Blogs

Another fantastic days racing in the Rocky Trail GP series. Being a bit soft I can't solo 8 hours but I'm liking this format a lot. Even though I finished before the 4h mark. Yeah - double soft!

Although (sorry Martin) I'm still not completely set on the whole turn-up-qualify-relax-race part but an extra hour in bed can be afforded to those who don't care to qualify and might take that option in the future.

what a great day.
woke up with a head ache and hung over
threw up before breakfast. yay me!

ate some brekky (not enough) and we got going.
train, easy.

arrived Wenty ready to ride, to find a late starting sleepyhead still getting bits out of his car.

made it the 2kms to Tableland Rd, had to stop for sugar (brekky deficient), nearly bailed. soldiered on.
got going, what a blast of fun that was down to the part where I got a flat tyre.
oh dear, and crap. me parts? zip
mate parts ? they're in the glovebox, d'oh

It was a good ride tonight in between the dust storm and the thunder storm was a clearish blue/brown sky which made the ride quite surreal .
The plan was to ride three laps , stop for a bite and do a night skyline /berm lap to finish BUT looking through the clouds of dust it was apparent that there would only be a one lap screamer ( that was my legs ) .

Man I love these short course races, it feels like ages since I have done one.

Yeah, I've never even had a puncture while racing (right, I haven't done that much). This year, I broke my chain on the first km! Had a chain breaker and quick link with me, but after playing with it for 10mins gave up and pushed the bike back to finish area to have it fixed:( (Hans, thanks for showing me the other day how it's done. I'll pay more attention next time. Still owe you a quick link - an extra one is in my Camelback for you. Hope to catch up with you soon!)

Due to a general lack of pre-race training, I decided it was probably best if I gave this year's event a miss. Since the family had already arranged accomodation for the weekend, I thought it might be my turn to give something back to the sport, so I volunteered my services to AROC.

After a hectic Saturday afternoon on the rego desk (made even more hectic by the near gale force winds!), I was allocated my marshall station for Sunday's event. No detailed briefing - the riders were joining a road; just warn drivers. Everything else was pretty much going to be winging it.

Given my memories of last year (severe cramps and taking a wrong turn / getting lost) I had a different plan this year which was to take it easy in the first 50kms and really try and enjoy the single track and the whole event. With the forecast being 30+ I spent the Saturday trying to drink a fair bit so that I would be well hyrdrated on the day.

I absolutely loved this race! I'm looking forward to next year... from last in category at Dirtworks with the elite social riders to sub 7 hours, I'm over the moon My bike was awesome, it felt so light with the new bling wheels, it was serviced on Thursday by CBD and ran without issue the entire race.

The forecast for the weekend was for 30+ temps. Tien and I were saying to each other the night before that this was a bad sign for us. The last time we rode in high temps we really struggled compared to the rest of the group.

Completing the 100K was the most physically demanding thing I have ever done. The cramps, the heat and the constant feeling (after the 50K) I was going to spew. I nearly pulled the pin multiple times, but was determined to finish. As a result of all my resting and walking up hills I ended up finishing in over 9 hours...One of the last across the line. My wife was getting a bit worried when the guy I started with had finished 3 hours earlier! Ouch!

I smashed out the first 50K way to quickly (around 3.5 hours)...Gotta learn to pace myself better!