Connect 4 Mystery Race

The Taupo Mountain Bike Club hosted the Connect 4 Mystery Race last Sunday 17th April. Beautiful blue skies, awesome single trail and a decision of either 4 laps or 8 laps were the only certainties for riders at registration - hence the name "Mystery Race". The other certainty was going to be the pace up front, as non other than Rotorua's World Single Speed Champ Garth Weinberg donned his race face in search of Connect 4 glory.

Left to Right : Alex Fierro, Mark Durrant, Garth Weinberg, Annabel Donovan (absent Debra Staddon)

At race briefing (more like on the start line) riders were informed of the unconventional format that was to disregard the usual "follow-the-leader" race format.

Riders were to simply link up 4 individual loops deep in the forest in any particular order either once (4 laps) or twice (8 laps).

First one back to race head quarters with the correct number and coloured wrist bands was to be crowned winner.

Race tactics were further hindered by a last minute rule change that allocated riders to a specific loop to start on, just to help spread the field a little more.

So there was no knowing who or where the race leader was!

It seemed like the Mystery Race was a hit amongst all participants as it was all smiles and pats on the back as riders crossed the finish line

Special thanks to Mark Durrant of 1st Choice Engravers & Badges for his donation of the one-off Connect 4 trophies that went to eventual winners Garth Weinberg (8 lap male winner), Annabel Donovan (8 lap female winner), Alex Fierro (4 lap male winner) and Debra Staddon (4 lap female winner).

The next club event (in association with Taupo Cycling Club) is the King & Queen of the Crank Sunday 12th June 2011. See you there!