Ouch

My race report sounds basically the same as Robs. Race started off well with no issues. Got into a groove and linked on to a train of people going at a reasonable speed. Cleared the first stage in 1.30 ish, thought all was going well, got into the next stage, still going a good speed, then at around the 40-45km mark I lost all energy, had nothing in the tank, was very strange as went from great speed powering up everything to having absolutely nothing. stopped and had a bite to eat, some gu, drink etc. Didn't really help much. stayed there a bit longer. After 20mins still feeling very ordinary. Thought I would wait for my mate Keith to rock up and would ride with him, hopefully he can spur me on to keep going. He turns up shortly after, he has a quick break and off we go. Struggle, struggle and more struggle and eventually we get to the water stop, maybe 60km in or so. Stop there and stay there for ages trying to gte some energy back. I guess 3 days after having the flew for 2 weeks is not enough recovery time, its really starting to show at this point. Whilst waiting there Rob and Ev turn up. Say hello to them, Rob looked about as bad as I did so I felt for him. We decide to ride together for the next half and help each other out. Rob seemed like he grew extra legs as he powered up the hills, me, Ev and Keith walked a lot of these, still having no energy what so ever. We stopped many, many , many times in an attempt to recoup some energy and actually make it to the next transition. Eventually we made it out of Wingello and back to the transition, this must have been after about 7.5hrs of riding. Rob called it a day and quickly jumped on the bus.

Myself, Ev and Keith had a nice break at transition, had some food and drink. A guy said we have 25mins to go before we have to be back on course or we wont be able to complete the next stage. No worries, we finish up and head off with about 10mins to spare before cutoff. We picked up another couple of stragglers and made a team of 5 very, very sorry and sore individuals. we cruised at a leisurely pace, chatting to keep our mind of things. Thanks Ev for the company for the last 20kms, it really made a huge difference and I wouldn't of made it back without you. We stopped many times again and walked up anything that resembled a hill, even ants moulds were a struggle at this stage. We had no idea how far we had to go, my gps had turned itself off a few times so distance was very out. Evs speedo said we had completed 115km, so surely the end was near. We see a sign that says 10km to go, i nearly fell off my bike with disappointment as i thought we had 2 or 3 max. Anyway we keep on going. We took the short and steep option and found out it was faster as another guy who was near us too the longer one and we beat him to the other end. Eventually we made it to the finish to a nobmob cheering squad, we finished in around 10hrs, very disappointing as i finished the dirtworks 100 in just over 7hrs. But considering how sick I was and having the flew for the 2 weeks prior to the event i was glad just to make it to the end. From now on if i am sick 3 or 4 weeks prior to an event like this I will either pull out or do the shorter option. I will be back next year to take revenge on the fling course.

Thanks to Rob, Keith and Ev for helping me to the finish, I couldn't have done it without you.

Don