Yesterday we had three teams of keen unicyclists compete in the Kooralbyn 12hr Team Challenge. In this type of mountain bike race teams (or crazy solo riders like Ken Looi) do as many laps of the course as they can in 12 hours.
We had 10 riders in total split into the three ‘Unicycles.com.au’ teams (we were generously sponsored part of the registration fee).
The course was a very hilly 6.8km loop which was more technical than a lot of others and very tiring. Team A did 14 laps (95km total), Team B did 12 or 13, and Team C did 10-ish from memory.
I don’t have the lap times for our team (A) but they went something like this:
Rockley did 5 laps mostly in the low 40 minute range with one 38min lap and one night lap.
James did 5 laps averaging about 40 minutes I think with quite a few sub-40’s, one 36min, and one night lap.
And I chickened out of the night lap (as I found the three I did at the 24hr with Gabe far too frustrating) and did 4 laps which surprisingly got faster each time (37:00, 36:00, 34:50, 33:37).
After the 1st lap I changed from my 7.5kg downhill rig to James’ must-be-under-6kg 12hr machine.
We all had a great time and the organisers and announcers were all really supportive. They were always praising our efforts and the one main announcer seemed to know quite a bit about our sport. Wayne did a brief interview with him during the race and won some movie tickets. It was really strange hearing over the PA about Tony, Ken, etc’s efforts at the Karapoti Classic in NZ! This guy even mentioned that they were riding 36" wheels.
We also had someone come and gather some information about us and take some photos for some newspaper.
The unicyclists were given our own category with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for all of the team members…in other words, we were all given these great trophies (clocks with engraved bits on them) for our efforts.
I’ve put some photos up in the gallery at - http://gallery.unicyclist.com/albuq16 . The last ones are of the 12hr and the rest are from last year’s 24hr.
Andrew
Edit - The photos aren’t in there yet but will be tomorrow probably…having internet/gallery problems at the moment. Here’s a little compilation of them (next post).
Now I wish I had more time to travel- I would love to join you next year! Tony- whadya think? Should we head over across the ditch for some 24hr event? Team NZUNI at the Mont in Canberra perhaps?
Rockley rode a 26 x 2.6", Gabe rode a 26 x 3" (I believe), and the rest of us rode 24". James’ 24 x 2.5" is perfect for 12hr riding in my opinion…at least for this very hilly course.
I would’ve tried out the coker, but it only has the stock rim, etc and the course would have killed it.
I’d definately be up for a Mont 24hr ride in Canberra. I was actually considering joining you guys in the Karapoti. If I have the money to spare I will. It all really depends on whether or not they offer cheap Australia and NZ return flights at that time of the year. How long is the race again?
Sounds good. I think I may have used up most of my holiday leave for this year with my trip to Cambodia and to UNICON. But I’m thinking of doing the MONT next year after doing some more training. It’s getting pretty close for this year I think- when was it again?
The Karapoti Classic is 50km, three massive hills and one which is impossible to ride up (The Devils Staircase). Lot’s of cool downhills like the Rock Garden and Big Ring Boulevard (for us that is Big Wheel Boulevard ). There is a shorter 20km race called the Karapoti Challenge. Lot’s of Aussies came over last year and kicked our asses. Karapoti Classic Website
Offer still stands- if you make it next year I’ll pay your entry fee and you can stay with us :). Probably best to spend at least 3-4 days in Wellington beforehand as there are some really awesome trails/ MTB parks just minutes from the city. You’ll be too tired after the Karapoti to be bothered with riding.
). There is a shorter 20km race called the Karapoti Challenge. Lot’s of Aussies came over last year and kicked our asses.