Trains, Travels

The last day on the North island and appropriately for a trip to Wellington it was windy. The threat of gales was such that we had to get on the bikes early to have a decent chance of making it over the Rimutakas. We rolled out of Masterton at about 7:30 in the morning and headed off into more of the fantastic countryside we’d enjoyed on yesterday’s ride.

The pace wasn’t too hard for the first 66km into Featherston. I spent some time on the front again which was fun. I’m growing to enjoy sitting on the front of groups, just have to pick the right group or time to do so! The terrain was rolling and scenic and the building winds were obvious. We reached Featherston in a little over 2 hours so had made decent time.

A regrouping and chance to take on some food before we all headed off to take on the climb over the Rimutakas. Despite living in Wellington for a few weeks I’d yet to have ridden over them. Partly because it’s highway 2 that crosses the range and that’s not a fun road to ride. With a strong Westerly blowing our crossing was going to be particularly challenging.

A lot of the group were already ahead of me as I hit the road. Whilst the winds were going to make things tough for me Steven was clearly having a worse time. I passed him working on a dropped chain, unfortunately I could see it had nasty twists in it. The next time we saw him he was riding a small bike borrowed from one of the documentary crew. It ensured he got to ride the entire North island at the least.

My climb was pretty average. The road itself isn’t too difficult, but with the wind it became particularly tough. You’d turn a corner into strong headwinds. At it’s worst I stalled. Hitting an inclined corner in my lowest gear and then receiving a strong blast of wind to the face I went from about 8kph to zero. I only just managed to unclip my foot and get it on the ground before I toppled.

After that incident I was even more cautious for the rest of the ride. Fortunately nothing ever came quite as close to that again, but I never managed to climb at my best. I’m finding it hard to really ramp the power up now. I can spend long times working at reasonable percentages of my FTP, but attacking a hill is getting beyond me!

A cautious descent followed that climb, though the wind never proved as problematic on the other side. At the bottom we regrouped again and waited for the last few riders. As mentioned for once Steven was the last, looking comical on far too small a bike. As ever he was in remarkably good mood about things. Standing around had made us all cold so everyone was glad to get back on the road.

From there on in it was familiar roads. We avoided the main highway and followed Dave C through Upper and Lower Hutt passing within about 5km of where I’m staying. Finally turning down the highway and into Wellington itself. I think everyone was on a bit of a high to have ridden the whole of the North island. We’re over halfway there now.

No rest for Epic Campers though. After a break we ran to Freyburg Pool for a swim. The 2km there and back were allowed as our run point for the day. I was relieved to not have to run much more. The main aim was to complete a 6km swim. This is my third Epic Camp, but the first time I’d done a 6km swim for bonus points. Previously I’d put it off when the opportunity was there.

I’ve found it hard to motivate myself to swim for that long in a pool. This time I had an ally in the form of Dave C. We planned to do it as thirty 200s with around 20 seconds rest between each. I was aiming to keep things easy to ensure I got through. We worked by alternating lead every five or so.

About halfway through Dave decided I was going slightly too fast for us to work together and we got on with our remaining lengths ourselves. I started by switching to 400s and then a couple of 800s just to get the whole thing done. The last kilometre felt like hard work and I was starving!

After the swim I sat in the changing room munching on a bag of peanuts and raisins whilst I waited for Dave. I knew I’d hoarded that food for some reason. We dashed back to the hotel in time to relax before dinner. A massive buffet that went down very well. Particularly the desserts. Three full bowls for me, not very paleo diet I know.

It’s an easy day tomorrow. Points are neutralised so we actually take it easy and don’t go and train ourselves to death. That said I may opt for an easy 30 minute run just to keep the legs moving. I have to admit after eight solid days of training taking a day off feels like I’m breaking my rhythm. Despite that I am looking forward to relaxing a little bit more before the last six days of camp.

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I had no idea how today would pan out when I woke. I still felt pretty tired when I woke so wasn’t too optimistic about the bike ride ahead. Before I got to that there was a run to the pool, a swim and a run back to get done.

The run felt surprisingly good. I opted to wear the compression socks for this run and it at least helped minimise any soreness in my calves. There’s still some tightness in my left hamstring when I run, but it’s got much less as camp has gone on.

In the pool Jo and I teamed up to get through the 10 x 200m front crawl on 3:35. Not being the fastest swimmers it’s good to be able to pick up a few points here and there. We comfortably got through that set, then Jo pushed through 200m fly for another point. Very impressive, but I chickened out.

The run back felt far better than the first and I arrived early for breakfast. Early enough to find a small stash of Power Cookies that had been saved for later in camp. Power Cookies vanish quickly on Epic Camp, they’re like gold dust. I believe we’ll get a top up in the next few days when we hit the South island.

I decided to roll out with one of the earlier groups. I’ve found I can get a lot of good work done if I stick on the front of the earlier groups. A little less stressful than spending the time yo-yoing at the back of the main group.

A bunch of us headed out together and I moved up front to set a comfortable pace. Rob Q joined me and gave me a few breaks from working on the front. About an hour in Dave C rolled up and put the pace up a little. It was enough to whittle things down to a smaller bunch.

