Coppermine Epic Lads weekend Braaaaaap!!!!

Nope we are not dead but could be after this weekends Epic!!!!

This race is where it is at this year, a struggling uphill (Brew as a reward) and first fulls of breaking down hills!!!! more brews as a reward.

http://www.coppermine.co.nz

See you all there on ya bouncy bikes.

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My Little Ponies Day At The Races

Bushlove take on the Duathlon World in our new NG@A (Not Ghey at All) Pink Bushlove top. 

The weekend started off with My Little Pony crankin on the iPad for the road trip up.  The scene was set for a raging weekend!!! My Little Pony and Pink Blouses.  A combination that would scare the hair off even Nick K's calves of doom.

We said the new kit was pink, but no body believed us.

Known as mountain bike pure breeds, two Bushlove Stallions bolted from the stables in an insane attempt to harness the Duathlon World, starting with "The New Zealand Duathlon Champs".  Little did they know they were not entering the Grand National but more like the My Little Pony Fashion Parade.  You see Duathlon is the sport where if you don't look that part, you supposedly cannot race the part, not true I tell you.

Personalised Tri suites for the season NG@A!!

Race day was here and we packed the horse float with steeds and set off for Taupo. At race headquartes we trotted over to transition to drop our steeds off. On the way through getting our hoofs saftey checked we drew our preferred start gates; opposite a donut cart and next to a pink towel. The Bushlove stallions were primmed for competition.
With two races on offer Bushlove covered both corners of the feild; Mr Ed saddled up for the long haul, while filly Tigs galloped into the sprint feild.

Bolting out of the gates at 10am sharp, Mr Ed was off! Following a fast start Mr Ed settled into the feild holding onto the tail coats of seasoned duathletes. After running 3 laps of the Taupo Motorsport race track (with no motor to boot) the opening 10k run was dusted off and Mr Ed could get settled into his work on the bike. Ears pinned back, tail straightened, Mr Ed jumped staight into his work picking off riders like Angry Bushlove digging for gold up his nasal passage.

While Mr Ed was out picking off riders, Tigs roared into action in the sprint race. Towards the end of Tigs dash, he had a momentary lapse in concentration (must have been away with the fillies) which meant he overshot transition by 100mtrs. Under the direction of our seasoned Bushlove support crew (And dutiful wife) Tigs turned back on course, but not after team-mate Mr Ed caught him commiting the crime...

Seeking redemtion for his navagational sins, Tigs saddled up his speed steed and earnt forgiveness through a storming bike leg. As everyone heard Tigs roar on the back straights, Mr Ed started dragging his heals in his final 5km run.  Head high Mr Ed stumbled across the line in a touch over 2hrs, good enough for a silver medal. But the Bushlove stable was still out there chasing greater glory.

Hard on the reins Tigs racked his weapon of choice and set out on his final gallop around the race track. 
After a final 2.5km hot lap Tig's sprinted through the win by a country mile.
Following the days success, Mr Ed and Tigs reflected on their success with a couple cold ones and their fans. If the Olympics don't want Duathlon, Bushlove and fans will bring Duathlon to the Olympics.

Olympic touch carrier in the making.

The highlight of the day was still to follow, the first outing of Bushloves new threads. With the My Little Pony fashion title still for the taking, Bushlove threw down the gauntlet showing you can never wear too much pink.

To cap off a great day at the races, Tig's and Ed made a curtesy call to our nurtrional advisers, Mr McDonald  

A big thanks to First Windows and Doors for sponsoring our Horse Float and Hay.  You good Bastards!!!

Cheers,

Team Tiger & Mr Ed

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Bushlove Du. The Brut 33 and Blue Stratus version

That's right, in Bushlove its not about the Threesome but more the Dusome.  Fastest Man and Tiger decided to touch up on some running and biking skills, with a Scorching Duathlon.  Being of running thoroughbred origin Tiger was comfortable on his feet and Fastest Man... well just being Fastest Man and a good roadie was comfort in itself.

Here is a quick race brief.  

