Hot Fling

My first MTB enduro so the anxiety about what to expect was very real. Staying in Bowral with a mate and our families, we woke early enough for a good breakfast, a couple of cups of coffee and to get there on time. Lost my mate during a fairly uneventful, but mostly enjoyable, first stage - hard to enjoy the freshly laid singletrack as it seemed a lot of rider out were not expecting it so were very slow. The elites belted through whilst we were in the paddocks so no concerns about holding them up, just sheer amazement at their speed. Arrived at first transition feeling pretty good but also knowing that would likely change.

The first part of stage two was great, met up with a couple of other nobmobbers and along with a bunch of other riders enjoyed some nice singletrack, a good group to ride with which took my mind off the distance in front of me and put a smile on my face. That all changed when the heat set in. About 10km out from half way point I was feeling bad, Very bad. It was hot. I could not get the water in quick enough to replace what I was losing and I started feeling dizzy, nauseous and altogether not good. The sign for half way point was very welcome but the thought of riding as far as I already had left me concerned at how I could go on. I didn't want to bail but was asking myself serious questions. My mate turned up and after some water over the head and something to eat, determined not to give in I set off again feeling barely better than when I arrived and wondering how I would get out of there if I could not go on a few kms down the track.

After a downhill section that helped cool me down, half way hill had me physically back where I was at the half way water stop. Thankfully, the clouds came over and a breeze picked up which dropped the temperature by a few degrees. This, combined with the water finally doing its thing, had me feeling a lot better, actually pretty good. I walked (trudged) the big hills and slowly rode the others and the rest of stage two was as I expected - hard, but doable. I actually managed to make the most of a few sections of singletrack, had a chat to a few people and enjoy actually being out riding. I arrived at transition feeling a million times better than I expected to at half way and was buoyed by the fact that the next rest I had meant that I had finished.

The last stage went as expected although it did seem long. When I saw riders on the other side of the fence I figured that it must be a small section to get back to where they were. How very wrong. The heat kicked in again but at least I was amongst the trees and my water intake was much better and I was holding the cramps at bay by a whisker. I barely enjoyed the singletrack through the rocks, the legs weren’t too bad but concentration gone, finishing was the aim right then although I did slowly ride most of those damn grass hills. Came across a rider with a broken hanger and no tools or spares whatsoever. An excuse for a break or a chance to put my limited mechanical skills to use? Whatever, off the bike for 5-10 minutes to take off the derailleur, remove some chain, powerlink and bunch of adjustments and he was kind of on his way with his new single speed. I was good friends with my granny by that stage so happy it wasn’t me. The 10 km to go sign had me picturing the finish line so I actually managed to overtake a few people who had passed me while assisting with the mechanical. After actually being happy to hit the black stuff, I wasn’t happy with the sting in the tail when it started going uphill but that was pretty short.

From 5 km out, it was pure happiness, finish line within reach, not feeling altogether too bad and knowing that my first enduro was just about complete. A burst of energy at the end had me sailing through the last few grass hill sections. Hearing the PA put a smile on my face and then I was over the finish line. The congratulations from a few of the guys and some banter and war stories added to the enjoyment and some of the pain was already fading. While it would have been nice to have been able to push through a few sections I said under 8 would be good and, given the unexpected heat, I have to be satisfied in doing that. While it’s not great to hear of others suffering, knowing that I was not the only one that the heat+hills punished at least made me feel a little less soft. An hour of watching people crossing the line obviously and deservedly happy with themselves until my mate turned up was great.

We had previously agreed that we would decide if we would do it all again in the car on the way back to where we were staying outside of Bowral...the obvious dancing around the question meant that it was being considered by both of us. After a shower and a beer, I made the call that it was likely I would do another and probably come back next year. A short time later I had an agreeing nod. The main pain point was dealing with the dehydration at half way so sorting that out and a bit more fitness would make it an altogether better day out. A great event for a great sport, very happy to have got that behind me. The pain of that midday heat is still very fresh but considering that I just found myself looking up the race calendar for next year it would seem that any lesson that I learnt does not involve making this a first and last time experience!