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My first Convict 100
I am going to ride the C100 for the first time this August. I was glad that it got moved as I was not available for May.
So the important questions that I am hoping that someone will be able to help me on.
1. I am reasonably fit for a 50+ year old ... Ride twice a week for 50k plus each time and don't mind the hills.
Q - Do I need to train more that this for the 100?
2. I have ridden roads bikes for the past 10 years but recently - 12 months ago - bought a MTB and love it as a change up from the road bike.
Q - Is 12 months experience on the MTB ok? I do a lot of fast trails and some single track stuff which I really enjoy.
3. The MTB that I have is Polygon 27" Xtrada 5 with Schwalba Smart Sam nobbly tyres.
Q - Will this Nike be ok? Should I get some tyres with more "roll ability" rather than the nobblys? Is the 27" ok?
Really looking forward to the day. Some Other Q's ...
Is there plenty of camping space for an overnighter?
Is it easy to get a coffee in the morning 
Thanks all
Pete
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As far as the bike goes you should be fine. It won't be the most comfortable ride but it will finish the event so long as you get it serviced the fortnight before the race.
2x50km per week will probably see you underdone. Wisemans Ferry has some long and steep climbs, so I would be looking to train for those. If you can lift your weekly riding to include a third hitout at 75-80 you should be good for the 100km.
From memory, Smart Sam are the superseded version of the Racing Ralph. I would suggest changing the front to something more intermediate such as a Rocket Ron, and a Racing Ralph on the back, 2.25 width. Go with Snake Skin sidewalls as the normal sidewall is too fragile for Sydney basin sandstone trails.
Being over 50 I would be looking to include an easier "recovery week" every third week to let your body adapt to the training load and wash away the accumulated fatigue. It just means swapping the hills for flatter trails during the week and riding at easy endurance pace instead of on the rivet. Weekend long ride remains unchanged.
The next question you need to ask should be either about on-the-bike nutrition during the race or what spared to carry to be self sufficient
Welcome to our sport Pete. Most importantly yes there is always a coffee van at all events!
Yes this event always has camping space and lots of people seem to do it.
You are hopelessly underdone with bike and training if you hope to do the race in sub 6hrs. Otherwise chill out and ride to a speed you are comfortable with. If you set out to take 8hrs then you will be fine but make sure you take enough food and carry enough water to get you between water stops.
There is about 20km of what could be described as technical and the rest smooth single track and fire roads. If you try a ride up the Great Northern Road from Wisemans Ferry for about 15km then turn around and come back you have covered more than half the technical bits so will have a good understanding of what you are in for.
I did my first Convict in 10:51 on an 18kg bike one size too small and took enough food for 3hrs on less training than you. Go for it and have fun.
10:51? 18KG bike?? do they have a bikepacking category?
Pete you will be fine, just enter, get on your bike and enjoy your 100K's in a very nice part of the world!
You'll be fine. Hop on the bike, pack some food and some drink, and go for a spin with a number on your bike. Its only a 'race' if you are racing - so just enjoy what is a beautiful, challenging, rewarding event.
Only tip I would give is that it might be a bit fresh at the start, so have a nice hot coffee for breakfast
on the road or on the dirt?
Not that I am the most experienced rider to give advice on endurance events but if they are road rides then you are seriously under done. If you aren't doing 75km dirt rides a month before the event then you are going to be in for a very long day, trust me on that, I have been there several times.
Otherwise do as they said, get out and have fun.
well.. whats the worst that can happen?
http://nobmob.com/node/9186
I actually had forgotten that I finished my very first Dirtworks 100, collapsed just after the free beer table at the finish line arguing with the medico with the oxygen tank that I really just needed the beer more than I needed their damn oxygen!
You can do it Pete!
My own personal thoughts from previous races are as follows.
- Ensure you remain hydrated. Carrying about 2ltrs of water between feed stations should help to keep you hydrated without weighting you down too much. However insure you fill up your bottles or camelbak at each feed station.
- Ensure you take enough food to eat during the race and supplement this with the food provided at each feed station, which often includes delicious cake. Eat often throughout the race as by the time you're hungry you have already started to lose stamina.
- Travel light by only carrying the bare essentials including food, drink, tools and spare tubes and maybe a small container of chain oil. There is no mobile reception so there is no need to take your phone with you. You will also get warm very quickly so there is no need to wear a warm jacket at the start as it will just weight you down when you take it off after 10 minutes of riding.
- Pace yourself. The terrain can be challenging for the average rider with lots of rock gardens and some steep climbs and descents. You will need to pace yourself so you can complete the 100km's without going into the red zone. This will also make the day so much more enjoyable.
- Ensure your bike is in fully working order with plenty pad left on your brakes, chain oiled and tyres in good condition with the correct pressures. If required have your bike serviced a few weeks before the race.
This year I'm looking forward to riding the event in the reverse and wish everyone a great and enjoyable day.
I did my first one the following year. It's funny reading these old race blogs. When I did mine my longest mtb ride was 70km
http://nobmob.com/node/14633