What mtb is all about

I actually enjoyed Capital Punishment but I really should not have.

Why? I broke my saddle in the car-park before leaving the hotel (snapped both rails in front of the post and cracked the saddle from one side to the other - don't ask), arrived 15 minutes after the last rider had left (they had to take my number and the time manually as they had packed everything up already), a very kind stranger spent 10 minutes bodgying the saddle with cables ties and tape, I spent the next 10kms on and off the bike trying to get the saddle to stop slipping sideways leaving me sitting on the seat-post, gave up and rode 20-odd kms to transition standing but not before snapping my chain. A roll of tape and 10 cables ties later, I set off again but after about 5kms the saddle slipped to the side again, on and off the bike a few times before giving up on the saddle and it was seat-post or stand again. I chose standing. Another 15kms or so of standing into 54km transition where I was wondering if I would go on. Straight to the mechanic where to my absolute surprise lay a seat with my number on it! The kind stranger who helped me at the start had gone home, grabbed a saddle off one of his bikes, driven to transition and dropped it off for me. Ron Brent of Canberra, you are a legend. At Stromlo my tubeless tyre came off the rim sending my skidding down The Luge on my knees and forearms, leaving a healthy skin deposit. Lastly, 5kms from the finish the tube I put in deflated to around 15psi and would not inflate any further leaving a slow 5km ride down Stromlo to the finish line.

All in all a very bad day mechanically but I actually enjoyed myself. Why? Well, it's rare during a race that you get single-track as sweet as Kowan to yourself. Several times I thought forget it, I'm out, but I pushed on as I did not want a DNF. Besides the pain in my perineum and some tiring legs during the first 50kms due to all the standing I actually felt really good all day. I loved Stromlo, the climb was right up my alley, The Rollercoaster, Skyline, The Luge, etc., etc. I had a ball. And of course, lastly, some stranger going out of his way to make sure that I finished the race (again, thank you Ron Brent) - that is what being part of the mtb community is all about! I think my wife finally understands the camaraderie that I speak of.

I know that AROC coped flack for the Angry Doctor but I thought they organised a great race. Sure the untimed section was a bit sucky but I applaud them for linking up such great single-track. Will I be back? Definitely! Not only did I enjoy the day and like visiting Canberra and the great facilities it has to offer, as well as the the awesome tracks of Kowan, Majura and especially Stromlo, but I feel I have unfinished business and want to know how long it would really take me without all the issues! See you next year.