tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88105769981779908962024-03-13T13:55:34.156-07:00Peter BethellKiwi Downhill RacerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-25764391864197672312015-02-02T14:33:00.001-08:002015-02-02T20:52:14.777-08:00MTBNZ National Cup Round 3 - 440 Mountain Bike Park<div dir="ltr">
I had an awesome weekend out at 440 Mountain Bike Park for the third round of the National Cup. It was my first race in the Pro Elite class, so it was pretty exciting racing against the top guys in New Zealand. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by: Cameron Mackenzie Photography</td></tr>
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The practice day was very hot in the summer sun and the track was running dry and super fast. By the end of the practice day it was super dusty and holes and roots were being exposed. I was having heaps of fun and feeling good on the track. </div>
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The rain held of and the track was again dry and dusty for race day. I had my new bike all dialed in and totally loving riding it. In my seeding run I seeded 7th which I was very pleased with. I was stoked to then take 3 seconds off my seeding time in my race run and finish in 7th in Pro Elite and 7th overall. Team Hukkit came away with three medals and my brother unfortunately had a little off in his race after winning seeding. Over all it was a very successful and fun race, thanks to 440 for putting it on! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-7836316745262593112014-12-14T01:06:00.002-08:002014-12-14T01:06:46.495-08:00NZDH Final at Dome ValleyIt was a wild and super fun Saturday out at Dome Valley for the final round of the NZDH series. After rain all week the track was slippery as ever and proved to be quite challenging for all the riders. It kept raining throughout the day which meant the track was not able to dry up, so everyone was sliding down the steep and off camber sections.<br />
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In the race runs there were riders all the way down the track who had wiped out on the mud and roots. On a run with a few mistakes I managed to finish 3rd. It was a fun weekend for most, however I wish a speedy recovery for the riders who were injured in the difficult conditions. I didn't make it to all the series rounds but the few that I did were heaps of fun, and I was stoked to finish 5th in the under 19's for the series. A massive thanks to NZDH for their organisation and to Team Hukkit and all our sponsors for their support. Bring on the national season after Christmas! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the photo of the action at: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/97185647@N03/sets/72157647416694324" target="_blank">Tuatara Photography</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-1117747636955188372014-11-30T23:22:00.000-08:002014-11-30T23:22:23.449-08:00Auckland Downhill Champs<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/bongerrazo.photography" target="_blank"> Bong Errazo</a></td></tr>
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On Sunday I was out at 440 Mountain Bike Park, for the Auckland Downhill Championships. 440 put on an awesome event on their recently opened 'Ruapehu' downhill track. It's so good to have another quality downhill track in the Auckland region and I can't wait to race on it again when 440 host the National round next Summer! The track was nice and wide, with heaps of different lines and a lot of off camber sections. It was super fast and fun to race on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/bongerrazo.photography" target="_blank"> Bong Errazo</a></td></tr>
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We got some practice runs in the morning and then had two race runs with your best time counting for your result. I was feeling really good in my first run and getting all my lines, but then a tree got in my way, which was not ideal! I had some time to rest my shoulder which had hit the tree before heading up for the second race run. This time I kept it nice an smooth, stayed on my bike and came away with the win in the under 19's.<br />
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All the boys in Team Hukkit did really well with Tim Hunter 1st in the Master 30's and team manager Edd also coming 1st in the Masters 40's. My brother Liam Bethell had a good race as well taking 2nd in the under 17's. A massive thanks to everyone who made the event happen and I look forward to getting out to 440 Mountain Bike Park for some more riding. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/bongerrazo.photography" target="_blank"> Bong Errazo</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-75087980964139505242014-11-25T00:42:00.000-08:002014-11-25T00:42:10.513-08:00NZDH Round 4 Taupo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the weekend I was down in Taupo for round four of the New Zealand Downhill series. It was looking like it was going to be wet race, but we were lucky with the weather as the rain held off all day. The Descend Rotorua crew had done some work on the track and there was a new section that was a lot of fun. There was a nice tight forest section up the top going into the loose, off camber and rooty section that was newly built. The track then opened up onto farm land and was flat out fast to the bottom. There were lots of natural jumps and bumps, and it was really just an awesome fun track to race on! <br />
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After finishing all of my school exams, it was good to be back on my downhill bike and racing with Team Hukkit. I am super stoked to be part of the team, its great having the support at races. We have a good lot of sponsors on board for the season including Kali Protectives, Smith Optics, Scott, Shimano, Woodhill MTB Park, Bike Medic, MBR, and Tim Hunter Trail Co. I am very grateful for all their help and the support from Avantiplus Waitakere and the Don Oliver Youth Foundation. <br />
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I managed to find some flow and speed to put together a good race run, which put me in second place in the under 19's. I am stoked on the teams podium results with Brendan Regan placing 4th in the open men, Tim Hunter calming 2nd in masters and also my brother Liam finishing 4th in the under 17's. Bring on Auckland Downhill Champs this weekend! Tim Hunter got some good footage of the racing <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/video/387696/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-29686303788298482012014-09-12T02:22:00.001-07:002014-09-12T12:34:47.871-07:00Hafjell World Championships and Europe Travels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the past three and a half weeks I have had such a great time over in Europe riding and racing in France and at the 2014 Downhill World Championships in Hafjell, Norway. It has been such a great experience, I can't thank everyone enough for all the support I have received to help me get over there. Here are some photos and stories from my trip: </div>
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All of the New Zealand team who were staying at the accommodation in Norway. </div>
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The World Champs track was so much fun, it had super technical rock gardens and nice big jumps up the top. Check out Claudio's course preview of the track, <b><a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/course-preview-claudio-does-the-world-champs-course-with-brendog-2014.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</div>
