Ten OTB’s entered the 2016 5 Passes event and then promptly starting falling off their bikes. Never-the-less, they used the Shane Archbold approach i.e. “I’m a Kiwi; I don’t feel pain,” and carried on. It was well worth the effort. This event is so well organised that every cyclists’ need is met – except weather of course.
The evening prologue of 5km ITT put Rebecca in yellow. Day 1 started exceptionally early with a wee earthquake followed by a quick getaway. The first great thing about this event is the neutral stages that allow riders to warm up/ recover. Once the hammer goes down though it’s all on. Everyone had good energy so the pace was fast. We didn’t even notice the course detour to avoid an armed offence incident! The second great thing about this event is the marvellous food stops. Morning tea at Waipara Vineyard was brilliant. Moreover, upon arrival all our day bags were laid out for easy access, with drinks, fruit and snacks provided for all riders to refresh their pockets. This certainly helped the next KOM and sprint stages. By the end of the day, after the TTT into Hanmer, Stephanie was wearing GC and KOM jerseys, Glenn KOM, and Malcolm and Liz sprint jerseys.
Over the next 3 days, Stephanie extended her lead commandingly, Malcolm and Liz held onto the green jerseys and Rebecca and Glenn held second KOM. Day 2 was probably the hardest and longest, with some cold weather to boot. The Lewis Pass was tough up but superfast down. We all needed the warm fire in the café stop! Rahu Saddle gave Rebecca a KOM win, then we had the fast TTT down. The afternoon race stage was changed to neutral at Ikamatua due to extreme and sudden cold rain, hail and snow. Nobody complained.
Day 3 was thankfully fine again and saw a morning of sprinting and an afternoon of climbing. Otira Gorge provided adequate challenge for even the best of us, but the BBQ at the top helped to forget the hard bits. While most of the riders stayed at the top of the pass, we all opted for the luxury Wilderness Lodge 16kms further on with soft beds, fine food and stunning scenery. Excellent choice.
Day 4 highlights were the 2 KOM’s of Craigeburn and Porters Pass, made more challenging by a spot of roadworks and tired legs. The TTT finale on Chatterton’s road was Welly-worthy windy, which allowed us to practise echelon-style rotations. All that was left was the neutral stage back to the hotel and the presentation dinner with tables of fine food and loads of winning jerseys for the ‘Team de Fer’.
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Story by Liz T
And from the singing bard Stephanie Revell this wee number...
Five Strong Women from OTB
(with apologies to Messrs G&S for mangling their ‘Three little maids from school’)
Five strong women from OTB
5 Passes was our lofty goal.
Seeking merely perfect fitness,
five strong women from OTB
Lured on at first by Jo and Re-bec-ca,
we all agreed ‘fun’ was our quest.
With Gillian’s grit and Liz’s power
we thought we could endure the rest, we
five strong women from OTB
Five strong women,
we took what came –
racing, chasing, hail and rain,
sprinting at the least excuse,
conniving team jerseys to re-use.
Five strong women – we did not feel,
when asked to come and take the wheel.
Our TT trials were oh, just that.
We’d really rather neutral please!
But, undeterred, we took them on.
Those beastly men just there to feel
the glory of our draft,
we raced them, chased them, dug it in
so sure they would come last.
And certainly they would have been,
but far-too-cheerful scrutineers,
bleating ‘It’s just a fun ride!’,
smilingly directed us
to lunch in the canteen.
Five strong women who, all unwary,
held our own ‘gainst Canterbury
girls and fiendish male sprinters
out to eliminate from the race
our gallant Hommes as they set the pace.
An unknown quantity we may have been
tho’ sharply honed and trained to within
a vertical metre of perfect fitness,
we came away a set of Queens – of mountains, plains and unhedged lanes.
Who dares may win and secure renown
for the OTB women of Wellington!
