Blogs

FINDING SPARROW HILL

As always the advance party had reserved a large plot for camp nobmob, thanks Pikey, and duely set up camp complete with girlfriend who would be experiencing her first every camping trip. What better way to experience camping than with the 'mob.

We left a balmy Sydney and watched the temperature plummet as we reached Bundanoon - it was in the low teens and the wind chill factor made it even colder. Luckily I packed a warm jacket, other not so lucky like GeordieAndy had to survive in shorts and a light top.

Pikey set up a great camp near the bush toilet and Saturday night saw us huddled together for warmth drinking beer and talking shit.

The Highland Fling is over for another year.
Was lucky enough to stay in nice warm bed in bundanoon only 4-5km from the start, would of been super cold in a tent.

What a great weekend!
I was really looking forward to the fling after a big year of racing. Hoping for a
good result, well prepped and really motivated, however.......

It was a great day for a race, felt good at the start. Started a little further back in the pack than i would have liked but was starting with two other friends on their first full fling. The gun went off & we were away, after fighting through the pack I was happy with my position after the first river crossing. Though the stomach wasnt feeling to good, had a bannana before the first single track & started to feel better. Spotted a friend further ahead & chased him down catching & passing him at the first transition, as i didnt stop.

My plan was not to get the adrenaline get the better of me and never to go full stick. A steady pace was the plan. I started reasonably close to the start line and during the first kilometers people were zooming by me, I managed to not get caught up in their frenzy. That worked as most of them faded pretty quickly after 5 - 10 ks and I started to pass them.

After a week in the kitchen discovering a new endurance super food I knew a good race was about to unfold
I had a good spot close to the start before the race so I wouldn't be held up in traffic too much,the start gun went and both Shaun & Whisperer rode away from me I couldn't seem to go fast at first must have needed to warm up.
Caught Whisperer at the first transition were we joined forces and rode together for a while then it was my turn to ride away.The half way hill was long and tiring had to get of and push to give the legs a rest.

My weekend got off to a bad start. While I was putting up the tent a crazy black inch long ant bit me on the finger. Boy did that hurt. Thanks Pikey for the Stingose. It helped a bit!

Hi,
thanks to all for a gr8t weekend! Very funny night at the camp site!
I'm stuffed, but happy!!
Except for the Japanese chain ..........the FAT was super fast, but I have broken the chain only 6km after the start! Thanks Lance for stoping and offering help, and all other riders who offerd help, Thanks.
it took me about 20 minutes to make everything race ready again .... Yes, unfortunately I have not put on the Made in Germany Rohloff chain on the new F A T ....! Fool!!!
Race was as follows: