Cycling Duty

As in swimming, cycling can not operate without the efforts of officials. I was rostered for marshalling duty last night. All Kapiti Cycling Club members need to do at least 2 duties over the summer racing series so the races held on Tuesday nights can operate safely.

This race was a 12 km [7 miles]Time Trial and as I am not really a speed merchant but prefer the longer and hillier races I was not unhappy to be rostered to marshall.

The Time Trial started just north of Waikanae Beach. It headed out to the Peka Peka roundabout and across towards SH1 and return. Riders would start individually in 30 second intervals with the slower riders usually starting first. You don't want to register late as you would end up with the fastest riders at the back.

My responsibility was to ensure the safety of the cyclists at the roundabout. I needed to stop motorists by holding out an orange flag and calling out to the cyclists 'CLEAR' as they approached to make their right turn. At times this job can become tricky as cars can come from different directions at the same time. Also the job can become more tricky when having to deal with impatient and obnoxious drivers. Thankfully I had a good batch last night and some inquisitive and friendly spectators.

See if you can spot any of the important people in orange jackets or holding orange flags! Unfortunately due to time restraints and how seriously I took my marshalling duty I didn't get a photo during the race!

Here are some photos prior to the start of the race!

The registration van is behind the two cyclists.

Starting line is at the orange cones.

Last minute preparations and advice from Bob Pratt, the Club President


For those interested the results can be found here. You will see that the winner Charles Salmon who is a Kapiti College Student did a time that works out at an average speed of over 40 km [25 miles] an hour! Not bad at all for a young fellow!

Cycle Challenges

Cycling has somewhat taken over my life currently! I'm sure Jo would agree! I am so fortunate that Jo at least pretends to understand my fanaticism for exercise!

I have been a competitive runner for the last 30 years but only recently have I got the competitive cycling bug. There are several problems with this with the major one being money. Are there any sponsors out there who are prepared to subsidise an aged but keen and potentially competitive masters cyclist?

A bigger problem is that it takes twice as much time in training compared to running. A long run of 2 hours has to be a 4 hour bike ride for similar benefits.

This morning I did my favourite ride around the Aka Block that I have managed to do several of over the last few weeks while on holiday. Today's ride was special as I rode with Bryan, a competitive cyclist with the Kapiti Cycling Club who also is strong on hills. We took turns into the wind and completed the 90 km [56 mile] course in 2 hours 55 minutes. This is my best by over 15 minutes! It is a great time for 2 riders to do in windy conditions over an extremely hilly course. We averaged over 31 km [20 miles] an hour! We managed 70 km [45 miles] an hour on some descents and 50 km [30 miles] an hour on some flat bursts.

Here are some recent photos of the course for those who are not familiar with the ride!

Tired legs are pproaching the Summit of the Akatarawas before the descent.

At the summit and ready to pick up speed!

There is a lot to learn for me about cycling but that is exciting and I like challenges!

Along with the hills and long distance rides there is the challenge of riding fast in a group. This happens on Tuesday nights and for the first time I started with the second fastest group. There are only 2 riders currently who are capable of holding the pace of the fastest group called Scratch. Two nights ago I completed the 40 km [25 miles] in under an hour which is 4 minutes quicker than my previous best!
Click here for Tuesday's results

I'm sorry if I've bored you with facts and figures but I am truly excited about the new world that has opened up to me and the possibilities of tapping into unknown potential! I'm sure with the way my training is going and with the wise advice I'm receiving from my mentors, I will be competitive when racing in 2012!

Bike Marshalling

Kapiti Cycling Club had their Tuesday night 35km Cycle Race tonight. All members are rostered to take their turn standing on a street corner keeping cars away and the cyclists safe. It was my turn to do my bit!

Though it was not an exciting time it was however rewarding as without marshalls these events could not take place. Taking your turn makes you appreciate their efforts.

To be fair over the years in running I have not done much marshalling as most of the time I like to compete.

Swimming has definitely been the most demanding as it is totally dependent on the parents of the swimmers.

So this evening I'm feeling quite righteous and relieved that I prevented any cyclists being run over and probably less tired than I would have been if I had been competing. 

Kapiti Cycling Club at a recent event

Sunday Ride - Aka Block

The Kapiti Cycling Club met as usual at Coastlands on a lovely spring morning. There were only six of us today with others involved in a race. It was decided that our group would take on the Aka 100k Block.

Our course involved lots of hills and today I had a new member of the club, Todd and a visitor from Wellington, Julian to work with on the hill climb sections of the Paekakariki Hills, the Haywoods and the Akatarawas.

This course is quite challenging in places. It is one of my favourite rides due to the hills, the scenery and the places it takes us. The ride goes through Paekakariki, Pauatahanui, Upper Hutt, Reikorangi, Waikanae and returning along SH1 to Paraparaumu.

I was most satisfied to get back home in good shape as I haven't done many long rides over the last 2 months.

Here are some pictures of how my cycle ride looked today.

Coastlands Start



Paekakariki Township



Paekakariki Road after reaching top

Blurry Kapiti Island

Pauatahanui

Top of Haywoods

Upper Hutt turn off to Akatarawas and Waikanae

Akatarawa Summit

Reikorangi Valley

Reikorangi Church

Ready for a short burst home along SH1


For those interested it took 3 hours 50 minutes to complete the ride. A more than respectable time but importantly a most enjoyable ride.

Sunday Wet Ride

On setting out this morning my intention was to ride 100km [60miles approx] with the Kapiti Cycling Club.

When I arrived at Coastlands our usual meeting place I discovered our typical group of 10+ was reduced to 2 including myself as the others were mostly competing in a cycle race. I decided to go with the slightly slower group who were heading for the hills.

What started as a fine day turned to a thick steady drizzle as I reached the top of the Akatarawas at 500 metre altitude [third of a mile].

As I descended the drenched and somewhat slippery road and soaked to the skin I quickly evaluated my scheduled ride. I decided with numb feet that I would wimp out of the long ride and settle for a steady ride home to complete 50km [30 miles].

Although a tad disappointed with myself, blame age catching up with me, I feel satisfied to have had a strong uphill training ride. I'm sure there will be sunnier days ahead.

Apologies for the gloomy photos but what you see is what I got. Most unpleasant conditions.

Top looking down the road to Upper Hutt

Top looking down the road I took back to Waikanae

Side view of the top

Wordless Wednesday

Have started up again for another season with the Kapiti Cycling Club.

Every Tuesday evening they hold a race in Waikanae of 35km. The course is 10 x 3.5k. I'm not that good at these fast flat shorter courses but enjoy the challenge. Last night it took me 55:30, one of my better times.

At registration prior to race start