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My 9th fling, and despite the weather my favourite. Not just because it was my best result, but I really enjoyed the race. Yes there were times when it hurt, a lot, but I found myself smiling and really enjoying the experience more than ever before.

Of all the XCM races on the calendar, the Fling qualifies best as a true “event”. I love it, even though the Half Fling is a solid 57 km, with all the hard stuff – big hills, technical single track – in the last 15 km.

As my first Fling this was a real "learning experience".

I've had a mixed last six months since the Mont with rib displacement, a couple of winter chest infections, infected sutures needing 3 weeks on IV antibiotics (and no riding) and then another bloody headcold. Each one just as I was starting to get some training traction. But I've had a good last month or so ... so when PeteB suggested I give the Fling a crack on the back of some reasonable recent training sessions I thought why not. It's only 50-odd km, how hard can it be?

I was so keen to do well at The Fling. My aim was to do 5:30-5:45 which would smash my pb of 6:25. I've been training well and have been coached for 4 months now by my mate Gordo who has won the event twice.

I'm few beers down (how good are post race beers?!) so this might be a long one - apologies for any self-indulgence!

As you can see, I came 11th. Unless you win, its pretty academic in an Elite race. This is just a story of the weekend, the lead-up, and my highlights.

Cold, wet and muddy but still a great introduction for me into (half) marathon racing.

I'm happy with my result and even though earlier I was saying "never again", I'll be back next year to better my time. Hopefully next time without the cramps in the final climb.

Edit: Not sure if I have my position correct. In the list of everyone in my class, I'm 29th, but when I click on my name, it says I'm 43rd. Below that, it says 'time in'. I presume this is overall positioning?

Edit 2: Position sorted now results are in.

Round 4 of the SRAM Singletrack mind series was held at Welby in the Southern Highlands.

Having raced at Welby last year, I knew what I was in for; not huge amounts of climbing but technical pinchy climbs that really sap the legs. Getting flow and holding momentum is really hard at Welby. In saying that, it is a really fun track to ride around - perfect place for a social ride to take on your mates.

On Saturday afternoon Craig and myself headed out for a couple of recce laps. The course was dry, dusty and loose. It was fun to ride around but would prove to be a tough racetrack.

After postponement due to the current fire’s we were looking forward to the next round of the STM series. After taking out round 3 at Awaba in both the Mens Masters and Mixed categories the SXC team were keen to perform well again.

Did the 50 again this year. A pleasure to finally ride these tracks without much mud. Still coughing up a bit of dust this evening however. There were still a few patches of water in some of the 4WD wallows and it was a bit scary just how deep some of them were....

With quite a selection of events on the calendar it was May when the emails started about putting some teams together for the Scott 25hr. It didn’t take long to pencil in some names and the first thing unanimously decided was to go the full luxury marquee. Having a marquee with, power, lights, gas heating, table and chairs meant it was basically a turn and race.

SXC Racing has had a bit of success lately but the Scott25 was going to be the first race with the team in SXC kit. Thankfully it arrived 2 days before we were heading down to Canberra so we were all set.