NZLcyclist

With the edge of the now defunct Tropical Cyclone that hit the Australian gold coast hitting our local weather, I got up nice and early for my race. I looked out the window and swore - I had left my thermals, wind vests, anything warm in Hamilton - 100km away where I am a student. Not to worry it's only 56k.

I get out of the car at the venue and within minutes I am shivering, an anxious cold mess. I decide to change to the 32k event and get back to the car faster!

I roll to the start, and move forward as the 56k riders disappear down the miserable looking road. We wait a moment then we are off! I straight away sprint off down the road, grabbing the big ring straight away. Spinning it up, I look behind to analyse the reaction from the field. There isn't one. I tuck into my day's work and soon start cranking past small groups of riders from the 56k. Up and down the rollers I can't feel my legs, they are numb to the effort. I find a false flat but it's tail wind. I crank past more riders on this slight gradient at an estimated 45+kph. I am riding blind - no HRM, no computer. My legs are starting to tell me they are in fact going around as I get some feeling in them.

My solo effort is well under way, and as I squint through the spray on a small rolling descent I make a mental note of my joints. 6 days ago I got sprawled across a road after getting doored, and this was my second ride since. Knees are fine, elbow is fine. The weather isn't.

As I slow for the first left turn I feel the water starting to seep into my shoes. The joy. "Move!" I scream as cars block my way past - but they were blocked by more 56k riders. I settle into a group for a few k and get a much wanted rest. I bail out of the group after crossing the Waikato River and turn off onto the 32k course. I see ahead a rider that started early, in the 56k groups! I put the angry and pained race face on, scream obsceneties into the wind and crank up into a big gear and roll along at over 40kph. I have him in my sights for the next 6k until the turn around - I could put effort in and catch him, but I have no clue of his ability, and he could counter attack. Then I would be gone.

As he turns I see his face... I know who he is! I'm going to roll him, and roll him BAD. After another 3k or so I catch him, and latch onto his wheel. I can see he is struggling to keep the pace, up out of the saddle for minutes at a time - and there are no hills. I hold on for another 3k until I can hear him starting to huff and puff, obviously tiring now. A small hill presents itself at the perfect moment and I attack past him - with no response. My refreshed legs now crank into what is now a blustery head and side wind, still keeping in the big ring most of the time. An extreme face of pain is now visible to noone but the motorists going the other way. the last 10k is nothing but sheer torture, up and over small rollers, fighting the wind and the immense amounts of surface water.

I cross the line exhausted but jubilant in 1:06 in horrible conditions. Vengance is mine! The previous 2 years had been DNF for me in the 56k, but I have come to slay the beast that is the Pokeno Wheels and Heels day!

Next year I have a title to defend, and a goal of sub 1 hour.

Wilchemy

Nothing like a day in the rain and wind for fun. Well done for guts-ing it out. Reckon I would have stayed in the car!