Blogs

Buck and I were riding in Appin on Sunday. I was heading up this section of fast switchback singletrack and I've come across a snake on the trail! Not sure what it was (black/grey, 1m long, 5cm diamter) but I pretty much spooked it and it shot off to the left. I was pinning it at the time and took a while to haul up after I spooked it, and it spooked me. I screamed out to Buck SNAKE!! who also pulled up a safe distance behind me with no issue.

One DNF = 1.5 hour lost
5 flats = 60 minutes lost
Flu and tummy bug = 2 minutes lost in last night lap
Best team time 1:02 by yours truly
Crap result but fun race.

LUCKY
I've been called a lucky guy a number of times in my life and feel luckier than most right now. Team Groover fell into place in the months preceding this race to give me my best chance at the World solo's down in Canberra. I was honoured to have so many friends and family step up and offer their help, which in turn enabled me to have my best performance ever in a 24 solo and this was my 8th.

THE TEAM

We surprised ourselves coming 3rd in the "very prestigious" Male 6s 40+ category. For 3 of the guys on our team it was their first MTB event ever.

Everyone rode well with smooth transitions, consistent lap times and no flats or mechanicals.

My brother qualified for the solo worlds in February and suggested we enter a team in the Scott to keep us busy while supporting him in the pits. By the time the entries opened there were a few people putting up their hand to come down so we entered a mixed team of 6.
First time at Stromlo for me, most of the other team except Cathy, my wife had done past Scotts or been there before so we settled on me doing the opening lap.

Short Version blog update, more to come later.

I was down there as pit crew and mechanic for Carlgroover
He had amazing race, consistent laps all the way saw him rise up to third through the night and build a lead over 4th place of 20 mins. We were ecstatic, until the guy in 4th got a new lease of energy and closed it down ~8 min a lap for the last 3 laps. As the results show CarlGroover got a very commendable 4th.
Gazza did it tough, he was next to us, and worked really hard in one of the most competitive age groups. (40-44).

Could not believe it. "Ando" Andy, the guy who lives less than 5 minutes from the meeting point, bailing out before his dainty foot even touched his bedroom floor. Drizzling, he called it. A bit icky. And to think that some of those Sydney blokes got up at 5am for this one.

But it's early, he says. It's raining. And I've never liked that ride anyway.

Bloody cream-puff.

Turns out he wasn't the only one.

Great riding, nice to meet some new faces. I think we all left a bit of claret on course today - thanks Naz for playing guide-I hope you heal up quickly. Great little ride with some techy bits to keep you on your toes, but the deal sealer is the coffee and banana bread (or gigantic burger) at the end.
See you guys next time

[Mod. linked in ride]

First 24hr race, team was all repatriated expats from the Malaysian SMS riders