Guts, Grit, and Gutter Tactics: Dodging Rain and Rivals at the Leeston Handicap Christchurch, Canterbury ⛅

{"raceId":10719606794,"athleteId":2188545,"name":"Guts, Grit, and Gutter Tactics: Dodging Rain and Rivals at the Leeston Handicap Christchurch, Canterbury ⛅","description":"🥇 Xert Gold Breakthrough! \n\nToday’s ride was a testament to the tenacity of the 40 of us who dared to line up, undeterred by the allure of the coast-to-coast adventure and the prestigious New Zealand Elite National Road Race pulling the crowd down to Timaru. With the weather gods eventually smiling upon us, we embarked on our journey to Leeston , hearts light and legs ready for the day’s escapade.\n\nRolling out at a leisurely pace, camaraderie was the day’s first winner, setting the stage for what was to unfold as an absolute stunner of a race. Our group of six, marked by ambition and a touch of audacity, set a blistering pace line, slicing through the wind with the finesse of a well-oiled machine. But as fate would have it, scratch caught us just before the final leg, setting the stage for a showdown with the tailwind as our ally.\n\nThe scratch riders, with tactics as sharp as their sprints, tried to put us in the gutter, but we held our ground, turning corners and expectations with equal aplomb. The final stretch was a whirlwind of strategy and speed, where choosing the right wheel was as crucial as the sprint itself. I launched into the sprint, perhaps a tad prematurely, and felt the rush of the pack closing in. Yet, in a thrilling finish, I secured the 10th spot, edging out my nemesis Steve Caldwell by half a wheel. Scoreboard update: 9 to 5, in my favor.\n\nThe ride home was a mix of triumph and tribulation, as a careless car collided with my mate Trev, casting a shadow over our victorious return. Thankfully, he stood, albeit shaken, likely adorned with tomorrow’s bruises and grazes. As if on cue, the heavens unleashed a torrential downpour, a fitting, if dramatic, end to our day.\n\nHere’s to hoping for Trev’s swift recovery and return to the fray. Today was more than a race; it was a saga of perseverance, camaraderie, and the indomitable spirit of cyclists who ride not just to win, but to live the adventure.\n\nKey moments:\n\n\t•\tSmooth sailing to Easton with the squad, setting the stage for the day’s race.\n\t•\tExecuting a perfect pace line with my group until being caught by scratch.\n\t•\tA strategic and fast-paced final leg, with the importance of choosing the right wheel.\n\t•\tA slightly premature sprint but managing a commendable 10th place and a sweet victory over Steve Caldwell.\n\t•\tThe ride home marred by Trev’s accident, followed by an unexpected downpour, adding drama to an already eventful day.\n\nWeather Report: Broken clouds, 21°C, and the wind was blowing 20km/h from S\n\n📈 aiendurance.com summary:\nExternal stress score: 177","primaryImageUrl":"https://dgtzuqphqg23d.cloudfront.net/4nLQm-WA7qTgV0rTrmfkDWFEbpR1vtpbnweN-ZvWM3E-768x768.jpg","distance":117434.0,"elapsedTime":17261,"totalElevationGain":56.0,"type":"Ride","sportType":"Ride","workoutType":11,"startDate":"Feb 8, 2024, 3:14:24 AM","startLatitude":-43.5438,"startLongitude":172.661,"endLatitude":-43.544,"endLongitude":172.661,"averageHeartRate":132.5,"achievementCount":4,"firstHalfSeconds":8758,"secondHalfSeconds":8503,"polyline":[{"latitude":-43.54312,"longitude":172.65650000000002},{"latitude":-43.5429,"longitude":172.65566},{"latitude":-43.54298,"longitude":172.65545},{"latitude":-43.546730000000004,"longitude":172.65367},{"latitude":-43.54822,"longitude":172.65304},{"latitude":-43.54854,"longitude":172.65307},{"latitude":-43.549150000000004,"longitude":172.65258},{"latitude":-43.553050000000006,"longitude":172.65082},{"latitude":-43.554390000000005,"longitude":172.64891},{"latitude":-43.555060000000005,"longitude":172.64821},{"latitude":-43.55698,"longitude":172.64733