When I think of cycle racing it’s not the Tour de France that sticks in my mind.  Not that I don’t turn into a cycling freak for three weeks a year.  No, my favourite memories of cycling are watching the Milk Race cyclists zooming over Cheney Hill, Nr Newport, Shropshire a short ride from home on my own two wheeler.  These were the days of chopper bikes, and a time when kids were free to roam the lanes of the village to watch the cyclists on racing bikes go through our village.

It was like a step back in time at the end of January when I could once again enjoy a professional cycle race speed through my village.  Things have come along way in cycling since the 1970s but what doesn’t change is the thrill of the chase and the pain of those uphill climbs.

The Tour of New Zealand most definitely came to Kaitoke.  Complete with officials who did a sterling job stopping one of the yokels who was “too busy to be waiting for a few blokes on bikes to go by”.

Having staked out my place to capture the race as it came through it was nerve wracking waiting for the race to finally arrive.  Who would be leading the field?

It was in fact Lachlan Norris who was leading over the killer hill.  It was a short lived lead and he finished 38th out of 105 in the end.  He was clearly enjoying himself at this point in the day.

The Palaton made their way up the hill with striking ease.  They may make it look easy but you can tell it really wasn’t that much fun.

But these guys don’t hang around, once they’d made it to the brow of the hill they were off in a flash.

There were some people moving faster than others.  I couldn’t help but shout a little encouragement to the back markers who seemed to appreciate the support.

You’ve got to admire anyone who is a professional sports person.  To put themselves through physical endurance for what is probably very little financial return.  Unless of course you are a superstar and then you’d get more than an orange at half time or a cup of water to keep you going.

Now here’s a professional that is enjoying a nice day on the job.  To drive around as the back race car must beat chasing hoons or helping old ladies find their lost cats.

It may have all been over in just a few minutes but it was worth taking the time to stake my spot amongst the crowds (well with the other two people) at the side of the road.

As the 100 mad bikers headed off to make the climb over the Rimutaka Hill our little part of the world went back to normal.  But the cyclist were facing their greatest challenge of the day.  No doubt that was going to sort out the men from the boys.

I wonder how my cycling nut of a brother in law might fair on that hill?  Maybe one day I’ll loan him my bike and he can see for himself.