Because I can......

For those who don't know Upper Hutt, it's at the top of the Hutt Valley, in the Wellington Region.
My favourite local hill to mountain bike up is Mt Climie (A) which I did before work.

At the other end of the valley, there is another good hill called Boulder Hill (B) which I did after work.
So many options and not enough time.

Both are fantastic rides and I highly recommend them both.

A- From the top of mt Climie at 6.50am Wednesday Morning

From the top of Mt Climie a few days later in the afternoon

B - From the top of Boulder Hill Wednesday afternoon

Bike Art

First up,I had a go at making a small clock

It is a XTR large chainring mounted on a piece of drift wood.

I really needed a wall clock so I went over board

It is a Mavic Ksyrium rear wheel with a 16 - 25 cluster on it.

It made sense that since I had a racing wheel clock, I needed a carbon frame  (cyclist joke).

All one offs and unfortunately not for sale 

Andy Brown Training for Kona

Andy had one request before he headed off to Kona, we do our traditional race simulation.

The only problem was, we were used to doing it in the dry heat of February, the mid autumn weather of cold rain and wind made for an interesting day.

***It must have paid off, Andy had a fantastic race at Kona.

The Big Coast Bike Ride

Final Round of the Bike Hutt Cyclocross Series

Cyclocross update

With 5 races done and dusted and only three remaining, the season is sadly coming to an end.

Race Two was possibly the best course I have ridden.


 Race Three was fun.  Due to discovering my headset had seized late Saturday afternoon and learning my frame needed a Specialized Mindset headset (which I couldn't get in time) I was force to ride my mountain bike.

Race Four was COLD and WET!!!! I seriously considered DNFing with two laps to go but carried on to finish.

Race Five was fantastic due to a great course and ideal weather conditions.  Having to race with a dead leg wasn't ideal!

Photo taken by Andy Brown, early on in the race

Photo by Andy Brown - Too many people smiling.

                                               

                                                               Photo taken my Lisa Morgan - Cowbell coaching 

Handle bar got caught up in the tape 

Tape didn't break and I came to a sudden stop

Race over, dead leg for the rest of the race and the following week.

The Cyclocross Season has Finally Arrived!!!

After a long waited hiatus, the cyclocross season has finally arrived.

Cyclocross races are well known for being held in cold and wet conditions but somehow today was an exception.  

During the week, New Zealand was hit by one of the worst storms in 40 years with trees, roofs and roads torn up in the Wellington area.

Image from Google of Petone foreshore

Image from Google of Lyall Bay

I was keen to race B grade but went against better judgement and raced A grade.  With four races already held on the course, it was always going to be a matter of survival and keeping the bike moving forward.  A lot / all of the competitors decided running the switch backs was faster than trying to ride.

Not sure on the final number in A grade, maybe 15 - 20 people.  I was extremely happy to only get lapped by Alex Revell (no shame in that) and not come last.

 

Photo taken by Danielle 

Photo taken by Danielle 

  

Photo taken by Danielle 

RACE VIDEO

Here is the information for the following races.

Start times and categories:

D Grade 20 mins plus 1 lap 9:00am

Kids 2 laps 0945am

C Grade 30 mins plus 1 lap 10:15am

B Grade 40 mins plus 1 lap 11:15am

A(lex Revell) Grade 50 mins 12:15pm

Venues:

23 June Harcourt Park

30 June California Park

7 July Moonshine Park

14 July California Park

21 July Moonshine Park

28 July California Park

4 August Moonshine Park

11 August Harcourt Park