My Dirtworks 2011

I came into the race having had a few months of colds and my ruptured disc causing grief in my lower back. Unlike previous races I made sure I was prepared well before the race so I didn’t spend the day before stooped over my bike only to inflame my back. I even went to bed at 7:30 the night before and got nearly 8hr sleep so all was looking good on race day.

The race started in the usual way with me sticking to my usual race plan of taking the first hour slowly and then picking up the pace while those around me shot off into the distance like it was a sprint. I always chuckle watching the hundreds tear off from the start knowing about half of them will be shattered by half way. At about 13km I arrived at the big climb and stuck to my strategy from last year of walking. Not before I realised my new chain wasn’t meching in my easiest gear combo but worked in every other combo so my easiest gear for the race was 27/30. In each of the previous 3 yrs I climbed the hill only to find it takes me 10km to get my legs back. Unfortunately I got to the top of the hill this year and my back was shot from the walk. I saw Steve01 (I think) coming back in the wrong direction heading home. I felt like joining him.

I took it easy to the half way point where I arrived about 25min slower than last year in just over 3hrs. I did some stretching and took some happy pills and took off feeling much better. My joy lasted about 5km before my back cried out again. For the rest of the race I would smash it a bit then jump off and lay down to stretch and get that euphoric relief in my back before doing it all over again.

When I arrived at the canoe bridge my wife was there with video saying she’s going to get some footage of me falling in as there had been heaps go in the drink before me. I must admit I was crapping myself pedalling across the bridge knowing she was hoping I’d come to grief so she could catch it for the world to see then upload it to YouTube. I made it!

I enjoyed the last 30km. The roads were dry and because I’d been pedalling without too much effort to protect my back I had plenty left in my legs. Normally the hills from 75-90km kill me and leave me in the foetal position but this time I smashed it and made up a heap of time. I still had to walk a couple of the steeper climbs as my back couldn’t handle the extra push required to climb but other than that I was standing on every climb and felt like I was in the first 30km.

I was a bit disappointed not to have beaten the 6hr barrier but considering the pain I was suffering, the constant stretching stops and the slower track this year I can’t be too unhappy. It’s just annoying finishing a 6hr race with plenty left in your legs. I’ve competed in every Dirtworks now with my first at 9hr51min and progressively I’ve experienced finishing with an 8, 7, 6 & 5 in front of my time with this year being the first where I haven’t improved. Maybe next year I can get a 4?