Contact Epic, Lake Hawea

Well after giving the Contact Epic a crack last year and swearing I would not do it again I found myself entering for it anyway!
The epic is a 125km race and the pristine Lake Hawea. I set off from town on the Thursday night with travelling partner Brent Miller. This proved to be a wise move as it gave us all day Friday to relax and go for a choice ride along the tracks to Glendhu Bay.

The race morning came far too quickly with a 5am wake up! The race begun with a pretty solid pace with all the previous winners setting the pace up front. I decided to stay well away from this and hung mid bunch as I had plenty of time to be up the front.
As we hit the first gravel section I shot near the front to stay out of trouble. We hit the first climb where Tim Wilding and Dougal Allan both set a solid pace which strung the field out substantially! I hit the top of the climb and managed to make contact with the leading 2 and Tom Bradshaw. I decided to do all I can an hold onto their wheels as its easier to be up the front than try chase the fastest guys on corse!
I begun to get dropped near the halfway point as they continued a frantic pace and it was then I decided to give up holding onto them. I put my head down and kept at it to make sure I was not going to get caught! Was not going to get 4th again! With what seemed never ending climbing the rest of the way along the lake it took its toll. At about the 80k mark I found myself struggling just a touch, so I kept going at it hoping to hit my 2nd wind and finish strong!
Things got a little nervous at about 90km when I saw behind me someone gaining quickly! This turned out to be Brent. Wasn't long after this I felt my rear tyre getting softer and softer, was not what I was wanting to happen. Thinking I was about to get caught I threw some more air into the tyre and put my head down and went full gas from there on!
I got to the tarseal with 5km to go and looked behind to find a good gap, so I was able to keep charging to the finish without thinking about sprinting anyone else thank god!

I came through the finish in 3rd place in a time of 4hours 49min, behind the winner Dougal Allan and Tim Wilding. Having got on the podium in my last race of the season and being 30min quicker than last year was just an awesome feeling at the finish.

Overall the season went pretty well with most races seeing me on the podium but still have plenty I want to imporve on. So watch this space!

All of this would be very hard to do without all the help from my sponsors and supporters,
Matt from Cycleways
Thule Roof Racks
Trek Bikes NZ
My parents with all their help with everything
Anthony Chapman from Physiofitter.co.nz for getting me going and his guidance