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Get the F**ker Finished - Convict 100km 2013

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Despite Huw Kingstons Highland Fling, held in NSW, being the unofficial National Marathon Champs, the Convict 100, really always feels like the NSW Marathon champs to me.
If you race an MTB in the state, you have to be there. Its one of those dates in your calendar that gets marked in first….

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Jet Racing - Highland Fling 2012

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Its Friday 9th of November. I thought I would start my race report here.
Its been a hell of a week. One that I havent really shared with anyone other that my 'inner circle' of friends.
On Tuesday evening, I woke in the middle of the night with shivers and sweats. I lay in bed and just thought "why now?"

Training has been going so well. The trip to NZ was great, the other sessions I have done have really been perfect. Everything was getting itself together.
On Tuesday, I would have told you I was 100% confident of the best race of my career. Then - the flu.

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The Scott - Jet Racing Report

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The Scott 24 – Jet Racing

These races are never really about 24hrs.
Its not even 48hrs - the 12hrs on each side of the event itself.

No - these races start weeks before the actual race. Building a team. Getting commitments from riders, and organising camping and tents and food and drinks and heaters and music (essential) and lights etc etc.

Jet Racing were in the fantastic position of having two teams of 6 entered. The Masters Team, (Paul, Wayne, Matt, Brian, Steve and Kane) and an Elite team.

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Down but not out in Wollombi

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Wollombi Wild Ride - I had no idea what to expect. Looking back on it, I don't really know what to think.
I havent bothered to check the results, I don't know where I came. I have listed myself as 30th - but it could have been a bit better, or a bit worse. Its irrelevant frankly.

Having been away home for the Olympics, I always knew I would be missing a bit of something. What it was, I couldn't tell you.

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Three Ring Circus / Season Wrap...

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So - as they say in the movies - "That’s a Wrap"

Season 2011 / 2012 is now done for me.

The 3 Ring Circus yesterday was my last race for the year. Its probably my 2nd favourite race on the calendar (behind the Convict 100) and hold a lot of memories for me.
I went into it this year knowing that it was the last race before a break from the bike, and also knowing that I hadn't really been super motivated to train since the Husky 100km.
My weight was up (not ideal for the hills of Wingello), and my legs were weaker. I knew though that I just had to push hard one last time….

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Husky 100 - 2012

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I’ll start this report with some facts. Number one - I have consumed a fair few beers. If there is a better beer than Happy Goblin ‘Strong’ – locally brewed, then I don’t know it.
Fact 2 - I have done nothing today other than lie in bed, and wash my bike. My bike is destroyed.
Another fact - if you had told me on Friday that I would have been 5th at Husky, given the strength of the Elite field, I would have taken it. I’d have been happy with that.
The final fact though, is that I’m not over the moon with 5th, as I sit here on a Sunday.

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SingleTrack Mind #2 - Jet Racing

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Normally, these race reports start on the day of the race. The startline, the nerves. This one is different.
I want to go back a year. There was an idea. It came about with friends talking about racing their bikes, conversations which coincided with other friends looking to build a mountain bike team - but a community based team. Something valuable, that did more than just win races. We all agreed that we don’t race our bikes to win. We race our bikes because its fun. Winning makes it 'funner'.

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Convict 100 - the perfect race?

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The Convict 100 (formerly Dirtworks 100) holds a very special place in my heart. I have fond personal memories of my first ride 4 years ago, resulting in a 5hr 35mins mid-pack result.
The next year, I went back, better prepared and rode to a 4hr41min (and about 17th place).
Last year was different. Something in my riding clicked last year, and I was starting to ride towards the front of the pack.
I pushed and hurt and bled, and cried, and rode a 4hr14min race resulting in 5th place.

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Capital Punishment - 100km

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Capital Punishment.
Round #2 of the XCM Series.
One of the classic races in the marathon calendar. Over the years the race has suffered from bad weather during, and bad weather prior to the race.
This year was different. Excellent weather in the week leading up, and on race day meant that it was sure to be fast racing.

The race is a patchwork of the best single-track venues in Canberra. Majura, Sparrow Hill, Kowan, and Stromlo - all joined together with some bike tracks, fire-roads and even some bitumen.

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The Mont 24hr - Jet Cycles Mixed 6

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Its been 3yrs since I last raced a '24', and I realised then that if I was ever to do one again, it would be with friends, and with a purpose.

The Mont 2012 loomed and as I was now part of the new Jet Racing MTB team, I thought it would be time to return.
As is typical with a 24, and a 6 person team, its hard to get everyone committed and turn up on time. Through no fault of their own team members and 'ring-ins' fell by the way-side.

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