JetBlack 24 Hours Sydney 2011

Am I jinxing things if I say that the weather forecast is actually quite good for next weekend? The track is in tip-top shape, bridges have been reibuilt and we are ready to rock and roll!

Marathon photos will take pictures of you again.
Juliane has organised a Tupper-party with a % going to the Pedal4Pierce charity.
We will make a film about the event so please don't be shy when you get asked some questions.

There are still plenty of spots available but you have to register before Wednesday 9pm which is when we close registrations.

See you at the WSMTB 4 hour this Sunday and then at the 24 the weekend after.

Motto for the weekend will be drink like a fish! I raced the Croc Trophy last year and every of the 10 days the temperature was well into the 30s. Preparation is key and I had zero cramps or other heat related problems during the entire race. Learning from that experience here is our plan how to attack the forecasted heat on the weekend:

- we purchased water spray guns and will have them at timing/transition as well as on the hill climb

- on top of the climb will be an additional water station in case you run out

- Verofit will have a $20 electrolyte drink canister special. You can get that at the timing tent at registration. You can also stock up on gels and bars at the Rocky Trail Warehouse: http://www.rockytrailentertainment.com/index.php
We will bring the purchased products to the event with us.

- we asked the resort to stock up on ice

- most riders are in teams so cooling down in between laps is crucial. There is a river and a pool for that.

- start getting your fluids up on Thursday (!) already. Drinking a lot in the lead up helps a lot. Whenever you walk around the event centre do that with a water bottle in your hand (you will all get one at registration). This reminds you that you constantly need to drink.

- as always at our events: safety comes first. If we think it is unsafe to continue the race we will pause it, however don't expect us to do that just because it is hot.

At the end of the day it is all about having fun and you have to judge for yourself when you are not having it anymore. The night and Sunday morning won't be a problem temperature wise. So it is only Saturday afternoon that might be an issue. If you think that you can race better if you pause for a few hours, cool down and then attack the night and the next day harder that might end up being a good strategy as well as fun.

http://www.rockytrailentertainment.com/events/pd...

Martin, the weather gods must hate you. What have you done to get the extremes of weather at this race?

They've held the event in February

Jee10

The Del Rio course is great! A real challenge for the mind and the legs.

The course undulates gently along the river to the bottom of the climb. The climb is constant and exposed. So put some suns screen on the back yof your neck. It's all dirt road to the top of the course. You then head into the scrub along a couple of steep and short descents. I dare say these will be groomed enough and smoothed out. On last years RT 4hr there were a few small lumps/jumps and some things to keep an eye on, but nothing you'd consider techy. Then you head into the paddock where there are some well paced corners and stuff. Plus a little pinch that slows most up. Yuo then head into some more scrub/trees and wind through it heading back to the river. Before you get there though, there are some rocky sections that need your attention. They aren't too bad, but just be careful. I saw a few incidents and near incidents in this section. I found hitting it with speed was the best approach for me, but it was hard on my rims... lol After this you come back to the resort where you hit a concrete road for a little bit then duck off into the bush again to traverse the waters edge. There is a techy section here, but with a quick scope you you'll see the line and take it easy. I saw a few people here hesitate and come unstuck or OTB here. Simply due to hesitating and not picking the right line. I really enjoyed that section too. From here it's a relatively flat grind back to the transition area.

It's a great course. I loved it, but the hill is a real test of ones determination mental toughness. By the time I got to my last lap on the 4hr, I was hating it! LOL

OK guys, I'm going to head up to Del Rio now and have a ride of the track and settle in. Hopefuly I'll see a few of you up there, make yourselves known if you want. I'll be in a waterfront cabin with the raw carbon framed 1 x 9 hardtail ( http://nobmob.com/node/19153 ), 6'2 and no hair. Drop past and say hi.

Good luck to everyone and drink lots (of water that is)

cheers
danny

One of our team mates came back from a lap on Saturday with the temp recorded on the bike computer read 48 degrees! It sure felt like it too. Everything was hot; the sun, the ground, the air, the body, my black bike and helmet! Even when you got soaked by a hose, 5 min later you were dry. I think a few of the stacks would have been the result of people being fatigued by the heat and their concentration not being 100%. Jason English again showed that he is super human and has the heart of Pharlap by taking out the event with 44 laps.

We had 8 teams in our Silent Revolution Female Squad and 1 mens team - great peformance given the conditions. Some our teams were super human and rode constantly through out the event, whilst others decided it was more sane to rest.

Overall and 24hr Female
Lap Hogs (24hr Team 4 Females) came 20th with 40 laps and also blitzed their category
SuperBeeros (24hr Team 2 Females) came 24th with 36 laps - Kris on her singlespeed and Bree in her first ever MTB event!

6+6
Team of 2 Female - 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th positions
Team of 3 females - 1st place
Team of 2 mixed - 5th place
Team of 2 males - 7th place

Female Lap times
Day Laps - the SR girls took out 4 of the top 10 (Caty taking the fastest day lap)
Night laps - the SR girls took out 16 of the top 20 laps (again Caty carving it up with the fastest)

I did look for you a few time.
Excellent work on your teams 4th place in open mens. Sorry I couldn't stay and talk longer but my crew chief was waiting for her food (you know how kids are when they are hungry)