Grass Grubs - Bike Hutt Cyclocross Round Two

Yet another beautiful sunny day for round two of The Bike Hutt cyclocross series in Upper Hutt. The California Park course was short with several pinch climbs, the usual barriers and plenty of momentum sapping long damp mossy grass. This time the true CX bikes would have less advantage over the motley collection of "other bikes". The short tight course made for great spectator action which Waggers used this to his advantage with his personal support crew The Waggettes toting vuvuzelas. With DJ Mariska on music and vodka shots the stage was set for lulz, skidz and general shenanigans.

The spectating is equally as serious as the riding

Four well-dressed Bushies lined up for the 1 hour race, Davo and Waggers in dashing black BLR kit, BGA in BLR disco-ghey white, and Ed in sponsor "disguise".

Lots of hurt as Davo exits the "drink station"

The tussle for the hole-shot was won by Davo as he wound his single speed up to 11. However this winning tactic ensures that unless you have a stellar day then the only way is backwards from here. After a bit of partner swapping everyone found their groove and a pecking order formed of Ed, Alex Revell, Davo, Waggers, and BGA. Things stayed this way until about half time when Waggers finally got the better of Davo to move in to third place. To add insult to being passed by someone skinnier than a cross bike Davo's chain dropped and tangled in a boy-scout knot that was tighter than a Tiger on date night. He manned-up and ran the final ten minutes drinking heavily at Bar Mariska on each lap. BGA had a solid race and got the most wolf whistles probably due to his Greg Herbold glasses and grin.

A classic BLR example of racing and cross-dressing combined

The final finishing order is awaiting a count-back by the judges but a top effort from Ed to take the win, especially considering he and BGA rode out from town and then back again, ouch. It was a supremely hard slog through the long grass with all punters crossing the line gasping but smiling. Several beers and a whole bottle of vodka were consumed by the 20-odd riders, but that's cyclocross racing for you.

Almost faster than sunlight, Ed had the cleanest heels of all = WIN!

More pictures can be found here.

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Cyclocross Newsflash

Bushie, Ed Crossling wins the second round of the Bike Hutt Cyclocross series at California Park, Upper Hutt. Alex Revell first loser. Private Waghorn second loser, rounding out the virtual podium.

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Ice, Ice, Baby!

Before you get any bad ideas I’m not gong to remind you of Davo’s favourite song, rather that title would sum up the general weather across the country over the weekend and, what Rotorua treated a few sifters (300+ riders) to in the 2nd Winter N Duro race.
I’m not going to complain though; after a distinct lack of vitamin D on offer in Wellington for the past couple months, it was so good to see the sun again in Vegas.

The weekend started off good and bad. Good in that my amazing smokescreen and I had a good run of traffic Saturday morning heading up the country; bad with the Desert Road deciding to shut shop and add an extra hour to our traveling time: fail!
After a brownie points ride with my smokescreen in the Whaka forest (even paid for her shuttle ride to the summit, bonus points!), it was time to settle in for another night at Nic & Cabins place. After pathetic negotiation on my part, payment for our accommodation was offered in the form of ‘Bushlover for a day’, with Cabin rocking the team edition roadie fail cap for the race.

After a clear still night which gave most of NZ its coldest overnight temps, race day was here. Even though the sun was shinning, it still hovered in the low single digits through much of the morning; starting a race with numb feet and hands is never nice but I had no say in that matter.
Race started as always; skid around the field and into the single track in a nicely timed 5th position. Didn’t take long for things to break up; me pulling at Mike Northcott’s pockets, with Stu Houltham and Cabin chasing a couple seconds back (after about 5km).

After sandbagging along A-Trail giving 10s to Mikey in the twisty single track, decided a bit of rampage was needed at the end of the track on the jumps to pull him back in. With a few wild flying sessions (which came very close to ending in tears), I managed to grab back onto Mike’s tail, and notice we had pulled a bit more time on the other two. Through Tickler, then onto Direct Road where I would find that all the chocolate consumed at work is not always in your favour. Up Frontal Lobotomy to the top of Billy T, Mikey pulled out to 15-20s lead on me; luckily I still had no view of the vultures behind me.

After a smooth decent (thank you Mr SantaCruz), the gap had only grown slightly to Mikey. But with just twisty fast Vegas single track ahead it was always going to be a big ask to pull him in. Split Endz went by accident free but not the same down Pondy DH. In exactly the same place as the previous week I had a small flip over the bars; nothing too major and back on my bike within seconds but with the other guys breathing down my back. The rest of Pondy treated me better as well as Rollercoaster and, now my mojo was returning.

Chinese menu put a halt to that. Halfway through, a fern smacked me in my eye making vision really difficult. I had to relent to a hard charging Sam Shaw a bit before Dragons Tail as I was starting to ride all over the show; now I just had to hope I could hold 3rd.
All was going well until the very last track, Rosebank. Within 1km of the finish I went slightly off track, confused with direction and, who should pass me but that Bushlove imposter Cabin; damn locals! A few quick drops, a river crossing and it was into the finish; very tired and a bit battered but not nearly in the same state as the last race.

