Tour of NZ - Day 6: Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura
Today was a big ride. The longest of the tour (126km!) with a lot of rolling hills whihc profiles much remindding the Taupo race.
I was feelign really good before the race - I feel like the longer the race the more advantage I get. Considering my endurance training for ironman and that I'm relatively good at the climbs.
We had a good 10km neutral ride out of Hanmer Spring. The sun was just getting up but it was still quite chilly around 1degrees. I decided to put my shorts on - the forecast was quite sunny and warm for the day. Also I did not put on my warm rain jacket and just left the merino thermal, hand warmers on top and a long sleeve cycling jersey on top.
The race organizers did change the starting order this time, probably afraid of peloton spreading too much for such a long riding day. They sent of the slowest teams first so the fast teams started just 1 or 2 minutes before individuals. This seemed like a bad idea becasue some racers might take advantage of that.
In the beginning of the race we did work well as a group this day with Jon, David, Nigel, Tim and Jeny taking their turns. We did quite easily catch-up the advanced team bunch and passed it.
But then David talked to Jon stating that he will stop to take his jacket off. Jon suggested to us that we should slow down a bit to wait for David who is a good team worker most of times. This idea seemed a bit dodgy to me but I decide to stick with team. This decision is a good reflection of kiwi culture - very friendly, team focused and caring about others.
We waited probably a bit too long before we did not see David at all and the fast team bunch did pass us back. Then we decided to still go fast assuming David had some mechanical problems.
The route was really scenerey and beautiful - the descent was a bit scary sometimes. We kept the distance as advised by the race director Simon Yarell to avoid any bad things to happen. Luckily everybody arrived safely.
We were working very well as a team in the end - without David, I beleive Nigel, Jon, Jeny and myself shared the most of the load. I did notice Tim James from Perth misses some of the turns in the last 10km - I assumed he was preparing for the final sprint.
As the tour goes to an end I'm getting more expereinced with finishing tactics and how to prepare yourselv for a better sprint. This time I was in good position jsut behind Jon & Nigel with Tim failing behind. I saw Jon make the move far away from finish line. It looked like he was going to help Nigel get the the break. Nigel used his wind to speed up but got in front to early to get the momentum going long enough. This is when Tim turned his sprint engine on and got away on the back, I had to follow him. When I saw the finish cones\campervan\finishline I realized it was a bit uphill and a second thought that it is going to be hard to bit Tim. But that it is when Tim lost the power and I was all by myselves to claim to the finish sprint. What a great feeling it is! I rally enjoyed how we worked as a team most of the ride and then sorted out the placing on the podium in a fair battle.
I was disappointed to know when doing my massage the David didn't have any mechanical problems and passed us unseen with the leading team guys. We were waiting for him although we shouldn't have. Well lessons learned. Still me first second place at stage and first sprint won. Yahoo!
Jeny & Tim supported me stating that teams should probably start as first wave always and we shouldn't be waiting for anyone!
Other lads agree as well.
Kaikoura is very beautiful place.
The coastel route is very scenic.
We reckon next time the tour crew can replace the Methven - Oxford part with this route. There was a storm recently (the ferry crossing in Cook straight were cancelled on Tuesday due to 10m high waves) and there a lot leftovers of sea on the road.
On the road we stopped to see the baby sea lions which go up the creek. They are very cute! Try to spot them!
Today the peloton party was nice - I got a pot prize for being Russian :)
It all started at Stewart Island when the motto appeared for the ride. Garry Pierce who is a good friend of Simon and does hep with organisation in this event ( he leads al the auctions at the parties for example) he is riding the tour as well in the team Kiwicoffee. We are climbing the moll and Garry is behind me and Simon films a footage with his iPhone and scream at Garry ( aka Gazza) "Don't let the Russian beat you".
So yesterday, on one of the ugly climbs I'm passing this Gazza who dropped off the teams bunch and tell him - "Don't let the Russian beat you, Garry!" :) that was quite funny when Gazza retold that story and used a heavy russian ascent to do that. He did apologize though - this is done all for fun so I have not hard feelings for him. And the free T-shirt helps :)
You can also hear Miles - the guy with megaphone hear that on the video at 4:50 :) Now these guys are afraid of the Russian power!