Fastest Man donning the BLR White Kit

Tiger BLR Black Kit

Once upon a time there were two little boys, one the of the two was an angel, he wore pure white and never misbehaved.  The other wore Black and never listened to anything he was told.  

This particular day they set off on an adventure of the Upper Hutt kind.  Yes, this meant a couple of sprays of Brut 33 and the local Hutt girls set chase.  Tiger being the prettiest of the two, feared for his life and set off at a cracking pace for the first 10km run.  By halfway Tiger had a decent minute back to 3rd & 4th with Andrew Young (Who obviously opted for the more desirable Blue Stratus scent) powering off the front.  Fastest Man backed his chances with the local girls so eased up for a little flirtation with death.

Into T1 (bit of Tri talk there, sorry ;) it means Transition 1) Tiger's years of experience in the sport of Triathlon showed and he wasted the good part of 30secs looking for his bike.  Meanwhile 3rd place smashed T1 to come out ahead.  Off on the Road Bikes with Girls in Holden's chasing.  

Fastest Man finally realising the attention he was getting the the Local Girls, was not one he really desired.  As the power went down the Locals Girls could only watch as their prize rode off like a Ford V8 into the distance.  Back in 5th place, Tiger tempted fate as the lavish girls in fluffy Ugg Boots greedily pawed at his black lycra.  Fastest Man still fearing for his life, engaged Roadie Legs to take the fastest bike time of the day.

Into T2 (See there, did it again) with transitions as smooth as a teenage pimpled face.  We were off on the 2nd run.  Fastest Man chasing 1st place and Tiger being chased to save face.  5km of painful hills climbing in excess of 5mtrs per lap.  

Fastest Man = 3rd

Tiger = 4th

Mc Ds = Winner!

All done with Eliting the Tri World, we thought it only fit we Elite the local Mc Ds.

Official Sponsors of the Bushlove Triathlon Team.

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X-Terror OMG?? Nah... Xterra FTW

This was not one of my goals of the season, but sh!tballs it was fun!

Xterra is one of those races people tell you "You must do", and for a long time I had not quite got around to it. This year was going to be different, with a "little" "Very little" swimming behind me and getting back to my grass roots of running, I decided it was time.

The drive up was interesting with Ed-Winner (Fatest Man) keeping me company. The Elite nature of this race and all I had a steak, we decided to stop for a healthy meal in Bulls. Yip, you got it, quality control of the plastic food variety.

To start off I was excited to have no expectations on me for this race. No one in this race knew who I was or what I had been up to earlier in the season. That was until I found out that Cabin had a page spread in the local news paper, talking about the Xterra race and Black Dirt Racing. Reading through I realized he had dumped me in it, naming me as the "Current Masters New Zealand Bike Champ". Thanks Cabin!

Anyway sandbagging aside, its time to get down to race talk. A perfect day dawned and I was ready for what ever Xterra was going to throw at me. I had heard rumors that it was always a perfect sunny day, and I was not to be disappointed. As you drive over the hill and get your first glimpse of the lake, it becomes apparent you made the right decision to enter. There were sponsors tents up everywhere, a huge stage for the finishing chute and people milling around generally enjoying the atmosphere. Xterra is not just an event for the Multi Sporters, but also individual Runners, Mountain Bikers and Walkers alike. By 11am they had already had a run, walk and mountain bike race.

Big ups to a Rae Rae who won the Women's MTB race earlier in the morning. Nice work Rae Rae, I don't REALLY have trophy envy... much!

So with preparation out of the way and my family there to cheer me on, I was ready to go, Or was I... nothing can prepare you for the onslaught that is the start of the Xterra swim. Trying to explain it is not going to help, so I will let these pics do the talking.






























For those of you out there that want to know if the water was warm (Mainly you soft feet JAFA's). I can confirm the water was actually of a nice temperature. After 15mins sluggishly trying to hold my own in the water, it was onto the main event of the day, the Mountain Bike. I really do love this part, and I feel soo much more at home. Up the first few hills (and there were a lot of up hills). I was chatting away to the odd person who would return my conversation with a grunt, sometimes more. Struan Robertson, thanks for keeping me company on the first climb, was good to have someone to talk to. And fcuking nice result to buddy.

Into the first single track "Frontal Lobotomy" aptly named, as some might say they wish they were having a Frontal rather than climbing this grueling trail, that pinched more and more the closer you go to the top. It was about now I was starting to get into the grove. The first downhill of "Billy T" was ahead and it was time to open up the taps. I could feel the roadies just falling off at this point **. Now this is where the fun begins, take a look at the below link to a video from Xterra a few years back. You will understand the mildly amusing phrase of TRI-Podding.
Xterror TRI style

**(No roadies were harmed during the making this blog post, some maybe in the race though FTR, Some of my best mates are roadies, "Good Roadies" even, aye Angry Clive Bennett ;)

So the rest of the ride went something like this Uphill hurt, Downhill grin, Uphill hurt, Downhill laugh, Uphill laugh deliriously, Downhill finish.

Transition 2 or T2 for you T-Geeks out there. I was making good ground, just a little 11km trot around the scenic Blue Lake, can't be all that hard... Wrong! Lap 1 of 2 and I was hurting really bad, I'll even admit to walking 5 of the 22 steps. Focus I thought, you're being stupid. Back to thinking about a good relaxed running style. I could feel my rhythm come back. I may even have enjoyed part of the 2nd lap. Chugged on home for a 2nd place in my age category, 22nd over all and even qualified for Xterra Worlds in Maui, Hawaii. Unfortunately I will not be going this year, bit bloody expensive :) But I have been assured, well maybe not assured, more teased. That if we saved well enough and I "actually train properly" (Quoted by wife) next year, we might be able to go. Obviously I would have to qualify again :(

Anyway I AM STOKED with the result and race in general.

It was off to the Brew pub for some much needed Crouchers (Yes shameless punt for the sponsors) and a feed of... you got it, Sausage fest. Has Dave Aldred written all over it.

Thanks to all those supporters out there who cheered or abuse me along. I'll be back next year, with some more swim and run training behind me :)
Oh sh!t for got to mention, thanks to Cabin's camera magic I made it into the Xterra Official video. 5mins 55secs in, Orange Bikes (Tang Niner Air 9 Carbon, perfect for Xterra type races, light and nimble) and black kit (Black Dirt Racing)

Cheers
Tigs

P.S Props to my Mountain Bike technique trainer, Travis The Cat (Ease off on the catnip though buddy, that sh!t does your brain cells in)

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The Spartan shower scene they never showed...

After a dirty/muddy day of racing around Mt Vic in the PNP Champs, we were all pleased to find they had showers to clean off in:

Seriously though. Bushlove have been together now for ~3 yrs and are more like a family than an over rated bunch of lazy bikers. When ever anyone of us is in need of some pick me up or good old banter, the team is there for them. I mean just the other day I mentioned to my fellow BL'ers that I had this annoying Copacabana song in my head, when suddenly out of the kindness of their hearts, Waggers and Belinda made new lyrics to this song to ensure it was PERMANENTLY etched into my brain... and am sure this will most likely pop back into my head at the most inopportune moment (about half way through Taupo Huka Challenge or even worse... date night) Thanks guys... &*!!!#%&*@*^#%

So it Was PNP Mountain Bike race #2:
Mt Vic has to be one of my favorite race locations for many a reason. But most of all the fact that it is such a good spectators course. Every time I rode through the velodrome I would hear the roar of friends or even better Lil T (Daughter Tyler), Big L (Son Logan) and my Lovely Wife cheering me on "Go Daddy Go, Go Daddy Go" Sometimes up to 10 people chanting this out... Huh!!! am sure last time I checked I had only fathered 2 children...

