River City Wheel race Carnival Spectacular (Wanganui)

This carnival was one of the important build up events to nationals. It was particularly important because it was the last major event before nationals. Another important thing was that the Wanganui Velodrome, being wood and 250m around each lap, is about as close as you can get to the Invercargill Velodrome, where the nationals are being held.

So Sunday morning Jony and I rode down to the bike shed at 9:30, ready for a 10:00 departure. We loaded the cars with bikes and bags, tools and aero bars. Peter Reynolds turned up on his mountain bike to say ‘Hi’, and he came at the perfect time, just as I was handing out the chocolate brownie.

At 10:00 exactly we were getting in the cars and about 2½ hours later we were in Wanganui. At the velodrome our Wellington team of about twenty found a spot to put up our two large tents for shade on the scorcher of a day. We went to register and got given a little pot of Resene sunscreen. I guess they wanted to make sure we all painted on the sun cream, and didn’t get burnt. A good idea actually.



So after warming up it was time to get the racing underway. My first race was the 10 lap Under 17 Scratch Race. The Under 17 field was huge; there must have been 20-odd riders in it. There were only 3 girls, including me, so we had to do the hard miles with the fast boys-really fast boys looking for top placings at nationals. So, the 10 lap scratch race started and after a few laps I was in a mini-bunch with the two Wanganui girls. The final lap came sooner than I thought, being used to a 333m track the 250m laps went quite fast. At the finish line I put on a big sprint and I beat one of the girls on the line. I’m not sure what happened to the other girl, we must have dropped her because at the finish she had mysteriously disappeared. A rather successful race from my point of view.


The next race was the Under 15 and 17 combined Miss & Out race. Due to the large field in both grades they decided to give us both separate races. I must have misunderstood something because I thought that the race managers said one neutral lap, one race lap, then the next lap they would start the eliminations. We did the neutral lap and then the next lap they called me out. Although I wouldn’t necessarily have placed by the finish, it was still annoying, and was annoyed with myself for not getting myself in the right position.

After that we had the sprint qualifying, but when we went to get in line, it was only the top people from the scratch that were allowed to do it, so we didn’t even get a shot at it. Having so many more riders than we do in Wellington, they have to be selective or they would never get through all of the planned races.

The 6 lap handicap was next, I had a good start but I slowed down a bit to let the other girl who had been on the same mark as me catch up so we could work together because I knew I had no chance by myself. Dumb choice, she went past me and then it was me who had to worry, soon after all the crazy fast boys were whizzing past, but I did manage to pip one on the line, in a final, desperate sprint not to come last.

Out came the motorbike and it was time for the Kierens. I was put in a heat with the open women, being the only Under 17 girl who was keen to do a Kieren. I got on the back of the bike in third position and was doing fine, until the motorbike got faster, and faster, and faster until it was a bit too much. It dropped me with about half a lap to go until it pulled off. I time trialled the rest of the way home, not a fabulous race, but then again I was racing with the Open Women.


The last event of the day was the team sprint. Beth Balmer and I took to the track in an attempt to beat our fast and furious Under 15 girls from Wellington, Ione Johnson and Ellie Pepperell. I did the first lap and had a bit of a slow start, and somehow the other two beat us.

The ride back home to Wellington held lots of excitement. Whe stopped in Bulls to get something “eat-a-bull” for dinner, Kebabs that made us “full-as-a-bull”. Standing outside the Kebab shop we got to see a car crash, I’m not sure exactly what happened but there was lots of screeching and when I turned around there was a door lying on the road, and two smashed up cars with there noses together. I don’t think anyone was hurt and the Fire Brigade arrived before we left.

But the drama didn’t end there, as we were going along the motorway we saw the Titahi Bay fires, a scary sight, the whole side of the hill was ablaze! I was glad we weren’t going the other way because the traffic going the other way on the motorway was terrible. While in the car we also found out about the Wellington Phoenix’s amazing victory that got them through to the semi-finals of the Australian A-league. When we got home we were tired but happy after a good day of racing in the sun.

For making this day a successful one, thanks to:
- Alex Laplanche who always makes his van available to carry PNP riders and their rides to events around the country;
- Bike Barn workshop (again!!) for sorting out my stem problem so quickly;
- Wanganui Cycling; they are so friendly and hospitable, well organised and equipped, and they're happy to share their great track with us.

So this Sunday I’m off to Invercargill to race at the Track Nationals. I’ll have to make sure that I am really careful not to get blocked in, and that I try my absolute hardest. When I come back, no matter what my results are, I want to be able to say I had no regrets; I went as hard as I could given the training I have done. To say that I’m nervous would be a massive understatement, so wish me and the rest of the Wellington team luck; I think I might need it!