Tomorrow the last day of the tour!
Click to viewI was feelign really good before the race - I feel like the longer the race the more advantage I get. Considering my endurance training for ironman and that I'm relatively good at the climbs.
We had a good 10km neutral ride out of Hanmer Spring. The sun was just getting up but it was still quite chilly around 1degrees. I decided to put my shorts on - the forecast was quite sunny and warm for the day. Also I did not put on my warm rain jacket and just left the merino thermal, hand warmers on top and a long sleeve cycling jersey on top.
The race organizers did change the starting order this time, probably afraid of peloton spreading too much for such a long riding day. They sent of the slowest teams first so the fast teams started just 1 or 2 minutes before individuals. This seemed like a bad idea becasue some racers might take advantage of that.
In the beginning of the race we did work well as a group this day with Jon, David, Nigel, Tim and Jeny taking their turns. We did quite easily catch-up the advanced team bunch and passed it.
But then David talked to Jon stating that he will stop to take his jacket off. Jon suggested to us that we should slow down a bit to wait for David who is a good team worker most of times. This idea seemed a bit dodgy to me but I decide to stick with team. This decision is a good reflection of kiwi culture - very friendly, team focused and caring about others.
We waited probably a bit too long before we did not see David at all and the fast team bunch did pass us back. Then we decided to still go fast assuming David had some mechanical problems.
The route was really scenerey and beautiful - the descent was a bit scary sometimes. We kept the distance as advised by the race director Simon Yarell to avoid any bad things to happen. Luckily everybody arrived safely.
We were working very well as a team in the end - without David, I beleive Nigel, Jon, Jeny and myself shared the most of the load. I did notice Tim James from Perth misses some of the turns in the last 10km - I assumed he was preparing for the final sprint.
As the tour goes to an end I'm getting more expereinced with finishing tactics and how to prepare yourselv for a better sprint. This time I was in good position jsut behind Jon & Nigel with Tim failing behind. I saw Jon make the move far away from finish line. It looked like he was going to help Nigel get the the break. Nigel used his wind to speed up but got in front to early to get the momentum going long enough. This is when Tim turned his sprint engine on and got away on the back, I had to follow him. When I saw the finish cones\campervan\finishline I realized it was a bit uphill and a second thought that it is going to be hard to bit Tim. But that it is when Tim lost the power and I was all by myselves to claim to the finish sprint. What a great feeling it is! I rally enjoyed how we worked as a team most of the ride and then sorted out the placing on the podium in a fair battle.
I was disappointed to know when doing my massage the David didn't have any mechanical problems and passed us unseen with the leading team guys. We were waiting for him although we shouldn't have. Well lessons learned. Still me first second place at stage and first sprint won. Yahoo!
Jeny & Tim supported me stating that teams should probably start as first wave always and we shouldn't be waiting for anyone!
Other lads agree as well.
Kaikoura is very beautiful place.
The coastel route is very scenic.
We reckon next time the tour crew can replace the Methven - Oxford part with this route. There was a storm recently (the ferry crossing in Cook straight were cancelled on Tuesday due to 10m high waves) and there a lot leftovers of sea on the road.
On the road we stopped to see the baby sea lions which go up the creek. They are very cute! Try to spot them!
Today the peloton party was nice - I got a pot prize for being Russian :)
It all started at Stewart Island when the motto appeared for the ride. Garry Pierce who is a good friend of Simon and does hep with organisation in this event ( he leads al the auctions at the parties for example) he is riding the tour as well in the team Kiwicoffee. We are climbing the moll and Garry is behind me and Simon films a footage with his iPhone and scream at Garry ( aka Gazza) "Don't let the Russian beat you".
So yesterday, on one of the ugly climbs I'm passing this Gazza who dropped off the teams bunch and tell him - "Don't let the Russian beat you, Garry!" :) that was quite funny when Gazza retold that story and used a heavy russian ascent to do that. He did apologize though - this is done all for fun so I have not hard feelings for him. And the free T-shirt helps :)
You can also hear Miles - the guy with megaphone hear that on the video at 4:50 :) Now these guys are afraid of the Russian power!
Tomorrow the last day of the tour!