},{"latitude":-43.557880000000004,"longitude":172.64725},{"latitude":-43.557970000000005,"longitude":172.64381},{"latitude":-43.558110000000006,"longitude":172.64360000000002},{"latitude":-43.56311,"longitude":172.64373},{"latitude":-43.563340000000004,"longitude":172.64280000000002},{"latitude":-43.56504,"longitude":172.64274},{"latitude":-43.565200000000004,"longitude":172.63719},{"latitude":-43.565810000000006,"longitude":172.63679000000002},{"latitude":-43.567550000000004,"longitude":172.63488},{"latitude":-43.567260000000005,"longitude":172.63369},{"latitude":-43.566300000000005,"longitude":172.63236},{"latitude":-43.56624,"longitude":172.63183},{"latitude":-43.56757,"longitude":172.62969},{"latitude":-43.56757,"longitude":172.62839000000002},{"latitude":-43.567780000000006,"longitude":172.62735},{"latitude":-43.568200000000004,"longitude":172.62588000000002},{"latitude":-43.56911,"longitude":172.62375},{"latitude":-43.569610000000004,"longitude":172.62104000000002},{"latitude":-43.57011000000001,"longitude":172.61998000000003},{"latitude":-43.57106,"longitude":172.61887000000002},{"latitude":-43.571870000000004,"longitude":172.6183},{"latitude":-43.57341,"longitude":172.61769},{"latitude":-43.57387000000001,"longitude":172.61707},{"latitude":-43.57551,"longitude":172.60138},{"latitude":-43.575680000000006,"longitude":172.60073000000003},{"latitude":-43.576510000000006,"longitude":172.59955000000002},{"latitude":-43.57811,"longitude":172.59904},{"latitude":-43.580130000000004,"longitude":172.59609},{"latitude":-43.58084,"longitude":172.59559000000002},{"latitude":-43.582260000000005,"longitude":172.59560000000002},{"latitude":-43.583220000000004,"longitude":172.59644},{"latitude":-43.58397,"longitude":172.59672},{"latitude":-43.58476,"longitude":172.59739000000002},{"latitude":-43.58556,"longitude":172.59766000000002},{"latitude":-43.586130000000004,"longitude":172.59832},{"latitude":-43.58632,"longitude":172.59827},{"latitude":-43.589400000000005,"longitude":172.59154},{"latitude":-43.58944,"longitude":172.59104000000002},{"latitude":-43.58916000000001,"longitude":172.58931},{"latitude":-43.58919,"longitude":172.58754000000002},{"latitude":-43.5893,"longitude":172.58710000000002},{"latitude":-43.589670000000005,"longitude":172.58677},{"latitude":-43.59132,"longitude":172.58605},{"latitude":-43.59338,"longitude":172.58304},{"latitude":-43.593560000000004,"longitude":172.58204},{"latitude":-43.59411,"longitude":172.58089},{"latitude":-43.594150000000006,"longitude":172.57957000000002},{"latitude":-43.59463,"longitude":172.57751000000002},{"latitude":-43.595850000000006,"longitude":172.57514},{"latitude":-43.59610000000001,"longitude":172.57246},{"latitude":-43.595980000000004,"longitude":172.57227},{"latitude":-43.593340000000005,"longitude":172.57198000000002},{"latitude":-43.59317,"longitude":172.57180000000002},{"latitude":-43.593590000000006,"longitude":172.56457},{"latitude":-43.59442000000001,"longitude":172.56294000000003},{"latitude":-43.59534,"longitude":172.56242},{"latitude":-43.59583000000001,"longitude":172.56185000000002},{"latitude":-43.598560000000006,"longitude":172.56116},{"latitude":-43.60032,"longitude":172.56008000000003},{"latitude":-43.60117,"longitude":172.55979000000002},{"latitude":-43.60208,"longitude":172.56054},{"latitude":-43.603390000000005,"longitude":172.56308},{"latitude":-43.604400000000005,"longitude":172.56458},{"latitude":-43.60604,"longitude":172.56593},{"latitude":-43.60622,"longitude":172.56636},{"latitude":-43.60638,"longitude":172.56778000000003},{"latitude":-43.606550000000006,"longitude":172.56825},{"latitude":-43.60864,"longitude":172.56998000000002},{"latitude":-43.60999,"longitude":172.57085},{"latitude":-43.61083000000001,"longitude":172.57102},{"latitude":-43.619930000000004,"longitude":172.57090000000002},{"latitude":-43.62044,"longitude":172.57077},{"latitude":-43.62156,"longitude