Hillclimb Race Reports

Burger Wisconsin Mt Evans Hillclimb, 30 October 2004

MT. EVANS, 30 OCTOBER 2004 – A RIDERS VIEW

Pre-race start line banter was the usual fare, “what you been up to?” “Oh, you know, just a bit of road cycling”….. It wasn’t until after the ‘race’ that the intimacy of the event really sank in. At the top of Mount Evans, as we all huddled behind the huge rocky outcrop, sheltering from the icy gale & then later in the old Port Levy School multi-use room, everyone nattering about the race, weather, tinned rice - that’s when it seemed like a family day out; small groups chatting, tea, coffee & Kyleighs muffins, kids running about, chocolate smeared faces, little bikes freshly liberated from training wheels & Rebekah even having time to see to a quick nappy change before prize giving. Mt Evans was a great hill-climb. The wind was the main contributor to each individual’s performance. I think everyone would have ridden it clean, had those gusts not forced many a bailout & hike-a-bike. If only I’d thought of adding the carrying bit to my training! Banks Peninsula is such a special place, & to be able to enjoy those views from the top of Mt Evans was a privilege indeed.

As we grouped together at the bottom, ready to start, no clue as to what we were in for could be seen on many faces – the heads-up on the mud bog was appreciated though. We were in a sheltered colonial paradise. Two quaint old houses, dogs barking, huge trees, then off! I guess everything felt normal until just past Anthony, the halfway man, when the wind came in to demonstrate our insignificance. From then onwards, all my usual thoughts & self talk failed to get switched on. I was fighting the wind too much to regulate my breathing. Instead of adjusting my riding position on the bike, I was just desperate to stay on the bloody thing!

The two most enduring memories are of seeing tiny waif-like Charlie Murray, & wondering why he wasn’t getting blown away (although I did hear stories of adults holding onto him to keep him on his bike) & of trying to work out how far I had walked, what my trip meter was reading, thinking maybe I’d walked 400 metres, so it’s half a km to go, or did I walk further, or less…& then it was over. And there were Greg & Craig at the top, marking finishing times, on the most exposed ridge imaginable. They must be paid really well, or they’re mad. Returning to the school for the prize-giving could’ve been better – the best reward for a big climb is a blast downhill, & the best way to ruin a downhill is to be on a Cyclocross, & the second best would be to have a rigid front end. How I longed for my Marzocchis!

Thanks to Craig & Rebekah & all the crew for organising the event. It adds to my good fortune that I not only live near Banks Peninsula, but I can enter events like this, organised by such a committed team.

Back at the school I had time to marvel at the meaning of ‘old school’. The old drink trough brought back memories, the single building with a log fire inside, the graffiti in the boys loo comprised of only one word – ROOTER – which was scratched into the cistern. It obviously referred to Mt Evans.

Tim Stanton

Organisers Race Report: Burger Wisconsin Mt Evans Hillclimb – 30 October 2004
65 riders converged on the small town of Port Levy in Banks Peninsula on an overcast windy day. Registration was held in the old Port Levy School building. Port Levy School hasn’t been used as a school since 1971 and the half-size toilet doors stirred memories for some. After the briefing the mountainbikers rode the 2.5km around the edge of the bay to Kaihope Farm. Riders set off individually or in pairs at 30 second intervals with those waiting having to contend with dust from the farm track swirling around their faces. The faster riders started towards the back and when it was their turn to start the speed with which they took off was considerably faster than the earlier riders.

The first half of the course was less steep than the second half and times were taken at the half way point and at the summit. This showed that some riders do better on the steeper sections and some do better on the gentler sections and some just do well riding both.

The fastest time to the summit was recorded for Neil Sutherland (35-44 Men) in 37:05. 34 seconds behind him was Gavin Williams (19-34 Men) with 37:39. Ben Thomas (<19 Men) took just 10 minutes longer with a result of 47:22. This time was comparable with the first 35+ Woman home, Andrea Murray, who recorded 47:01. Patrick Meffan (45+ Men) made it to the summit in 39:47, 6 ½ minutes in front of the second place-getter in that category. Koleighne Ford (<35 Women) reached the summit in 55:32.

The final spur was exposed to strong wind gusts and many riders were reduced to walking because the wind made it extremely difficult to keep their line. Because of the weather most riders didn’t stay long to appreciate the view over the top of the Port Hills to Christchurch, opting instead to put on their jackets and ride straight back down to the school where hot drinks and muffins were waiting for them. After the prizegiving people went on their merry way home again. Photos will be available later.

Adventure Magazine Mt Thomas Hillclimb, 19 October 2003

It was a gloriously sunny still day at Mt Thomas for this event. 63 riders took part and they all made it to the summit where they had great views. The fastest time of the day went to Andy Merrylees (48 minutes 43 seconds). The youngest rider was a 12 year old girl. Well done and thanks to everyone who competed.