Ruapehu Loco turns 50

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 290, 13 June 1989, Page 1 (Supplement)

Ruapehu Loco turns 50

First Mt bike race in Ohakune

Pained expressions, bashes and bruises, carrying bikes for a kilometre and mud from head to foot were part of a recent race of a new kind held in the Ruapehu area on Queen's Birthday Weekend.

Ohakune Junction was the starting point for about 40 mountain bike riders - cyclists on pedal powered machines with 18 gears, fat tyres, high technology materials, ultra light weight and great brakes. Their first objective was to complete the 35 kilometre course which followed the Railway line from the Junction to the Hapuawhenua Viaduct, through the old Hapuawhenua railway tunnel and along a park track back to the railway line (carrying their bikes), back along the track to the Junction taking in various detours to add steep sections, more mud and extra difficulty. This they lapped two and a half times, with the second objective being to finish as fast as possible. The event, which is run and sponsored by the New Sensations Supply Company (the bungy jumpers), saw most riders finish with the first one home being Aaron Dalton in 1 hour 30 minutes, six minutes ahead of the second place rider Craig Evans. Aaron Dalton is sponsored by New Sensations, a factor which when added to the success of this first event made NS manager Chris Allum doubly happy. He said Aaron would have had a small advantage knowing the area, but not enough to expect such a lead at the finish. Apart from the five riders who did not finish the last rider home took 2 hours 50 min-

utes - quite a spread in times. Many riders expressed the view that the race was one of the toughest, and therefore one of the best, so Chris Allum says he is not planning to change much at all for next year's event, though he expects more entries. Some riders complained of the cars that were driving along the race track to the viaduct, but Chris says there were 25 marshals placed to tell motorists to drive slowly and give way to riders. (This writer wasn't stopped once, though noticed drivers did take care). Also, Chris said the aim in setting the course is to put obstacles in the way of riders to make the race as difficult as possible. Originally the course was advertised to run up the Ohakune Mountain Road but organisers decided against this for two reasons - one being that mountain bikes are not designed for tar seal and the other reason being that Turoa's plans to open the skifield would have meant dangerous traffic problems for riders. Added to the $1000 in prize money up for grabs was another $2500 worth of prizes supplied by the other race sponsors Swatch Watches, Ohakune's Sunbeam Lodge, Hot Lava nightclub, La Pizzeria, Nobby's cafe, and Bungy International Limited. Results were: 1, Aaron Dalton, 1:30; 2 Nigel Dixon, 1:36; 3 Craig Evans.