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Some of us NZ boys after our seeding runs. I had a really good run seeding in 24th. </div>
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Sam Thompson got this photo of me hitting the track gap during my race run on Sunday. I managed to stay on my bike ended up finishing 25th junior in the world! </div>
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It was such a great experience to race at the top level and on such an amazing track. I am also stoked for NZ team mate Connor Hamilton who got fifth! We all had such a great time together in Norway. </div>
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Two weeks earlier at the Meribel World Cup. This was my first ever international race and warm up event for World Champs, </div>
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Track walk down the steep, rough, fast and technical Meribel track. It was a challenging and super exciting track to ride, i had such a good time there! </div>
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Flying off the big sender into the finish at Meribel. </div>
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Cows with bells everywhere, including the track sometimes!</div>
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Had such a sick time in my week at Morzine, was so cool being able to catch chairlifts up everywhere and ride some really awesome tracks. </div>
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Got a few chances to be a tourist, it was so cool to see other countries and experience different cultures. This was in Annecy when we first flew in from New Zealand, it was a pretty amazing place. Looking forward to the New Zealand race season starting soon! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-38917713039766561302014-08-03T18:47:00.001-07:002014-08-03T18:48:15.478-07:00Raffle Results and Fundraising Shuttle Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is a little video of the Freeride Competition at my fundraising Woodhill shuttle day on the weekend. Stefan from Woodhill also drew the raffle at the end of the day, cheers to everyone that supported me in buying tickets. The lucky winner was: <b>Michael Ferkins. </b>A massive thanks to everyone that donated the prizes for the raffle. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fbzK4qKauJQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
It was a really fun day out at Woodhill, thanks to everyone that braved the weather, I hope you all enjoyed it! Thanks to Edd form <a href="http://www.hukkit.co.nz/" target="_blank">hukkit.</a> for organising it all. I am really looking forward to heading overseas and racing at the Downhill Junior World Championships. It's not long until I leave now!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-70014724139269904892014-07-03T23:36:00.002-07:002014-07-03T23:36:30.815-07:00Fundraising Raffle Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7utVuOC9SNkQbuCjayULGAmdT1r7jzxlqozY1yRJvpNuIe87bErtfZJCw0XUv0ESLhZAVym6ZiahWTicghCtSZZa7S_L1mtOgDFb5vxwhtIgFSdKAqWRhyphenhyphenHA8KViZchN2zs4IaxX3voXb/s1600/DSCF0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7utVuOC9SNkQbuCjayULGAmdT1r7jzxlqozY1yRJvpNuIe87bErtfZJCw0XUv0ESLhZAVym6ZiahWTicghCtSZZa7S_L1mtOgDFb5vxwhtIgFSdKAqWRhyphenhyphenHA8KViZchN2zs4IaxX3voXb/s1600/DSCF0875.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
First of all I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone that supported me and brought tickets for the raffle to help me get to Norway and race at the World Championships. A special thanks to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CarosWines/info" target="_blank">Caro's Wines</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gasket-Espresso-Kitchen/174342629294853?sk=timeline" target="_blank">Gasket Espresso Kitchen</a>, the Easton family, <a href="http://www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/18rw/gentle-chiropractic-meadowbank/" target="_blank">James Allen</a>, Helvier and Pankaj, Hana and Pete, Rob and Cathy, Vicki and Terry, Westbrook Winery and everyone else who donated items for the raffle.<br />
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The winner of the first basket is: <b>Greg Campbell</b><br />
The winner of the second basket is: <b>Kerry Halse </b><br />
The winner of the third prize is: <b>Pip Fair </b><br />
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Congratulations and thank you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-42403310023255540282014-06-29T02:32:00.000-07:002014-06-29T02:32:37.060-07:00Made the NZ team!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Recent Riverhead WCRC shuttle day. Photo credit: C&L Sports</div>
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I am extremely happy to say that I have made the Under 19 Downhill team for the 2014 Mountain Bike World Championships. They are held in Hafjell, Norway at the beginning of September. <div>
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<a href="http://www.bikenz.org.nz/Story?Action=View&Story_id=659" target="_blank">www.bikenz.org.nz</a></div>
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After watching the 2006 World Championships in New Zealand it has always been my dream to make it to the Worlds. I am really looking forward to racing with the top riders and gaining experience in the international field. </div>
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The track in Norway looks like it might have a bit of everything, jumps, technical rock sections, bike park burms and flat out fast sections. Or in other words, from what it was last season at a World Cup, heaps of fun! Here is the track preview from last years World Cup Round.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-24783864441274661532014-05-02T03:46:00.002-07:002014-05-02T03:46:46.560-07:00Waitakere BMX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A short video my brother Liam put together of our fun racing with the Waitakere BMX club. Such a sweet track, was heaps of fun just riding my dirt jump bike.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-54743577031471697232014-03-27T00:56:00.001-07:002014-03-27T00:56:15.071-07:00A Quick Racing UpdateIn the past few weeks I have been down to Mt Hutt to race at the Oceanias Championships, then this weekend I competed in the North Island Secondary Schools at Hunua. These events brought an end to a very busy New Zealand National season for me, that has been a lot of fun. I have really enjoyed travelling all over the country to ride new tracks and race against the best kiwi riders.<br />
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Oceania Championships</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="http://vortexphoto.co.nz/">vortexphoto.co.nz</a> </td></tr>
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The Mt Hutt track for Oceanias had a bit of everything, with a fast top section complete with a good rock garden that gave almost everyone a flat tire. There were bike park style berms, some good fun jumps and a steep gnarly section that came down to the finish gap jump.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribes-and-tracks/123053731141203" target="_blank">Tribes and Tracks</a></td></tr>
