http://www.pnp.org.nz/road/Rice-Mountain-Classic/
There is no tougher race in the Wellington region than the Rice Mountain Classic, and each year the anticipation and trash talk leading up to the race grows !
For 2008, the Rice Mountain joins the first year of the Cycling New Zealand National Point Series. This will strengthen the field even further and build on the race's fantastic history since 1996. For 2009 the A Grade race for the Mens title will be lengthened from 92km to 120km with two loops of the Millers Rd circuit. It will then head up Kurnau Hill, down the steep side, back over Limeworks Hill and finishing atop Admirals Rd (each year the Kurnau-Limeworks-Admirals loop direction is alternated)
This is the title people target, and train seriously for to be recognised as the best climber in the region.
First held in 1996 the race honours the contribution to the club by Alan Rice, although Alan willprobably tell you its named after his son Trevor, whos favourite training ride was on the original course over the Akatarawa Rd. Although a shorter history than some of the other club cups, the Rice Mountain is without question one of the regions highest prized titles, being raced over extremely demanding courses, it has always found worthy winners.
For the first few years the course was over whats still known as the "Old Rice Mtn Loop" taking in Haywards Hill, Paikaekariki Hill and the Akatarawas. From 1996-99 the start/finish was atop Haywards Hill, and from 2000-02 at Waikanae.
Following several near misses with cars on the Akas, the course was moved to the Wairarapa in 2003, starting at Gladstone with the Longbush loop over Millars Road, then a loop taking in Lee Pakaraka Road, Limeworks Hill and Kurnau Hill (raced in alternating directions each year) then finishing atop the 8km climb of Admirals Hill.
The success of the second half of the course has seen it included as the finish of the Queen stage of the Wellington Mens UCI Tour. |
