2007 Karapoti Challenge (20km)

Race report from the 2007 Karapoti Challenge (20km). Written March 2007.

The 3rd of March marked the 22nd Annual Karapoti Classic, held just north of my home town of Upper Hutt, north of Wellington. This race is the longest running MTB race in the Southern Hemisphere, and with a limit of 1000 riders riding the Classic (50km) course, and 300 riders riding the Challenge (300) course, it is not only a huge event, but also a very popular one (300 people were still on the waiting list!). I opted to do the 20km Challenge course, with a target time that I set for myself at 1 hour 30 minutes.

After watching the people doing the Classic carry their bikes, run across the river, and hop on their bikes up the road on the other side, I lined up at the start “line” at the edge of the river, and waited for the countdown. With 300 Challenge competitors all starting at the same time, I was quite fortunate to get a place close enough to see the river, unlike those who were still lining up back on the road. I heard the countdown, the word “GO” and we were off. Straight into the (knee/thigh deep) river with my bike on my shoulder, and trying to walk briskly, with the pace of the river crossing dictated by those in front of the pack.

Finally, I was on my bike on the other side, and it was all on. It was quite a fast pace for the first 6 km on the road and through the gorge, and I passed a few people along the way. Then the uphills began. The Challenge course contains one big uphill, but broken up into three smaller uphills on a mixture of gravel roads and forestry roads.

The first one was pretty gradual and I passed a few people on that. The second was a killer, but I stayed on the bike and rode the whole thing - passing quite a few people who were walking the climb. The third climb was nice and gradual again, so I charged away on that knowing that what came next was the fun downhill section. I was quite fortunate that by the time I reached the downhill, there was no-one in front of me for most of it, and no-one in sight behind me, so I could pick my own lines down the fast, smooth, forestry road.

Back onto gravel, through the gorge, on the road, and to the river again. It was here that I managed “almost” fall off my bike in front of a large group of spectators. I slowed down to dismount but forgot to take into account the fact that I was going quite fast beforehand. The bike stopped, but I kept going! I thought I was going to hit the ground as I went over the handlebars in slow motion, but luckily my years of gymnastics kicked in and I miraculously stayed on my feet!

After a nice co-ordinated pirouette around my bike to pick it up, it was back into the cold river, a quick stop to put the chain back onto my bike, and to the finish line in a time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 59 seconds. I was stoked that I met my target, and even more happy with the fact that I came 7th in Senior Women (out of 49 competitors), and 9th overall out of all the women who entered the Challenge. Not too long after I finished, I saw fellow R&R rider Erin finish the 50 km Classic course to take 5th place in Pro-Elite Women – an awesome effort!

I’d highly recommend the Karapoti for anyone who is keen to give racing a go. It’s definitely the largest event I’ve ever attended, and I have nothing but admiration for the organizers and volunteers who made the event possible. The atmosphere was awesome (complete with a live band!), with so many people who were out enjoying themselves on their bikes. I’ll definitely be back next year to attempt the full 50km Classic event.