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The container bridge across the road was a cool feature on the track. With the weather bomb expected on Sunday seeding was brought forward to the Saturday night. I had a good run and qualified in 5th place. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribes-and-tracks/123053731141203" target="_blank">Tribes and Tracks</a></td></tr>
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When we woke up on Sunday Mt Hutt was covered in a white mist, it had rained over night and the track had become a slippery mess. The mud tires went on and after a couple of practice runs, we headed up the mountain for race runs. I got a bit off line up the top section, but managed to hold it together to the bottom. In this weather it was difficult to determine how fast to push it and stay in control, I held back a little but had a clean run which meant I finished in 6th place. <br />
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North Island Secondary School Championships</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Erica Welsford</td></tr>
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The North Island Secondary Schools was held for the first time ever, out in the Hunua Ranges. It is a Schools event to find the fastest secondary school mountain biker in the North Island. It involves three events, Cross Country, Downhill and a Tiebreaker to decide the overall champion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X9b8ICKyGOjtglm9pHcpnl6lVlXt_ElsAbz8oufj_aTqa5MTOZdBobqeIFExAwgnV_ToJi6rADEHlS1KRVkk1WeFQwpiSBweGx5wq9xXGh-oMI8Hy5y9cJdA5WB1imFawaKTE4U-0Pjc/s1600/1939473_10152346800652722_1364597817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X9b8ICKyGOjtglm9pHcpnl6lVlXt_ElsAbz8oufj_aTqa5MTOZdBobqeIFExAwgnV_ToJi6rADEHlS1KRVkk1WeFQwpiSBweGx5wq9xXGh-oMI8Hy5y9cJdA5WB1imFawaKTE4U-0Pjc/s1600/1939473_10152346800652722_1364597817_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Erica Welsford</td></tr>
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On Saturday morning I raced the Cross Country, followed by the Tiebreaker which was a fairly flat undulating track with tight corners that took just over 2 minutes. After a 13th place in the 24km Cross Country race, I was happy to take out the Tiebreaker and win the chocolate bar!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNSi_KDGnaAxNRgo9l_Alf6yqjves5-R8rMyIB2k7BhC8rjArvAv9tX_A3gBOB1FKDE5gbcFsSE0f9Spd33UFOJKxImX3YtZuvRlPVJ1FTEvNx9KAfPA4ah15_LhhOW2IScLgAkULgQ4w/s1600/1237513_10153952465050434_1664452885_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNSi_KDGnaAxNRgo9l_Alf6yqjves5-R8rMyIB2k7BhC8rjArvAv9tX_A3gBOB1FKDE5gbcFsSE0f9Spd33UFOJKxImX3YtZuvRlPVJ1FTEvNx9KAfPA4ah15_LhhOW2IScLgAkULgQ4w/s1600/1237513_10153952465050434_1664452885_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Jack Pearson</td></tr>
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Sunday was the fun day! It was downhill time and everyone had a great time on the awesome Hunua downhill track. I got 1st place in the downhill, a great way to finish my summer racing season. Here is a video of all the fun:<br />
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Huge thanks to John Hassler from Auckland Grammar for organising the event and all the volunteers that helped to make all the races so much fun. Also Avantiplus Waitakere who have been so helpful through the season, getting me on my new Gambler and keeping my bikes rolling. Cheers<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-3264059049574713502014-02-23T22:55:00.000-08:002014-02-23T22:55:14.466-08:002W Gravity Enduro, Rotorua<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaSaIBmBluzRkfr3-79a2oi1UKcZQqeb8ho06inLjSyGvT0JnfwzV59i-2gNm_HDLjTJ4Mlwp99z0rjXyIMgv_bRoNA508ZZipifPZLx0LL29ffMK9W4D5-xFwm7H6dEi7G6B_-G4cWKx/s1600/DSCF8827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaSaIBmBluzRkfr3-79a2oi1UKcZQqeb8ho06inLjSyGvT0JnfwzV59i-2gNm_HDLjTJ4Mlwp99z0rjXyIMgv_bRoNA508ZZipifPZLx0LL29ffMK9W4D5-xFwm7H6dEi7G6B_-G4cWKx/s1600/DSCF8827.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">450 riders packed into Tutanekai Street for the start!</td></tr>
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On Saturday morning it was overcast and there was a little rain, but that wasn't a problem, everyone was keen to do some enduro racing! I had borrowed an Avanti Torrent, a super fun bike to ride, which would be perfect for the event. Starting in town, there was a little pedal along the lake side out to the forest. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIfJ1LvZnb3rKDpGYhWq52I_xFziF2VMVJR5IIaFiMGPnIHzuVppUYvUiQLRyBF133rQ9RFLKyxToEW_sBR8UMUWmrHmruSP51vPjGc2eL-hX5TNVzjEwNC0BiV0VPCefOcts7SJLqaIv/s1600/DSCF8829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIfJ1LvZnb3rKDpGYhWq52I_xFziF2VMVJR5IIaFiMGPnIHzuVppUYvUiQLRyBF133rQ9RFLKyxToEW_sBR8UMUWmrHmruSP51vPjGc2eL-hX5TNVzjEwNC0BiV0VPCefOcts7SJLqaIv/s1600/DSCF8829.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working out the best way to do the six different stages.</td></tr>
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The event was made up of six race stages that could be completed in any order. There were shuttles up the two biggest hills, but if you wanted to better a stage time you had to ride up the second time. It was good fun cruising between the stages, then pinning it on the downhills! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CxrDVHqK7vbfA2RrjsJfUTzqhbPc5orUWqAakuZBIpVbpuvTGhquWdGW3jDO0WTcLjV4nOC5BNxZy_UDb4FSpAk6yNcgth-nh52gpKbK8tBLaUQJSTfn3rBsyT1rPWGG_3q1novryIC_/s1600/DSCF8839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CxrDVHqK7vbfA2RrjsJfUTzqhbPc5orUWqAakuZBIpVbpuvTGhquWdGW3jDO0WTcLjV4nOC5BNxZy_UDb4FSpAk6yNcgth-nh52gpKbK8tBLaUQJSTfn3rBsyT1rPWGG_3q1novryIC_/s1600/DSCF8839.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick rest after finishing our first stage.</td></tr>
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We managed to get on one of the first shuttles up the smaller hill. At the top of the first stage we rode it was super misty, the track was good fun with a lot of cool little jumps. There was really something for any type of rider with the longest stage taking about 15 minutes and another one taking us down part of the National Downhill track.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpLZMf5-Aa17EQTZyrubMyptiXf02J_Tzs3a5Fxu-mNdeL5e0m9DDMRZP_ZcDWYFhQADXqEo8q043iOu_A80vcQ2AoBFwHIRZIgUYHeGuYeykSzc5mCgv-WP5hl_H_e29vsvjZ6xLyvQu/s1600/DSCF8843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpLZMf5-Aa17EQTZyrubMyptiXf02J_Tzs3a5Fxu-mNdeL5e0m9DDMRZP_ZcDWYFhQADXqEo8q043iOu_A80vcQ2AoBFwHIRZIgUYHeGuYeykSzc5mCgv-WP5hl_H_e29vsvjZ6xLyvQu/s1600/DSCF8843.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was some rain to make the roots in the native bush super slippery!<br />
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It was hard racing on trails I had never ridden, not knowing what was around the corner or how fast to hit a section, but I managed to hold it together for most of the stages. Only on the 'Hot X Buns' stage did I slid out on a tight corner. So I went for an exhausting pedal back up the hill and tried it again, only to make another little mistake! Overall it was such an awesome event and I had an great time racing with everyone.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRwKETVd3aN1kyWi881L0StFbmJZeBGomElNemQha_JIDVgpL_deosMihAi8eYuFswGPxb_N1WgEt6LlzB2qjvIIaMJH3Vyq4TUqDQ7TIladkosYBqhliDtLKf99hagiK_04NTjJLjxNG/s1600/DSCF8846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRwKETVd3aN1kyWi881L0StFbmJZeBGomElNemQha_JIDVgpL_deosMihAi8eYuFswGPxb_N1WgEt6LlzB2qjvIIaMJH3Vyq4TUqDQ7TIladkosYBqhliDtLKf99hagiK_04NTjJLjxNG/s1600/DSCF8846.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was food and drink while you waited for the shuttle.</td></tr>
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I finished 6th in the under 19's and our team came in at 4th place. Thanks to Avantiplus Waitakere for lending me the Torrent and Jesse Voza for the photos. Check out this little video my brother Liam put together from the weekend:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-82625861121661037292014-02-18T12:36:00.000-08:002014-02-18T12:36:05.056-08:00National Championships Rotorua<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YuZYsTJ-fufkr90L6kQPQxNM6-s6xYu0JBhBK5HKHbhJSx2Np7MnyCT8Tg9x-URNaK-a4cWSz_xu04VPSmrjd3G6eFRioMR-qi8eI6ZYez5EZ_WpHvOKqdv1M3NjVWWzku2_Oh_9dbhW/s1600/P2160650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YuZYsTJ-fufkr90L6kQPQxNM6-s6xYu0JBhBK5HKHbhJSx2Np7MnyCT8Tg9x-URNaK-a4cWSz_xu04VPSmrjd3G6eFRioMR-qi8eI6ZYez5EZ_WpHvOKqdv1M3NjVWWzku2_Oh_9dbhW/s1600/P2160650.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Barry Page</td></tr>
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The 2014 National Championships were held in Rotorua on the weekend, as an opening event of the Rotorua Bike Festival. The Descend Rotorua team kept the track interesting, by building a new top section specially for the Nationals. After everyone had done a few runs the new line was all torn up and sketchy, with slippery roots being exposed in the off camber and ruts heading for trees. This made the riding more exciting and a lot of fun! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfXLeKCoicKn0PEF0GMsBgk2NQ8q1XWr8hcDUcfsWizCWMbrPnEBNgwdPEAV276jmHGo3FsGnzskKwJHEiWpXOHt0AT7OafJkCSU0DAzZoPH_FVgzzw4OTVEaSlVcrwy1hyphenhyphenDM3I2MK5aq/s1600/Alan+Ofsoski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfXLeKCoicKn0PEF0GMsBgk2NQ8q1XWr8hcDUcfsWizCWMbrPnEBNgwdPEAV276jmHGo3FsGnzskKwJHEiWpXOHt0AT7OafJkCSU0DAzZoPH_FVgzzw4OTVEaSlVcrwy1hyphenhyphenDM3I2MK5aq/s1600/Alan+Ofsoski.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Alan Ofsoski</td></tr>
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In the lower section, the track run some of the older lines that are fast and rough. It was a challenge to do full runs through practice because my hands and fingers got so tired. The track finished with a cool double jump, that was fun to ride and watch the riders on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hbHyowLIXm7MS3GtxcKzNamSUF_rzmWGWd8ASt7fni014DyJJ21GCaQHxnb3Ud6_el3S5Qj4C7e9YLYcQvbF5vDUku-MCqqotXPflXnKqZ0XdDAtOHTek5EPpT-qsKs4SEz1L6tHtrB0/s1600/20140216_153831-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hbHyowLIXm7MS3GtxcKzNamSUF_rzmWGWd8ASt7fni014DyJJ21GCaQHxnb3Ud6_el3S5Qj4C7e9YLYcQvbF5vDUku-MCqqotXPflXnKqZ0XdDAtOHTek5EPpT-qsKs4SEz1L6tHtrB0/s1600/20140216_153831-1.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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On Sunday we got up to the track early to get in some practice before seeding and race runs. Up the top in the new section, the track had changed a little where the fresh dirt had been pushed lower and lower in the off camber parts. Because of this, I had to change some of my lines for the race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3mOs3PvjlRypa-wTAdYhq9NHJgxZDeQJvWY5aCPJx33VhuaNl3ZNC5NHOREqen1RNs_9eq7F-F3N5oimYn-5sYOnejLjhkmhp7LP2rAtLj7y3MSSfBSn3Lj2kKZhWvWAwZVSdysdWmCD/s1600/P2160652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3mOs3PvjlRypa-wTAdYhq9NHJgxZDeQJvWY5aCPJx33VhuaNl3ZNC5NHOREqen1RNs_9eq7F-F3N5oimYn-5sYOnejLjhkmhp7LP2rAtLj7y3MSSfBSn3Lj2kKZhWvWAwZVSdysdWmCD/s1600/P2160652.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Barry Page</td></tr>
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After seeding in 5th place, I had a good race run taking two seconds off my seeding time to hold my position and finish 5th in the under 19's. This weekend I am back down to the Rotorua Bike festival to compete in the 2W Gravity. It will be a really fun weekend, then I will have two weeks break before we head down to Mt Hutt for the Oceania Championships. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCX-gW7EcTY4_TGESYQOdb3sUILBRkRDk41R5o2jymBwLUEyhy5ZHBd1IHpAYwXnYLWHJ1RLcaERhUQsFC_zUFmXKYec6Q-6Taa4mvbvVcpSv14n_0BA2NEkSNkrsXDrkmBXJs1a3ZVY9/s1600/20140216_172352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCX-gW7EcTY4_TGESYQOdb3sUILBRkRDk41R5o2jymBwLUEyhy5ZHBd1IHpAYwXnYLWHJ1RLcaERhUQsFC_zUFmXKYec6Q-6Taa4mvbvVcpSv14n_0BA2NEkSNkrsXDrkmBXJs1a3ZVY9/s1600/20140216_172352.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-5029998271852434212014-02-11T00:29:00.000-08:002014-02-11T00:46:38.528-08:00Hunua Downhill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The final round of the MTBNZ Downhill series was held, not too far from home, at the Hunua Ranges. The new extension to the track made it the longest in the series and took around 4 to 5 minutes to ride. The long, peddly track suited me very well and the massive jumps were heaps of fun! The best feature of the track was a 40 foot step down near the bottom of the track. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq15UcFf_sUFVtGUynADeKsKTkzLfFR3dWuqKTniNe9zCT57wpiu1MM7qkpEVXf7lWUNoz6IfBHQgHEprtWOzUrElITHKKCro__j6XE4_JinnHUwLXjWQTCM75DKjUqw0vpOcHIWRhCV3-/s1600/DSCF8038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq15UcFf_sUFVtGUynADeKsKTkzLfFR3dWuqKTniNe9zCT57wpiu1MM7qkpEVXf7lWUNoz6IfBHQgHEprtWOzUrElITHKKCro__j6XE4_JinnHUwLXjWQTCM75DKjUqw0vpOcHIWRhCV3-/s1600/DSCF8038.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race village.</td></tr>
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Practice on Saturday was misty, muddy and slippery as. After the first run we put the 'mud tires' on which made it a bit easier, but there was still a lot of fun slipping and sliding our way down the track. As the rain and mist cleared, around midday, the track started to dry up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucT4YQukwMoDhCzLJVd5DskCKipy4chkxlyodT7f8A6OB7FQOZ3O3g-r24923gb7lQtIKr7Sf6SETBTScr9v2Zs-Fjv3cm6xMt4RPySaWSSM2l0NPSxv7TEXTINKJujubUDAvOeX4D50w/s1600/DSCF8027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucT4YQukwMoDhCzLJVd5DskCKipy4chkxlyodT7f8A6OB7FQOZ3O3g-r24923gb7lQtIKr7Sf6SETBTScr9v2Zs-Fjv3cm6xMt4RPySaWSSM2l0NPSxv7TEXTINKJujubUDAvOeX4D50w/s1600/DSCF8027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our muddy bikes after practice!</td></tr>
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By Sunday morning the track was almost fully dry, so we switched back to dry tires. The sun was out as we headed up the hill for a few morning practice runs. In seeding I got an idea of just how much effort the race run would require! I was happy to seed 5th fastest with a time of 4 minutes and 15 seconds, knowing that I could push a little harder in race run. </div>
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I rode as hard as I could right out of the start gate, in the race, and put in my full effort. My run went very well and I managed to take 12 seconds off my seeding time, finishing in 3rd place. My brother Liam had an awesome result too finishing 5th in his first year of under 17's. The Hunua team put on a very well organised race to finish off the series and I had a awesome weekend racing! I now have two weekend of racing in Rotorua, first Nationals this weekend then the 2W Gravity Enduro the following weekend, its going to be heaps of fun! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-62722104492179872262014-02-06T01:37:00.002-08:002014-02-06T01:37:39.388-08:00Nelson Top GunOn the weekend I flew down to Nelson to race in the Top Gun, which was also the second round of the downhill and cross country MTBNZ Cup series. The Top Gun event finds the best overall male and female mountain bikers. On Friday and Saturday it was Downhill practice and race, then on Sunday it was the Cross Country. The Super-D event on Monday brought both the Downhill and Cross Country riders together to race for the final points in order gain the 2014 Top Gun title.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpOp5GSxWbu-IY9b-32vXQ_3DSKpOg0BE9LSwLEvUyyGLEBGDLJa7fcLDIKT8EQ_5uc22BPy6kgulyAO-pYpFXpL-Pts3EWPrfX98uSso0yTKdasoJ8GVFbVfs5RE1ZjQCuZHsSM63un-/s1600/1619384_384433228360045_623729726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpOp5GSxWbu-IY9b-32vXQ_3DSKpOg0BE9LSwLEvUyyGLEBGDLJa7fcLDIKT8EQ_5uc22BPy6kgulyAO-pYpFXpL-Pts3EWPrfX98uSso0yTKdasoJ8GVFbVfs5RE1ZjQCuZHsSM63un-/s1600/1619384_384433228360045_623729726_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving my new bike in the Downhill. Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Corey-Russ-Photography/333284120141623?viewer_id=100006052209999" target="_blank">Corey Russ Photography</a></td></tr>
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When I got on the plane to Nelson on Thursday I was not sure if I would be able to race on the weekend, as my wrist was still a little weak after I hurt earlier in the week. Fortunately I borrowed a wrist guard from our family friends in Nelson, which gave me enough support to ride. Practice went well and I really enjoyed the track. There was not a lot of pedaling, it was straight forward, fast, steep and rocky! A really fun course to race with some cool jumps in the finish area. On Saturday morning I got a flat tire on one of the fast rocky shoots. I put a new tube in and got onto long rough shuttle ride up to the top of the hill. There was a chance to enjoy the views of Nelson's beaches, before dropping into the track for my seeding run. I finished my seeding run in 6th place in under 19's. I was feeling good for a strong race run, then within the first 20 seconds WHOOSH, I lost all the air in my back tire. It was disappointing not being able to finish the race on such a fun track, but that is part of racing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp_m1dtF8zj69pUdG1VBcUycoIuT_LYHVX-gpT_4XXd0rrGW5yiXGf1tSZrV33sqBok9GGqAVm7jyiQDtCdY6lj2ueGdFr2UaXRC4AqcGVMH_jWcXqE-HDJ212EUZaX45HEfpMNG39Mqt/s1600/20140202_132336_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp_m1dtF8zj69pUdG1VBcUycoIuT_LYHVX-gpT_4XXd0rrGW5yiXGf1tSZrV33sqBok9GGqAVm7jyiQDtCdY6lj2ueGdFr2UaXRC4AqcGVMH_jWcXqE-HDJ212EUZaX45HEfpMNG39Mqt/s1600/20140202_132336_resized.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keen as for the Cross Country...</td></tr>
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After that I decided I had to race the cross country. I jumped on a borrowed XC bike and lined up to start in my baggies and downhill shoes. The racing was super fast right from the gun and with my lack of endurance I hit the wall on the third lap. It was still a lot of fun and I was happy to finish the race totally destroyed. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally exhausted after the Cross Country!</td></tr>
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Then on Monday I got up for my third event in the long weekend! It was the Super-D, which is simply a longer downhill race that has more pedaling and a few small hills. The track was heaps of fun an took around eight to ten minutes to descend to the finish. Racing it required a lot of effort especially because I was the only person there doing it on a Downhill bike. Still I felt like I put in a solid effort and with two small off's I managed to get 5th place in the Junior's. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA-baESWXsDY6EAo_U8qne9m6JGGSDtGSNqm9NhBfOtnW8XJjfnQ1r50eYPewQMAry587x9Ilq32v_HepWTHPiuUR0ZtMfMpTw10RtxJdFxlAjsaRsvncEwZ6jykB6VqOaPBjS638rKMB/s1600/1549497_385341081602593_419392469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA-baESWXsDY6EAo_U8qne9m6JGGSDtGSNqm9NhBfOtnW8XJjfnQ1r50eYPewQMAry587x9Ilq32v_HepWTHPiuUR0ZtMfMpTw10RtxJdFxlAjsaRsvncEwZ6jykB6VqOaPBjS638rKMB/s1600/1549497_385341081602593_419392469_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having an awesome time racing the Super-D. Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Corey-Russ-Photography/333284120141623?viewer_id=100006052209999" target="_blank">Corey Russ Photography</a></td></tr>
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It was really a fun weekend of racing down in sunny Nelson and I am now looking forward to a good race up here in Auckland, for the third MTBNZ Downhill Cup round in Hunua.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-45334116630891099302014-01-23T01:48:00.000-08:002014-01-23T01:50:46.174-08:00MTBNZ Downhill Cup Round 1 Christchurch<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Round one of the downhill MTBNZ Cup was held in Christchurch at Victoria Park. The track was dry, dusty, technical and was really blown out by the end of the weekend. There were holes, ruts and rocks appearing everywhere down the track, it was impossible to know what the track would be like in race run. This all made it a very physical track that was lots of fun to ride.</div>
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Check out this GoPro footage we got of track: </div>
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The top section of the track was steep and extremely dusty, which made it impossible to follow anybody in practice. Then it was into the difficult road gap that attracted a load of spectators and photographers on race day. It wasn't the jump itself that was hard, it was the corner after that required a lot of skill to slow down enough for. After the road gap there was a fun section which was a bit of a rest before you went out into the open, where it was all out on the pedals around the side of a hill. Then it was back into the forest, to drop down to the finish.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nzsnaps.com/Mountainbiking/2014-NZ-DH-MTB-Open/36115013_66TnRB#!i=3028471838&k=X76PM2L" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.nzsnaps.com/Mountainbiking/2014-NZ-DH-MTB-Open/36115013_66TnRB#!i=3028471838&k=X76PM2L" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUL5tl-SAXR8xvrjwPRDYcPgV5wJe6QG4Dax6igBNimwjcyseUASZuadw0SX6JWwll0ElDeayzj3j8ZsKbgDzAUk92aU1K49jdJEKTB0rxtiKVlmld3o3uieDbA-HpnftbvP4xbBHSzcI/s1600/20140119_143755_NZ4_5664-XL.jpg" height="180" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the image to see the awesome shots from nzsnaps</td></tr>
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I ended up finishing 10th in the under 19's with a crash in my race run. Some pretty decent holes had opened up in the corner after the road gap that throw me off my bike. I was quickly back up and glad I could finish my run. I am now looking forward to the next round in Nelson which should be a very physical track! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-37261245420936784992014-01-14T11:34:00.001-08:002014-01-14T11:34:19.513-08:00Riding my new Gambler in Rotorua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-68123798288327395322014-01-12T11:57:00.000-08:002014-01-12T11:57:07.299-08:00New Year, New Bike!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2zMnUgzkDk4NftwUJjy2XLPcLG7GiIoeSbCT7Rcrvzq4JQzUxPg9iNhGvPeBF8HT3_9VXNckvBKTWMxlOWhFBWHT6thmI-a_W8fQVAVMrQbFKkGePsIB_ERHYBOo2NdK8nMo0CKaFY4W/s1600/IMG_20140111_201100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2zMnUgzkDk4NftwUJjy2XLPcLG7GiIoeSbCT7Rcrvzq4JQzUxPg9iNhGvPeBF8HT3_9VXNckvBKTWMxlOWhFBWHT6thmI-a_W8fQVAVMrQbFKkGePsIB_ERHYBOo2NdK8nMo0CKaFY4W/s1600/IMG_20140111_201100.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
