Strong work, as always. Cheers, bro.

A busy week last week, but not a huge amount of riding.

I did the 40km ITT on my road bike in a few seconds under 63 minutes. I don't know if I suffered enough, but it was nice to get close to the hour.

Wednesday night I rode up Hawkins with Simon before dropping down the Tip Track and starting guys off for the last round of the Capital Hill Climb Series. Was last away, and really struggled to stay on the bike on the lower half. Not sure what was up there, but felt underpowered...

Went out with the Capital bunch on Thursday evening, but wasn't enjoying myself, so turned around at the Makara Beach turnoff. Gave it heaps on the climb back to Karori and stopped the watch at 8:20, which wasn't too bad considering the 33 minute grovel up Red Rocks the night before. Still, 30 seconds slower than my PB, so nothing to be too pleased about.

Sifted with Kaitlyn at Homegrown on Saturday. She loved seeing six60, whose CD she got for Christmas, and was in the front row for the Adults. Very cool to see her watching Kiwi legends Jon Toogood, Julia Deans and Shayne Carter at close quarters.

Headed out to Karapoti with Simon and Megan today, aiming to check out the descents for the upcoming Karapoti + Perverse Reverse. I was impressed at how dry the course was, but still needs to dry out a bit more (please!!!). Dabbed early on the warm up climb, and had a few walks on the second half of the main Deadwood climb. The Rock Garden didn't seem too bad to me, but I'd left my nerves in the car, and didn't push my luck in between the first big drop and the last little one a few hundred metres down the track. Made good time up the Devil's Staircase - running sprigs in my shoes helped immensely. Turned around at the top and went back down. Simon rode the entire thing, though I chickened out on the steepest parts. Hopefully mid-race I'll be braver! The rock garden was very rideable - just the lumpiest bit needed any prolonged pushing (same as I ran on the way down). The climb to the top of Deadwood was mint, as were the descents. Reverse is the much better direction if you ask me! I can't figure why 1000 are signed up for Saturday and only 100 for Sunday...

This time in four weeks I'll be half way to South Africa, and in five weeks, one stage into the race...

dented wrote::thumbsup:

+1

Excellent

EoinC wrote:

dented wrote:

+1

+1 moar.

sifter wrote:but not a huge amount of riding.

swtchbckr wrote:

sifter wrote:but not a huge amount of riding.

Ha! I'm glad someone pulled me up on that. I almost went back and edited that comment. Certainly some good quality in there, but not huge quantity. I blame all the Kiwi Brevet blogs I've been reading for my totally warped sense of scale...

Getting ready for the Cape Epic has been Epic in itself... Epic Preparations

Excellent write-up, Sifter. The excitement is building...

Jeepers, you're giving me jitters! Once you're in it you'll be on it...

Nice write up Sifter. I'm sure you'll do well.

Have you considered doing a special jersey run to raise funds (might help offset the excess baggage charges too). i'm sure there would be a few buyers as they look pretty snazzy.

Not quite the weekend I was expecting, but a good one nonetheless. Not Karapoti!

Classic!