Fat fun

Awaba = Fun fun fun fun fun with added fun!

For the last 2 years the Fat Tyre has always thrown something in the way to make it an eventful day out and this year's event didn't disappoint. We we're making good times, lapping in the 36-37min range and after 3 laps were sat comfortably in P12. That is until Jos got his puncture on his 3rd that set us back 10mins and down to P18. The tyre burped and his CO2 head failed. With no back-up pump he was forced to run the bike until someone stopped and gave him a pump. Nige was caught napping at transition and in an effort to make up for lost ground I washed out heavily railing it round the second to last switchback of my 3rd lap. We were gradually clawing back positions throughout the arvo. We calculated we all needed to put in 3 more laps at 36min to buy ourselves a 2 minute window before the race cut off time (5:05pm) to steal one more lap. Those three laps we're the hardest we had ever raced, with everything to play for we all dug deep. I was the last rider of the three and after seeing both Jos and Nige deliver the goods the fate of the team was now in my hands to make it back to transition before the cutoff. My last lap was insane. I had almost no chainring selection. I had no granny for Camelback climb which meant I had to punch up in middle ring and worry about the consequences later. I channelled my good singlespeeding friend Matt_b - if he can do it why can't I? I made it to the first top bit and then ran the bike the 20 meters or so to the crest. Big dog was also a problem, It was being very difficult to engage for the downhill. So when it did go in I was reluctant to downshift unless absolutely no other option was available. Had all the hard work paid off? I entered the timing tent with 5:03pm on my clock and screamed like a banshee at Jos to "#$@%#%! ride ride ride!!!". I collapsed in a heap exhausted and grinning from ear to ear that we had made it. That crucial 13th lap. This was going to spring board us back into - fingers crossed - a top ten position? Sadly when it all came out in the wash we ended up back where we started P12. Still it was an awesome fun day and we really felt like we'd been out there racing. And isn't that what it's all about?

Bring on 2011!