Wiki Factory Racing

They say you always learn something from every race, I certainly learnt a lot from this one! Rather than focus this on my training leading up to the event, how sickness stopped me from competing at the Mcleans 10hr, or even how my race went lap by lap, I'm going to focus on the lessons learnt, and the lessons reinforced. Results are available publicly but at the end of the day, having fun is more important than a result, and I did get a fun few hours on the bike! 1) It doesn't matter whether you're in a team or competing solo, ALWAYS carry a spare tube! It was unbelievable how many people were running at least half of the course due to a puncture. The slight weight saving from not carrying anything certainly isn't going to save you more time than you lose from a puncture. 2) You don't always need a support crew. I've always gone into events with the assumption that I needed a support crew to help give me bottles or food. This was my first long race with no

With less than 4 weeks to go until the start of the 10/12 hour race season, it seems perfect timing to reveal my new bike. 2018 Specialized S-Works Epic I'm super stoked to announce Chain Reaction Cycles have jumped on board to help support me and have given me the opportunity to be a Specialized ambassador. Based on my first ride, I'm incredibly motivated to get out there and achieve the results I know I'm capable of, the bike certainly won't be holding me back! After much deliberation on what bike to get (Rosey can attest to this), I decided to get the 2018 Specialized S-Works Epic frameset in a stunning charcoal tint. The paint job really shines in person thanks to a healthy amount of glitter through out #sparklewatts. While I have a focus of 10/12/24 hour events, I am off for a multiday stage race in Nepal in February and as such I wanted the bike to be built with quality, durable, reliable parts. We selected Shimano xt brakes matched to a xt/xtr drivetra

After my last event being the Tekapo 10 hour many months ago it was good to get out racing again! Well sort of... sort of on the good part and the race part... The South Canterbury Adventure Race has become a yearly event on my calendar and for good reason. Cheap entry, good food afterwards and quality company for 12 hours (give or take speed differences and navigation mishaps). This year was held on Bog Roy, Rostreiver and Otamatapaio stations near Otematata. I had been down there 2 weeks previously with RATS getting an alternative version of pre-race scouting which you can see here: https://clients.shanebriggs.photography/rats-nzrt1/  Overall I was looking forward to getting out again and getting a good training day in the legs with Rosey, especially after a great few hours riding on the Tekapo 10 hour course the day before (I can highly recommend this loop even if you aren't racing).  Then morning hit.  A thin layer of snow on top of mud to start the day N

One year ago I was in hospital and was honestly starting to believe that I would never race again. I can't describe how much it means to me to be able to line up again and have zero doubts on whether my heart would play up again. I've been fortunate enough to have so much support over the years and I'm finally in a position where, with some time and focused training, I will finally be able to perform to the best of my abilities. My plan was simple. Start fast, get some breathing room, then settle into my desired power zones for the rest of the race. What I didn't expect was an 8 hour battle, pushing well above my desired levels (both perceived and based on recent lactate testing) before finally consolidating 2nd place in the last two hours. Add to that the consistent rain, cold temperatures and constantly evolving trail conditions, and you get the idea that it was a brutal race from start to finish. I was hurting from the 4 hour mark. My legs were flat and a s

The time had finally come for me to do a major race again after the drama of Coast to Coast 2016 and the following heart surgery. The last time I competed in this event was roughly 2009 so I was looking forward to going back for a 35km hit out before Tekapo 10 in a couple of weeks. The one thing I could remember from this race was a fast road start and this year didn't disappoint. The fast start was made even more interesting when no one was expecting the hooter, including the marshal standing in front of us! I managed to get myself positioned well in the front group and waited for the rapidly approaching climb to see what the next move would be. As the climb really started to kick up in gradient I soon found myself slipping off the back as I wasn't willing to put in the power that the others were. I pushed hard in the following descent to try and pull back lost time but a very sketchy moment where I'm amazed I didn't break my rim or myself blew my confidence to att