Excuses, Excuses - Goldie's Karapoti Debrief

Isn't it funny how mountain bikers come up with every excuse under the sun why they didn't fire during a race.

I`m no exception, I`ve got plenty!! I never thought i`d say this, but i think i was just a little well prepared for this years Karapoti.

Firstly i had my bike serviced during the week with all new cables after the mud bath in Nelson.
I bought a new bite valve for my camel pack. I mixed me drinks up and got me muesli bars ' with nicely cut off ends for easy access' the night before. Had a great high carb pasta meal backed up with a top

sleep and a nice early hearty brekky. I felt good! Really fresh after a reasonably quiet summer of racing.

Anyway, on the start line ready to smash it! Got away to a fairly good start after my swim and then trying to keep safe with everyone riding frantically up into the gorge trying to get as close to the front as possible. Came into the warm up climb just keeping a nice rhythm and making good progress, then through to deadwood and everything going good, towards the top there was myself, Patrick Avery, legend Rob K, up and coming legend Anton Cooper and the pace was good.

Anyway we flew through to the rock garden, smashed the rock garden then carried and rode the staircase where possible at a good brisk pace edged on by the professional Rob.
This is where i came across me first problem, i reached back for one of my muesli bars and hello its bloody dissolved, it had filled up with water from the river crossing at the start and being one of those muffin bake type bars it was just mush. Shit no food!! Now i thought i better up the fluid intake a bit, but this new bite valve was crap, once i got it flowing it wouldn't stop. Shit!! I tried to slurp down as much as i could. At this stage i thought it`s gonna be OK i`m still feeling good.
Some dude Oliver someone had caught us by now and we railed on down big ring with me rob and Oliver getting a good gap on the other two youngsters.

This is where it really turned to custard, through dopers creek and started climbing then, crunch, crunch, crunch, shit my gears, i tried adjusting them but just made things worse, my bloody new cables had stretched!!

I just could not climb outta dopers, and i could feel the body starting to slowly shut down.
There is nothing more frustrating, my jog slowed to a brisk walk then to almost a crawl as got passed by Patrick and Anton then ed, Big Gav then Jase Mcarty and a couple of others I think. Cramp starting setting in by now just to keep me honest. Finally got to the top and ambled down the valley cramp at its best, had to stop after dropping my bottle of cramp spray, weaved my way through the challenge riders and to the finish.

So at the end of the day i can say i didn't exactly smash Karapoti but Karapoti definitely smashed me!

I can`t say that i really enjoyed myself and if you ask me tomorrow if i`m entering next year, its a big no way!! But ask me in 3 months time and see what i say? I may be up for some revenge.

Big up`s to everyone that finished on Saturday, give yourselves a big pat on the back if its not too sore, and remember it was never meant to be easy!

Goldie