Contrasting goals for gruelling 6-day race
Two South Canterbury cyclists take vastly different goals into the gruelling Pioneer mountainbike race that starts on Sunday.
Timaru’s Amy Hollamby is ready to defend her open women’s team title while former Geraldine resident and breast cancer survivor, Kylie Burrows, just wants to enjoy her fourth attempt at the event.
Hollamby won last year’s women’s race with team-mate Kate McIlory, of Wellington, and they will be doing their best to win again in the six-day event covering 433 kilometres and 12,540 metres in climbs in the Queenstown area.
McIlroy took a lot of convincing to compete again as it was so hard and exhausting with stages taking up to 51⁄2 hours a day, Hollamby said.
Burrows has battled breast cancer since 2017 and while now in remission, she is on a chemo pill daily for 12 months with the side effects of fatigue and joint stiffness, but has not let that stop her race.
‘‘Getting on the bike keeps me sane . . . I’m pretty positive. I just carry on, you can’t let it beat you.’’
She has already competed in the Untamed African Mountainbike Race in South
Africa in 2019 and become only the 10th person to receive the Legends Medal for completing the Swiss Epic, Cape Epic and Pioneer mountainbike events.
Brought up in Geraldine, Burrows has lived in Cairns, Queensland, for the past two decades. She returns to New Zealand twice a year to see family, compete in the Pioneer and catch up with her coach in Wanaka, Val Burke.
Burrows has competed in all four Pioneer events, finishing third in the elite section in 2016 with Sarah White of Australia. In 2017, with Sarah Kaehler of Australia, they won the masters and were third again last year in the same category.
‘‘We’re [with Kaehler] not defending our title. As long as we finish every day with a smile on our faces. We’re not in it to win it. We laugh a lot.’’
She still trains by cycling 15 to 18 hours over five days as well as hiking and gym work.
She liked the Pioneer because it was open to amateurs like her whereas many of the overseas events focused on the professionals only.
‘‘It’s very warm and friendly here. It’s the Kiwi way.’’
One of the highlights for her was showing her team-mate the beautiful Central Otago scenery.
Hollamby’s first Pioneer was in 2017 with Haley Van Leeuwen of Dunedin as they finished third in the open women’s section.
Training for the 40-year-old started in March, riding about 16 hours a week, as well as riding with Cycling South Canterbury, and practising on steep hills at a friend’s farm.
Entry is $2500 but Hollamby said it was worth it because it was well supported with three aid stations in each stage with mechanics and marshalls on hand. Each day a tent was erected for riders to eat and sleep.
She was a bit disappointed that the race would be relocated to the North Island next year.
‘‘I’m not sure of the motive for moving. They’ve nailed it where it is. The South Island is the adventure capital.’’
Ironman Oceania managing director and race founder Dave Beeche said it was time for the event to head to new trails, but he expected it would return to Central Otago.