In typical Veledrome style and missing the usual Slacky, someone had to race off the front only to be rolled on the first up hill. This time it was Angry Hundy Bennett off like a rotten egg. As the race went on the course got slipperier and slipperiririer. Giving me more and more excuses for a lay down in the bushes. 5 in total I counted, that's more lays than a George Michael pajama party.
Thanks to Trent Bellingham for the pic:

I won't go into full detail, but the essence of the Masters category went something like this. Tiger to the top of the hill, Angry close behind, Palmy Burglar (Weasel - Karl Paterson) chasing hard but in podium still. Tiger down the hill, Weasel close on his heels, Angry stopping to pick daisies. Tiger to the top again, Angry finished picking daisies and steamed up behind with Weasel watching from a distance . Lap after lap this went on till the finishing order was sorted. Tiger, Angry and then Weasel.

Was great to see out of towners coming down from the likes of Palmy for a bit of mud slinging and to keep us locals on our toes.

Big thanks to all the organisers and marshals for getting out on this wet glorious day to make this event happen, special thanks to Marco for bringing along his hose. Never have there been so many men and the odd women flailing the God Fathers Hose around.

Thanks to Trent Bellingham for the pic:

To top my weekend off, Ozzy had bean beaten in the Rugby the day before and I was nicely wine'd up and tiddly sitting in front of France Vs Canada Rugby.

Till the next race :)
Tigs

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Bushlove at the BP races

As soon as the weather starts getting warmer, the first tests to see who was hibernating over winter, and who has been following Rules #5 and #9 are starting to rolls in. Following the always fun Kapiti series is the upcoming Balfour Pennington series.

This long running Wellington road fixture is made even better this year as it is sponsored by the good sorts at Wheelworks (their euro-roadie-style already filtering down in the new posters). An even bigger bonus to race (and to marshall) is the end of series prize of a brand new set of the Flite 01 wheels.


Rumors have it that Tony "Sandbags McTiger" Keith will be shedding his moniker and racing with the big boys. Clive "Angry Faced but Cuddly" Bennett has been spotted practicing his grimace in reflective car windows while coasting to work. Sam "Sammy Rammer Sanchez" Dungey might make a guest appearance by riding in his stealth commuter gear - complete with rear mudguard.

With the dynamic BLR duo definitely ready to out-camp all the roadies out there, it will be a good show. What will you tell your grandkids when they ask you, "Where were you when Tony finally came out?".

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Wainui...Layback time

Sooo layed back I was nearly horizontal...

After a wet and windy Makara Peak race I was looking forward to some faaaast skids on the trails of the WTP of glory. Having been about a year since riding on these trails I was looking forward to a few surprises and I was not to be disappointed.

I started the day off by picking up a mate of mine Simon who was not only game enough to brave my bad driving style, but was silly enough to trust me in suggesting he raced the gentile rolling hills of Wainuiomata. Some people never learn, Sorry Si :D
Race start was here and I had my tractor tyres on ready for the "Storm the size of Australia..." where was it I ask you? maybe the Ozzies had turned tail after the Tri-Nations Cup walloping we game them. Either way I was stuck with the tractor tread on a day that could only be best described as picture perfect.

Elite pain fest called my name once again and regrettably I inched my way to the start, thinking it can't be as hard as I think... WRONG! we took off up the Crazyman climb and I thought I would try and hang with the cool kids Gav & Mono. At the top of the Crazyman climb my lungs were feeling the burn but I knew if I made it to Labyrinth before them I would have a smokin down hill, Mono entered before me and Gav just behind. we stayed like this until the "fantastic short cut" which Gav and I took and popped out just ahead of Mono. Woop!!! go the shortcut. Opened up the taps of gnar on my tractors and pulled at bit of time out of Gav and Mono only to have them tear me a new one on Jungle Scout climb, this went tit for tat as I romped over them down Beeline only to have them gingerly (similar to Slackie's goatie) cruise past me again on Jungle Scout, this time chatting about what moisturizer they both use and how it makes their skin glow (They were so relaxed when they past me I was surprised they were not comparing softness of skin). Lucky for me Spoon Hill & 419 were in my favour as I returned to my glory down hills chase, picking them both up gain. Not to bore you all the rest is easy... Crazyman Climb and they dropped me like Davo's backside after super special at Tulsi Indian Curry House. Did a bit of suffering by myself watching the odd Elite rider smoke me on the up hills Thomas Linup and a brief encounter from Lynsky who threatened to pass me going up the last pasts of the Crazyman climb, thanks for the pep talk sheep shaggger.

