silent race and the curse of the cramp

The SS drivetrain was perfectly suited to the track condition yesterday, and ran faultlessly and silently.

The powerplant however performed less well. I managed to clip a tree at the 17 km mark and OTB. After passing a snake of numpty scummers in some single track the bunch in front stopped to inspect a log roll over at about 20 km in. I was forced to dismount, the act of which caused me to cramp a hamstring. This was the start of cramps which were to dog me to the end. Blondie caught up to me while I was trying to ingest a handful of salt tablets and Cramp Stop pills.

Chased hard through the next bit of single track after Blondie took a tumble only to have a stylish dismount myself at the 24km mark while showing 41 kmh on a firetrail. I had to find about the only stretch of sharp gravel the whole course. Result, grazed from wrist to ankle on my right side. Thanks to the riders who stopped to check I was OK, though I think they were secretly hoping I needed rescuing.

Proceeded gently for the rest of the race. In the mud I cramped, in single track the scrub whipping my grazes was unbearable, and on the up slopes I cramped..... lots of walking.

The last 7 k's was bliss... I could spin and spin and made up some time, getting back up to speed, and even passing a few riders. Even though the time wasn't as hot as I'd hoped for, it was still a great day on the bike.

If the weather had played nicer it would have been some of the best singletrack I've ridden. Even with the mud it was possible to get the SS flowing with the short pinches and gentle gradients and with perfectly spaced opportunities to rest the spinning legs. And how cool was it to have riders acknowledge the SS as we passed. I really needed and appreciated the encouragement.