Graperide 2008 (Magnum)

Like all good things, the Graperide event requires a bit of travelling and thus the trip started a couple of days before the event itself. I'm not the world’s best traveller when it comes to sea travel, and thus I make great efforts to avoid a repeat of the trip back to Wellington after the 2006 Graperide. (Less said the better, but at one stage I was simply handed a pile of sick bags and a black polythene bag by a crew member).

The sailing across could not have been better for conditions however and we arrived in Picton ready for the weekend ahead and another special Graperide event. The trip over was a rather sobering one however, with the trip coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Wahine disaster. Bluebridge did the right thing and decided not acknowledge the anniversary though. This of course would also have acknowledged that they have the Inter Islander as a rival company. Nice one Bluebridge.

The Wahine listing during the terrible weather on 10 April 1968.

We cyclists are a pretty fortunate lot and I have never once taken a ride for granted. Also not taken for granted is the regained youth, energy, and gratitude for merely existing that cycling brings. Thus on the way south along SH1 I also planted a small shrub at Steve Avery's memorial. I'm not ashamed to say that I've had a tear in my eye on more than one occasion as I've cycled past the memorial, and it is at quieter moments such as these that I'm reminded of the special brotherhood that exists in cycling.

Registration took place the following day. As I cycled the 12kms to the registration I was very aware that just three short years ago I would have been knackered for the event itself if I have cycled the previous day. My first outing saw me complete the 101kms in 4:04 and to this day I wonder if anyone has ever had worse tactics for a race. I rode like a relay rider for the first 40kms and blew-up before I even got to Picton. It wasn't pretty, but I learnt a lot from the experience.

The 2008 Graperide saw me complete my 5th and 6th laps of the event and there are now just two other cyclists who have completed the maximum number of laps. The other riders are Chris Charles and Nick Batt (both coincidently of Nelson). I hope we all enter the long event next year and help each other continue this effort.

Riding as a Magnum entrant I had a rare opportunity. The numbering allocation had been issued as 0001 to 0299 for Magnum riders, and as such the first entry would (apparently) receive be rider 0001. Long story short, I turned up to the registration like a kiddie in a candy store clutching my official entry confirmation print off (which also confirmed that I was number 0001). After being issued the number 0003 registration pack for the event I was referred onto Pete (event organiser) for the any continued discussions. Pete confirmed that I was number three for the event, but also mentioned that I "would have number one for the 2009 ten lapper". (Hmmmm, I suspect that I should have gotten this in writing!!). At least the 1,010km event for 2009 is still being considered, even if it is yet to be announced officially. However, Pete has stated in writing "I can confirm the event will run a 10 lapper for next year being 2009. There will be some more details about this later in the year".

The Graperiders!!

The 12km's to the registration (and the return trip afterwards) took 35 minutes each way. I was acutely aware that when cycling back towards Blenheim the next day I would be travelling at twice the speed and that I would be in the one and only Magnum group...or I’d be on my own. This thought continued to go through my mind as I went to sleep at 7:30pm that evening. This was possibly not the most positive of thoughts to end the day, but despite knowing that I'm fitter than this time last year I still remember the sinking feeling I had when I was dropped by the leading group at Tuamarina (25km mark) in the same event last year.

The feeling of watching the leaders race away from me was only worsened that day by the knowledge that the group behind me would catch me, and my expended energy trying to stay with the leading group had been wasted. I didn't want it to happen again. Nor did I want to do the second lap basically reeling in, and having to ride around, slower cyclists. So the approach was stay with the leaders until the Elevation (the hill 2kms before Picton) and then ride my own race until the second lap started. Either that...or blow up trying.

Me during my first Graperide in 2005.

2008 Magnum (12 April)My day started at 3:45am and after eight hours sleep I was feeling refreshed. The temperature on the day was perfect, with heavy cloud cover making it relatively warm. I took 40 minutes to ride to the start and had plenty of layers on, and thus was warmed up and ready to go when I arrived at Forrest Estate at 5:30am. For the record, there is no "drop bag" system for the Graperide. I knew this, and thus once this was confirmed at 5:55am I simply handed across some "lost property" which had all of my warm gear in a labelled plastic bag. (Collected after the event).

We started at exactly 6am and as we departed I wondered if it was really that clever to start at the back of the field in an event that stretched the group as it departed. It didn't matter however, as I was feeling fresh at the start and I even managed to work my way up the group to sit in about 12th to 15th basically the whole way to Picton. With 26 riders starting I knew that it was slim pickings for anyone who got dropped, so with surges peaking at 50kms per hour I gritted my teeth and knew I needed to stay with riders who would eventually finish the event an hour ahead of me.We covered the 12kms to Coleman's Road in just 16 minutes and it was looking to be a slick time through to Picton.

The first 40kms (to Picton) took 62 minutes and as we neared Picton my days main theme started. I detest excuses, but I had a dodgy stomach on the day and it returned once the pace was on. I doubt that this effected my physical abilities, but it made the day tough mentally, and I thought about the finishing line pretty much from Picton onwards. I could drink liquids on lap one, but I didn't really feel good "eating", so it was fortunate that 80% of my energy intake was via a liquid Hammer Nutrition drink. I was a little disappointed in how I let my problems effect me mentally though and I will learn from the experience.I sat up at the Elevation and watched the leaders race away up the hill.

I know my limits, and I would have lost more time if I had red lined it with cyclists who could have held their own in the elite Graperide event. So I was basically on my own from Picton to the start / finish area and the next 60kms saw me attempt to catch the one cyclist I saw in the remaining section of lap one. I simply focused on my heart rate and tried to stay between 85-90% maximum, with the approach being well above the "Taupo Training" I've been doing since January to assess if long easy miles would leave me ready for the Maxi Enduro in November.

