Le Race 2012

One of the benefits of Le Race is the start is less than a kilometre away from my house. So an early start for Le Race this year with an 8 o’clock kickoff isn’t too bad. There was a bit of a rain shower at 6:50 in the morning which lead me to think that it was going to be the same as last year, wet and miserable. So I  wondered what clothing to wear. However the weather picked up and it was a cool and slightly foggy morning. The tops of the Port Hills were clear of cloud which was a good sign.

I set off from the back of the field and was two minutes down from the start of the race. I climbed steadily past a procession of cyclists up Dyers Pass Road and lost a few places descending carefully down the bastard. My desire to be in one piece at the bottom of it was utmost. We then formed up a large bunch and picked up speed heading out on the flat in  foggy and still conditions.

On passing another large bunch, a rider ahead failed to hold their line and swung wildly into my line and clipped my wheel taking me and several other riders down. When I got up my left brake and shifter unit was at a funny angle, I had scraps and road rash everywhere and no skin on a very sore knee. I jumped back on the bike and carried on. We were soon caught by another bunch and sat in with them for a while before dropping them and climbing up to Hilltop.

From Hilltop, it was a procession on constant climbing and short descents. Expecting to hit the last climb, I was disappointed as there was always another climb to follow. Finally I hit the last descent and with my brakes not that easy to grip I took it easy on the seven kilometre ride down into Akaroa. After getting a beer, I got myself patched up by the St John’s Ambulance crew and was pleased with my 3 hour 29 minute time which was 16 minutes quicker than in 2011. We had rented a house in Akaroa with friends for the weekend so spent the rest of the weekend with them having a relaxing time.