New Zealands Karapoti Classic 2009

Here we are again! For the 5th year running in Wellington, enjoying the wind. But we're also here for the rain this year. The first year i've had to race this in foul conditions. Good times, could we see some patented tripod action?

With the lack of single track, probably not, but puddles, oh yes, lots of puddles.

The traditional Makera Peak ride was had, with us jumping off things we shouldn't be on sub 9kg bikes, but hey. A good pasta dinner at "Pasta de Casa" and we were ready.

Going into this with our 3 top riders, we were confidant a good result could be had. That looked likely when I went away on the first climb, then AJ went well away, without company and the race looked in the bag. With myself and Tim marking any other move we had the leader and two more in the top 5.

Disaster struck in the Rock Garden, as it quite often does. I snapped a chain, somehow, while not even pedaling. Four mins later I was going again and still feeling good guessing I was just outside the top ten. In quick succession I passed three riders, then another four with flats, one of which was Tim. That constant lack of air would see him drop out of contention.

I gave it everything to the finish, knowing I was on a reasonable time. Having not seen AJ anywhere (or Tim at the start, since he was under water for some time) I assumed we had the win in the bag. But again no air at the bottom of the tyre, the crucial part that you ride on, was a problem. They only ever seem to go flat at the bottom! Even riding on the rim 6km home couldn't save a top ten spot.

So it goes, Lady Luck is a bitch. I grabbed 3rd to add to my 2nd, 5th, 7th and 8th in years gone by. I'm gathering quite a collection of numbers, all different. The 1, 4 and 6 would be nice editions in years to come.