continued down, steep and dusty with our group well bunched up and the leaders god knows how far in front, twisting and turning down a rocky gulley before crossing a dry river bed and turning back the way we had come. The single-track climb wound its way up almost as steeply as it had wound down, and with the dust from the descent in the back of my throat - things weren't good! At least we were in the shade!

Leaving the trees, the climb continued on in the scorching heat over a grass track that got steeper and steeper to the top of the first real climb. Then it was over the saddle with the sea to our left and down, down, down again on another fantastic, well bermed single-track through the trees. But, having lost so much height meant only one thing - there was an awful lot of climbing still to do to finish the lap! More single-track, this time in the sun and out of the wind, took us back up to the station and the completion of the lap.

 

(Right - One of the faster sections of the course and the only respite!)

Recovering slightly on the middle laps, I was able to really get into the descents and actually made some time and some places going downhill in the race for 5th, unheard of for me! But it couldn't last forever; mid-way through lap 5 my woeful lack of miles caught up with me and that was that! I managed to limit the damage to 6th, and all things considered I have to be pretty pleased with that, and given the cramps I was getting on the last lap, I was quite surprised to make it up them all!

The race at the front was by all accounts a close run thing, with Dayle McLauchlan and Tim Madgwick battling it out for the series win, finally taken home by Dayle, though both were beaten on the day by Eric Drower with fellow European Niall Davis of Ireland the only other rider able to finish inside 2hrs.

 
Full results and more detailed pictures can be found at: http://www.mountainbike.orcon.net.nz/

I'd certainly recommend the Vulcaniser to anyone who happens to be in this part of the world. Although it may not have the numbers of European races, they are just as competitive and made exceedingly enjoyable by the hard work of a number of very dedicated volunteers and the laid back attitude of everyone taking part.

My thanks also to Moonglu Performance Cycles of Ripon, for getting the new season's kit under the customs radar, and to me in time for the race!"