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thorg
Gozzies: the new black
Joined: May 20, 2004
Posts: 12,583
Location: Looking for gozzies - have you seen any?
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 Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 9:31am Post subject: I Like Bikes (n-duro Race 4) |
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[voice over guy] A little catch up for those who haven’t heard. Blah blah blah – injured at last N-Duro – blah blah blah - complete renal failure - blah blah blah – days in the dialysis ward – blah blah blah pretty pills and slow recovery – blah blah blah things now getting better [/end voice over guy]
Now you’re all up to date, on with the latest instalment of N-Duro glory 
Having only gotten back onto the bike in the last week, and even then only at ‘commuting’ levels, you might say I was not at my physical or mental peak for this race. But as I don’t race (see report 1 for clarification) that is not important. What is important is the weather was sunny after 3 days of rain, I was there, and my bike was there. This was the first outing of my newly purchased Jeffson Single Speed, and what an outing it was.
All geared up and ready to go, I realised that I had an hour to wait till the blue platers got to leave (the long course red platers get a 1 hour head start), oh well, better sift around then. More chatting in the sun, munch a few nut bars, admire a few bikes – pretty much like any given Sunday really. Then it was off up the hill. I started at the back, as always, but just the same as always, as the derailleur symphony crashes on around me and people slow down, the SS just keeps on going at the same speed. By Gunna Gotta I had made some good ground up, but not enough  It was quicker to walk than to get on get off get on get off behind all the people stopping and crashing.
Enter the single track, A trail and Tickler flowed as usual, and were surprisingly grippy given the amount of traffic they had endured already. My progress was only slowed by my complete muppet skills and the occasional slower rider, the field seemed to have thinned out nicely since I dropped all the riders on Gunna  Popping out of Tickler I was just in time to see Team Marin DH (Ekmanrider) boosting the final jump of HxB and power sliding across the intersection – very stlyie 
Then the climb, broken by Lentil Link. I don’t really mind the climb, as long as I am wearing my comfortable walking shoes, and LL is a loverly bit of track. Apparently some people got it a bit off track through this section (not looking at anyone in particular Pete) but I was travelling slow enough to not miss the signs. Hot x Buns was the same as ever, clogged with people not carrying speed. Had one rather unfortunate testicle/back of seat unplanned interaction which cause a tear to the eye and blurred vision for a spell. . . . . but I managed to not fall off (no photo’s of bruising were available at time of printing).
From here the course went into the single track section of the ‘inner’ tracks – starting with Be Rude Not To. I sifted through, grabbing a place here and there when I could. But basically cruising along and chatting to the other riders as I went. A few red platers blasted past me along these tracks, but not too many – and I always stopped early and moved off the track for them. After all, they had done the hard K’s and were suffering by then, whereas I was out for a Sunday ride.
Caught a group of 4 or so riders on the entry to exit trail, and had fun giving them space then catching them again. Allowing them to go ahead, then blasting over the doubles etc, couldn’t really see the point in overtaking this close to the finish, so just had fun throwing the bike around on one of the best trails Roto has to offer (imo). Rolled over the line completely unbroken, and feeling pretty good about the day, not unlike my first N-Duro. Sunshine, bikes, good trails and good friends – finished off with a beer and B-Sh!t session. The only thing that would have made the day better was having the bling arrive in time to be on my bike by this race – but now you will all have to wait till the final N-Duro to see it 
You may have gathered by the tone of this that I enjoyed the ride – well I did. And on checking the results I was the slowest SS rider on the day but in perspective – I would have been top 20 in Masters Men had I have entered that grade, and what do numbers mean anyway (see report 2 for clarification). Knowing my time has not made the day any brighter, the trails smoother, or my smile wider. I was riding my bike – and I loved it.
Bring on the 50km – see you there 
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dented
Mangled
Joined: Oct 03, 2005
Posts: 9,003
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 9:42am Post subject: |
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Nordy
Crashed and Carless
Joined: Aug 28, 2004
Posts: 8,323
Location: Saturns Toybox
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 10:56am Post subject: |
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 Awesome ride report. Look forward to the next one.
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Mel
Unencumbered?
Joined: Mar 18, 2002
Posts: 3,328
Location: Hamiltron
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 11:06am Post subject: |
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Great report thorg. Nice to hear you enjoyed the ride after the ordeal at the last one. I'm looking forward to hearing about the 50!
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Datsane
Mangled
Joined: May 25, 2004
Posts: 10,782
Location: V8 Street Race NZ
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 2:38pm Post subject: |
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Your sifty pre ride support group should make it this time 
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Grapefruit
Wrecked
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5,377
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 2:42pm Post subject: |
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nice report thorg - see u at the 100, err i mean 50
(unless your taupo day night thrillering?)
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Mr_Bob
Trail Ninja
Joined: Apr 14, 2005
Posts: 10,480
Location: Around....
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 2:45pm Post subject: |
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I'm going to try and make it for the 50
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Grapefruit
Wrecked
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5,377
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 2:47pm Post subject: |
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Mr_Bob - 50?!?! your bike HAS gears!!!!!!! 
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ryda
Wants more alloy ??
Joined: Jan 30, 2006
Posts: 5,779
Location: driven' the Church Bus
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 3:11pm Post subject: |
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| Mr_Bob wrote: | | I'm going to try and make it for the 50 |
or a least the day before ? 
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VERT
Cruzing
Joined: Dec 01, 2002
Posts: 11,957
Location: Somewhere In Time
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 4:58pm Post subject: |
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were we supposed to have ridden Lentil link too??*
*I had gone the wrong way well before Lentil Link
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ryda
Wants more alloy ??
Joined: Jan 30, 2006
Posts: 5,779
Location: driven' the Church Bus
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 5:04pm Post subject: |
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| VERT wrote: | | were we supposed to have ridden Lentil link too??* |
yep that's why you study the map before you race? it helps
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Datsane
Mangled
Joined: May 25, 2004
Posts: 10,782
Location: V8 Street Race NZ
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 5:05pm Post subject: |
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Where is lentil link?
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ryda
Wants more alloy ??
Joined: Jan 30, 2006
Posts: 5,779
Location: driven' the Church Bus
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Datsane
Mangled
Joined: May 25, 2004
Posts: 10,782
Location: V8 Street Race NZ
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| Posted: Tue 21/Aug/07 5:10pm Post subject: |
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I see it on the map now Man thats a ways out
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