Masters tour of Wairarapa – the adventures of an E grader.
It was with some trepidation that I signed up for the Masters Tour of the Wairarapa. Persuaded by the speedy Jo Leech I thought her idea of fun might involve pain. I was only partially right – pain and fun balance out don’t they?
Starting in E grade I thought I might be a little out of my league, but I was kept company by the fabulous Jo Geoghegan, Rebecca Owen, Jo Leech and Rick Holmes. We really worked that Tarbaby jersey.
The opening ride was a flat individual time trial - four and a half kilometres out and three and a half back. It was a good chance to get the low-down on the competition!
The afternoon started hot with varying reports of around 39 degrees - definitely a two water bottle ride for around 45km. We split the bunch on the first hill, losing Rick who had got hemmed in. Then we dropped red jersey but yellow managed to hang on for another 20K, getting in the way of the rotating pace line, until black jersey broke away.
We continued on, then a faint cry of ‘cramp’ from the back of the bunch and Jo Geoghegan disappeared from sight.
Then the race was on. Striped jersey chased down black, followed closely by the three remaining tarladies. A small gap opened up and Rebecca proved to be the next casualty. I dug in for another kilometre when a small rise 10km from the finish proved my undoing. Jo Leech continued on with stripes and black, who both out-sprinted her in the final few metres.
Pub, beer, stories! Frank had enjoyed the thrill of the chase, coming in fifth and Gregor came in only half alive having been dropped on the rollers and downed two beers in as many minutes.
Day two dawned a little cooler. The E grade ride was the Millers Road circuit, starting from Margrain Vineyard and finishing by the golf course, while other grades had their route embellished with hills and loops. The girls planned to ride as a team to look after our ‘protected rider’. Alas our plan was fatally flawed as we were not strong enough to offer Jo Leech much protection. So, aside from the odd pull, our support was restricted to the vocal, moral variety.
Again, the bunch split early on but a few more had joined us from other grades, swelling our ranks, and our competition. Blue jersey pushed the pace and created a few small splits that we shut down. Rick helped with pulling, often at the front. At Millers Road hill we almost lost Jo Geoghegan but she returned to the bunch none the worse. Rebecca closed a gap on a downhill, pulling Jo Leech back to the leaders.
On the last hill Jo Leech struggled, then rallied. Then a wee birdie had whispered in Jo Geoghegan’s ear that there was only 40 seconds to the end of the race and she came, like a bolt of lightning, past us all to take first girl-place. She was followed closely by Jo Leech with Rebecca and I competing neck and neck for third lady in.
Moments of pride when Tim Renner stepped up to the podium to take gold in B Grade and Jo Leech took bronze in E grade. Special mention goes to Alex, the 84 year old, who has only been biking for 4 years – respect!
So, lessons learned:
- You don’t have to go flat out all of the time
- Lose weight and practice hills
- Don’t miss the after-match lunch – best ever!
- Try gherkin juice for cramp – Jo Geoghegan swears by it
- Remember to take your computer so you know how far you have to go
- Mark it in diary for next year.
Gillian Bruce
B Grade winners From L - R: Tim Renner - Gold, Malcolm Allen - Silver, Peter James - Bronze.
