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SCUM tracks/Husky Enduro
I was down the Sth Coast over the weekend and decided to attend the South Coast United Mountainbikers (SCUM) 30/60km race. I've been going down to Jervis Bay for years and through laziness never realised such great tracks existed so close. I entered for the 60km but due to a half hour late start (loads of entrants for a club event), and the course being a bit longer than I expected (33km) I pulled the old DNF after one lap as I had to attend a birthday party (Basically too knackered for second lap!!). I believe some of the course that was covered will form part of the Husky Enduro planned for mid February. First half of the course was Two of the SCUM maintained tracks called Butterfly and Superbowl. Great single tracks in hilly Bluegum forest. Couple of steep rocky'ish climbs, couple of steep ramp rollovers and narrow bridge's across ditch's. Flowed really well and was a good mix of climbs and downs. They joined it all up to some firetrails, powerline easements and other sections of single track. There was a bit of sand on some of the less maintained tracks but I only got off bike once through error and twice through necessity. I did have some trouble navigating (they ran out of direction arrows) and overshot a turn only for the rider behind me to slam on the brakes and call after me, (thanks) only for the same poor bugger to stop 200m on and say he had just done that section 20min before on the first lap and he himself had obvioulsy taken a wrong turn sometime back. I thought he looked out of place (fit) compared to me and those around me still on our first lap.
So for anyone that will be down Nowra way they should keep an eye on the www.scum.asn.au site and see if there are any races on and have a bit of an explore on some new trails.
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Hi - that rider was me.
I appreciate you saying that I looked 'fit'.
The course was good, and the event well run, but it was badly marked. I had taken the lead in the race, and then went off course. I chased down the lead again, took the lead, again, and then went off course - again.
Thats when I saw you.
My first lap (meant to be 30km ish) was in the end 43km. I completed this at an average speed of 23kph - so fast enough to win - but pulled out. Slightly frustrated.
Still - I too was on 'reconnaisance' for the Husky 100 and from what I've seen, cant wait. The trails were awesome and very reminiscent of the tracks in Woddend for the BMC / Dirtworks 100, just less hilly.
The entries for Husky are still open (yup a 100km event near Sydney that hasnt sold out!) so get in while you can!
Bring on the Valentines Day Massacre!!!!
Bugger mate!! From the frustration in your voice I surmised you were there to compete. Atleast the reconnaisance part of the trip was successful.
I spoke to some of the SCUM people before the event and they won't be involved in anyway with the Husky Enduro. The Husky organisers had wanted SCUM to mark the track and help coordinate etc on the day but SCUM declined.
I must admit a big part of not going out for a second lap was the navigation issue. If I missed a simple turn while still fresh, how was my I gonna go tired and cramping as the day got hotter and my mental capacity declined as I crawled deeper in the "pain cave"!! I spoke to the guy who marked the track and he thought the 33km on my computer looked about right. There were sections near the end that were that overgrown I would have turned back if I hadn't been following a couple of locals. There was even one water crossing which you couldn't really get around and there was no way the 100 (I'm guessing) riders ahead of me had been through it as the exit was dry with barely any markings.
Given the way summer is shaping up those riders who survive the wrath of partners for riding on Valentine's day might just get finished off by the heat.
Anthony it's great to hear you are so great spirited ...
It's a great relief that good riders such as yourself are so good natured ... i enjoy entering these races as much for my own health as i do for watching people like you get around the course ... some of you guys and gals get up those hills like you are tied to a t-bar ... i think it is awsome and being right there in the thick of it is wicked good ... happy new year and best wishes in all your endeavours ...
b.
Hi guys - I'm one of the organisers.
Good to hear you guys enjoyed the tracks - they will be fully groomed by our team pre 100ker in the coming weeks (can't do them too early due to moto's in the area). Also plenty of great track in Comberton Grange (local private property).
If you are looking at entering I'd be getting in very soon. There's less than 40 entries left for the event.
"The Husky organisers had wanted SCUM to mark the track and help coordinate etc on the day but SCUM declined." Not sure where the club guys are getting this from - our requests to the club executive were purely for permissions (in return for payment) to use the tracks. Probably a miscommunication between club levels. Some of the guys are assisting us (off their own bat - not as part of the club), some are racing etc. Some of the other events run in the area do require club assistance however which may be the other area for mix up. (sorry for sounding precious - we just realise the stretch that most clubs are already at with races, track work etc and are trying to help relieve the strain a bit rather than make it worse)
Hope to see you guys down there!
I will be attending this Sunday with my brother for a club race outing hope it is going to be a nice day