Ya shoulda been here yesterday was the call in the Maungakotukutuku Valley on Sunday (31 Jan). Gusty winds and ongoing drizzle replaced the 30-degree scorcher for the fifth Akatarawa Attack, the MTB challenge in rugged bush between Upper Hutt and Kapiti.

 8 hours or 4 hours to visit as many control points as you can – or as you wish. Native bush. Pine plantation. 4WD “roads”. Some more like mudbaths. Quad bike trails. Single track. Even some off-track through passable forest.

 But the cooler temperatures may have been better, as Simon Kennett and John Randal powered up Campbells Mill Road and into the heart of the event, a complex of little-known tracks called “The Seven Brothers”. Down the slower ones, climb on the better ones was the philosophy, through Hydro Valley to the west, and east as far as the Karapoti River crossing at the bottom of the Rock Garden. Up the Devil’s Staircase, down the “Three Sisters”, and there was just time for some close controls in the picturesque valley near the finish. Narrowly beaten last year, the Makara Peak Mudslingers were over 300 points clear this time; in fact they left only 5 controls unvisited. 1740 points out of a possible 2010. Total time 7hrs59. Distance 67km. Average speed 8kmh.

In an incredible performance the first mixed team was Jackson and Rose Green from Palmerston North - on a tandem – in sixth. Vet mixed Barryn Westfield and Vicki Robertson were just behind. Rachel Ockelford and Irishwoman Jackie O’Hagan were the top women and eleventh overall.

Just over half the field chose the “sensible” 4-hour option, but this still put the Brothers and  Sisters within reach, as well as the off-track controls in “Havoc Forest”. Marty Dinniss, Dave Howard and Tristan Kramers did their climb on Perhams Road the main 4WD access to the western Aka’s. They put their own score at risk by helping another team with chain trouble; but the grateful recipients asked the organisers to recognise this and the resulting adjustment put them in the lead. Still, the next two teams were mixed vets and in fourth place two vet women! They were the Karori Klingons, Power Up (Tauranga), and the Flying Takahes Wgtn South). Age or feminine wiles, you decide.

Run by the Hutt Valley Mountainbike and Orienteering clubs, the Attack has consistently put new routes on the map, the best available. We predict riders will be “dining out” on these for many months to come. But a health and safety warning – this is tough country! Go in a group. Go prepared.