For the rest of the 200km ride Dave C and I took turns on the front pulling along Tara, Douglas, Jo, Dave L and Peter. I was surprised at how hard I was able to ride seven days into a camp when I thought I was so tired. It wasn’t comfortable, but my heart rate was good and I could just keep turning the cranks.

Some hiccups with the support vehicles meant our group missed out on a lunch stop. With around 50Km to go there was a bit of grumpiness at the lack of real food since breakfast. However with it being clear that we weren’t going to get any we sucked down some gels and pushed on. Frustration fuelled a few surges in pace!

The last 60km into Masterton were through some fantastic valley roads. Quiet and scenic the riding was superb, we just didn’t fully appreciate it with our hunger and thirst. Unfortunately it meant fluid supplies were hard to get hold of. Jo dropped off and did the smart thing of asking for some water at a farm. With 30K to go and having just run out of fluids I was happy to push on home and wait.

I arrived into town pretty shatter from a solid days training. In the morning I’d speculated about running another 10K for a bonus point. The time was available, but I opted to take things a little easier. I was pretty satisfied with the quality of my ride and can live with one point less in the game for now.

Once again I feel pretty tired. We had a great meal at a local cafe and now it’s getting late. It’s almost ten, well past my bed time! It’s an early start on the bike tomorrow. Strong winds are predicted and it could make the climb into Wellington tricky. I’m looking forward to arriving there though and finishing the first island.

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I’m definitely feeling it now. Six days in and I’d say I’m tired. There’s still nine more days to get through too. I’m sticking to my aim of swimming and running everyday where it’s possible.

With that in mind it was an early van trip back down to lake Taupo for a quick 3K swim. There wasn’t much wind and very little chop to deal with making the whole thing far more pleasant than the night before. It also got the 3K over and done with quicker too. Still can’t claim to be happy with how I’m swimming though. The plus is I’m over halfway to the minimum swims for camp completion. I intend to do extra, but having the minimums in the bag will give added security.

After the swim it was straight back to breakfast of toast with fried egg in, bacon and chocolate moose. All washed down with plenty of coffee. I’m eating fairly large breakfasts now just to make sure I’m fuelled for the ride ahead. It usually means I’m still digesting it when we head out on the ride. The early pace can be a killer!

Today was no exception. Most of us headed out as one main group and initially the pace was friendly. The first climb came early and was long and hard. The pace was solid and then Rob Quantrell went to the front and pushed it up just a notch further. He made us work all the way to the top and blew the group apart!

Luckily he calmed down and we worked together again for the next 20km to the bottom of Whakapapa. I’d spent a lot of the previous evening debating whether to do the optional KOM there or just ride through. In the end I opted to ride through and ensure I got swim and run in for the day. I think it’ll ultimately be worth more points to me. Only 8 brave individuals actually made the climb. The wind and rain were pretty foul up there.

A quick refuel and Rob and I headed off with a group of others. A bit of excitement from some of the guys in the group broke things up. So for a while John and I took pulls on the front of a small bunch. John unfortunately punctured and waved me through. Not realising he had a problem we left him behind. If he’d have said I’d have waited.

The four of us remaining Dave, the two Robs and myself worked well together for the next 40 or 50K to the lunch break. Just like yesterday I opted for a quick lunch of a can of creamed rice, a wrap loaded with meat and some sweets. A quick top up of fluids then it was back on the road for Rob Q and me.

Even with the abbreviated lunch stop my legs feel awful to start. I tried a decent pull on the front, but didn’t quite have the zip from before lunch. We hit the first notable climb of the final leg and Rob was clearly feeling good. He went on the front and ramped up the pace all the way to the top. It was just like the morning again! I told him if he was planning to ride the hills like that I’d have to let him go ahead. I think he’s getting stronger as the camp goes on. Playing a cautious game pays off.

Kindly Rob eased his pace a little and we worked together again. The Westerly had really picked up force and combined with plenty of rollers made for slow progress. We were both getting drained and really having to focus to keep things rolling. The final climb about 30K out of town was a real sting. I sat on the front and kept the pace controlled, glad Rob wasn’t planning to take a turn and ramp things up!

Once that was done it was all downhill to Wanganui. It would have been fantastic apart from the wind. There wasn’t half as much free wheeling as I’d have liked. Mentally I was done with the ride and it was only having Rob there that kept me working. Turns out he was in a similar place. When we got within 10K of town I pushed the pace just wanting things over. I don’t think I’ve been so relieved to finish a ride on this camp.

A short break then it was out for my 10K run. Had to be done, I’d skipped the extra climb for this. John Newsom was heading out too so we paired up and ran along the river at a decent 5 minute K pace. Some of the aches and pains I’ve been getting whilst running seem to be going which is great news. A good sign I’ll be able to keep to my run goals for this camp. I’ve still got to get my second 25km run in at some point.

That was my day done. Well apart from finally finding the time to shave my head and tidy up the mohawk. I’m pretty fatigued. Plan for tomorrow is do the run and swim that’s been set for us. Then get through the long ride ahead. Profile doesn’t look too bad, climbing appears to be gently, but those profiles can be deceptive. I’m hoping if I keep things controlled tomorrow I can come good again for the day into Wellington and then get the most from our easy day.

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