WORDS & VIDEO: KIM HURST IMAGES: LISA NG

We made it. 

Huttcross survived a season likely remembered for viral pandemic Alert Level lockdowns, COVID weight, and homebaking. Yes, those last two go together like bread and butter. Yet we emerged resolute on delivering a final round to bid fare thee well to 2020 albeit slightly out of season. 

The 2020 Grind Finale returned to California Park’s hallowed turf after a 7-year hiatus. A gem nestled at the foot of Cannon Point and positioned smack-bang on the Wellington Fault Scarplet lends itself to pinchy undulations and mixed surface transitions.  

Highlights of the parcours included famous cultural experiences such as a cruise along Camber Boulevard, the gravel heavy Alcatraz escape, and Golden Gate(way) to the rivet. The serious racer tour bus bypassed the amusement park. This ain’t Disneyland, kids. 

Like all great cycle Classics, we had an incident with loose lapdogs on course… 

…and a tandem of tyrannosaurs. The jury is still out as to whether the Jurassic fan boys were participants or obstacle, but they stole their show on their way to chalking up two laps, which was two more than anyone expected them to achieve.  

In a year when we were grateful for any opportunities we had to get out on bikes and enjoy each other’s social-distanced company, we extend our wholehearted thanks to everyone who makes the Huttcross community what it is. 

Big ups to the sponsors, landowners, club members, and die-hard vollies. To the superheroes, the Mighty CXers and Kindycrossers, the skinsuit-clad grimacers, the fixie riders, the family of four all-onn-one-bike, the boys and girls wearing ridiculous costumes, and to Harry Potter who went out for an extra lap just cos he could. We salute you. You are the threads that weave together the fabric of all things Huttcross. 

See you in 2021. Get your gravel grind on. Summer is coming.