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First timed event, ever!
My first stab at any timed riding event.
If you are thinking of ever doing something like this, do not hesitate, do not delay. Get out there and have a go. What a fantastic day, that I will never forget!
A fantastically run event, registration was easy, bumped into people I hadn't seen in years in the town centre. Most importantly my son won the 5/6yr olds Kids Fling. He's still smiling now.
Not only will I be returning to the fling, though next time as a Master, but I shall be looking for other events in the interim. With a view to trying the CapetoCape in 2015.
I started off slow and felt really heavy, this was partly for nerves and not wanting to put too effort in too early in the race, trying to maintain a position without getting in other peoples way but maybe more to do with the colossal porridge breakfast I put away that morning, and then a banana just before I started. Didn't make me feel great, but I think it really helped in the last half of the fling.
It took me probably 10kms of riding to actually begin to feel strong and more importantly realise I could climb better than quite a few people around me. That made me slightly more nervous, possibly they knew something I didn't, the whole time I was thinking, whats around the next corner that I don't know about.
I don't really remember the names of the segments, but I do have some vivid images of some sweet trails and some huge hills. When I got the end and Strava told me it was 1100m of climbing, it felt like a lot more. Some memorables were; Brokeback Mountain (managed to get a couple of passes in there), Double rubble (think thats the name), something to do with bread (these two were great single track). There was somewhere on the first stage, where after a lot of climbing we were at the top of the highest hill around and see 360 degrees wooded forest all around. Very memorable!
I crossed the start line in position 449, so two thirds back and finished 228, taking into consideration all the categories.
No mechanicals, my bike is just a mid-range 29er that at 14.1kgs, I was sure it would kill me, but it went superbly and didn't miss a beat. All the spares I was carrying were unnecessary, but I'm sure I would have needed them if I didn't have them...
Water was fun, but a little annoying on the fifth time (see above for heavy bike).
Anyway, I'll be upgrading I think and signing up for many new adventures and looking for better XC training locations than Manly Dam.
Thanks everyone who was there for making it a fantastic day!
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Great report, thanks for sharing.
One thing though, I think you'll find it hard to do better than Manly Dam for a good, all-round training loop.
Despite living right next door, I don't actually ride it that much (familiarity breeds contempt?) but when I do come back to it I always regret leaving it so long. No circuit local to the NB gives quite as thorough an all-body strength and core stability workout, skills training, and cardio as the traditional Dam loop. Three to four laps in a row around there and I'm well cooked!
At least, that's my opinion.
especially for your first race - nice work.
For XC(M) type trails then cascades, nth turramurra, terrey hills are all good and formed the basis of my training. For the sadist then the trails on the eastern side of west head road (I'm looking at you Elvina and Towlers Bay) will cater for the inner climber in you - awesome views too. On the singletrail side then OMV is a great little track which is basically like the Magellan section of the fling. Descriptions and locations of these trails are on this site.