“Mum, can you please pedal with one foot?”. That was the request Ada Sweeny had to her mum Jennifer when their tandem bike lost a pedal when riding in the Slicks and Stones Gravel Assault held in Apiti on Saturday 1st April. Ada definitely wanted to keep going!
Now in its third year (one was missed through Covid), the Slicks and Stones this year for the first time, started and finished in Apiti with a greater emphasis on gravel roads than previously. There were two categories - the Full Gravel Assault of 120kms (elevation 1,882m) which saw 58 intrepid gravel racers face the start and the Half Gravel Assault, 60kms (elevation 1,062m) attracted 23 participants.
Participants came from all over the North Island from places such as Napier, New Plymouth, Taupo, Hamilton, Rotorua, Auckland and a large contingent from Wellington to tackle the challenging terrain. The weather was perfect, with clear skies and mild temperatures creating ideal riding conditions. Riders pushed themselves to their limits as they navigated the rugged gravel tracks and steep hills of the course, and despite the challenging conditions, everyone had a great time.
As local rider, Jessica Coxon commented, “I did the 60kms and the hills were a little bit challenging towards the end, but I really enjoyed riding on a fair amount of gravel roads”. Ian Paintin, from Wellington, echoed Jess’s comments saying, “What wonderful scenery. Undulating roads with views of the Ruahines when one had the opportunity to look, although sometimes descending at around 60kms per hour, I found it best to concentrate on the road”.
The Greasy Chain Charitable Trust, organisers of the event, describe it as, “For the hard-core sport and weekend cyclist keen on riding a bit of gravel”, and it certainly attracted those types in the “Full 120km”. Talented local, Adam Francis, a former junior national mountain bike champion, clocked fastest time for the 120kms completing the event in just over four hours. Adam was very closely followed home by Corban Nicol of Taupo, who has just returned from a season of cyclo-cross in Belgium. Seven minutes further back were the talented group of David Goodal, Ben Cannon and Rogan Pike and the fastest lady, was Aileen Campbell of Havelock North in 4:57:58, followed by Rhonda Gardner just four minutes back and Larri Wallbridge in third.
In the “Half” (60kms), there were 23 intrepid starters with Palmerston North rider Jessica Coxon being the first lady home in 2:15:56, followed by Karen Blair of Feilding and Nicky Morse of Hamilton third. In the men’s “Half”, local Feilding rider Damien Lardner was first home in 1:54:11 with fellow Feilding rider Paddy Daly only a few seconds back, then Grant Webb of Palmy. Seems local knowledge may have played a part over the 60kms.
However, as well as those “hard-core” types, there were plenty of participants who just wanted to test themselves in a new type of cycling. Amongst these were Ada and her Mum, Jennifer on their tandem. Now, this may be a little hard to believe, but Ada is just eight years old! In the 60km event, Jennifer and Ada were doing quite well for the first 30kms until they lost a pedal. Apart from pushing her Mum to keep going, Ada was so disappointed about not finishing that the two of them are going to do the loop again as soon as their bike is fixed. As eight-year old Ada commented, “I really wanted to finish and be proud to say that I did it”. And to prove her point, her Mum tells me that Ada rode 50kms the following day on her road bike, just to keep in shape.
Johan Oelofse, Event Director, was ecstatic with the turnout and the positive feedback from participants, “It was a great day, and the Greasy Chain Trust would like to thank all the participants, our volunteer supporters, sponsors, and particularly the people of Apiti who made us feel so welcome.
Results can be seen here for the Full Assault, and here for the Half.
Commonwealth Games mountain bike medallist, Ben Oliver was at home in the conditions to claim the UCI Gravel & Tar race in the Manawatu today.
The only UCI sanctioned one-day road race in New Zealand, the Gravel & Tar event returned after a Covid-enforced break, with a demanding 133km race comprising tarseal and gravel roads with significant climbs in and around Ashurst, near Palmerston North.
Oliver, who finished one spot outside the podium at the recent New Zealand Cycle Classic for his MitoQ - NZ Cycling Project team, but was thrilled to grab the victory today.
The North Canterbury rider went away in a group of eight that included a number of riders from the powerful Bolton Equities Black Spoke team, with their leading rider James Fouche and Oliver pushing clear on the major gravel climb.
“I was making sure there were no surprise moves from Black Spoke that I couldn’t cover myself or one of my teammates helping out. I always knew they would have numbers up there,” said Oliver.
“I rode the gravel well and got to the big gravel climb where it was me with Fouche up that climb together but he got a flat.
“I was actually a bit gutted because it meant 40km riding into the wind by myself to hold off the three chasing Black Spoke boys. So I was pretty stoked to get to the finish in the end.”
Oliver clocked 3:21:17 to win by 3:16 to Fouche and his teammate Paul Wright at 3:31.
“I was not going to trust any time gaps today and I didn’t know what a good gap is on a road bike in this type of race, so I just kept my head down and drilled it the whole way. I didn’t look behind – just worried about myself.”
Oliver will now turn his attentions to Monday’s National Criterium Championships around a road course inside Massey University in Palmerston North.
Oliver has finished third and second in the criterium nationals in Christchurch and would like to complete the treble with a win on Monday.
“My good form has surprised me because I haven’t done much since the Tour of Southland. I had a boot camp in Akaroa to kick off the year and obviously a good week at Cycle Classic to get some good racing in the legs. I’ve had an easy week and today the legs came around which was great.
“I’m looking forward to the Crit Champs on Monday around the University. It looks like it could be an exciting course with speed bumps and a little hill which might make it bit tougher.
“I am chasing one more medal for the set and the jersey at the criterium championships – we will see how the cards are dealt out.”
Oliver’s only regret was missing the national mountain bike cup round in Christchurch today, but was heartened to learn his brother Craig took out the cross-country victory.