Warwick Wrote: Well I think I’ve finally recovered from my event hangover, and am pretty chuffed with how it all went down. While the turnout was a bit smaller than I had hoped, we had a lot of spectators and an awesome atmosphere. Eleven cross bikes, three unicycles (!), one MTB and one 1930’s women’s bike did battle for the first annual NZ Cyclocross Champs at the Pukete Mountain Bike Park in Hamilton.

The course had dried out a lot in the week leading up to the event making for faster times than expected, and a little less mud grovelling, unfortunately for the spectators, but fortunately for the competitors.

Ron King from Auckland was the eventual winner with an outstanding 7 laps in 62 minutes 6 seconds. All competitors rode well and put on a good show for the spectators who seemed to take delight in watching the pained expressions as riders took to the running section. The obstacles were tackled with skill and grace for at least a lap or two before it became throw your bike over and drag your self up the hill.

I now understand why Cyclocross is referred to as an hour in hell, after four laps I had to be reminded I couldn’t withdraw from my own event! Next year I might actually do some cross specific training, or maybe just some training full stop. It was a little demoralising to watch Dave pull away from me on his ghetto single speed road bike complete with 19mm road slicks!

Results:
Men:
1st … Ron King
2nd … Jonty Taylor
3rd (Overall) … Kent Crawford (1st Mtb)
3rd (Cyclocross)… Carl Patton

Women:
1st … Tui Allen

Most Crap Bike:
Tui Allen

Best Spectators:
Mel and Datsane (Thanks for the reminders on where I was placed! :-D)

Thank You:
Huge thanks to all the people who took part, whether competing or spectating you all contributed in making the event the success it was. Also I can’t thank enough Jianni from Frfsports ( www.Frfsprts.co.nz ) and Francis from Maxxis ( www.maxxis.com ) who backed this event from the get go, its great to see companies supporting the sport in its infancy. Thank you also to Greg from www.imaginemedia.co.nz for the banners and fencing which made the whole event look a little bit professional. Thanks to everyone for the help with setting up and packing down on the day, and thanks to Russ and Jeff for the timing.

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... I was sure the race was on sunday

mob: I feel a couple more rats from wellington may make the trip north for this event next year

I remember going to another "first annual nz cyclo cross champs" in Wanganui about 1993. Probably been others too?

"Next year I might actually do some cross specific training"

Can highly recommend the training programme I happened across, very 'cross specific. Three parts:
1. Riding an overgeared fixie in Auckland bus lanes (rush hour obviously)
2. Hurdling electric fences
3. Scaring yourself silly on roller sprints

Recovery phase involves time in Belgian Beer Bars.

Worked for you Ron!
That trophy is the most awesome thing I have seen in ages. Where have you decided to place it?

Wife has given me one month in prime shelf spot in the lounge... after that I'm going to have to renegotiate.

thorg wrote: mob: I feel a couple more rats from wellington may make the trip north for this event next year

all ready got the wheelset.

does that mean tubulars? i don't think any one was running them this year - maybe next...

Jim wrote:

thorg wrote: mob: I feel a couple more rats from wellington may make the trip north for this event next year

all ready got the wheelset.

Add one from the Tron also

When is the next one?