":172.56971000000001},{"latitude":-43.62525,"longitude":172.56482000000003},{"latitude":-43.627480000000006,"longitude":172.56416000000002},{"latitude":-43.63261000000001,"longitude":172.56006000000002},{"latitude":-43.63342,"longitude":172.56004000000001},{"latitude":-43.63515,"longitude":172.56068000000002},{"latitude":-43.637640000000005,"longitude":172.5609},{"latitude":-43.638250000000006,"longitude":172.56062},{"latitude":-43.639050000000005,"longitude":172.55984},{"latitude":-43.63989,"longitude":172.55791000000002},{"latitude":-43.640240000000006,"longitude":172.55746000000002},{"latitude":-43.64358,"longitude":172.55677},{"latitude":-43.646890000000006,"longitude":172.55544},{"latitude":-43.65035,"longitude":172.55460000000002},{"latitude":-43.651030000000006,"longitude":172.55479000000003},{"latitude":-43.651810000000005,"longitude":172.55547},{"latitude":-43.65245,"longitude":172.5566},{"latitude":-43.65314,"longitude":172.56055},{"latitude":-43.653470000000006,"longitude":172.56128},{"latitude":-43.654050000000005,"longitude":172.56153},{"latitude":-43.65527,"longitude":172.56139000000002},{"latitude":-43.655750000000005,"longitude":172.56106000000003},{"latitude":-43.65619,"longitude":172.56049000000002},{"latitude":-43.65657,"longitude":172.55955},{"latitude":-43.65688,"longitude":172.5577},{"latitude":-43.65738,"longitude":172.55597},{"latitude":-43.66015,"longitude":172.55205},{"latitude":-43.6614,"longitude":172.54786000000001},{"latitude":-43.66201,"longitude":172.54445},{"latitude":-43.66207000000001,"longitude":172.54236},{"latitude":-43.66171000000001,"longitude":172.54196000000002},{"latitude":-43.66147,"longitude":172.54038000000003},{"latitude":-43.66028,"longitude":172.53653000000003},{"latitude":-43.659940000000006,"longitude":172.53480000000002},{"latitude":-43.65634,"longitude":172.53047},{"latitude":-43.655530000000006,"longitude":172.52915000000002},{"latitude":-43.652350000000006,"longitude":172.52526},{"latitude":-43.65211,"longitude":172.52478000000002},{"latitude":-43.65162,"longitude":172.52247000000003},{"latitude":-43.65005,"longitude":172.51957000000002},{"latitude":-43.65016000000001,"longitude":172.51741},{"latitude":-43.648950000000006,"longitude":172.51536000000002},{"latitude":-43.648270000000004,"longitude":172.51312000000001},{"latitude":-43.64793,"longitude":172.51154000000002},{"latitude":-43.64755,"longitude":172.50771},{"latitude":-43.646530000000006,"longitude":172.50578000000002},{"latitude":-43.644330000000004,"longitude":172.49981000000002},{"latitude":-43.640080000000005,"longitude":172.4863},{"latitude":-43.64005,"longitude":172.48587},{"latitude":-43.641960000000005,"longitude":172.47070000000002},{"latitude":-43.64269,"longitude":172.47041000000002},{"latitude":-43.648070000000004,"longitude":172.46952000000002},{"latitude":-43.649570000000004,"longitude":172.46977},{"latitude":-43.65968,"longitude":172.46896},{"latitude":-43.65988,"longitude":172.46837000000002},{"latitude":-43.66022,"longitude":172.46188},{"latitude":-43.66328,"longitude":172.45567000000003},{"latitude":-43.663540000000005,"longitude":172.44162},{"latitude":-43.68656,"longitude":172.43591},{"latitude":-43.694,"longitude":172.43684000000002},{"latitude":-43.69409,"longitude":172.43663},{"latitude":-43.69375,"longitude":172.43196},{"latitude":-43.69301,"longitude":172.42908000000003},{"latitude":-43.69296000000001,"longitude":172.42846},{"latitude":-43.693560000000005,"longitude":172.42323000000002},{"latitude":-43.69361000000001,"longitude":172.41995},{"latitude":-43.693810000000006,"longitude":172.41859000000002},{"latitude":-43.69433,"longitude":172.4163},{"latitude":-43.69482000000001,"longitude":172.41571000000002},{"latitude":-43.695060000000005,"longitude":172.41448000000003},{"latitude":-43.6957,"longitude":172.41313000000002},{"latitude":-43.699270000000006,"longitude":172.41231000000002},{"latitude":-43