The rest of my ride was much the same riding by myself with brief visits from the likes of T-Rex who went the wrong way and then once back on track smoked me, Ed (Fastest Man) who thought it be funny to pass me like I was an old man with arthritis and a Zimmer frame.

Trucked on home loving the down hills and finished with a MASSIF smile from ear to ear. Wainui has once again stolen my heart and not my wallet with some of the best trails in Wellies.

Till Mt Vic when I look forward to another smashing but happy to just be out riding.

Tigs

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Crazy Rampage Compensates For Failed BLR WOF

Well seeing as Davo failed The Crazyman WOF for 2010. I decided to take my old body into VTNZ to see if I could get a check over. Yip, as I thought, it failed on account of too much rust and crumbling pistons. Despite not obtaining a satisfactory WOF, I signed up to the Crazyman anyway, but brought race insurance with a ring-in runner – Stephen Day.

After a long night Sandbagging in Queenstown with MonoStrosity Civil Defence - Queenstown Emergency, I sifted back to Wellington just in time to take the start line. It seems that during the trip home Mono had a monostrosity and subsequently failed his Crazyman WOF due to a lack of riding. Leaving just me and Wonderwoman to up hold the good BLR name.


The "Southerlies, thunderstorms & hail" were due to hit Wellington about the time the mountain bike section of the race kicked off. All Crazyman entrants were watching nervously as it rolled in across Wellington and rampaged up the Western hills! Much to everyone’s delight the Southerly stayed West long enough for it not to hit the race.

9am and the hooter went (Mono and Davo were probably tucked up getting their hooters online), the Crazyman was underway. Leaving the runners to do the real work. Stephen was all arms and legs along the beach front, getting ready to settle into the hills. Loving the up hills, he appeared second out of the bush behind James Coughbrogh who holds the current course run record). Stephen was able to hold this position to the transition area where I took over for the MTB ride.

The course had changed from the previous year and included some of the ace Wainui singletrack. I decided it would be best to stallion off the front and concentrate on catching the 'Capital Sports Medicine Team', which I managed about midway through the climbs. Unfortunately Alex Revell had the same plans and caught me near the top, just before starting the undulating section midway through the race. As he passed me and I chased hard, Alex took what looked like a cunning alternate line to make extra ground on me... Mega fail on his part as he hit a steep hill pinch, allowing me to steal 50m on him to take the lead. Now the fun started - it was DH RAMPAGE time and as the BLR DH God (Slackbladder) had proven over the years, there aren’t many who can own a rampaging Bushie on an XC DH RAMPAGE mission. So I opened up the taps and stepped on the juice. Was able to take a good couple of minutes out of Alex which I would need later on the 12km gravel track to home. Head down with the Flux locked out, I steamed the river trail road with Alex chasing close. Every time I looked back expecting Alex to ride past no-handed, browsing my horoscope in the Hutt Times, I was pleased to see he had not made much ground on me. Big head throbbing and little head shrinking, I dug a little deeper to hold Alex to a 23sec gap for the Duathlon Team win. MINT! First rider home too. I was stoked with me and Stephen’s efforts for the day.

A wicked day out and another Team Duathlon course record for the second year in a row - Awesome.

Cheers
Tiger

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Leave the running to the Runners

Porirua Grand Traverse, Hawkins Hill Climb and My Return to My Running Career:

Check list:
Tick - Skimpy Flappy Panel Shorts
Tick - Old skool, retro running track suit
Tick - Legs that look like they belong to a chick
Tick - Free running shoes from where ever you can get them
Tick - A plethora of national medals that you don't really deserve, as you only fluked them in the beginning - Priceless



As you can tell I looked more like I was ready for a retro class running race than a hardcore mountain adventure run/bike, but I guess I could look worse...


