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When once just isn't enough |
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2008 Lap 1 at Airport Hill © RoadCycling.co.nz
For most cyclists, the task of riding 160km around Lake Taupo is challenge enough. For fourteen riders at this year's Wattyl Lake Taupo Challenge once isn't enough, neither is twice, they are setting out to ride four times around the lake.
While the other 10,000 plus athletes travel to Taupo, have their final pasta meal and get an early night's sleep, these four athletes will be riding through the night for a total of 640km.
Are they crazy, or are they super athletes? Perhaps they are both.
Ben from RoadCycling.co.nz joins Dave Comans most Sunday mornings for 100km rides. Whilst these are the week's long rides for Ben, they are short rides for Dave.
This is the second year Comans has raced the Enduro. Last year he finished the four laps of Lake Taupo in just under 27 hours. This year his goal, everything going well, is to break the 24 hour mark.
For motivation to keep going Comans dedicates each lap to someone or something important to him. The last lap dedication is saved for the most important person in his life, his wife Sue.
Sue is also the most important person to Dave over these 24 hours. She is tackling the tough role of being his support person. She'll attempt to follow him around the lake in her car to provide food, drink, dry clothing and company.
Last year Comans stopped for a shower and change of clothes each time he passed Taupo. This year, while things are on track and there is a good bunch working together, Comans expects to skip the breaks in favour of keeping momentum.
Dave Comans during last year's Enduro ©RoadCycling.co.nz
Generally, lap three is the hardest, but Comans thinks this year he might find the fourth lap the toughest as he may need to ride alone, ahead of the other Enduro riders to achieve his time goal. If he breaks the 24 hour mark Comans said next year he might be "normal" and ride the solo.
On the final lap when the solo riders start passing, Comans says that's when he realises the hours already spent on the saddle are starting to affect his mental capacity.
"Usually in a bunch I'm very alert, but last year when the others came I was in a bit of a fog. If someone went down I don't know if I could react appropriately," he said.
To help achieve his 24 hour goal Coman has put in more long rides this year compared to last year, including a three day 480km tour with his Wellington Tarbarbies cycle group.
He's also recently done a 350km ride in conditions similar to the Taupo ride. He and another rider left Wellington at 3am on a very windy day and headed over to the Wairarapa and back home through Kapiti.
Last year Comans suffered from hot feet throughout the race. "I don't think I faced those shoes for a month after the race," he said. Needless to say, Comans has new shoes this year.
"It's all fun, even on the last lap, but it hurts. What hurts? Your hands, your feet and your ass."
The fourteen Enduro riders wear a pink cap over their helmet. If you pass them on the road please give them support, and a little extra room. These are super athletes who deserve our support, cheers and claps. Comans is in bib 9957, give him an extra cheer for us.
Comans' final words, "It's basically only mad people who do this."
Other articles on this great weekend of cycling
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Nov 27th, 09. Fourteen cyclists start off at 10.30 this morning for four laps around Lake Taupo, the Maxi Enduro. RoadCycling.co.nz talked to Dave Comans about the epic ride.