Blogs

This race nearly didn’t happen.... A couple of weeks ago Gazza got a job out in Central Australia, and had to pull out of our regular Mixed Nuts team. Martine wasn’t happy to come along on her own with us (I’m still not sure how that reflects on the rest of us.... ), so it was down to Ladytoast and me, as Steve01 wasn't available either.

Well what a great time we had, I got to the track around 6am on race day to find Whisperer had claimed an awesome spot on the track and erected 2 large tarps to set up camp under. The race started at 9:10am and the pace was furious, we had a ok lead after around 6 laps but we weren't holding anything back, the track was a lot of fun and took me back to 2003-2006 when the 24 hour races were held there. I thought the track would be in worse shape than back then but happy to say it has improved noticeably.

This was the first 12 hour for me and my mate JB, so we really didn’t know what to expect. We had planned on entering this race as training for the Angry Doctor and the Scott 24 hour. We had both done a reasonable amount of training leading up to the race, but we really hadn’t anticipated what was going to happen yesterday.

Entering this race with man down might have been seen as in a negative light but as we won our class in the most recent 24 hour JetBlack race we thought we had a good chance of at least making the podium of Masters 4s. I was in a team with Carlgroover and Whisperer. Carlgroover was positive we had first place in the bag before even starting!.

Some might have noticed I didn't have much to say last week, and now you can see why... we were in Bali having a really rather nice time

with all this crap weather lately I have chosen to stick to the gym. All the decent trails are either waterlogged or closed. I have ventured up to Oxford Falls for a bit of DH / Free riding as it has good drainage and the return walk back up the hill are good for my fitness.

If this weather continues I will have to learn how to program the Gym bike to add in hills. Perhaps some spin classes or maybe some road riding would be good.

Got to get fit for the Wild Wollembi 60k next month..........

First 100k Event - OMG!!! Was in a world of pain with cramps.

no training - I need to train.

Start with 50k events and build toward longer events.

[Mod. linked to event]

oh man! I felt great, attacked on the 2nd loop and was leading the race by nearly a minute at the start of the 3rd loop. I checked my shoulder and saw the chase group. By the bottom of the big climb (the water crossing) they had caught me. I couldnt go with Rowney or Miller, but managed to keep the distance from growing. From the top, I was flat out, and saw 2nd place the whole way home. 15seconds ahead, and I could do nothing about it!
Still - delighted with 3rd.
It was a hell of a race and one of my favourites.

About a month ago I agreed to go up to QLD for my first lap race as support crew for my brother. He had already qualified for the 24hr worlds however it was at the shortened del rio race so he was looking to experience the full 24 hours of fun. He got me into mtb racing earlier in the year and again managed to convince me that entering the solo category would allow me to ride a few laps with him in the later stages of the race.

Driving down Sunday morning the temperature gauge got down to 2.5C so knew the only way to warm up was ride hard.The track was in perfect condition no dust no mud just tacky or hard packed bliss.Couple of tough hills that make the legs scream out in pain but the rest is a lot of fun