.699740000000006,"longitude":172.41195000000002},{"latitude":-43.7004,"longitude":172.41091},{"latitude":-43.70094,"longitude":172.41045000000003},{"latitude":-43.709810000000004,"longitude":172.40649000000002},{"latitude":-43.741620000000005,"longitude":172.37781},{"latitude":-43.74508,"longitude":172.37697},{"latitude":-43.756170000000004,"longitude":172.3683},{"latitude":-43.756510000000006,"longitude":172.36722},{"latitude":-43.758370000000006,"longitude":172.32123},{"latitude":-43.758390000000006,"longitude":172.31806},{"latitude":-43.757760000000005,"longitude":172.30792000000002},{"latitude":-43.76171,"longitude":172.29975000000002},{"latitude":-43.763310000000004,"longitude":172.29616000000001},{"latitude":-43.763310000000004,"longitude":172.2956},{"latitude":-43.763690000000004,"longitude":172.29539000000003},{"latitude":-43.76393,"longitude":172.29472},{"latitude":-43.76417000000001,"longitude":172.29457000000002},{"latitude":-43.76449,"longitude":172.2938},{"latitude":-43.76543,"longitude":172.29371},{"latitude":-43.76473,"longitude":172.29322000000002},{"latitude":-43.76485,"longitude":172.29325},{"latitude":-43.765260000000005,"longitude":172.29345},{"latitude":-43.76545,"longitude":172.29329},{"latitude":-43.76719000000001,"longitude":172.28622000000001},{"latitude":-43.76592,"longitude":172.29118000000003},{"latitude":-43.76717,"longitude":172.28639},{"latitude":-43.765370000000004,"longitude":172.29336},{"latitude":-43.765100000000004,"longitude":172.29346},{"latitude":-43.7644,"longitude":172.29308},{"latitude":-43.76437000000001,"longitude":172.29291},{"latitude":-43.766780000000004,"longitude":172.28339000000003},{"latitude":-43.76709,"longitude":172.28235},{"latitude":-43.767340000000004,"longitude":172.28191},{"latitude":-43.76814,"longitude":172.28123000000002},{"latitude":-43.77806,"longitude":172.27597},{"latitude":-43.782540000000004,"longitude":172.27335000000002},{"latitude":-43.79262000000001,"longitude":172.25658},{"latitude":-43.7929,"longitude":172.25636},{"latitude":-43.793110000000006,"longitude":172.25644000000003},{"latitude":-43.79552,"longitude":172.25994},{"latitude":-43.812740000000005,"longitude":172.28291000000002},{"latitude":-43.81271,"longitude":172.28469},{"latitude":-43.8085,"longitude":172.30883},{"latitude":-43.801170000000006,"longitude":172.32322000000002},{"latitude":-43.80068000000001,"longitude":172.32430000000002},{"latitude":-43.80008,"longitude":172.32675},{"latitude":-43.799870000000006,"longitude":172.32707000000002},{"latitude":-43.78502,"longitude":172.3188},{"latitude":-43.771460000000005,"longitude":172.30654},{"latitude":-43.763850000000005,"longitude":172.29536000000002},{"latitude":-43.763780000000004,"longitude":172.29503000000003},{"latitude":-43.76435,"longitude":172.29308},{"latitude":-43.76478,"longitude":172.29330000000002},{"latitude":-43.76429,"longitude":172.29313000000002},{"latitude":-43.76382,"longitude":172.29489},{"latitude":-43.76333,"longitude":172.29609000000002},{"latitude":-43.75773,"longitude":172.30794},{"latitude":-43.758340000000004,"longitude":172.31740000000002},{"latitude":-43.758370000000006,"longitude":172.3205},{"latitude":-43.757830000000006,"longitude":172.33581},{"latitude":-43.7565,"longitude":172.36689},{"latitude":-43.75643,"longitude":172.36761},{"latitude":-43.756220000000006,"longitude":172.36815},{"latitude":-43.755720000000004,"longitude":172.36871000000002},{"latitude":-43.744980000000005,"longitude":172.37698},{"latitude":-43.74154,"longitude":172.37779},{"latitude":-43.709860000000006,"longitude":172.40638},{"latitude":-43.70087,"longitude":172.41039},{"latitude":-43.70033,"longitude":172.41083},{"latitude":-43.699690000000004,"longitude":172.41187000000002},{"latitude":-43.69928,"longitude":172.41223000000002},{"latitude":-43.69567000000001,"longitude":172.41309},{"latitude":-43.694990000000004,"longitude":172.41451},{"latitude