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Mike has already posted the plot of the race, but what I was looking for before I did the Huka was a write up on what to expect. So here is mine.

Before we get into this

I have no aspirations of being an XC racer. For me this was a chance to do a big long trail ride and to test myself. My trusty steed is most definately a trail/all mountain bike. An 09 Giant Reign, with 6" travel front and rear, big wide bars and fat 2.4 tyres, is no racing machine.

The Start

So don't make the mistake Mike and I made and get to the start 5 mins before the off. The start box was already packed and we were left standing right at the back of the pack. After the gun went off I spotted an open gate half way up so we high tailed it up there and managed to get in. But we were already near the back of the pack. This is a problem as the course goes straight up a hill on the footpath (max 4 riders wide) and then into single track.

Mike skirted round the side and managed to get up ahead, but I was boxed in and pretty much had to spin. It was like riding in a roadie bunch. This was not so bad on the easy stuff, but once we got into the single track on the way to the Wairakei bike park the problems started. Every small climb, or worse climbing switch back, saw people slowing right down and even worse, stopping. This meant the people behind them often fell off and I was involved in a number of these domino effects. There was just no where to go.

Into the park

Things got better once we were into the park. The grade 2 trails between SH1 and carpark are nice and wide so there were chances to pass and the field started to spread out. It must have been dry in Taupo for quite some time as the trails were sandy and there were clouds of dust behind each rider.

The Tank Stand climb after the car park also spread the field some. But at the top of this climb we were out onto the brand new Deb's Track. This was in a recently felled area of the park (last few months or so). The track seemed to have been finished just before the event. It was pretty soft and rough, but potentially barrels of fun. However being the first downhill and perhaps to some people's liking, the field closed up again and we were back to single file. It was the 4x4 trail after this track that really helped spread the field out. It was steep and long so the field spread again.

After this it was the first time into the Grinder. This is supposedly a G4 track. Sure it is a little steep, but not technically hard at all. It had me once again wondering about the track rating system. Ridgeline at Makara is supposedly a G4 track, and that seems about right to me. I reckon a number of these G4 tracks in some other parks much easier than it. Anyway that is another rant. But I was counting my lucky stars that somewhere in a Giant warehouse someone messed up and upgraded my bike to a Talas fork. Winding down to 110mm on the front made the climb a lot easier. Sure it could be done at 150mm (6"), but it would have been hard work.

Outback we go

Down Mr and Mrs, Better than P, cross the road and out on to Outback and beyond. I guess we were about 20 or so k's in now and people were starting to stop to take a break here and there. Outback meanders around and after a small bit of road we were at the bottom of Retro. Now this is a pretty crazy track. Switch backs straight up a hill, but not IMBA style with a nice wide turn with the apex being fairly flat. Nope you have an up slope into the turn, then a couple of turns on the crank straight up the hill on the apex. I got 2/3rds of the way up this, but the Reign is not the best climbing machine and halfway through one corner I lost my balance and walked the rest of the way. The reward at the top was a fun DH run down Luge. Finally some bermed corners. At least the XC riders could hear me coming and would get out of the way. The dropper post, wide bars and 6" travel finally came into their own.

Looping Around

Most of the next section was a bit of a blur, but soon enough I was climbing the GE Grinder again, but this time it was down Buzzard. This is probably the best track at this park. My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that I wish there had been a little bit of rain as it was super dusty and the dust was playing havoc with my contacts. From here it was another climb and then down back to the car park. Loving the Lazyboy styles of the Reign about now. I was "steaming the gnar", just sitting back and letting the bike do all the work. The trails to this point had not been too technically hard.

Kergarsse - Half the track

Back down the track, some 4x4 and then into May's Maze. Looping around till I was almost dizzy. At the 50k mark we pop out at Kergarsse. This new track has just been finished by some nutters who work for Contact at the Energy plant and clearly they are not quite all there. Apparently the name means "half the track", and it is apt. The track was soft, windy, narrow and all over the shop, it is most definately an advanced track. There were some sections that had already been trashed by the time I got there. There were a number of other riders throwing manties and losing their rag. Plenty of swearing going on at this stage of proceedings. To be honest, I would have prefered not to be hitting this track after 50k's of riding. It certainly was tough, but hey this is mtb racing. Like everyone else I was relived to get out of it. That was certianly the last of the technical stuff. A blast out of the park, back through the tunnel and a quick break at the water stop. After asking directions (it wasn't super clear where to go next) it was back into single track.

Totara Gully

Except this time, rather than being bermed, park style track, it was a DOC walking track through native forest. The 750mm wide bars were a bit of handful to get past some narrow spots and there was at least 1 bridge I had to walk the bike. There was no way I was getting the bars in between the handrails. The forest was beautiful, and that put me in a good mood. A bonus is the geothermal stream that we had to cross several times.

The Long Haul

From the Totara track, it was a long haul on easy tracks and 4x4 road to the Aratiatia Dam. Cranking along in the big chain ring most of the way. This section was pretty boring and seemed to go on forever. After a mandatory walk the bike section over the dam, back on to walking track and heading back to Taupo. Once again another long, flatish section that seemed to take forever. The only interesting thing being the burnt out ute part the way down the track that had to be avoided. It was in this section that I started to really get tired. I could keep spinning, but the legs no longer had the will to dig it in. I guess this is about the 65k mark. Only saw another 2 riders from the dam to the Huka falls forced walk. I had no idea where I was in the field. I was guessing I was right at the back by now.

Rotary Ride and Spa Park

Bike Taupo and the Rotary Club have done a massive job with this track. Building it must have been a real nightmare. Soft, pumice soil and not alot of good rock to help with the benching. At some points the track seems to sidle along a cliff. But it rides well so top effort.

Popping out on to the Day Night Extension, and finally some trail I recognised. Not far to go now and the legs realise this so time to dig it in. Out of Spa Park and into the town belt. Thankfully it is pretty much downhill. Oddly enough it seems to go through back yards and construction sites.

Over the bridge and to the finish

Rather than having to wait for traffic to do a right hand turn to the finish like last year, this year the organisors had built a temporary bridge over SH1 just up from the control gates. A quick blast round the harbour on the road and then we join up with the roadies. Merging with the roadies, I couldn't resist a last blast and over took a few on the way to the finish. 6hrs 35mins for me. Not fast, but bang on what I had hoped for. To be honest I would have been happy with anything under 7 hours.

So the big question, will I do it next year?

Hmm I don't know. It was really tough, and it felt bloody good to finish. Now I have a benchmark and I'd really like to get closer to 6 hours. I'll need to consider what type of training I do. Here in Welly it is more big climbs and then long downhills. The Huka course is more undulating, with some short sharp climbs mixed in with some more gradual ones. The section between the car park and SH1 has no big climbs, but lots of little narrow valleys with sharp descents and climbs.

But, if I had to choose between another Chch mission with Zane and the Huka, I'd be be hunting out cheap plane tickets to the garden city in a flash. If I can do both next year, then perhaps, I'll be up for it again. Although maybe the Solo Combo is a slightly saner idea (21km mtb, 156km road). Regardless I have another 10 or so months to decide.

Quick Cheat Sheet

What kind of bike?

A 4" travel dual sus XC bike would be ideal. No problem to do it on a hardtail, you would want to be pretty fit as there wouldn't be as much relaxing on the downhills. My 6" trail bike was fine, just not ideal.

How technically hard is it?

If you can do the grand loop at Makara, including Ridgeline you will be fine. If this loop gives you the willies, consider a Tarmac option.

How physically hard is it?

Tough. If you are a weekend warrior like me, you need to be prepared to cycle all day. The average time is 6 hours. Unlike other events like the Karapoti, this is a more undulating course which means more pedaling. There are no massive climbs like the Karapoti, but also no long sustained downhill. Lots of little ups and down and plenty of flat.

How mentally hard is it?

63k's of single track - some of it twisty and with little flow. You need to be able to concentrate otherwise you will spend a lot of time on your arse.

What kind of training?

Single track, and lots of it. Whilst getting up to speed with some base level fitness on the road bike could be useful, I think you want to train as you intend to ride. So lots of long single track rides. Mike and I did one ride along Skyline, around Makara, the fencline and round Mt Vic. I did a bunch of rides similar to this riding from my place in Miramar to and around Makara. Only thing I would change next time is to do more of them earlier.

Any other suggestions?

These are nice to haves, but were useful to me

• Eat - even if you don't feel like it make sure you have something to eat regularly throughout the event. This was the best piece of advice I got.
• Dropper Post - made technical descents that much easier by not having to worry about hooking up
• Tubless Tyres - there are no spikey bushes etc, but I saw plenty of people with pinch flats. Who needs that hassle when you are tired.
• Spa pool - at the bach you are staying at afterwards.