I am stoked to be on my new bike, after building it up on Friday, I have been riding it all weekend! My brother, Liam, and I spent all day Saturday riding in the Red Woods, Rotorua. Then on Sunday it was Shuttles out on the West Coast Riders Club trails in Riverhead Forrest. It was an awesome weekend of riding and getting used to my DH bike.<br />
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My weapon of choice is the <a href="http://www.avantiplus.co.nz/products/sc320a412/title/scott-gambler-30" target="_blank">2014 Scott Gambler 30</a> which looks awesome in the matte black, blue and red. It is such a fun bike to ride straight out of the box and has every thing you need to race full speed down any DH track. I set my bike up to run mainly with Shimano parts, changing the brakes, shifter and derailleur to <a href="http://www.crusheveryline.com/en/" target="_blank">Zee</a> componentry. I am totally loving the gamblers new geometry, which smooths out all the braking bumps and makes it easy to hold your line through ruff sections. I also liked the new 'Magic Mery' tires from Schwalbe, which come on the gambler bikes. They were super grippy and gave me extra confidence in the corners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3xbV6ZvwporDwNf08U4YXkfiCBIq3xmW9zSHeipZ5thAr2diZjOR_lcRQLqX2LZzEMkL6xbL3c3rgnDF_Qdxotb77qxD7VcBwzUizebZ-WY_E4pIapX6JXy8ueMKXU0dTOlfGESluElT/s1600/20140111_140128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3xbV6ZvwporDwNf08U4YXkfiCBIq3xmW9zSHeipZ5thAr2diZjOR_lcRQLqX2LZzEMkL6xbL3c3rgnDF_Qdxotb77qxD7VcBwzUizebZ-WY_E4pIapX6JXy8ueMKXU0dTOlfGESluElT/s1600/20140111_140128.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>I am looking forward to racing the national series on my new Gambler. My first race is round one of the National Cups, this weekend, in Victoria Park, Christchurch. Huge thanks to the guys at Avantiplus Waitakere for all there support, and keep a look out for a short Gopro edit of my new bike in action coming very soon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-75382356635041193422013-12-16T00:23:00.003-08:002013-12-16T00:23:48.089-08:00NZDH Final Dome Valley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicG44T25QVSabMrysBym1nbHP_oXUmdxeRqA4ef1b9Wr1BrKjRA37r06klx-vLoYx5QQTqGqt6werotGYAJ41LcMlmwxh-6eK_5khNunP_rSh1_Jzi4s2I138_l5jLt6tWm8uECesVMfqE/s1600/DSCF5497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicG44T25QVSabMrysBym1nbHP_oXUmdxeRqA4ef1b9Wr1BrKjRA37r06klx-vLoYx5QQTqGqt6werotGYAJ41LcMlmwxh-6eK_5khNunP_rSh1_Jzi4s2I138_l5jLt6tWm8uECesVMfqE/s1600/DSCF5497.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The final round of the NZDH series was at sunny Dome Valley just north of Auckland.</div>
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The Dome Valley track was steep and technical, which proved an exciting track to race on. A couple of pedals out of the start ramp and the rest was all fast and steep with lots of fun jumps and berms to play on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZE792a6pBfBHYRZGBz1oIaxHXEgh-L4suk1ZAU8AGflTIsj-uug7fYaNC3IaPXpLY2JOPCEjGSxf4_F2gy7OKoThgducFs1WgLPu75S2CYsA2Hj7tZwmNLHgExL2oOnSGjPtzrwHS6h1/s1600/DSCF5612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZE792a6pBfBHYRZGBz1oIaxHXEgh-L4suk1ZAU8AGflTIsj-uug7fYaNC3IaPXpLY2JOPCEjGSxf4_F2gy7OKoThgducFs1WgLPu75S2CYsA2Hj7tZwmNLHgExL2oOnSGjPtzrwHS6h1/s1600/DSCF5612.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The shuttles were very quick, which meant I could get at least ten runs in the day. I was having heaps of fun on the track, looking forward to race runs. The NZDH event format works so, you do two race runs and get your result from your fastest one. </div>
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My first race run felt really good, I hit all the lines I had done in practice and had a load of fun on the track. </div>
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In my second run I got a little off line and lost my speed and flow. Although I wanted to have a cleaner second run, I am pleased with my final result.</div>
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The event was run really well, the organizers and volunteers did a great job. I was happy to place 5th in the under 19 category and I am looking forward to racing next year. </div>
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Photo Credit: LIAM BETHELL</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-5199879353805551692013-12-12T20:26:00.001-08:002013-12-12T20:26:56.136-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XhMw8qeNvQk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-68257676808181412412013-12-07T00:03:00.002-08:002013-12-07T00:03:50.059-08:00Cruising in TaupoMy sister Sophiemarie, Mum and I traveled down to Taupo for the weekend to compete in the Huka Cruiser, 35km Mountain Bike race. The fast race course, turned out not to be so cruisy, made up of flowing single track, a few to many gravel roads, and some fun downhills! I'm sure it was very scenic, however I didn't have a chance to enjoy it when I was trying to keep up with the group.<br />
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The Buzzing atmosphere in Taupo was the best part and made the trip so enjoyable. With over eight thousand people doing what I love to do, racing bikes, everyone was simply having a great time. At the start I managed to get right up the front along with most of the other Jafakids. It was so cool to start at the front of 200 people all racing in the Cruiser.<br />
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I raced hard and good exchanging positions with Robin Page throughout the race. Then towards the end there was a small section of down hill trail where I managed to make some distance on him... However I realised the finish wasn't as close as I wanted it to be and Robin took me in his killer sprint finish.<br />
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It was good to be racing again after my broken hand which had put me out for 6 weeks (and out of my english exam!). I was happy to finish 8th and confirm that I am still faster than my sister, who raced into 11th overall. Harriet Beaven took out the women's race, while the majority of the overall top ten was Jafakids. Tom and Jemma both put in impressive efforts in the 85km Mountain Bike race and it was also good to see some of the younger Jafakids giving racing a go.<br />
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When we drove around the lake after our race had finished it was hard to miss the thousands of riders flying past. There was so much support for the riders which was so cool to see. There was some guys playing the bagpipes as the cyclist raced into town and a band had set up at the top of a big climb.<br />
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On Sunday a group of us went for a ride at Kinloch on part of the W2K trail, which was truly amazing. This time I could enjoy the views and the fast tight and groomed trails were so much fun. I got some shots on our GoPro, so watch this space for a short video edit coming soon... Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-53481692632882520492013-10-20T00:54:00.000-07:002013-10-20T00:54:32.123-07:00My Recent Life Through the Lens...<h3 style="text-align: center;">
NZDH Round 2 - Rotorua</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the images to enlarge. -photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Focus! -photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">-photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mud tyres and home made mud guard were on. -photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Auckland XC Champs Round 2 - Hunua</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river crossing...or maybe just a stream. -photo credit, Manchester</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Fvmwo2PSrLOZ913BnbIt0MakWzo3EgzVxwRiQDm_Cwu1DFewDw57yL2nVDV2yvoS1RizQ2BhJ6SyWz-ycDTZZHAUrinGc-a6BRhW2BgtmA8U5K8LYYD0yKyH1ZykgsyovLdDE__zjMc/s1600/1393758_583491998353767_485512192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Fvmwo2PSrLOZ913BnbIt0MakWzo3EgzVxwRiQDm_Cwu1DFewDw57yL2nVDV2yvoS1RizQ2BhJ6SyWz-ycDTZZHAUrinGc-a6BRhW2BgtmA8U5K8LYYD0yKyH1ZykgsyovLdDE__zjMc/s1600/1393758_583491998353767_485512192_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start. -photo credit, Manchester</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, there's more mud... -photo credit, Tetley</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">-photo credit, Tetley</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Riding at Riverhead</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93u_S-eSVeq4WVj1-9zns54hxL39ZBekv0bp8iSWQKrjh7kyiAHN2r7d1Opt07T_kVD-Kl1F42wgNb_Ty6yKo_2msbe5D1SwPx6QV6mhCqtFD0XucntekmDp8RZVMtrrCCycxJJuWw73Y/s1600/G0300813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93u_S-eSVeq4WVj1-9zns54hxL39ZBekv0bp8iSWQKrjh7kyiAHN2r7d1Opt07T_kVD-Kl1F42wgNb_Ty6yKo_2msbe5D1SwPx6QV6mhCqtFD0XucntekmDp8RZVMtrrCCycxJJuWw73Y/s1600/G0300813.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just dry clay and dust here! -photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WCRC (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WestCoastRidersClub" target="_blank">West Coast Riders Club</a>) pump track and jumps looking great.-photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVYNKLtDtMCTNdNm1AM695ssPe4USnoOeYQbqHRgKRHcH-pZdws9yguDaZyt37DsDzj50BbhEpVf7U6xoLUXJa_f8xgMQB_hZbCfHCZtUDXT0fV5nwbVvU0Jam0TIcMu5xip9T8uRMs2K/s1600/G0370859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVYNKLtDtMCTNdNm1AM695ssPe4USnoOeYQbqHRgKRHcH-pZdws9yguDaZyt37DsDzj50BbhEpVf7U6xoLUXJa_f8xgMQB_hZbCfHCZtUDXT0fV5nwbVvU0Jam0TIcMu5xip9T8uRMs2K/s1600/G0370859.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">-photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE_OAQmbejvFM1qlj0A49cH5VB6D_4ZEYGDHkF_v6kXRlKF7IFxvEspN0AzIqsgwIhRmLzj6qIy8qvC7_53xNReICGmPFTKHYI6tBvKYfV-VrsJI-KRqccmmD8jhAniHvUtPnFe2dGUSh/s1600/G0380864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE_OAQmbejvFM1qlj0A49cH5VB6D_4ZEYGDHkF_v6kXRlKF7IFxvEspN0AzIqsgwIhRmLzj6qIy8qvC7_53xNReICGmPFTKHYI6tBvKYfV-VrsJI-KRqccmmD8jhAniHvUtPnFe2dGUSh/s1600/G0380864.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ride till the sun goes down. -photo credit, Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-39002914795658113792013-10-10T00:44:00.000-07:002013-10-10T00:44:40.080-07:002W Gravity Enduro!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myfinepix.com/gallery/1095912" target="_blank"><u>Liam</u> </a>took this sick photo on the Sunday after the event.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The 2W (two wheels) Gravity Enduro was epic fun! Gravity enduro is a quickly growing type of mountain bike racing that is very popular because of the fun and social factors. This October's 2W had five different race stages that had to be completed in five hours. Each race stage was mainly down hill with only a few small climbs. The three to fifteen minute runs were spread throughout the Red Woods meaning we had to navigate our way to each </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">race</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">stage and back to the start/finish within the five hours. Your result was your best times added up from the five race runs. There were limited shuttles and we could do the tracks in whatever order we wanted and repeat our runs as many times as we could fit in order to improve our time. This made it fun because it was all quite strategic! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working out what route to take! photo credit <a href="http://www.sophiemariebethell.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Sophiemarie</a>. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">To make the event even more fun you could compete as part of a team of five where all your times were added up to give you a team result as well. We got together a 'mixed' team with my brother Liam, sister Sophiemarie, Kim Wright and Charlotte Rayner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">We all had a great time (well most of us, until Liam went way to fast over a small jump and ate some dirt! He had no broken bones, but was to sore to ride with a massive swollen lip). Here is a short video I put together showing the awesome time we had on the weekend</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tracks were absolutely amazing and it was great to race in a more relaxed format where we could really just have heaps of fun on our bikes. Unfortunately we could not get a team result because Liam was unable to finish the event, but my sister Sophiemarie won the under 23 women and the rest of the Jafa Kids girls, Charlotte and Harriet, made the podium. I was stoked to finish 3rd fastest in under 23 and 27th out of over 300 riders.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIthxR5UV5eKgNwu3XKisXTTkF4H3q7f-4WgzbkDScadZRgh4nk2w8CCNSbh1mj0ofx-7PLRYfMp-KbgBtKyCLm6_i5X5eCgVwvh9ia9Rq7qWGH6XDRw95Od23YdEk0unJEtWVqCiBJA3/s1600/PETER+boulderdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIthxR5UV5eKgNwu3XKisXTTkF4H3q7f-4WgzbkDScadZRgh4nk2w8CCNSbh1mj0ofx-7PLRYfMp-KbgBtKyCLm6_i5X5eCgVwvh9ia9Rq7qWGH6XDRw95Od23YdEk0unJEtWVqCiBJA3/s1600/PETER+boulderdrop.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another awesome photo on the 'Boulder Dash' track, by Page Weir.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-26650388604938408042013-10-01T12:48:00.000-07:002013-10-01T12:56:16.171-07:00NZDH Round 1 - Rotorua<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were up bright and early Saturday morning to head down to the first round of the NZDH series in Rotorua. With the car all packed up, we set off towards the event which started at 8am. NZDH now run these events in a one day format, compared to the common two day with practice and then race day. This makes it possible to do a day trip for the race but gives less time for practice runs. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These series act as warm up races for the national season coming up in summer. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are five rounds in total, that are held all over the north island, the final being in Dome Valley, Auckland. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new Troy Lee helmet!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Descend Rotorua kept it interesting running a track with some new sections I have not rode before. The top had more technical rooty and off camber sections while the bottom had been improved with bigger berms and jumps! There was some new berms and jumps to shape a really fun track that attracted a massive 150 riders.