We've just been chatting with our wonderful friend and super talented endurance athlete Ronel about her fundraising efforts and her preparation for the World 24H Champs, Fort William in the Nevis Range, this October 20/21 2018. If you are partial to the awesomeness of raffles, competitive quizzing and auctioning then come along this Tuesday evening!
When and where is your quiz night?
7pm, this Tuesday 31 July at the Kensington tavern. There are teams of 6 with tickets on sale at the door. In addition there is a splendid swag of goodies ranging from sweet bike kit, wine, dinner vouchers and other loveliness to be auctioned that have been donated from local businesses around Dunedin, Central Otago and Niner Bicycles.
How has training been going this season?
Training is going good. Winning Naseby 12 Hour Solo and the Centurion (Contact Epic 100 mile race) back to back Saturdays shows that the fitness is there. I still have a few months training before the race to improve on long distance speed and make sure the endurance is good.
What is your favourite training ride?
My favourite is Nichols Creek track for a short sharp ride. For the longer rides I love the Mountain Track loop. Over Mt Cargill then head to Karitane. You turn off onto Church road and head towards the Silver Peaks and come out at Waitati. Then head back to Dunedin over the Waitati Valley road. Berwick Forrest, Big Stone Road and Whare Flat/Swampy Summit are pretty cool rides as well.
What is your favourite thing about travelling overseas to race?
A new place to ride and meeting lots of like minded people. It's great to explore on a bike, you see so much more. Winning a race in another country was pretty special!
Racing a 24 hour is not the easiest day on the bike. In Italy I rode 268km and did 8098m of climbing. I prefer to have lots of single track, it is interesting and keeps the mind busy so you never get bored. I try to stop as little as possible and keep the stops as short as possible. I'm pretty good at eating on the bike and can shovel a meal down pretty fast if I have to.
I've been lucky to have had great support crews at both the world champs, they help a lot and it would not be possible to win if they weren't so good. My cousin is helping out again this year.
If you are unable to make it to the Kensington then you can bid via email or phone for the auction. They can email me their limit and someone can bid for them whereisronel@gmail.com The Flat Top RDO 780mm Handlebar from Niner Bikes NZ Shimano SLX brake set from Shimano-MTB 2 adults on the TSS Earnslaw donated by Real Journeys