Koops Cycles

A couple of months ago I was fortunate enough to be sponsored an Avanti Chrono Time Trial bike from Phill at Koops Cycles. Koops was where I got my first proper road bike back in 2006. An Avanti Corsa. Since then Koops have been extremely supportive of me and my family. When I found out I was getting a time trial bike from them I was very excited! Had never had a proper tt bike before, and then to make it even better it was red!! (Red bikes go fast).

Initially I was too scared to take it out riding, in case it got scratched or got dirt on it.. Then on the first ride it started raining half way through, and I managed to both scratch and dirty it. It is such a nice bike to ride, so fast and smooth. I find myself constantly looking down to admire its good looks whilst riding.

I also have my mechanic Richard Bates to thank for putting the bike together and maintaining my other bikes. I don’t know what I would do without Richard, the minute I have a problem its straight to Richards, where he spends the rest of the day problem solving till it’s fixed!!

The generosity of these kinds of people is overwhelming. Without them I would not be where I am today.

This is the beautiful machine. All pimped out with Richard's 808's.

To find out more about Koops cycles visit;

http://www.avantiplus.co.nz/tauranga

Garmin

Would like to say thank you so much to Innovations In Motion and Garmin for sponsoring me an awesome new Garmin 500.

This little computer has made my rides a lot more entertaining!! It has so many interesting features including;
Heart Rate Monitor
Cadence
Speed
Distance
% Gradient
Total Ascent/Descent
Elevation
Power (Wattage)
Lap Time
Temperature
And much more!

It’s got a nice big screen where you can view up to 8 data fields at one time, and then after your ride transfer it all onto the computer and review it. I have had absolutely no problems with this computer at all, absolutely love it!

For more information on the Garmin 500 or other Garmin computers follow the links bellow;

http://www.innovationsinmotion.co.nz/ or
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us

Auckland 1000

The Auckland 1000 is part of the National Point series and is around the Karaka circuit in Auckland, where the 2007 National Champs were held. The elite women had a 78km road race which was 3 laps of the rolling circuit. The race started off slowly, with every one gradually pulling through. The first time up the hill (a reasonable hill, half way around the circuit) I did a small attack with the aim of tiring any slow ones and hoping they would drop off. Paula McCoy and I got a little break which lasted a few km’s, we then got caught by a slightly smaller bunch and worked well together. Half way through the second lap I did another decent attack on the hill and this time Mesh Holt and Jeannie Kuhajek came with me, we worked hard together and got some good distance on the rest of the field.

Our little break away

On the same hill, but the last lap I did another attack, getting away by myself. I went as hard as I could over the climb and kept going, looking behind I noticed Mesh had droped Jeannie and was chasing me by herself. I felt pretty good but knowing the 3 times elite time trial champion was chasing me down was a little daunting. With about 1 km to go Mesh caught me, and then attacked, I managed to get on her wheel (just) and pass her at the line. Was very happy with the race, legs felt fresh and fast! Now they just need to stay like that for the rest of the year..!

At the finish line, my lovely/relieved facial expression.

Tour of Chongming Island

In early April I got selected to represent NZ at the Tour of Chongming Island and the World Cup. The team consisted of; Emma Peterson, Toni Bradshaw, Cath Cheatley, Meshy Holt and Rachel Mercer.

As soon as I crossed the finish line at nationals I jumped straight in the car and drove for about 5 hours to Auckland (From Hastings). Arriving at about 10pm, I packed my bike (well Dad packed my bike, I directed) and then got to sleep at about 11. Three hours later I was up and off to the airport.

The racing consisted of a three stage flat tour called ‘the Tour of Chongming Island’ and the UCI World Cup road race, which took place in Chongming Island - about an hours drive from Shanghai. This was my first proper overseas race with the elite women and I was both exited and nervous.

The first stage was called the “Shanghai Fusheng Cup” and was 72.5km long. We woke up to rain, cold and wind, which slightly lowered my excitement levels. The whole race I was concentrating on positioning near the front and keeping out of trouble, which was highly likely with the rain and narrow roads. There were many attacks with some people dropping off in the first km. At times the bunch would be strung out, single file and other times we would be cruising along all bunched up. The sprint started very early, just before the last corner 4 girls came off right in front of me and I managed to bunny hop over one of their back wheels, only just staying on my bike. The last km seemed very long as I tried to chase back up to the front part of the peleton, along with 40 others. Cath Cheatley was the best placed rider in 10th place with Emma and Rachel in 14th and 15th.

Finish of Stage 1, when it rains in Chongming, you get quit muddy.

The second stage was called the “Industrial Zone Cup” and was 80km long. The weather was a lot kinder to us with sun and warmth. Today I felt a lot more confident in the bunch; I started off near the front, feeling good. However when it got to the more narrow roads I spent a bit of time in the last half of the bunch, here I need to be more aggressive and push my way into gaps.. One thing I learnt is that cyclists are not polite when racing, you don’t let people in where you want to go (unless they are your team mate). Once again there were many attacks and surging but the bunch managed to stay relatively together (dropping a few). In the last 20 km I got to the front of the bunch thanks to Meshy Holt helping me out, she blocked the wind for me and sat in a position that no-body could push me around. She was basically teaching me how to hold my place and how important it is to stay at the front when coming close to the finish. On the last corner the speed went up dramatically, there was a big head wind to the finish and everyone took off, I went as hard as I could finishing about mid bunch. Cath was best placed Kiwi again finishing in 18th.

The third and last stage was called the “Chongming Xincheng Cup” which was again 80km long. This was a circuit race where we did laps of the city. The weather was again nice to us with some sun. It started off pretty fast, with lots of corners and attacks, luckily only one minor crash which the team managed to miss. Throughout the race I attempted a few attacks, one I got a small lead on the field with a few coming with me, but then no-body pulled through so the bunch caught us pretty fast, the other times also being unsuccessful. In the last 5km the pace was on, with the Cervelo team and HTC Columbia driving at the front (Ina Teutenberg from HTC Columbia and Kirsten Wild from Cervelo were almost on identical points so this was the deciding sprint to see which one would win the tour). I again finished in the bunch with Cath finishing 10th and Ina winning overall.

End of stage 3, last stage.

After the race we rode back to the Hotel and Cath managed to get hit by one of the crazy drivers. (I don’t know how the rest of us managed to stay on our bikes, the driving from China was insane). At the time she was by herself and ended up in the bush, luckily she was ok though, except for being knocked.

Just before start of World Cup, was freezing!! Getting some warm stuff rubbed on from Justin.

The next day was the UCI World Cup which was a 140km out and back race over this massive bridge. The majority of the race was pretty flat, until half way where we climbed just over 2 km on the bridge, then descended, turned at the bottom of the decent and went back up. The conditions were terrible, it was freezing, pouring down and windy. The whole race was extremely dodgy, I couldn’t see a thing through my glasses, they were covered in dirt, but I could not take them off because I would be able to see less. So I spent the whole race following outlines of people, I’m not too sure how I didn’t fall off. There were again many attacks and a few breakaways. Mesh got in a break away on the way back where she stayed away for a very long time, the bunch got caught with about 20km to go and from there the pace went on. At the finish Emma and Mesh got an awesome 8th and 9th place, with the rest of us finishing safely in the bunch.

Freezing cold after the race, sheltering infront of the van from the wind with about 20 layers on.

The next day we went for a trip to Shanghai, where we had a look around the shops and Rachel went up to the top of the tallest tower (it was a bit high for me). We then came back to the Hotel, packed our stuff and drove to the airport to come home.

Another amazing experience to add to my 2010 year, and a lot more learning completed.

Until next time

Courteney

Rotorua Tour

The next weekend was the Rotorua Tour, another fun weekend which included 2 road races, a Time Trial and a Criterium.

Stage 1
This stage included a 60km road race. It was a relatively fast paced race with a few attacks, none being successful though. Was pretty much a full peleton sprinting for the line, I got boxed in with 300m to go, then did a bit of cross country over the grass and managed to push to the front to take the win.

Stage 2
This stage was a 10km Time Trial which started at the top of a relatively hard hill (about 1km long). Was very hard, going full gas for 10km and then crossing the line having used every last bit of energy. I got the fastest time at 13 minutes 39 with Ashleigh Neave a close 6 seconds behind.

Stage 3
Stage 3 included a 20 minute plus 3 lap criterium. It started off hard, with attack after attack. I got a few points throughout the race and then somebody hit my wheel with one lap to go which knocked my derailier and I got stuck in my hardest gear for the rest of the lap. Then coming around the last corner I was too far back and finished 4th.

Stage 4
The final stage included 5 laps of a 15km, relatively hilly circuit. This was a pretty negative race with no body pulling through. A group of about 5 of us did most of the pacing and attempted many attacks which people chased, then sat on. So getting away was pretty hard. We dropped about one third of the bunch and then Georgia Williams did an amazing sprint finish to win the stage, with me getting third.

Overall I won the tour by a close 13 seconds with Georgia Williams 2nd and Ashleigh Neave 3rd. Another fun and hard weekend of racing.

Untill next time =)

Courteney

Te Awamutu Tour

The Te Awamutu Tour is the first tour I had ever completed back in 2006. It is a great few days of racing with the top junior riders from around the country. Usually I would be doing it with the hope of being selected for the junior team to race in Canberra and Adelaide, but because I’m not a junior anymore it was just a good blow out before nationals. It involved 2 road races and a time trial with an overall Queen of the mountain and Sprint Ace winner.

The first stage was a typical women’s race with everybody ‘saving’ their legs and sitting on. A few of us had a go at getting away but were not successful. I managed to take out all of the QOM’s (Queen of the mountain) and a few points in the Sprint Ace, and then just managed to outsprint Courtney Grenfell for the overall (was very close).

The second stage was a bit more exiting as it had a few longer hills out Wharepapa South ways. Haley Mercer did a solid attack on the first climb which broke the field up. I then counter attacked her and a group of 7 of us got away. For the next 2 laps the 6 of us (we dropped one) worked well together, gaining about 7 minutes on the next group of riders. I also managed to take out all of the QOM points and most of the Sprint Ace points throughout the race and then outsprinted the bunch at the finish, which gave me a 5 second overall lead.

Finish of stage 2.

The next day was the Time Trial which was a 15 km out and back course. I put all I had into it and finished 2nd to a very strong Kerri-Anne Torckler. This putting me in second place. Overall it was a fun few days of racing, coming away with the QOM and Sprint Ace jerseys and a 2nd overall.

Sisterly bonding right before the start of tt, probly telling

me how bad my glasses look and that I should give them to her..

While dad gives me a leg massage.

Till next time,

Courteney

Tour of NZ

About 2 weeks before Tour of New Zealand i got a call asking to join the National NZ team to replace Alison Shanks. I was given the chance to join the team for experience and to learn as much as i could. This was by far the biggest race i had ever attended and said yes without question. So a day after Bev May tour i was on the plane on the way to Wellington. The team consisted of; Jo Kiesanowski, Rushlee Buchanan, Linda Villumson, Cath Cheatley, Kaytee Boyd and myself.

There were about 100 other riders from all over the world competing. The first 10km i was scared as hell, i wasn't used to people riding so close nor the amount of surging in the bunch. Then after about 10km i felt relaxed and alot more confident. About 3 quarters through the race we hit a 2km VERY steep hill, the Americans went from the start and the whole field completely broke up, into almost single file. Over the top i got into a bunch of about 10 and we caught the leading bunch of about 14. Our bunch of 24 stayed away for the rest of the race, containing all 6 of the NZ team. However USA and the Ausies were too strong at the finish, but Jo finishing 4th.

The next 3 races consisted of 2 road races and a short time trial. The team went well for all of these with Linda Villumson and Rushlee Buchanan in the top 10 and everyone else in the top 21. Also Cath pulled out after the first stage due to major knee issues.

The fifth stage was by far the most exciting. The peleton shrunk to about 40 after the hills and various attacks on the flat. With about 20km to go Jo and Rushlee got in a break away of about 5, But unfortunately got caught in the last 500m, having no legs left they both finished in the bunch with Kaytee finishing 4th.

Coming into the last stage, the criterium, all the NZ team were in the top 21. With Linda 6th and Rushlee 10th. This was the hardest race i have ever been in. From the start the pressure was on, with the Americans driving the pace. I learnt that in a criterium like that it is very important to be at the front, where i was not. Over 3 quarters of the bunch got pulled out of the race, including myself. Therefore being a race between 20, including Jo and Linda. With Jo achieving 3rd place at the end.

Overall I learnt so much from these races and enjoyed every moment of it. The team was so inviting and taught me heaps!

I'm back!

Woah, so been a bit slack on the blog updates, slash i completely forgot.

Have had a busy first half of the year, the plan was to transition to open women and get used to riding in the higher grade, however plans have moved forward about a year. For the better though, heres whats been happening lately;

February

Bev May Women's Tour - On the 20th and 21st of February i competed in the Bev May cycling tour. This is one of my favourite tours that is put on to honour Bev May, an amazing lady who is hugely significant in womens cycling. Bev was my first proper coach who has given me knowledge that will last a lifetime, she has gotten me to where i am today and i will never be able to repay her for all she has done. This year was the 21st tour and unfortunately was only a couple of days before the tour of NZ, which impacted on the entrys substantially, however not affecting the enjoyment of the tour at all.

The tour comprised of a 21km rolling time trial, a 75km flat road race, a 80km hilly road race and finishing with a 30 min + 3 lap criterium. (Over 2 days).

The Timetrial was extremely hard, went as hard as i could and was completely stuffed by the end..as it should be! I finished 3rd to Sonia Wadell and Ashleigh Neave, who both had awesome times given the conditions.

Next up was the 75km road race, this was a rather negative race with only a small amount of the bunch doing any work. There were quit a few attacks but nothing managed to stay away. Sonia and I duelled it out for Queen of the mountain with Sonia getting me each time. I finished 3rd in the sprint finish, again to Sonia who was just too fast at the end for anyone.

Day two started off with the 80km rr, after numorous attacks a small bunch of us got away, I took out all of the QOM's and a couple of sprints throughout the race, then at the end did one better and got 2nd, once again Sonia having that strong kick at the end to win.

Finally was the Criterium, I felt really good from go and won all the sprints throughout the race. Then 2nd again at the end, to Sonia.

Overall finishing 3rd in A grade and 1st in Sprint Ace and Queen of the Mountains. With Sonia Wadell clearly too strong as she won every stage.

Ive decided to start a blogsite to keep everyone updated with recent cycling results and doings.

Abit about my cycling;

Ever since I was young I have had a huge interest in sport and competition, then at age 14 I was introduced to cycling, and became completely obsessed. Heres a quick summary of my 2009 results;

- 1st overall in the Te Awamutu Junior selection tour
- 2nd in the Queen of the mountains (elite women grade)
- 3rd overall in the Elite women
* 1st in the timetrial in the Rotorua tour – elite women grade
* Selected for the New Zealand junior under 19 team
* 4th overall in the Canberra Junior tour- under 19 grade
* 1st overall in the Adelaide tour – under 19 grade
- 2nd overall in the elite women grade
* 1st in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty half distance champs- elite women grade
* 1st in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty timetrial champs- under 19 grade
* 1st in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Road champs - elite womens grade
* 1st in the National time trial championships – under 19 grade
* 1st in the National road cycling championships – under 19 grade

This year will be a good learning curve for me as i step up into the elite women. My goal is to make that transition as seamlessly as I can, doing the hard training work and to learn as much as i can, as well as i can.

until next time

Courteney