":-43.694770000000005,"longitude":172.41571000000002},{"latitude":-43.694320000000005,"longitude":172.41616000000002},{"latitude":-43.693670000000004,"longitude":172.41919000000001},{"latitude":-43.69357,"longitude":172.41997},{"latitude":-43.693540000000006,"longitude":172.42316000000002},{"latitude":-43.69292,"longitude":172.42855},{"latitude":-43.69370000000001,"longitude":172.4319},{"latitude":-43.694010000000006,"longitude":172.43629},{"latitude":-43.69395,"longitude":172.43685000000002},{"latitude":-43.68641,"longitude":172.43587000000002},{"latitude":-43.663520000000005,"longitude":172.44155},{"latitude":-43.66326,"longitude":172.45554},{"latitude":-43.66306,"longitude":172.45622},{"latitude":-43.66017,"longitude":172.46192000000002},{"latitude":-43.659870000000005,"longitude":172.46821000000003},{"latitude":-43.659650000000006,"longitude":172.46892000000003},{"latitude":-43.65008,"longitude":172.46965},{"latitude":-43.64819000000001,"longitude":172.46942},{"latitude":-43.64186,"longitude":172.47039},{"latitude":-43.640010000000004,"longitude":172.48586},{"latitude":-43.63989,"longitude":172.48618000000002},{"latitude":-43.62606,"longitude":172.49671},{"latitude":-43.622780000000006,"longitude":172.5009},{"latitude":-43.61441000000001,"longitude":172.50835},{"latitude":-43.6144,"longitude":172.50889},{"latitude":-43.61663,"longitude":172.52176},{"latitude":-43.61762,"longitude":172.52478000000002},{"latitude":-43.617580000000004,"longitude":172.52551000000003},{"latitude":-43.617090000000005,"longitude":172.52708},{"latitude":-43.617070000000005,"longitude":172.52823},{"latitude":-43.61665000000001,"longitude":172.5301},{"latitude":-43.616980000000005,"longitude":172.53213000000002},{"latitude":-43.606840000000005,"longitude":172.54275},{"latitude":-43.60698,"longitude":172.55433000000002},{"latitude":-43.607240000000004,"longitude":172.55601000000001},{"latitude":-43.607240000000004,"longitude":172.55816000000002},{"latitude":-43.607000000000006,"longitude":172.55902},{"latitude":-43.601090000000006,"longitude":172.55962000000002},{"latitude":-43.59991,"longitude":172.56017000000003},{"latitude":-43.59875,"longitude":172.56101},{"latitude":-43.59586,"longitude":172.56176000000002},{"latitude":-43.59514,"longitude":172.56248000000002},{"latitude":-43.594390000000004,"longitude":172.56287},{"latitude":-43.59245000000001,"longitude":172.56656},{"latitude":-43.58979,"longitude":172.56934},{"latitude":-43.589180000000006,"longitude":172.56967},{"latitude":-43.585330000000006,"longitude":172.57079000000002},{"latitude":-43.58498,"longitude":172.57212},{"latitude":-43.58278000000001,"longitude":172.57842000000002},{"latitude":-43.582040000000006,"longitude":172.57965000000002},{"latitude":-43.570220000000006,"longitude":172.59046},{"latitude":-43.56795,"longitude":172.59602},{"latitude":-43.56692,"longitude":172.60021},{"latitude":-43.563860000000005,"longitude":172.61134},{"latitude":-43.56349,"longitude":172.61344000000003},{"latitude":-43.56007,"longitude":172.61909},{"latitude":-43.55957,"longitude":172.61942000000002},{"latitude":-43.55879,"longitude":172.61954},{"latitude":-43.558260000000004,"longitude":172.62009},{"latitude":-43.55183,"longitude":172.63094},{"latitude":-43.550650000000005,"longitude":172.63359000000003},{"latitude":-43.550580000000004,"longitude":172.63566},{"latitude":-43.550340000000006,"longitude":172.63692},{"latitude":-43.55035,"longitude":172.63903000000002},{"latitude":-43.55015,"longitude":172.63997},{"latitude":-43.548500000000004,"longitude":172.64223},{"latitude":-43.54739,"longitude":172.64273},{"latitude":-43.54737,"longitude":172.64797000000002},{"latitude":-43.548190000000005,"longitude":172.65175000000002},{"latitude":-43.54831,"longitude":172.65294},{"latitude":-43.54292,"longitude":172.65544000000003},{"latitude":-43.54285,"longitude":172.65565},{"latitude":-43.54307,"longitude":172.65647}]}