The Only Bushlover racing, Craaaazy-man!!

After a motivating text from Davo first thing in the morning I was ready to go. “In hard buddy, I’ll be thinking of you”. Gold! love predictive texting or is that what Davo really meant, hmmm confused and scared at the same time.

Being the only Bushlover racing in the weekend I felt a little pressure to uphold our name, coupled with the fact that The Crazyman is a race that means a little more to me than just another day at the office. It was the first mountain bike race I had ever raced so has a special place in my short mountain bike career.

The day turned out to be better than I could have imagined. The week leading up to the race the weather was crap, arse, rain, wind and bloody cold. But the 2nd of May turned out a fantastic one, no rain, little wind, lets race!!!

Dan Clendon ( my team runner) took off on the run surrounded by a sea of skinny legs and shorts so marginal they could only be described as togs, togs, togs, undies! The God Father (Marco Renalli) went one step further wearing shorts from the 60’s showing waaaaay to much leg, but I fear this was his ploy to scare any runner into submission.

The next time I saw Dan he was about 50min into the run out in front and looking strong. So it was into the car and over to the transition in Wainui for me, for bit of a warm up and to slap on the lycra. Dan came in with a good 5mins lead over the field. Off I went caning the first hill to the water tower and on to the top of the ridge, I felt great, the bike was great. It was time to settle in and give this one shit. Out in front by myself it ended up being a solo race, but that did not stop me from spending the whole time talking to myself just waiting for Gav McCarthy (Gavatron) to pop around the corner and steam me down like a council worker eating a pie.

I made it to the river bank and still no Gav in site, so I locked out both the front and rear shocks on the Merida and tucked into my roadie stance. Wahoo I was flying, all the way along the gravel road to the finish line. First rider to cross the line and first Duathlon Team. We were stoked!

The Merida 5000 full carbon dream worked a treat, you can find a nice review about this bike in the latest New Zealand Mountain Biker magazine and believe you me the write up is no lie, quick, stiff and is all win! Looks hot too ;)















The course itself was in great condition, dry, fast and well cleared. With an interesting 2-3mtr drop in the middle that riders had to get off and clamber down with bike in hand... or so I thought!!! at the finish line I heard someone mention that after I went through the marshal at this station was lowering peoples bikes down with a rope... bugger missed out on that one.

Some highlights for me were being able to hold Gavatron to a 5min defecit, when I was expecting him to tear me another… well lets just say where my bike seat sits and Dan and I setting a new Crazyman Team Duathlon course record. But the one that put the biggest smile on my face was definitely when on the way up to receive our win placing the commentator mentioned how well this “Bushlove Team” are doing and have been seen winning lots of events lately including the Grand Traverse a few weeks before! BLR FTW.

Big ups to all competitors who turned out on the day, its a great race. Smiles all around including the biggest smile of all from Michelle Cole who finally won a spot prize, only to find out it was a Merida hydration back pack with green flames on it. Rock on, wish I had one.

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