Dump Block ITT Summer Series 07/08

[RoadRaven]

Well, summer is here and the Time Trial I have been waiting to do all year is back on the race programme.

The Dump Block is essentially one big country block, with two small rises but otherwise mostly flat. It is 17.6km long.

Course description … start on the flat beside a lagoon, in 500 metres or so turn left by the pub, dairy and church, up a short rise and then across a one-lane bridge (where, if you are unlucky, you will have to wait for a car). Another 500 metres or so and turn left again onto Omaranui Road, up another steady rise, down a short stepp descent and then flat beside the river… beautiful.

Another turn left onto a state highway, past the golf course, then over another bridge (two-lane this time) and back up the other side of the river. Past the dump (hence the name of the course – Dump Block), past lots of vineyards, a deer farm and some orchards. Turn left onto Puketapu Road and go flat out to where you find the lagoon again and cross the start/finish line.

Remember, we drive on the left in this country, so this is a sweet course in the sense that there are no intersections to cross.

The only real bug-bear on this course is the one-way bridge where we have to give way to oncoming traffic. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you meet a car…

I first rode "the Dump Block" in October 2005. It was 18km that day, it took me 38’17” with an average of 28.21kph.

After a few failed attempts in 2006 due to illness and weather, I finally did a PB on the 17.6km course in February this year. In February I had a time of 35.05minutes averaging 30.10kph.

Just writing my first report... will post immminently...