Steve 01's blog

In old farts

I wasn't looking forward to the Fling this year which is unusual for me as I normally want to go back and try and improve on last years time or position which motivates me to train that little bit harder than before to achieve the desired result. This year was different I had no goal as last year I had a blinder winning my cat and sub 5hr time just couldn't see myself beating that so motivation was zero. The good news is I can't wait for next years Fling so I can beat this years time

I was lucky to get to the camp site mid afternoon Friday to secure our usual camp spot and be able to chill out enjoying the blue sky while catching up with friends.

Wow got to the event car park around 6:30 thinking I'd have enough time for a warm up ride no no no people had already started lining up at the start line so I joined the que around 4 rows back from the front.The start gun went and the pace was on, remember thinking it can't keep going like this or I'm going to blow.Half way through first stage heart rate came down to more of endurance rate,went through transition at Wingello oval on the front of a pack of four they all stopped for water and I was left on my own had to chase down riders around 200mtr in front to get onto a wheel

Team Mixed 4

Came into this race thinking this is going to suck found out on Friday that my rear race wheel had a big crack in it rendering it useless so borrowed a wheel from my freeride bike at around 300g heavier wasn't impressed.Got to the start late had to jump the fence towards the front to get a reasonable spot,the start gun went off and so did I needed to catch mates who were up front .The first stage was great not too hard with some great new single track.Second stage was still good fun with single track and monster fire road climbs,third stage was torture cramps were starting to be a concern had

I needed to get up early Saturday morning to travel with the TORC crew to get Wollombi by 7:30am, after hearing the rain all night I was thinking of any excuse to get out of going I hate wet weather in the end I thought @@$! it and just went.By the time we arrived at Wollombi the wet weather had good as gone and my spirits had lifted.

Driving down Sunday morning the temperature gauge got down to 2.5C so knew the only way to warm up was ride hard.The track was in perfect condition no dust no mud just tacky or hard packed bliss.Couple of tough hills that make the legs scream out in pain but the rest is a lot of fun

By the time I got to the first climb the legs where nicely warmed up thanks to Gazza and Pete at the head of peleton pushing the pace along the road,the climb was very doable after the grader had smoothed the road out, very different to previous years when it was a goat track.