January 30, 2012

The weather was a blessing and a curse for competitors and organisers in the Lake Hood River Trail Challenge yesterday.

The 300 mountainbikers and runners who took part relished the overcast conditions and sheltered track by the Ashburton River, but puffer jackets and leggings were compulsory after the event as a southerly wind and cool temperatures set in.
Steve Smith, who biked in from Hakatere to take part in the 40km mountainbike category, said he had had a blast, despite falling off a couple of times.
"This year the track was much better. It was more technical and way more of a challenge."
The veteran mountainbiker and mountain runner divides his time between Dunedin, where he was part of the dental faculty at Otago University, and Hakatere.
He has been on his bike in recent months nursing an Achilles injury and said pounding the pedals was a great way to maintain his aerobic fitness.
Nicky Edkins was looking cold after her 24km recreational ride.
She entered on the back of a basic training programme that involved biking 5.5km to work and back.
The river crossing was tricky for her, with the water reaching to the top of her thighs.
But she said she had enjoyed her first mountain biking event, and would be back next year.
One of the event organisers, Kelvin Holmes, said entries were on a par with last year, with lots of local faces.
Some were preparing for next month's Coast to Coast, while others were winding down from half-ironmen events or just out for a few laughs.
"The river was good and the track was in top condition."
Members of the Mid Canterbury Mountainbiking Club helped prepare the course, which was marshalled on the day by Ashburton Lions Club members.
Mr Holmes said Lake Hood remained an ideal venue for the event, which incorporated a 40km ride, a 24km ride, 30km duathlon, 21km off-road run and junior duathlon.
He hoped the event would grow as word spread about the course.
While most of the athletes were simply content to finish and enjoy a supplied meal afterwards, there were those in it to win.
The fastest 24km rider was Bailey McCleary, who cut out the distance in 52 minutes 29 seconds, while the fastest 40km rider was Blair Jason in 1:22.37.
The spot prize highlight of the day, a Giant mountainbike, was won by Michael Fletcher.

Pictured: Oooooh that's cold . . . Shona McGrath-Proctor catches her breath as she hits the cold water of the Ashburton River during the Lake Hood River Trail Challenge yesterday. She won the veteran women's duathlon event.

Photo Kirsty Graham