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As I joined HMBA as part of the Spring Fat Tyre Fest I thought I would have a go a racing up there this year. I entered C grade and which is 3 laps (8km+6km+6km). I struggled big time which I knew I would as I haven't been doing any intense rides so time to change the training I think.

Position after Lap 1 - 13
Position after Lap 2 - 17
Position after Lap 3 - 20

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First club day and it was a lot of fun. Followed Logan on the first lap and had no rhythm so decided to slow down for a while. Started to get smother on the second lap and really enjoyed the third. Its amazing how much easier things are when your in a good rhythm with the track, even the hills are simpler and you go faster with less effort. Well thats how it felt for a while until Hatton & co came past and reminded me I was 10+ minutes a lap off the pace.

Will try and make as many of the CCOTMB club days as I can.

Given this was my first foray into XC racing I thought I'd post a few scribbles on how the day went. Overall it was great fun.

I planned on using this round as a 'no pressure' toe in the water to learn the course and see how the pace was and if I had the fitness to do it. I figured C grade was about right based on the distance. Suprisingly I was quite nervous before the start, more nervous than before the start of a race in my other sport which is motorcycle road racing, but that settled as soon as we got rolling.

Dont normally write a blog, but enjoyed this race so much thought I would.

Lots of Nobmobbers there, I didnt really say hi, so should make more of an effort. Note to self.

A-Grade startline was like a who's-who of NSW MTB racing. Awesome to see such a field at a clubby. Mitchell, Trenton, Pete Hatton, True, the two Gav's, Chops, plus a bunch of other fit looking dudes. Oh, an yours-truely.
If you can ride with this bunch, there is no race in Australia that you couldnt hold your own.

So my first time out for the CCOMTB XC Series, I am gonna be racing the majority of these races this year and having checked my calender there are very few races that clash with my road calender so I am lucky on that front. After being told that B Grade is where I should race, I reluctantly pitted myself against the likes of Gazza (sandbagging git) over 3 laps. The Course was short meadows with bits of the Magic Carpet taken away.

Nice ride around Mt York area this morning. Started the day arriving pretty spot on 8:30 to find Todd sleeping in his car.
Had a quick chat, then Jim comes rolling down the hill having parked further up. We ride up the road for a bit then jump on to the track.
It was mostly fairly easy going, technical in places but still fairly flowy, until the 'shute'. Jim just powered down, Todd had a look first then did the same. I was a bit more reluctant, but the boys talked me in to it and I made it fine.

What a race, and what a turn out! It looked like there were about 15 people in A grade alone. Great Nobmob turn out too, hopefully those that haven't been before can see what a great race it is and will attend some more. Well done to Ray for what looked like 5th place in A grade - what a demon. Logan, hope your cuts heal OK, they looked pretty nasty but nothing a pommy victory at the cricket wouldn't solve eh?

Went for an early ride this morning out at south camden . I had forgoten how good this place is, The track winds its way through thick bushland just above the Nepean river twisting and turning ,droping into gullys with pinch climbs to keep to keep you working ,the 2 deepest gullys have wooden bridges in the bottom but very steep entry and exit ,I cant ride out of the first gully on the way in but it is rideable on the return trip.

Riding to work this morning broke 3 spokes and did 2 tubes. Could someone tell me which store is my best bet to get me home today Clarence Street Cyclery or City Bike Depot.

Thanks

Stu.

I was fully pumped, had trained hard and was ready to smash out an angry 100km's for the Alpine Assault ... back on Dec 12th. So when the race was rescheduled for Jan 16th I thought I'd just pick up where I left off. As it turns out I had plenty of time to ponder a great deal of 'What if ... ' scenarios as I plodded along the 100km of steep, rocky alpine trail. What if I hadn't drunk so much fine wine and icy cold beer over the Xmas Xtravaganza ? What if I had got out of bed a few more times to train instead of sleeping in ?