2011 DW100

This was my 2nd 100km event and the first being last years Dirtworks. Last year I did it in 07:32:52 and one of my goals for 2011 was to do the DW100 in 6-6.5 hours.

I started in the 7:20 group probably around mid pack. For me the pace was on from the get go and it wasn't long before we hit the mud leading to the start of the first hill. I was keen to have a go and except for having to stop midway on a water bar because the track wasn't clear I rode the whole thing. Even though my heart rate was hitting 190bpm I found it was better as previous years I have walked and my lower back was never happy at the top. I didn't stop at the top and while pushing on I took on a bit of food and water. I seemed to be holding a descent pace when I came across a rider down about 1km before the 20km marker and he had come of over a water bar. I stayed with him for about 5 minutes when he said he was just going to rest for a while.

I pushed on and stopped for long enough just to have a cup of coke or two and was off again with my next stop at the 50. I made the first 50 in 02:49:39 so I was pretty happy with that. Here I cleaned my brakes and drive train, applied some lube , took on food and water and was off. I think I was there about 10 minutes or so and then pushed on.

Once I hit the old GNR sections I noticed a few twinges here and there but seemed to be ok. I stopped mid way down Shepherds Gully for a toilet stop but I was thinking, if I wade I won't need to stop now . I got to the kayak bridge in 04:10:27 and was pretty happy thinking gee, I'm looking at a low 6 hour time here. I rode across and was a bit wobbly at the end but was ok.

Once I hit to rode to Womerah I tried to make up a bit of time when bang, my right leg locked solid. My quad was so tense I couldn't bend my leg or unclipped. I rolled to the edge and gracefully collapsed on the side of the road. A couple of cars stopped as it looked like I must have been run over or something. After a while I managed to unclip and slowly bend my leg. As I straightened it again to get up bang it went again. I was thinking there was no way I was finishing now. Once it eased a bit I worked out I was ok as long as I didn't straighten it. From here I spun my way to the climb and just granny geared it to the top. The rest of the way was just nursing my legs back.

In the end I came in 06:27:49 so I achieved my goal and riding up the first hill was also a highlight.

My 2012 goals for Dirtworks will be to ride the first hill without putting a foot down, sub 6 and get my second 50 within 20 minutes of my first 50.