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I came into the race having had a few months of colds and my ruptured disc causing grief in my lower back. Unlike previous races I made sure I was prepared well before the race so I didn’t spend the day before stooped over my bike only to inflame my back. I even went to bed at 7:30 the night before and got nearly 8hr sleep so all was looking good on race day.

This was my third consecutive DW and once again it didn't disappoint. It very nearly didn't happen for me after having my car taken off me at the 11th hour by the missus. I couldn't get hold of my ride buddy and neither of us had made plans to travel together so thought he had already left. Put a call out on this site and got some kind offers of a lift. Thank you all. However my ride buddy finally answered his phone and travel was all sorted.

Underestimated the number of sandbaggers again and missed the 2nd wave start, but got away OK with the last bunch. A few exciting moments in the "peleton", with ridiers switching lines without so much as a look. The mud stretch for the 200m or so before the first climb was a real mess, but after that the track was just soft and pretty leg sapping (us clydesdales tend to sink in a bit further than the whippets). Usually one or two lines in most sections were well worn, but it was still too damp for it to have hardened up. Walked a few of the hillier bits.

At last a race that I finish, instead of crashing out!
Sooo,
Gun goes, and we're off. All of us together. As usual, a couple of guys try and shoot off the front to try and get a lead into the hill. They are chased down very quickly. So, going into the bottom of the hill, everyone is together, through the slop and muck! Ben (Mather) and Matt (Flemming) hit the hill hard. I'm in about 6th wheel and planning on taking it fairly easy. Justin Morris (Marathon MTB) jumps clear and sits in 3rd about 5m behind Ben and Matt.

After all the recent rain the track conditions varied from damp to wet. The clay sections were not too bad when I went through although I am sure they would have been slipperier for the riders starting in the later waves. It was pretty easy to pick the good lines through the rock gardens, just a matter of following the orange line.
I found the road section down to the first hill bloody dangerous. Lots of people changing direction and trying to get 5 places forward before forcing their way back into the pack. Just plain stupid.

Well considering my total lack of training for various reasons this year this turned out OK. In the month leading up to today I had ridden to work twice, did a few laps at the Mont, 38km at Terrey Hills and two road rides which were both shorter than 70km! So the only goal today was to finish the race. Given the conditions leading up to the event I had thoughts of calling it quits after the canoe bridge even before we started

Did this race 12 months ago. Was a pretty easy day on a newbie friendly course.

Wow the Mont 24 Hour 2011, what a great event and a great track and great people in the team and who we camped with as well. It was great a great weekend if a little cold.

I got down on Friday Arvo with Rob and we quickly got our gear sorted and pitched the tents etc. Scouting lap in the arvo with Gazza and I going pretty balls out during the singletrack, it was clear it was going to be a sensational piece of track to race on with some nice bermed corners and technical challenging stuff. Friday night, chilled with crew and watched NWD10.

Race report, photos and lap info to come...

All the gear is hanging up in the garage and nearly dry after a very wet Sunday & packup. today I'm starting to feel normal again, after a couple of nights sleep, and the flu is passing at last.