New toy

 Not racing seriously for a period of time has its advantages. For instance 1) A few (well, a lot) more extra dollars saved in the pocket. And 2) less need for a one purpose specialist bike. Which got me thinking as to what bike I might choose if I only had one bike. You know, something that climbs well, but is super fun downhill. Really sure footed on rough trails. Reliable etc...

.... so I bought/built one. And here she is. An Avanti Coppermine 2, with customized spec. For the tech geeks read below for spec's. For everyone else, all you need to know is its super fun to ride!

Avanti Coppermine 2 (Medium) - 130mm travel 29er
Fox 34 fork
Stans Arch EX All Mtn Wheelset
XT Trail brakes (180 rotors)
KS Lev dropper post
SRAM XX1 crankset
X9 type 2 derailleur + Trigger shifter
XT Cassette
~13kg

Just Chillin....

 A quick wee post to ensure everyone knows we are still alive and kicking! As we said in our last update we've just been enjoying a summer of cruising rather than structured and focussed training. In fact I (Cabin) have effectively retired - for the 2013 NZ race season at least. However the weekend just been was interesting for us mentally as between the Karapoti Classic (the iconic NZ MTB race), Ironman NZ, XTERRA Phillipines we watched the progress of friends from a distance.... and perhaps started to feel some pangs of competitive urge. I consequently punched out a hilly 1hr30 trail run, then tried to keep up with Oly Shaw for a 3hr+ MTB ride....had to have a wee nap later!

 

It's been kinda nice being on the sidelines and away from any pressure of expectation. Of course theres always too much going on in the way of real fun so we haven't been totally inactive. Been utilising my Magellan and doing a bit of Stava training as I burgle a few KOM's now and then. I even managed two events.... and used Nic's 20"BMX for both. The yeah boi sick MTB race in December. But then the Rotorua Bike Festival "Bike Speedway". 4 laps sprint races on a short, loose gravel oval track. NO BRAKES. and contact allowed. Pretty fun, and more than a little sketchy. Gotta be good training for something. Triathlon swims perhaps?!

 

 

New Year update

 

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2013. Looking at the blog I figured its probably long overdue for a catch up?! Yes we are still here, but what are we up to?

 

I figured the pic above is probably a pretty good summary of whats been going on. Basically nothing too serious! Taken at the "yeah boi, sick" race back in December. A FUNdraising event for a soon to be constructed MTB Skills park in memory of James Dodds. A TT effort up Nursary Road, and down Exit trail. Cleary both myself and Graeme Pearson had differing takes on what would be appropriate (or most innapropriate?!) for what was essentially an XC Time Trial. Was great fun for sure.

 

Pretty much, since Maui (for me) and Annaconda (for Nic) there has been a distinct lack of structured training. While we have remained active, the focus has certainly been elsewhere. Nic has concentrated hard on successfully developing her business (Nic Leary Physical Therapy) and to be honest I have simply lacked focus!

 

Instead I've enjoyed a pretty relaxed summer. Exercise has been sporadic. I've enjoyed playing on the Moto, watching other sports, and even tried to rejuvinate my golf swing. We even tried to master sailing Keiths (Nic's Dad) Hoby Catamaran. Nic more successfully than I.

 

So whats next? Well I am still to figure that out! Reflecting on the past year it has been a bit of a mixed bag, with moderate success. Being honest with myself I think I have struggled for full focus. Since my Moto crash in late 2011 I think I have become a bit timid, and lost a bit of confidence in my abilities and let doubts creep in. As such I find myself doing a wee bit of soul searching as I contemplate whats next. What do I really want to do? Not wanting to commit to any "serious" training buildup until I am 100% confident in my goals/ambitions whatever they may be. Its a stange feeling after 10+ yrs of thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

 

So instead its a matter of rebuilding my fitness, and enjoying opportunities that may present themselves along the way. 

Radio Sport interview

Bit of a radio interview on Radiosport on Friday. Was quite fun really. Pretty cool to do a live national radio show, hoefully didn't waffle too much! If you want a listen click on the links below. Its kinda long, and the links are generic to 15min blocks on the station, so in three parts

Part one... starts about a minute in.

 



http://content.radionetwork.co.nz/weekondemand/radiosport/61515.mp3

Part two... maybe fast forward the section fom 8min - 12:30 (theres some golf news at that point).

http://content.radionetwork.co.nz/weekondemand/radiosport/61530.mp3

Final part runs to

http://content.radionetwork.co.nz/weekondemand/radiosport/61545.mp3

Hopefully I'm not the last MTB athlete to get the privilage!

On the telly....

Current TV spot. Prime and Sky Sport apparently

Lake Waikaremoana Challenge

Just back from a very cool weekend camped out on the rugby fields of Tuai, inland from Wairoa. Gateway to Lake Waikaremoana and some spectacular examples of the wild NZ back country landscapes that make our little corner of the world so special.

 

As nice of a getaway as it was, there was a purpose to the trip, as we towed the line at the reformed Lake Waikaremoana Challenge. A spectacular, and very testing 2 day multisport race attracting some of NZ's best talent. We were there to take on the teams category, full of assorted legends and Olympions; and partnered up with Nick Hirschfeld, and Andrew Newick. We enjoyed some fierce competition balanced with the great camraderie and spirit that these events generate.

 

In the final washup we finished second to "Busch roofing." A team comprising argueably NZ's best open water paddler Dan Busch,  and the amazing pig hunting/beard growing/dairy farming/mtn running phenomenon that is Sjors Corporaal. Unfortunately for us their "weak" link was anything but, as Karen Hanlen proceeded to outride the majority of male competitors on the MTB legs. Cycle Obsession was a close 3rd (Raewyn Morrison, Mike Walker, and Phil Costley). Highlights of the weekend? Too many to list, but they included...

• Managing to smash Stage 1, breaking away from the start, and evidently getting Dougal worried that I might be racing individually (best compliment of the weekend).
• An epic and very loose pursuit of Karen on the stage 4 MTB leg - 6km of gravel and steep rutted 4WD with 370m of elevation loss. High adrenaline knocked it out in a white knuckle 10min.
• Seeing Nick H pull out some fantastic run legs. Can't wait to see what he does at Kepler.
• Nic smashing the first MTB for us on day 2 and continuing on to easily win the one-day multisport race.
• Semi-sleepless nights waiting for our tents to collapse in the wind
• Sam Clarks spectacularly entusiastic support crewing. Including beating his athletes out of transition, and full frontal bear hugs of incoming paddlers. Quite the spectacle.
• The evening entertainment featuring great kai, an Opera Singing MC, local kapa haka group, and a rather fearsome Haka on the final night. Certainly memorable.

 

Click here for results and the events facebook page for plenty of cool pics

Garage Sale - need some bling wheels?

Due to Nic changing wheel sizes, we have some bling wheelsets that need new homes. If keen flick Nic an e-mail to discuss  nicleary@orcon.net.nz

 

The ultimate 26" XC wheelset. ENVE Carbon XC rims, laced to DT240 centrelock hubs, with DT bladed spokes. Super stiff, uber light, super strong. Were new in February this year. Minimal use. Excellent condition

 



There's a CRF150F moto too come to think of it. Make Nic an offer on that as well. Doesn't get ridden since the SX85 turned up