Jane Bennett
new helmet equipped with their Magnetic Visor
Release System (MVRS) which meant just the
peak came off... and not my head. Having no peak
made getting past lappers pretty tricky, because
they’d look back and think Ronnie Mac was behind
them and wouldn’t let me past! I’d like to say
thanks to Mark Newton for picking up my peak,
and I it clipped straight back on with no damage.
The second gold split, which was to be the most
challenging, was up next. As it turned out, it
wasn’t a case of making it to the top in one go
but, instead, just making it to the chicken line.
I got a bit higher up than Tausten Gibbs to get
into second place, and straight on to chicken line.
Once at the top I set my sights on Jake Whitaker.
For the next two laps I was chasing Jake, but wasn’t
sure if I was catching him. At the end of the second
lap I pitted, just as Jake was leaving the quarry. It
took me two attempts to get up the tricky rock
step, but then I set out to catch him. I caught up
32 KIWI RIDER
in the last four kilometres before the pits, but go t
a piece of vine wrapped around my back wheel.
I had to stop to remove it but could only get half
of it out. Jake pitted at the end of this lap which
let me by and take the lead. So, on the next lap
I tried to build a bit of a gap, and then it was a
case of staying out of trouble for the remainder
of the race. After 4 hours and 45 minutes of riding
I was pretty pleased to see the checkered flag.
I thought Sean Clarke and his team of helpers
put on a great event. With plenty of new tracks
made for the race, from bulldozed track to single
trail there was something for everyone. It wasn’t
as extreme as his Husqvarna Hard Adventure
Enduro, but after more than four hours in the
saddle I was glad it wasn’t, as the track had
become pretty rough and a lot of roots came
up in the single track making it quite technical,
affording you no rest at all. This is totally a must
do race, and I can’t wait for the next one!