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Quagmire
The only difference between last year's Capital Punishment and today's race was the sun was out and we didn't freeze our butts off. The track was horrendous!
I started in the second last group as I wanted to start slow then lift the pace as I still have my chest infection which doesn't affect me if I don't go too hard. The first 22km is mainly fire road but there weren't too many places you could ride side by side due to all of the puddles & erosion. I popped out where we cross the main road spot on the time I told Liz I'd be there. A quick "cubble" with my 2yo daughter and off I went.
The other side of the road was even worse. I had to keep pushing hard even on downhill sections or else the sticky clay would bring you to a stop. We then hit the first single track which was in good condition. It doesnt have the same clay base as the fire trails. As we headed further north the conditions got worse. Every fire trail was a stretch of interconnecting puddles, some deeper than the others. I had a couple of small stacks losing my front wheel in the single track but at the 35km mark I took on a puddle that was too deep and cartwheeled and went swimming. Great, now my Camelback mouth piece had submerged in smelly water. I knew it was 35km in as when I swam back up to the surface the 35km sign was in front of my face. At least the 10kg of clay attached to my bike washed off.
I saw my family about 4 times during that loop which always lifts my spirits when I'm hurting. Each time we'd have a quick cubble then off again.
When I got to about 55km I started realizing I was probably going to take close to 7hr so then started questioning why bother? It was just hard work and not fun. I finally said to myself I'm not having fun anymore so decided to pull out at the 60km mark back at the main road where I knew I'd have a car waiting. It turns out I wasn't Robinson Crusoe. The main road was littered with riders taking the easy route back to the finish. Apparently quite a few elite riders pulled the pin at the same spot pissed at the damage being done to their bikes.
If I'd realized the roads were that bad I would have raced on my training bike which is a Whyte T120 as British bikes are made for mud...
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I wonder how many will put up their hard earned for a crack at it next year?(if it goes ahead)
Me! You can't blame the organizers. They can't control the weather and it's a huge decision to postpone an event. They would say the single tracks were fine and the fire roads that rutted from trucks etc that we wouldn't have made them any worse. Having said that, next time I'll pull the pin if it's wet prior.
Hey Craig
It was a hard day at the office - I think I came in around the 6:15 mark but will wait for the official time before posting. It actually got much better up the 60k mark. The single track somewhere around 70 - 75k was almost dry and really fun.
I do admit I was happy with the fits 50k's as it was hard to get any momentum in that wet clay and f you did you would have to get off in one of he bogs.
Glad I got to the end, but wasn't one my best days out.
Next year ? For sure ! This is a great course with great single track, and nothing that can really hurt you. I agree if its wet give it a miss !
Wayne
Agree it did get better in the last section of singletrack. There hadn't been any rain for a while so 10mm in 4 hours was enough to make those fire trails really slippery.
Sorry to hear you had a horrid day today. Was thinking of you and the boys today whilst I was at Bunnings.
Working on the new house Phil? I'm not disappointed about the DNF. I was feeling strong, riding within myself and my bike was faultless - didn't miss a gear or show any signs of chain suck despite having a kg of goop stuck to each derailleur. Just lost interest! Besides, I was back at the finish in time to see the winners come through.