Ecstatic Fling Ride

I think my last race was the Dirtworks in May. I then had a chest infection and collapsed lung over Winter resulting in 3 months off the bike. I've been back on it for a couple of months but only 1 or 2 rides on weekends only as I've been busy travelling for work (not a single week at home for more than 3 months ...) so had considered pulling out but love this race so decided to continue.

My wife & I have a routine for this race including staying in Bowral and having dinner at Eschalot in Berrima the night before but this year as I'd already decided it was a ride not a race we drove down early for the 6am registration on the day.

The first loop went quickly and I was only 5 mins down on last year and feeling good. Had a chat to my wife, swapped bottles then off again. I rode the whole road section to Wingello alone eating a sandwich so kept it at slow pace. I was overtaken just as I hit the singletrack by a tandem. "Oh crap" I thought as these dudes will cost me heaps of time. I remember having lots of fun cheering them as they nailed the technical. What a highlight!

As I got near the drinks stop halfway I was overtaken by a group of 5 elites. They were going hard. I could only see from behind as they were so quick but could identify Cooper, Day, Jackson & Mather. First thought was they were pushing way too hard and I could hear them breathing like they were at the limit. Second thought was no Lewis or Blair the championship leaders or our Nobmob mate @antsonline. Abut 100m later came Blair really hooting like he was going to join the bunch. Lewis was a couple of mins back. No @antsonline!

A few km later I passed Blair fixing a flat. Looks like Lewis has the championship in the bag!

Later in the loop @logan passes and says g'day. He's looking strong.

I remember seeing the sign 3km to KOM and remember thinking "oh crap. I remember it's a hard hill but 3km..." Most years I get off and walk a bit not because of my legs but because I mentally get beaten. This year I kept spinning looking at the photo of my kids on my stem and got to the top without any drama. I got to transition about 20min slower than last year and had no problems at all. Decided to swap bottles for Camelback then took off for last loop.

When I hit the first single track in the last loop I started to get tummy cramping and walked for a while worried I would need a toilet stop. I came good then a few km later had a chuckle when I came across an outdoor dunny with a framed picture of Lance plus others on the ground with a sign saying something to the effect of " "admit your doping practices" and a lot of sample bottles laying around the dunny. Then later a bunch of bongo drummers at the top of a climb - clearly the organisers have a great sense of humour.

By the time I hit that last 2km on the road section I had forgotten the pain of the middle loop and got that can't wait till next year grin...