A guilty yet happy Fling

Yes, that's right... almost six and half hours for the Half Fling!

You knew this was going to be a relaxing ride as I spun across the parking paddock from the car not long after Huw had counted down the start for Half Flingers and Elites and most of them were well on their way. There had been a slight delay as was helping the guy parked next to use out with his brakes but no damage done as I managed to find Pratiwi on the line and saunter over at the back of the grid. And that was pretty much where we'd stay for the rest of the 'race'.

So for me this was another weekend of chaperoning Pratiwi on a cycling event (she'd talked me into the Gong Ride which we'd completed the previous weekend). Not long into the first stage she began to comment on how much harder MTB is to road riding (and in the car home, how much more fun too... phew!). For me, today's ride was definitely just an exercise in relaxation (or is that patience?) of taking a few pictures along the way and giving advice and gentle encouragement. Despite our sedate pace we still found couple of traffic jams on the first section but was able to roll most of them thankfully and enjoy what little tech. there was before having another break and taking some pictures while waiting for the VIP.

I thought it would be hit and miss if we saw the leaders at Wingello but was glad that we made it in time to see Gordo and a few other elites come through between their stage 2+3. So hung out here for a bit and headed off back into Penrose before seeing any of the mob.

Not long into stage 3 though we began to be passed by more and more riders. Close to the top of a pinch that was clearly particularly nasty with around 85Km in your legs (plenty of walkers and cramping galore) Linco was the first of the MoB I recognised to appear - very impressive! Later on we were to be passed by Dylan, Gazza, Pivot & DangerSean - what a 'roidy bunch you guys are!

And here's where some slight guilt began to kick in - at this stage of the race most people are in it together. We're all moaning and groaning and helping each other on with grunts of encouragement and barely coherent banter. However today I kept having to explain to everyone (particularly Pratiwi, lest she think our life was too tough) that all these people coming by had ridden another 50km round Wingello. Even though we'd been going for over 5 hours when the majority of people were coming by I felt rather fresh and almost ashamed to be trundling along so easily. That said - I did take some sick amusement in letting Dylan ride past on a slight incline while taking pics, then smashing up the hill past him flaunting my freshness. Oops

On the flip side though - it's nice to be fresh and thinking clearly when you find a full fling rider almost passed out on the side of the trail. Some poor female rider (who I'd noted come by looking in good form a while earlier) was bunching up in pain complaining of stomach cramps and being out of water. Only having her sugary feed in left in the bottle seemed to have sparked off said cramps. She looked terrible and was saying how she couldn't keep anything down. Oh yeah - been there, done that I explained and recounted part of that story, which seemed to spur her to take in more water that Pratiwi & I dished (and a spare bottle I'd picked up earlier - was doing a bit of course cleaning too). Another rider called the marshals who said they'd come to collect her so moved along leaving the other riders to do the caring.

You could understand this sort of incident as it was getting pretty hot by now. I was a little worried about Pratiwi but she was going well. Walking a few things but managing to grind up most of it in the saddle. She even made it almost all the way up the rocky section of 'Your Call' (longer, less steep of course).

Yeah, I was very pleased she didn't seem to be suffering and then really happy to see her positively beaming when we came out on the road and I said that it would be smooth sailing for the few kays left to the finish. We both even got the big dog out and cranked along for a while before bringing it home.

All in all then, a shamefully easy day out for me, but very happy for Pratiwi. Now, to get the speed up and another 41km added

P.S. Garmin thingo here: