Dicko's blog

HMBA XC Round 2

With Round 1 washed out everybody was pretty keen for the first XC club race for the season.
Getting ready for pre race briefing, it was evident there was going to be some changes to some of the standard XC course for the race. All the rain in recent weeks had left some of the course a little boggy, plus a few new sections had been recently cut, in readiness for the National XC round in early March.

What a day out - perfect weather, and tracks were as good as you are going to get for a race.

Firstly - credit to organisers of the Fling. This is the best run event that I have particapated in, great timing, well marked trails, stacks of volunteer support, great transition food, water etc - right down to after event entertainment and theme.

Well I have put in alot of specific training for this event, and its has paid off. My previous personal best being 5:50 at the Husky, which is not quite in the same category as the Fling. All this hill repeats had my legs feeling strong.

Well what can I say - great weather, family and friends, great event !!

Packed up on Friday morning - car was packed to the roof, 3 kids 7,5,1.5 in the back, 3 bikes (mine and two kids bikes) and off we went - hoping to make Back Yamma State Forest by around 3:30 - setup camp have a beer .....

Was looking forward to this race. After breaking the 6hr mark last year, I was aiming to to hit somewhere between 5 - 5 1/2 hrs.

Prep before the race was limited to mainly 50km length rides, but thought this would get me through given the course as I remembered was relatively flat.

Arrived Saturday late arvo, registered, and then came the rain. Rain fell pretty heavily for a couple of hours and then eased off during the night. Got to race start next morning and the paddock at the start area looked very boggy - this was going to be a bit different then last year I thought.

Tathra is awesome - that's if you like hills that is !

Day started very cruisey with a low key vibe around the event centre. Locals everywhere checking out the event and would have to be the friendliest event and feel for an event that I have been to out of town.

Anyway race started with a lemans start us in the middle of an oval our bikes down near the goal post. Matt and I started probably mid pack and cruised out to the Mimosa National Park where the real challenge began.

Some pics of the boys weekend away.

Some of the best riding I've done in Oz.

A story to come soon ....