Coppermine epic au!

Billed as the Karapoti for those who can actually ride (not really I just made that up) I was really looking forward to the Coppermine epic. With 40k of big climbs, big downhills and some tasty technical riding what's not to like?

After a epically brutal week of night shifts I got a couple of hours kip on Friday afternoon then packed the car for the drive up to Nelson. Heading up through the Huranui then over the Lewis pass reminded me why I moved down South, its an amazing bit of the country. Truly epic. Arriving in Nelson pretty late the Colonel secret herbs and spices (and growth hormones, Mmm) called for some last minute carbo loading. As always in Nelson the day started perfectly with clear skies, sun and not a breath of wind. After getting lost finding the start (thanks search and rescue for pointing me in the right direction!) it wasn't long before I was lining up for the race start.

The race started with a grassy loop (which I dominated with my mad cross skills) then on to the Maitai river trail (where I quickly faded) before heading up a steep forestry road to the Dun mountain railway. For a history lesson czech out http://www.coppermine.co.nz/history.htm

This continued on to 3rd house where us epic riders turned left onto a mofo climb to Fringe hill summit while the enduro course kept going along the Dun walkway. Climbing to 793m it was a real test of the lungs and legs. Even in the granny (which is still an epic worthy 28t ) there was the odd bit where I had to leg it as it was a little greasy from recent rain.
As I approached the summit the tunes started and I met the welcome site of the Santa Cruz Fringe Hill bar. Beer was on offer and in keeping with bushlove style I went for a ginger.

From here it was onto Black Diamond ridge a technical, rooty slippy and generally awesome bit of track. For those Wellington riders think of a slightly rougher version of Mt Lowry however just like everything in the South island better. I thought I was riding alright till I had nice over the bars 180 pike giving the hinge a good bruising.From here the track joined back onto the Dun Mountain railway and onto the Coppermine belt. Quite a bit of work has gone into the trail since I was last in Nelson so it was big-ring climb up to the Coppermine saddle. From here it was all downhill on what was initially a fast flowing track with some epic draining ditches then on to a shortened version of boulder valley. After ~500m of epic gnar where a couple of locals gave me the good news the track smoothed out again to some lovely flowing native bush singletrack.

I gave the invisible bar ends and the big ring a good workout trying to catch them again but that boat had sailed and I crossed the line in 2:25 and a solid top 10 finish.

Well done to the organisers for a really enjoyable and well run race. Also a big up to Santa Cruz NZ for getting behind the race and even putting up a Heckler as the major spot prize. Gets the Bushlove racing seal of approval. To anyone who missed this epic race don't do it again as its probably the best xc course in NZ.

In other epic news I've been doing some other racing down South this year

The year started with the first round of the South Island series where I was bridesmaid to some punter called Justin Leov. My only consolation was he said I wasn't complete shit at downhill. No longer can Slacky mock me.

Next up was the x-stream, x-scenic in Timaru. I had a great battle with local Chch pro Dale again finishing second (if you don't count the 3 underage riders who destroyed us both). Not only was I showered in glory but also cash which I used to buy some beers and nachos overlooking Caroline Bay, EPIC.

Finally the good people at singletrack Canterbury have been running a local hill climb series which I again finished a distant podium in.

Everythings bigger in the South island. Czech out out fishes.

The KFC where I bought my first mountain bike from.

Today tomorrow Timaru. Pro XC hunting ground.

See you punters at Karapoti in a few weeks.

Nick