We’re always keen to hear stories from our athletes embodying our See You Out There philosophy. In this update team ambassador Merrin Brewster fill us in on an athlete’s version of the summer ‘holiday’.  

I hit the road with the camper and bike on Boxing Day to head inland to the relative warmth of Central Otago. The intention was to attend races, with a couple of ‘holiday’ days in between. Cromwell was the first stop, to attend the Summer Quest Mountain bike race around the hills and vineyard of Quest Farms. It was also a good training day for riding in searing heat. The race started off in the mid-30s, but by the end of it, the temperature gauge was hovering around 38C. This meant paying close attention to hydration (and consuming a few electrolytes). It was a unique experience to just have sweat evaporate. I finished the race as dry as I had started. Weird. 2nd overall in Open Women (1st was Michelle from Torpedo7 Queenstown! :))

I then headed off to Queenstown to ride the tracks there – principally, 7 Mile (Gondola being closed during this period). Loads of fun!!! Staying at the 12 Mile Delta DOC campsite (which even had a place to hang your solar shower – mint!!). Was pretty neat to ride, eat(!), rest and pootle in the lake (Wakatipu) for a couple of days (and catch up with friends :)).

On the 30th December I left Qtown (just in time!! It was filling up!) and headed to the Bannockburn MTB Classic – which is indeed a classic as it’s been running for a few years now!! The amazing Bill Godsell of Sport Central organises this and it’s always awesome. It’s also a good way to track progress since the course never changes.

The weather was odd and hard to predict for this one. It was gray, not cold, but also gave no hint as to whether it was going to get hotter or cooler!!! At 4pm we hit the start…. And I noticed with some irony that we were racing into a head wind up the Nevis Valley…… the Bannockburn Gutbuster in November finished with going down the Nevis…. And it was a head wind. So I concluded that no matter which way you ride in that Valley, it will always be a head wind…..

Everything was great for this race. I’d been working on the ‘performis syndrome’ issue that my legs had experienced in the Gutbuster, and it gave me no trouble. There is a very steep pinch in the course, which is also the highest point. I was SO not getting off this and walking it. Happily, it was very achievable. There is also one final little step pinch very near the end. Again, I was pretty determined not to walk this (I have had to in the past) – again, another goal achieved. I also managed to knock off at least ten minutes from my last race there in 2013. 7th overall in Veteran Women (35k)

At the conclusion of the race it was time for little truck and camper, and wee bike and myself to head home. Missions accomplished.

Favourite items on this trip:
CamperMate app (Android and Apple) – it was awesome! I could find essentials like toilets and camping sites, and also info like dump stations and wifi.
Torpedo7 Zeppelin jacket – I LOVE this jacket!! Wear it heaps, and is perfect for Spring to Autumn with South Island changeable temperatures
As always – the Giant (Liv) Obsess is the (amazing) weapon of choice – I LOVE this bike!

Upcoming races:
MTBNZ Cup – Wanaka and Dunedin. Should be interesting…..