Nathan Faavae looking pleased after winning the Magnum for the second year running.

Lap one was completed in 3:05 and the advice a few weeks back to try a "feedbag" approach to the transition was much appreciated. (Thanks Adrian!!). This meant that I didn’t stop at the 101km mark, and this approach saw me join cyclists departing in the 3:30 to 4 hour starting group. After working through a few slower bunches I found a group that would suit my needs until Picton. I settled into a good pace and arrived at the Elevation feeling decidedly average, but the legs felt great.

The only other disappointing aspect of the day was being passed on the hills by other cyclists. I don’t mind it at Taupo, as I just remind myself that I have done 160kms more than the people passing me, but 100kms is a different story and it was a little frustrating. Frankly, I started to feel the pinch during the second climb after Picton, so 140kms before the fatigue set in. Linkwater to Havelock is a blur at best and all I recall is passing the drink station and wondering what it would be like to lie down in some long grass and just look at the sky. Possibly not my finest hour.

I went through less than two drinks on the second lap. One of these was my Hammer food and the other was water. I'd like to think I'm disciplined with my fuel intake, but I figured if I didn't drink (or eat) too much, then I'd feel good enough to not need to stop at a Port-a-loo. If this was Taupo I would have stopped. Finishing is all that matters for the Taupo multi-lap events. But frankly 202kms is not exactly ultra marathon cycling and I figured that I had 90 minutes to the finish and 6:30 was still a very real possibility.

The 30kms from Havelock to the finish had a headwind, so hopes for a sub-60 minutes finishing stretch were dashed. Everyone was in the same boat though, so I simply reminded myself that it was just a countdown to the finish and I would need to push on to crack 6:30. I ended up following a guy who was riding like he had just started, but unfortunately I got dropped on one of the climbs. I was disappointed to see him disappear ahead, but I shouldn't have worried, as I buddied up with a rider 10kms from the finish and we took turns attempting to prove to the other that 37-41kms per hour could be sustained into a head wind. It was their first event apparently, and I let them know that they were in for some excellent future results if this was them just starting out.

Crossing the finishing line in 6:33 I was relieved to finish just over 30 minutes faster than last year and I was also acutely aware that my season was over. So I decided to find a quite spot and simply lay there looking at the sky. It looked as nice as it would have in Linkwater, but I appreciated having completed my task before resting. I think I was there for about 30 minutes before I had the energy to eat the Subway sandwich that Ruth had put on my chest. During this time I was also trying to remember why I had done the Magnum again.

The Graperide two lapper is a vicious event and I found both magnum events left me feeling more shattered than the Taupo Enduro, with the Enduro having a string of highlights that I never experienced during the Graperide Magnum. To me the Taupo multi-lap events after about staying in control and remaining 'feeling good'. (Relatively speaking). The Magnum starts with one group and if the pace is too fast, then tough luck.

The view towards the Queen Charlotte Sound. A beautiful view if you take the time to look!!

This was my last "time focused" ride for a while and to be honest I won't miss them. This season I took over 30 minutes off my PB for the Magnum, reduced my 35km Waikanae crit PB from 57:30 to 52:30, and completed the 150km Round Taranaki in a sub-4:30 time (including a puncture). Yet none of it really means that much to me in any kind of deep and meaningful way. It’s almost like the times are just there for bragging rights. This is fine I suppose, but there are always plenty of cyclists out there who are quicker.

No, my fondest memory of this season is plodding around Lake Taupo in the 2007 Enduro. I would happily swap my all the other events to watch the sun come up again during Taupo's Lap 1, or cycle past the elderly woman who was out walking her dog at 6:30am near Turangi and stopped to applaud me (leaving me with a sizable lump in my throat), or to cycle past Kuratau at 4am on Lap 1 and suddenly realise that I was a quarter of the way through the event and I might just make it.

Some people say that it doesn't sound like their idea fun, but fun never seems to have the lingering memories that a true challenge gives you. In fact, when compared with the memories of this season, “fun” seems a little over rated. I have learnt so much in the last year and attempting to thank everyone will only leave some readers feeling that they have been left out.

However, I would like to thank two people in particular. Firstly, my Mum, for being a legendary support person at Taupo. I was given a great deal of peace of mind knowing that my support person at Taupo would be taking the event as seriously as myself. Everything went perfectly. Secondly, Colin Anderson has had a huge input into both my training and mental approach to cycling over the last 18 months. I have received a lifetime's advice from Colin and at times I have been humbled by the lengthy emails he has sent in reply to my endless queries for information. Thank you.

I have no secrets about my training or approach and this season's changes have included...

• Looking very closely at what I eat (on and off the bike). No refined sugar(!!).
• Doing half my weekly hours in a single ride each week.
• Focusing on core strength. (You go faster up hills and if nothing else you’ll ended up with great abs!!).

For those who have made it this far through the ride report "well done". I think this is almost as long as the Taupo write-up!!

With my season over and me off the bike until Thursday 1 May, I am left wondering how the time went so quickly since May 2007. It felt odd putting a sheet over my much loved Avanti Corsa. It was also a peculiar feeling to know that I was putting my Subway gear in the wash for the last time. (I am in the Hammer Nutrition kit as of May). I look forward to a new season that will bring new challenges waiting to be overcome. Included are four magnificent laps of the mighty Lake Taupo and I also look forward to encountering the endless stream of special people that you tend to meet when on any great journey that you know you will complete…but once thought impossible.