Way back in May this year (yes I know, May was a while ago, however better late than never!), I ventured to Newcastle, Australia to do the 4 day Port to Port mountain bike stage race. If you’re looking for a relatively challenging yet achievable race and extending your New Zealand autumn, then this is definitely on the to do list. Each day consisted of 34-66 kilometers, mostly forestry fire trails with some sweet single track and linking sections of tar seal.
Stage 1 was 34 km starting and finishing in the stunning surrounds of the Nelson Bay Marina, Newcastle. After a controlled start on the tarmac, a few short technical climbs sorted out the pecking order ahead of a rocky and rutted descent that caused some grief for a few riders. Then a blast along a bike path and tarmac section to the Tomaree National Park and 20 km of off road zig zagging on fire trails.
The Three Bears under the power lines were three very steep and ugly loose shale climbs sorting out the lactate-soaked legs and turned most competitors into “push bikers”. While the first one looks big, that is only Baby Bear, wait until you see Papa Bear! The reward for conquering the Three Bears is getting to hoon like a goon down the other side.
After popping out of Tomaree National Park, and a final quick sprint along Victoria Parade I was pipped on the finish line, placing second in the masters’ category and 5th woman over all. With a few stern words from Dean Kozlik, a local and friend who I was staying with during the event, for missing out on the bottles of wine awarded to the fastest master and the leaders jersey, I was fired up for the next 3 days of stage racing!
Stage 2 was 50 km in the Hunter valley, beginning at Lindeman’s winery and finishing at Briar Ridge winery. Another short controlled start soon leapt into a long winding climb into the Pokolbin State Forest continuing on undulating and twisty fire roads that snaked along the ridgeline before dropping into some raw natural motorbike single track. A rewarding descent down the Rabbit hole followed, going on forever putting a grin from ear to ear on your face due to high speeds, drifty hairpin switch backs and some air time over the water bars!
After a tarmac section and plenty of refuelling in anticipation for the second long climb up to Mount View, there was a last speedy downhill through Briar Ridge vineyard which led to one last short snappy killer pinch of a hill before the finish line. This time I took out first place my category. Whilst waiting on Dean and Meagan to finish, I found a generous fellow Kiwi rider Shane Eagar, who kindly lent me some money to enjoy a recovery massage.
Finishing in the top 5 overall females, I was summoned to a Shoot Out, 2km time trial later in the day. Partaking in this event meant I was able to a score a whole 20 seconds off my overall time! Worth it??? Well the social side of meeting more of the fellow Kiwi contingent of competitors was!
Stage 3 was 66km near Lake Macquarie. This loop course was definitely my favourite stage of the event. Not long after another controlled start again we headed off into the sweet single track trails of the Awaba Mountain Bike Park where I had raced the previous Sunday. I had also done some course marking and last minute trail maintenance with Dean. I felt like a local on this section. Once cresting Mount Faulk which was a relentless 5 km climb after the single track section, the rest of the stage consisted of undulating ridgeline of the Watagans, an epic 10km downhill section and a couple more sections of single track. Most of this stage was spent riding and battling it out with Margaret (Peg) Leyland from Pukerua Bay, Wellington. We ended up concluding the stage by working together for the last tar seal section and coming across the finish line as a team. A magic day at the office! Another stage win for me and still 4th overall.
Stage 4 ended up being a 50 km mud fest! It was more a case of getting your bike and yourself to the finish line in one piece! I loved the first 30kms of skidding and challenging conditions. It soon grew old with no brakes and running out of talent certainly was on the cards at any point. So making sure I attacked with precaution for the last 20km was crucial. I ended up working with a bunch of guys on a tar seal section and we made the fatal mistake of missing a turn off point into a single track section and doing a few extra kms before we realized. This cost us a good 5-10 minutes. Crossing the finish line was exhilarating and a much needed rinse off in the sea, clothes, helmet, sun glasses, shoes and all was the first port of call after finishing!
I won the overall masters’ women’s category, and placed 4th overall against the Open Elite women’s category. I was happy with my effort. Racing and spending time with old friends along with meeting new friends totally topped off my experience of racing the Port to Port event.