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the morning practice it took me a few runs to get used to the new technical sections and riding a downhill bike again. The track had lots of lines to choose from through the slippery technical sections up the top and was fast through the bottom when my arms and hands were getting tired. The extended bottom jump was a great feature to finish the track. Over all I really enjoyed riding the track and I believe everyone else did too. The shuttles were packed all day long which meant we only got in four practice runs. Although I would have liked more time to get to know the track it was all good fun riding with my brother.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At 2pm race runs started. For this series they use a best of two race runs format This means they take your best time from your two race runs, which was lucky for me because I almost came to a stop when I missed one of my lines in the first one. My second run went better and I felt more comfortable on the track which meant I took 6 seconds off my first run and put me in 7th place in the under 19's. It was then cool to watch the elite riders come down and see Matt Walker win the James Dodzy Memorial Cup. My brother Liam put in an awesome effort coming 2nd in the under 15's and he made this sweet little video: </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next race has been changed from Levin to Rotorua again in two weeks, which makes it easier for us. So I will be in Rotorua every weekend of the Holidays, with the 2W Gravity Enduro next weekend! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810576998177990896.post-22221998959050153582013-09-18T03:16:00.001-07:002013-09-22T02:46:49.105-07:00RACING UPDATES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day Night Thriller -Taupo</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Avanti-West crew!</td></tr>
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It was so nice to do a 12 hour relay race where it did not rain! It always seems to pour down for every Thriller and Moon Ride, but not this year, the sun even came out a while. On the morning of the event there was talk of the track being about 4km which meant lap times around 10 minutes for the faster riders. This year I was stoked to be part of the 'Still Classy Avantiplus Waitakere' team which meant I was racing with Elliot Pearce, Jamie Till, Sasha Smith and my sister Sophiemarie, with Catherine as our camp mum/team manger and the amazing Dylan looking after our bikes. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHAU2T6JiZpJbIGAIWxfrJBJdMks0Q885SWIvcLHVKW_ZerRBrgbv1cGnsxejyrb7SJtQK_F6bvItlIMBYOh77HGoknhnEgkmsq4zKqbyZ84mlJh2zOo0iKgIKeHUbjeiF3T2Y_u8w706/s1600/1237933_503983956354677_1465358527_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHAU2T6JiZpJbIGAIWxfrJBJdMks0Q885SWIvcLHVKW_ZerRBrgbv1cGnsxejyrb7SJtQK_F6bvItlIMBYOh77HGoknhnEgkmsq4zKqbyZ84mlJh2zOo0iKgIKeHUbjeiF3T2Y_u8w706/s1600/1237933_503983956354677_1465358527_n.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a> Because of the shorter course our team decided to do double laps, so at 10am Elliot stared our 12 hour relay off with two fast as laps. We rolled through our team with me going out last.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the hill into the camp site... Photo: Liam Bethell</td></tr>
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I liked the shorter lap because it meant I could smash out hard as laps! However the one time I went out Elliot thought that we had all started doing triple laps, as he had. So when I came around to hand the number on, Elliot was no where to be seen and Catherine was telling me to go out for another lap... So of course I did. Me and my brother Liam managed to find some natural jumps in our pre ride, which kept the track interesting through out the day and night! Most of the track was really fast with a good downhill to start and a nice big climb back up to the camp site. <br />
In between laps we had lots of yummy baking and race pack food to eat while we watched Duane suffer as he rode 12 hours solo! There was even time to go have some fun with young Ben on the pump track. <br />
As night rolled around so did the cold, and Taupo does tend to get COLD!!! This is the time when my legs just don't want to get up from the comfy camp chair in front of the gas heater, and every year I think I am never doing the 12 hour again, but after you feel so good! It's like, 'that was so fun lets do 24 hour at Moon Ride!' Yeah Nah...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our team in 3rd + some random in red !?!? </td></tr>
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At the end of the night our team completed 64 laps to take third place in the open category. Our camp site was next to the Jafa Kids who also went hard out in the junior category with the Massey boys riding the most laps out of everyone. A huge thanks our awesome team manger Catherine for putting us up for 12 hours and Dylan for keeping our bikes in race condition.</div>
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</span>On the way home we stopped off at Creators of the Moon on Sunday. After getting a little lost on a horse riding track we found a mean as trails with huge berms! Check out this video of it:</div>
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I then attempted to study for calculus and physics exams in the car ride back to Auckland...</div>
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Auckland XC Champs round 1 -Woodhill</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome woodhill photos from: Finn Welsford-Ackroyd</td></tr>
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When the week of exams was over we had the first round of the Auckland XC Champs out at Woodhill Forrest. After a finger numbing pre ride in the freezing rain on Saturday, we got fine weather on race day.<br />
There was a short fire road and then we were straight into the 'up lands' trail. I had a good start which put me in a good position for the tight trails. I really enjoyed the race track and managed to hold my position of second to the finish. Cosmo Blur won our under 19 category and Elliot Wright came in a close 30 seconds behind me.<br />
It was good to see the strong turnout of Jafa Kids giving racing a go and many of them up there in the top three. Until next time happy trails... :-)</div>
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<img height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ci0sBoFSFAU2klJ0nCGaZ9NAS5JxvEciHUzFu8ZHWJyZrFFcNns-MaK1gW8cnOIfzfaqJ6keA2VMQazM62kIBBLKJeTrFeLfNhKovlcQ7xYyoBDS19SDzPuv9Yd8Q0G27dRh_Kba59vv/s1600/560534_463179750447324_1850282910_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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The trails were running so nice we decided to hit Helter Skelter! It's such a sick track. Huge thanks to the shuttle driver. I'm looking forward to the next shuttles, it must be time for a dry one...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWveY-KJk4gZ19s-4hQlrhGZLslhQaaGFzuXMHAYZzAowg2ysc4CKfXmbyCQyc5i6xAxBvGHc24XnTcKZclxawUagnhRHGMwb4Kw8dtWCT7WJXOiWtatsd91jTEmuSI0HfDeVKTZAtVMxa/s1600/GOPR0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWveY-KJk4gZ19s-4hQlrhGZLslhQaaGFzuXMHAYZzAowg2ysc4CKfXmbyCQyc5i6xAxBvGHc24XnTcKZclxawUagnhRHGMwb4Kw8dtWCT7WJXOiWtatsd91jTEmuSI0HfDeVKTZAtVMxa/s1600/GOPR0201.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning... :-)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132092410145538232noreply@blogger.com0