Taranaki Masters Games XC & Open XC Race

A total of 19 riders made the most of recent trail enhancements at Mangamahoe yesterday for the Mountain Bike event of the Taranaki Masters Games. Two grades were on offer - a 90-minute expert grade and a 60-minute recreational grade. Good to see a few open riders turn up on the day as well!

Thanks to all those that helped stage the event, and the competitors. Results as follows:

Expert course: 90 minutes

Place Rider MastersClass

1 Gregg Simpson 30M
2 Graeme McBeth 40M
3 Brent Simpson 30M
4 Dane Harris 30M
5 Ross Valentine 30M
6 Hasely Lobb
7 Mark Dynhoven
8 Micheal Ure 50M
9 Kathy James 30F
10 Grant Peters
11 John Eagles
12 Karla Simpson 30F
13 Alison Russell 50F
14 Matt Goodsell

Recreational Course: 60 minutes

Place Rider MastersClass

1 Nigel Webber 30M
2 Jim Fairgray 40M
3 Richard Masters
4 Newton Frewin 60M
5 Diana Wynyard 60M

You can download a PDF file of the results:

Masters/Open Event Detailed Results: here.

Lost your sunglasses at Mangamahoe?

Found at the mtb park on tuesday afternoon, a pair of specialized sunglasses in an optic clothe bag at the carpark on Plantation Rd. Contact Stephen, number is 0292782546.

Kaponga Cow Ride

Something of a Taranaki institution, the Kaponga Cow Race is an annual fundraiser for the Kaponga Lions Club that puts the grass roots back into grass roots mountain biking.

Held annually on Taranaki Anniversary Day, the non-competitive ride takes in stunning rural landscapes over a mostly downhill course from the edge of Egmont National Park to Kaponga. The course follows cow races across farms and fields, and offers both a long and short course (roughly 20 and 10km) options. The ride start at the Dawson Falls Mountain Gates at 10 am and finishes at the Kaponga School.

Entry is on the day only - adults $5 - children $3 - family $10. BBQ, spot prizes, and bike cleaning facilities available at the finish at Kaponga School (you'll need these - trust me). As with all races, bikes must be in decent condition prior to setting off and helmets must be worn.

What better way to mark the regional holiday than sifting over farmland on a mountain bike?

Short Course 3: Putting the Hill into Marsland Hill

Long grass, a wee bit of climbing and some residual damage from a weekend of riding made the final event in the short course race series slightly more challenging than the previous two races.

Despite that, Darry Stevens pretty much cleaned up, lapping the field despite his bike not having flames on, taking series honours in the process. Nicola Cox took out the Women's, with the series win going to Catie Lennox.

Caleb Davis took out the Junior series, despite Daniel Cleland taking the win this week, and James Pritchard put in another solid performance and conquered his aversion to stair gaps to nail the Rec class.

The series enabled us to use some of the lesser known mountain biking spots around town, with the consent of the New Plymouth District Council.  Big thanks must also go to Mitchell Cycles Avanti Plus for their generous support, and NPDC's Wild West Bike Fest for additional support.

While the races were decidedly lo-fi, it's been great to see some not-so familiar faces turn up - if it's something you're keen to see more of then let us know in the comments section below.

3-Hour Race: Results

Judging by the bodily carnage seen at tonight's shourt course race it was a grand day out at Mangamahoe on Saturday for the latest 3-hour teams XC race.

31 riders took the field, with the solo class a lot stronger than the teams for the first time. Fastest lap time went to Tony Patterson with a blistering 15.42.

Big thanks to Craig Treanor for organising this and previous Teams XC races, and committee and club members for their continued support.

FOUND: Camelbak

A camelbak was left behind at the race - if you're missing one flick John a txt on 027 343 3800.

Solo Men
1. Andy Patterson 10 laps
2. Tony Brownrigg, 6 laps
3. James Pritchard, 3 laps

Solo Veteran
1. Graeme McBeth 9 laps
2. Lawson Freeman, 8 laps
3. Mark Duynhoven, 8 laps
4. Paul Plumtree, 8 laps
5. Michael Ure, 7 laps
6. Sean Froude, 7 laps
7. Mike Carter, 7 laps
8. Brett Tanner, 6 laps

Solo Junior
1. Nick Sutton, 9 laps
2. Benjamin Plumtree, 8laps

Solo Vet Women
1. Colleen Froude, 5 laps

2-Person Mixed

1. Matt Goodsell and Caitie Lennox, 8 laps
2. Jenn O'Connor and Graeme Lindup, 7 laps

2-Person Open
1. Shane Wilson and Paul Muter, 9 laps
2. Graham Laing and John Brathwaite, 9 laps

3-Person Junior
1. Matt, Elias and Jo, 6 laps
2. Daniel, Luca and Claudia, 4 laps

3-Person Women
1. Zana, Janet and Suzy, 3 laps

Split times are available with some extra formatting - leave a comment if you're keen to know them.