The second day of this tour is a fantastic ride through the kauri bush. There are some big kauri trees not that we get the chance to see them!
The tactic for me today was to simply try and stay with the first bunch - and little else. Matt G attacked right from the gun! ON the start line he said that he was not really interested in riding. I guess attacking is one way of making things interesting!
I did go through to the front a couple of times but nothing to serious... certainly not really chasing.
The first serious climb is at about the 30km mark. I got myself on the front and managed to stay close. It was hard but before the top there was a gap but got back on.
There was a little break that was chased down. I also lost a bottle going over a bridge at speed.
On the descent into the start of the forest I found myself on the back caught behind some really slow riders this meant that I had to chase at the start of the forest climb - not ideal! Got back on and went straight to the front and took a few solid turns. Nothing too serious but wanted to make sure that I did not get dropped. A couple of times I suffered because of the pace...
Made it to the top with the group! Very pleased... down the other side was better being close to the front. Did get passed by a few but overall was able to easily stay in contact. Towards the bottom where the roads straighten out we hit 80Km/h!
Lapped it out with everyone and I think we caught someone that was away. Over the second to last climb I had to dig really deep. Then the last climb - a short 800m at over 10% gradient - I completely bonked just could not maintain the effort required... Unlike Matt G who flew up it and no one could hold his wheel! Great stuff to watch from the back...
Once off the hill I did manage to hold off the bunch behind for a 16th place... not fantastic but I'm still here :)
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