PGT = I had forgotten over the years just how hard it was to put one foot in front of the other at a pace faster than a walk. Paaaain!!!! was the order of the day for this race. I had a runner lined up but this had fallen through at the last minute. How hard can it be, I asked myself as I put my "Individual Duathlon" entry in. So off I went on the Mountain Bike section constantly reminding myself to "Reserve some energy for the run". As some of the usual suspects (Hiskey, T-Rex, etc) steamed past I had great problems letting them go "It's not a lunch time sift with Davo & Angry, let them go! I said"

I survived the ride and actually enjoyed parts of it, but now it was time for the run... Transition went well and it was off across the field to begin the arduous steps up to Colonial Knob. Before to long I found myself running around an industrial area... 5mins later I made my way back on course Orsome!!!

Once I had finally run "BACK!" to the start of the race and found the marker I missed I started on the steps, on and on and on and on they went, they were just relentless. As I popped out near the top of Colonial Knob it was at least a change to fire road, I felt relief... for a second! Now it was time for the thigh shattering down hills to smash my punny pins in just a little more. Along the coastline, across Titahi Bay Beach, Up to the radio towers, past the Golf Course, through the swamp land and finally the 3km straight stretch of boring road to home... I was spent! Run in! Beaten! but somehow I managed 2nd place What The &*@#$!!!


Hawkins Hill Climb = I'll keep this one brief. Speaking of briefs, Marco was sporting his usual pair of Flappy Panel running short from back in the 60's.

The race started as it did last year with a "Hare" off the front until we turned into the hill section where the "Pins Of Power" kicked in and I took over the lead. Running hard I had one goal in mind, to catch the God Father (Marco Renall) who had left 5mins before any of the runners. Before I had even broken into a sweat or passed the stockyards I caught Mailman puffing heaving like singles night at Mermaids. Giving him a slap on the ass we past each other a couple of times until it was back into the steep stuff where I was able to get the better of him. Onward to The God Father now, who deemed harder to catch than an STD in a nunnery. 500mtrs from the top I caught him, his Flappy Panel Shorts. This made for the perfect target as I ran past for a quick down trow (Apologies to any female runners blinded by the sight of his glowing white cheeks as he struggled to hike them back to ball choking levels).

Finished to be first runner home. A massif ups to Alex Revel who stormed home the Mountain Bike for a course record that will stand for what may seem like years to come.

My return to my running career= Once again a fluke and maybe short lived... (But great Cross Training fun)

Enough said, I'm a Mountain Biker now not a Runner.
Tiger

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Hawkins Hill Fridge

BLRT was hoping for a strong result in the 2009 Hawkins Hill Climb, with Tiger, Angry, Nick and Mono all planning on showing up.

However race day dawned and was cold but sunny, Mono called in sick and Nick just slept in, that being his devotion to the team cause.
NB: In this particular article when referring to "Nick just slept in" we actually mean "there was a special on net p0rn that Nick could not pry himself away from"


The Hawkins hill climb is a challenge between the 3 codes Running, Road and Mountain Biking with the Runners and MTB'ers going up the tip track and the Roadies taking the MUCH harder option of Happy Valley road, Todman street and past the wind turbine.
NB: When referring to all "MUCH Harder" comments our resident roadie (Angry) actually means the pressure in his tyres rather than how hard he had to work during the race.

NB: I give you example #1 of Nick’s new subscription to net p0rn.

After registration and much banter about Marcos (God Father's) running gear we headed off to the start at Owhiro Bay, at that exact same time a freezing cold southerly front with rain and hail moved in and sat on us, I waited on the start line and was colder than Nick K’s crotch in a bikini contest after the polar dip. Yelled at Davo to start the bloody race, who was standing there wrapped up in 3 t-shirts, wool jumper, down jacket and his wife’s pink lacy teddy… he didn't appear in any hurry.

