Pioneer Stage Five - find character
Any week-long stage race has a Queen stage - the day which is the longest, and typically the hardest. And Stage 5 of The Pioneer mountain bike stage race, with 112km and 3578m of climbing truly matched the definition of a Queen Stage.
Lake Ohau to Lake Hawea
Distance: 112km
Elevation: 3578m
The stunning shores of Lake Ohau were hidden this morning, as riders rustled and stirred earlier than usual as we all had a 7am start, not 8am. This wasn't just for fun, it was because today was the Queen Stage of the event, the day every rider would have to dig deep, find character, and get themselves through 112km and 3578m of climbing.
It was the kind of morning wheer people were solemn. Coffee was drunk, breakfast was battled through. Once this day is done, only 113km more need to be ridden.
On the trail
As a bunch of shivering lycra, we took to the Alps2Ocean trail again, as it climbed above our evening's campsite. A rough rocky base and gradients that aren't too steep meant that it wasn't a bad start to the day. We climbed for about 10km, then descended something similar. We had a panoramic view to our left the whole time. Not up the lake but instead arund the base of Ben Ohau, which we had conquered yesterday, as the low cloud was interspersed with crepuscular rays – clearly we were avoiding some light rain on our route.
The descent was fast, and lead into more farm trails with some cold creek crossings. The low downhill gradients once in the valley lead to speeds in excess of 50km/h, and the group started to split – but truly split once up the next climb.
The race leaders got away, and I ended up pretty comfortable with my team mate until I got a flat tyre.
We were in a long valley, and needed to head up it to what would almost be the midway point of the day, Mt Melina Saddle. The climb is brutally steep for a short time, punishing enough to make you question why such a trial would be built. But cresting the pass, the trail carves into the side of the hill, and you're surrounded by rocky, craggy peaks and tussock grass slopes. The trail would barely fit a small quad bike and I made sure I didn't look down, but I did look out for the washed away sections.
The thoughts of all riders remained on the final climb,, with a 1000m climb to 1442m. The climb starts on grass, moves to farm trail, and ends up rough and rocky, and exposed. Time seems to stand still. Your pockets and bottle seem to be empty, and the mountain side was an image of suffering.
The climb crests and the trail wraps around the peak, below rock outcrops that could easily hide a ring wraith. As we came back around the peak an expansive view to the blue waters of Lake Hawea opened up, with a huge valley below us – which we now had to negotiate.
Starting on fast 4WD trail, we turned hard right into walking trail, which was bench cut into the grass and rock, with a few stiles to get over. The corners were steep but perfect, even if they were littered with loose rock.
Lower down we got onto some more farm trails and then singletrack again, before a final run home to the campsite behind some pine tree wind breaks.
The front of the race
The Watson and Son Manuka Honey Team continue to impress, with another stage win (behind now solo rider Tim Rush). These guys are pure class, and beat the leading Masters combination of Tommy Misser and Ibon Zugasti.
Kate Fluker and Mark Williams tore it up again, winning Mixed and coming in the top 10 overall.
We dropped back as the toll of the previous days is stacking up, and plenty of wiley Kiwi riders are certainly putting time into us!
Tomorrow, we ride to Snow Farm. We go through the Dean's Bank singletrack of Wanaka, before pointing straight up hill for an hour or two, to spend the night camped next to a ski lodge. It should be suitably tough, and a stunning location.