So 4th overall it was (3rd open, Sam’s a speeding junior); on paper crappier then the first race but in my head a lot better then the previous N Duro race.
A whole month now until the next one now! The trouble I could get up to… Probably not, just a bit more sifting in the crap Wellington weather and working to pay for the next trip.

I must thank Nic & Cabin for their hospitality, but Cabin did get the honour of Bushlover for a day… And my wonderful smokescreen; puts up with my bone dry humour, ghey Bushlove mates and, still takes me to all these races when there’s a good chance the ambulance will be taking me home.

Catch you in a month Vegas!

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Nduro Round Two - Flash Report

Epic speed walker, Ed Crossling, rode a fantastic race today in Rotovegas to clinch 3rd place in Open class and 4th overall. He was in extremely good company

Mike Northcott 1.49:51

Sam Shaw 1.51:45

Filthy Multisporter Leishman 1.52:10

BIG DOG ED CROSSLING 1.52.20

Those are some tight time gaps. Full credit to Ed for a steaming ride.

After mentioning on several occasions how he would be happy with Top 10 in Masters, Angry Clive Bennett scored a lusty 10th place. Narrowly missing out on the inspirational 11th.

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The Trouble With Smokescreens

Some of the team have spent good money on Smokescreen wives, girlfriends, boyfriends and even children, in order to maintain the valuable illusion that they are desireable and competant in the ways of both emotional and physical love.

But if you can't afford the extra fee's, like those for respect at home and intercourse, it isn't always plain sailing.

excuse the french words used in these lulz-packed discussions

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River Queens - Bike Hutt Cyclocross Round One

Mint photo - Craig Madsen

Cyclocross is a wonderful thing. Its short and painful. You get no rests, no relief. CX racing has plenty of fight and close contact. You can see your marked rider up ahead. The challenger behind has eyes on you. You must chase your next rider faster than the hunter behind can chase you. You must hit the gas hard from the gun, and keep your foot pressed to the floor. No mistakes. Start freewheeling too far from a barrier, or waste time on a remount and your challenger will rip precious seconds out of you.

Its great that Mike and his team from The Bike Hutt are such ardent cyclocross fans. Mike is putting on a four round series in Upper Hutt based at California Park and Trentham Memorial Park. We'd been looking forward to it and for round one, Bushlover's Waghorn, Burgess, Crossling and Aldred lined up in their ravishing new team strip.


Mint photo - Craig Madsen

Ashley represented in the fantastic new BLR kit and had custom made some BLR CX Special Socks to go with it. She even rolled out in a spankly pair of POW gloves in a suitably pink and black chequered flag design. Ash won the women's race in the 30min event with a fine ride. We know from the Revolve Womens MTB Series held earlier this year, that there are tons of lady offroad racers in Wellington, so hopefully more will come out for the next three rounds.



Mr Crossling was so desperate to spend time on his freshly painted Turner Flux, that he rode out to the race from the city (and back again) which took the razor sharp edge off his shanks. It was a tough course to start tired on and Al suffered like the proverbial dog, but represented well with Bushlove battle calls across the field of dreams.


Mint photo - Craig Madsen

Waghorn and Davo ran singlespeeds. Davo modified his with a slightly taller gear and slightly narrower tires. But Waggers ran his 'as God intended' with burly tires, shocks and a regular ratio.


Mint photo - Craig Madsen

Off the line the Crosstafarian himself forced the pace and gave everybody a bit of a shock - Had he been training? Can he maintain this pace?!? Davo edged past to lead into lap 2 and then Mr Houltham rolled past him in the big ring which Dave didn't have. Davo's chain then derailed and he could only watch with despair as the whole pack rode past while he removed his wheel to reseat it. It came off again on lap 3 much to his frustration as all those he fought to get past, read him the good news as they shot past.

Everybody found their rhythm and settled into the epic grunt fest. The stream crossings were a magnificent addition to the course. Several skilled riders rode the crossings both ways including Stu Houltham and Waggers on his SS. Davo ran them like a proper roadie.


Mint photo - Craig Madsen

The effort of keeping the foot nailed to the floor told on everyone and positions were gained and yielded in the second half. Eventually Davo pipped Waggers and led him home. Davo 4th and Waggers 5th. Although they both got upgraded after a results adjustment, meaning a fabulous 3rd and 4th for the boys. A great start for series points.

A mint day, a great hard course and grand company. Everyone is looking forward to the next three rounds where hopefully new riders come and try this commanding code and much merriment, vomiting, drifting and hurdling will be had.

Here is a link-fest:

Ashley lap 1 helmet cam footage. See how she represents well with thank you's to the marshals
Owen's Facebook photos of round one.
Katie Morgan's photo's of round one (much hotter than Owen. Sorry Owen)
Bike Hutt blog with results.
Vorb thread.
Good CX on Youtube

For Sparta.

Leonidas - BLR Press Sec.

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