The race started and it was a smash from the get go, I was quickly up to 40kph heading up Happy Valley road, checked back and Ben McHale was right on my rear wheel, but I kept the pace on till the lights at the top. Then smashed it to the top of Todman street, couldn’t believe it when I checked down and at the top of Todman I was still in big chain ring. Ben at the stage had long since dropped off the back, so was going to be a slog up the rest to the summit. In the pinch from Ashton Fichton to the turbine couldn’t get any power to the road as I kept wheel spinning which was nasty but I still felt strong at the turbine. Waved out to fellow Bushlover Kah who came up to support, then past my BLB1 and the Kidlets who came to watch and then up the last climb to finish. I was 1st in 27min 25seconds which was 2Mins 20secs off my PB.

I arrived at the summit 30 seconds before Tiger roared across the line to take out the run win. Hung around at the top for a few minutes but was freezing cold, so headed back down for prize giving.

The Runner's version ;)
Staring with the cold bitter Wellington southerly in the face on the start line wearing my flappy race shorts, tight singlet, nipples erect, rain pelting my firm pectorals with a look of blue steel on my face... hang on, wrong man that was Marco (PNP Godfather). I was huddled under a neighbouring garage lean-to waiting for the rain to ease with the rest of the runners.

Had planned to just sit in the top half of the field for the kilometer of road till we got to the tip track and see how I felt. BANG!!! Off we went with a tail wind all the way up Happy Valley rd whisking us along at a nice pace. I found myself near the front with just Melissa Moon and an unknown runner that looked as if he should be a Spartan Trail Runner. Feeling pretty comfortable tucked in behind Melissa with none of the drafting benefits of a tall person J. Half way up Happy Valley rd I noticed the Spartan Trail Runner extend his lead on us, so decided to bridge the gap. This took me to the bottom of The Tip Track where I thought I could just sit here in second and draft this Spartan God, but was about to be proven wrong... just after we start up the hill he seemed to fade to a pace I was a little too comfortable with. Passing him I made a quick gap of around 45sec and sat there for the remainder of the race. Using typical mental racing tactics of chasing the next Runner or Rider in this case ahead. About half way up TT I started catching Mountain Bikers and surprisingly Marco who left minutes ahead of us all. Nearing the top I saw a fellow Mountain Biker Ed Crossling and thought this was my chance to make him hurt a bit :D (Friendly competition... Working extra hard to reel him in I caught him about 200m from the top, only to have the bastard cruise past me on the down hill road 100m from the finish yelling "Where's ya wheels now!!!!" Ah the Crossling brothers, ya gotta love am (Thanks Ed).

A quick sprint to the finish earned me a win in the Runners category but a big fat LOOSER in the overall Mountain Bike, Roadie, Runner stakes. Taken out by Stu Holtham (Well know National Title MTB holder) with the Roadies coming second in the race ‘For of the codes’ by Angry Clive Bushlove Bennett (More well known for his finishing as Bridesmaid in every race. Which if you consider the actual overall race results Road Vs MTB Vs Runner he achieved yet again).

All in all a great fun race.
A big thanks to R&R Sport & Makara Peak Supports Club who have once again been great in backing another fun, local event. These events would not be possible without sponsors like this.

Random pic of some HOT Bushlove GOD.

Awesome to see the BUSHLOVE in the paper the next morning.

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Reach For The Sky.... controller

Post by Davo, not Tiger :D

In April the Bushlove Team contested the Duathlon team event at the Kathmandu Crazyman. Tony 'Tiger' Keith and ring-in runner, hardman Dan Clendon, chalked up a fine victory and set a new duathlon record in the process.

Sky TV are showing footage of the Crazyman this week and apart from seeing the race, we have it on good authority that the word BUSHLOVE is mentioned at least once and a full frontal of the mighty Tiger is there for the whole of New Zealand to swoon over. Sit down when watching, ladies. We don't want any fainting injuries.

Crazyman TV Coverage
June 4 - 9:30pm - SKY1
June 5 - 6:30pm - SKY2
June 6 - 11:00am - SKY1
June 7 - 6:30am - SKY2

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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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