'tis the day of reckoning for New Zealand singlespeeders - who will take the titles? who will take the tats? who will implode in a messy yet spectacular fashion? I'm sitting in an ex-strip club in Rotorua waiting for Zippy's to open so I thought it was a perfect time to give you all the run down on how today may (or may not) pan out.
Firstly the weather is brewing up a lovely dose of rain - the big question is "when will it drop?" While the Rotorua soil soaks up rain like a big gritty sponge as any singlespeeder will know slippery ground = traction problems on climbs as the rider has to balance between torque output through their legs versus how much grip the rear tyre has on the terrain.
As far as the top contenders go there appears to be two favourites for first across the line: local boy Garth Weinburg has been impressing observers for many years with his ability to crank for hours on a singlespeed and still look cheerful. American cyclocross legend Katie Compton is really frickin' fast and it has been bandied about that she might be the first across the line period - however as she's not a Kiwi and not elligible to the national title.
There's some very quick Kiwi chicks out today including Annika Smail, Sadie Parker-Wynyard and Robyn Wong (who found herself entered on a borrowed bike 20 minutes after admitting to me she had left her singlespeed at home and wasn't planning to race - muwhaha!)
Now here's the interesting thing - while the locals seem to be quietly smug about "their boy" Garth taking the national title a number of dark horses have quietly slipped into town. They make up a strange pack of old skool legends, endurance fiends, and under-the-radar sleepers. If the names Michael May, Thomas Lindup, Jonty Richie and Chris Burr mean anything to you then you'll know what I'm on about.
Then of course there's a bunch of imports to spice things up including some Ockers (struth!) some Americans and a crazy wide-eyed Mexican with a nrop star name. It's going to be nice and messy out there.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE - Saturday April 26
The event village (with trade stands and so on) will be on the road outside the Pig & Whistle from 9AM.
• Registration: 9-11AM under the sails at the Pig. (Party Animals must register, too).
• Scrutineering: 10-11AM outside the Pig.
• Competitor Race Briefing: 11.30AM on Saturday 26 under the sails at the Pig.
ALL entrants MUST be in the event village for scrutineering and in the pub for briefing - this is when you will also receive details on how to get to the pre-start location.
• Departure for the forest: midday with race start at 1PM.
• You can ride to the event village and then ride to the forest. If you are from out of town and don't know the way, you can buddy up with or follow the locals.
OR: you can park up in town for scrutineering and then drive with your bike to the specified trail head. DO NOT plan to leave your car in town during the race. Parking is metered ($2 dollars for 2 hours maximum) and closely monitored.
SPECTATORS
Park at the end of Long Mile Road and make your way up Nursery Road, turn right onto Radio Shack road - follow that road around and you'll come to the event village in the forest.
It is a bit of a walk so give yourself plenty of time or cruise in on your bike. The race starts at 1pm but it may not start at the event village.
IMPORTANT the race organisers (and many of the racers) have requested that you make a WHOLE LOT OF NOISE - so forget that you're reserved Kiwis and go nuts - if you're not hoesra by the end of the race you're not doing it right. |
