Racing the Enduro World Series in Rotorua, New Zealand

Ezra Newick captures a shot of Mary starting a rainy stage 5 as she puts her mind, body and equipment to the test...

Rotorua stinks of sulphur forcing even the oblivious to pay some regard to this spectacular geothermal hot spot.   Geysers erupt and mud pools bubble but as one of only three worldwide destinations for  Crankworx 2017 (the most highly regarded gravity bicycle festivals) - Rotorua is all about the bike!

Since we last visited to race XC World Championships in 2006 (!), the place had clearly grown up!  

M and M out training in the Whakarewarewa Forest

With names for trails like Whaki, Little Red Riding Huck and Rocky Horror, you can imagine the variety of trails in Rotorua!

Out training for the EWS -It's all down hill from here. 

The first day of training was horribly wet and we immediately realized that with similar weather on tap for race day, we were going to be in for a serious test of mettle. 

The 64 kilometer course added up to seven and a half hours of tight transfers in ever-changing, trail defining mud with rain pummeling us throughout race day. 

Off camber roots that rode like a darkened curve edge with a beer in your hand meant that It was more about trying to hit the ground lightly than trying to not hitting the ground.  I was really happy to have chosen my flat pedals (without mechanical clip in) to keep my feet out a lot in the corners and easier to kick bike through the massive ruts that were gouged by riders throughout the weekend.

It was of course pretty entertaining to ride in the chaos and to be able to use the experience as an extreme tester for skill, theories and to see what really really works equipment wise when the conditions are  super foul!

After race Homework. 

Half done with the washing at least. 

I went back and forth from loving the ridiculous loose and slippery to being close to my limit to just hang on for dear life!   As is typical The masters field was stocked with solid riders and the vibe was that of an an epic ride with friends but just like those epic rides with friends no one is messing around when things head downhill!   I ended up 6th on the day satisfied in holding my own in with the deep talent pool  in the extreme conditions.

A tough but satisfying day to complete!

Mary ended up 2nd on the day in the Masters Women category!   This was the first time the Enduro World Series has included a masters category for the women and we are stoked that it will be a part going forward! Hoping that it will open the doors for some more legends of women’s cycling to take part!

Mary, Melanie and Sarah

We showed our race fatigue by overstaying at our air BnB on the following morning till a cleaning lady with a tight deadline all but threw us in the street. The rain continued to pound as we re packed the van happy now that we had stayed up half the night cutting the race adrenaline with red wine and cleaning our abused equipment to ensure that we are on track for all that we have upcoming.  

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