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Dirtworks advice
Noticed a few entries for sale for DWorks and then how many are going from NOBMOB. Having never competed I am toying with the 50km to see how it goes - I "qualify" for the masters category - does that matter or should I just grab any old 50km entry?
But then that opens a heap of questions:
How much water/food do you carry on the bike.
Do you carry spare tyre(s) on the ride or other spares?
Is it plausable to rock up on Sun morn as I can't stay Sat?
How hard is the course if yr reasonably fit?
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Grab any old entry... doesn't really matter but if you really care you can change category at rego.
Q: How much water/food do you carry on the bike.
A: Depends on how long you plan on taking. There is a water stop 28km in and from there it's pretty easy riding to the finish (you've done the climbing by then). So just take enough food for the whole ride (few hours?) and enough water to see you through half way before re-filling.
Q: Do you carry spare tyre(s) on the ride or other spares?
A: At least one spare tube, 2 is better. Personally I carry powerlink, cable ties, electrical tape, multitool, etc.
Q: Is it plausable to rock up on Sun morn as I can't stay Sat?
A: Think that has been discussed. It would be an early start and the ferry queue will be tricky, but is do-able.
Q: How hard is the course if yr reasonably fit?
A: There is only one big climb, the rest is pretty nice firetrail. I would say if you can do 30-40km in a single serve without side effect then you'll be fine.
double check this but i expect that you cant just rock up on Sunday if your just buying the ticket now.. as per their website
No transfers will be accepted on race day.
** Further entry transfers will only be accepted at registration on the Saturday (1st May) before the event. The new rider must present the original receipt and a letter from the current incumbent requesting race officials to transfer the entry to the new rider. No transfers will be accepted on race day.
Having done the first Dirtworks in almost 10hrs (yes that's not a typo!) I learned quickly what not to do for future events. Carrying spare tubes and knowing how to actually replace them was something I should have learned before the event and only carrying Gu gells may give you energy but can leave you pretty damn hungry. Anyway, much wiser now so here are a few more tips to add to those above;
Water - approx 1L/hour is a rough guide. Obviously we all sweat differently and weather affects our water needs but if you have that much on you then you won't run out. Make sure you drink plenty in the first hour.
Food - race day is not the time to try new food. Only eat what you have trained with. If you don't normally use energy gels then you may get sick in the race. Most people take a mix of gels and food that will fill your tummy. Muesli bars and sandwiches are good. Vegemite is a good electrolyte and honey and jams are good carbs.
Tyres - assuming you run tubes then pump them up to a reasonably high pressure (40psi) to minimise chances of pinch flats. You don't need much traction at this event so you won't lose anything by running higher pressure.
Course is pretty easy. If you take plenty of food & water then your hydration and energy levels won't be an issue. If you do a full spanner check of your bike and have maintained it well then mechanicals shouldn't let you down. The only thing left is how hard to push yourself. If you can talk to those around you for most of the race then you are in your aerobic zone so shouldn't have any problems getting through. The trick is to go fast enough so you aren't bludging but not too hard that you are spending too much time in your anaerobic zone generating lactic acid & fatigue.
Enjoy your day.
The only option re transfer at this late stage ( transfer rego is 5-8pm Sat night ONLY) would be to ride under the name of the original ticket holder - at check-in how vigerous is ID checking - theoretically speaking of course?
just get someone to change and rego for you on Sat? All they'd need would be a letter signed from you and some ID.
Must be an easier option?
BTW - do the race regardless. Its a cracker, and the 50km is really an ok option.
Good luck.
Not trying to discourage anyone here but ... having covered both the 100 and 50km as training/recce my mates and i are predicting alot of accidents this year - parts of the track are really washed out and exposed, lots of areas of baby head rocks, ruts and no obvious lines
Other parts are just sand bunkers taken from a golf course - for some reason quite a few are located at the bottom of descents where you are carry some nice speed, a couple at at the top of descents to upset your wheel before you roll down and a couple of on the climbs itself.
If people aren't crashing due to the washed out course, or the sand traps, they'll be crashing because someone has stopped in the middle of the track to walk/navigate through said exposed area and sand traps.
so please everyone take it easy, as someone that has come off in a big way on the big descent on the 50km route because i would rather not see it happen to anyone else
If its your first time, the course is still very ridable but take it easy, i would anticipate a 3 - 4 hour ride (depending on fitness etc), the first big hill is the worst of it, and from about 38 km (after the really really steep descents) its all firetrail