2012 Husky 100

After some great results already this year, I had set my sights on he Husky to go one better and hopefully get myself on the podium for my category. With the help of the Jet Racing team, training was good and I felt like I had done everything I could for the race. My plan was simple, stay on the wheel of Jason McAvoy  (No 1 rider in Masters) and trust my fitness to get me to the end of the race.

After a good pre race warmup, we made our way to the race briefing. With some promising news that all creek crossings were rideable, 
I thought great - this is not going to be like last year.

Race start, I position myself literally on Mcavoy's wheel. Gazza, not far away, with Brian / Mike behind me. Race start, kicks off with the usual flurry, and 
I am riding about 4th wheel. First thing I notice - I am holding my own, and feeling good - this is going to be a good day. I look around after about 5km we have a lead group of around 10 riders. Gazza is 2 wheels in front and 
I am going well.

We then approach the first downhill bit of track, and from the last 2 years, I know that all downhill sections lead to these enormous bog / water holes. The group is going fast, I am still around 4th wheel from the lead, the first 3 hit the water and drive through. Last sec indecision has me changing to a slightly wider line then the rider in front in anticipation that if he goes down I can still get past. My front wheel hits a deep rut, and I get projected over the bars at speed. I quickly get up, but HR is through the roof, my brake levers are pointing upwards, and it takes me around 30-40 secs to get sorted. The group has gone ! My main food supply is gone ! Plan A is out the window.

I get back on the bike and start again. I am now joined by Brian / Mike training mates and work hard for the next 30km. We are now leading a second group of around 10 riders. I am still feeling good, but momentum is continuously interrupted by these waterholes, per the race briefing I tried riding most of them, with about a 60% success rate. The bike sounding terrible after each waterhole.

Just before the 50km mark, in some climbing singe track, Brian and I make small break from the group. With that I decided to make a split from the group and push harder. I get to the halfway point and have caught 2 riders that must of fallen off the 1st group. after quickly changing bottles, I dig in and decide to put in a big effort for the last 40km's.

25kms to go and I am still tic tacking with the two other riders. Speed has now really picked up, and I am now averaging over 22kmh. I am feeling good, and thinking the long training rides have paid off. Thinking if I get get under 5 hrs I will still be good for a podium in my category.

Just outside the 10km mark we hit the last waterhole on the way back. The rider I am with gets through, and I go down again. He gets a small gap as I sort myself out. At the 10km mark, we hit the last of the climbs, a steady long climb I put in a last ditch effort to catch him, but just cant close the gap. The last 5km is a blur, I empty everything that I have got, to get to the finish, I see the golf course and know then I am almost there.

I cross the line in 5:06. Which gets me 5th in category, 32nd overall including elites, and 15th overall in the 'normal ' non elite field. I check the results and find out, that less than 60 secs separates 3rd 4th and 5th place in my category. 5:05 would have got me on the podium. 

My Initial disappointment turns into satisfaction, knowing that all the training is paying off. Now I just need to ride a little smarter, and not let any setbacks get in my way. Over 100km there is time to recompose and recover. 1 year ago I never dreamed of being in this position in a marathon.

Kudos to Gazza, great race mate to pick up 2nd in masters, and at one stage was leading the non elite field. Great stuff Gazza !

Thanks to Ant (training and advice) and the guys at Jet for all the encouragement.

See you again soon !