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Perspectives of Age
by Phil Etheridge
Here's a revised story of my summer, originally written for the Mt Bike Club newsletter, now embellished with a few colour photos. The highlights were my 50th birthday celebrations and the 25th Karapoti Classic weekend.
Karapoti on the 'fly!
Near the official beginning of summer, I celebrated my 50th Birthday in Rotorua. I sometimes call it my second home, as I realised earlier in the year when I agreed to visit one of my old friends at my “local”, the Pig and Whistle. I'd been drinking there more than any pubs in Palmy in the last few years. There were other practicalities, like it was central and allowed friends and family to attend.
A few oldies on the pre-party ride
What a great weekend it ended up being – we were really lucky with the weather, and got a couple of around 40km group rides in, taking most my favourite tracks: Corners, Billy T, Split Enz, the Pondy/Roller Coaster Series.
Longest Place Name in NZ - longer than a tandem and trailer (Central Hawkes Bay)
Fast forward thru New Year break at Eskdale Park with family, and a Central North Island/East Coast tandem epic over a week in mid January with regular tandem companions Phil and Janine, and Bill and Tresta. Now the 25th anniversary of Karapoti is looming, my first was number 5, twenty years ago on an Avanti Ridge Rider, time to knock the body into shape for a nostalgia trip of epic proportions.
Having “graduated” to a new age class, I realised this was my chance to shine, and there was still that elusive sub-3 club membership to pursue. For the first time ever, I did a couple of practice rides on the course. The first was on a damp day astride the 29er hard tail and it occurred to me how well it suited the conditions and most of the riding I was finding myself doing these days. As they often do, one thought lead to another and with the everyday temptations of bike candy in front of me the next thing you know a Gary Fisher Superfly 100 arrived at the door. The second ride, on the Superfly 100 this time, was in perfect conditions and a bit harder and longer, starting from the Kapiti side. I cleaned all the climbs and descents in good split times. That target seemed to be getting closer!
On the day- the creek at the bottom of the climb to Deadwood
My bro' Mike, dad Alden and I camped at the Karapoti domain the night before to avoid an early start on the day. We were woken by torrential rain the middle of the night, leading to some tyre changes on the day. Just as well – the course, while firm under tread, was pretty slippery. Things slowly began coming unstuck with poor management of my hydration – I was so intent on keeping to my split times and staying with the lead group that I didn't drink enough early on. The grovel up the Devil's Staircase was made worse with cramp threatening and slow going as I caught up with the tail end of the 19-29 group. By now I was down on my target pace and despite trying to catch up my legs wouldn't play ball up the climb out of Dopers Creek. A smooth descent down to and through the Gorge wasn't enough and I crossed the line a shade under 8 minutes short of my target. A consolation was a 3rd place in my grade and my first podium ever at Karapoti.
Dad (Alden Etheridge) on his way to setting a new PB and age record
Dad had a stellar day, smashing his own 70+ record by 25 mins and setting a new record for eldest finisher at 73! He now plans to “retire” and do the Challenge in the future. Somehow I feel his record will stand for some time. Mike also had a good day, beating his PB by 25 mins as well, in conditions which were less than perfect. To top it off, he won one of the major spot prizes.
Mike, still smiling on his way down the gorge
It was also great to see the strong showing from Manawatu riders and ex-pats, ncluding Cabin, Nic and Paul Deuritz, doing his first Karapoti in around 2:50 with a puncture en route.
The next day, nearly two dozen lined up for a re-run of the original Karapoti course. It was shorter at a bit over 36km, downhill overall and only had one big climb. I and another crazy man chose to ride the event on retro bikes. Carl's exploits are documented in the latest NZ Mountain Biker. Conditions were perfect and although being totally smashed the day before, I had a great ride on the late 80's Shogun Prairie Breaker.
The retro bikes ridden in the Karapoti Original.
Photo: Craig Madsen
My arms and hands were killing me on the descents, a reminder of what we had to put up with in the old days, and what my body could take 20 years ago. A strong cramp-free ride up Dopers and down the gorge saw me cross the line just under the original winning time of 25 years ago.
Not bad for an old fart! |
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