I so wanna ride!!

it was very cool at the 8 1/4 hours ride - a good crew of NobMobbers and a beautiful day - well a bit hot is all. Tracy and I were entered as a Masters Pair - unfair they don't have Mixed Masters Pairs in our opinion, but hey we are about enjoying the ride not competing - usually. Anyway, we managed to nudge the vehicle in near the shade and set up with the gang. We were cunningly placed about 100m up the track from the transition where we could in fact have our own transition zone.

I was to be first off but Tracy decided since Caro was riding first she would go out with her - suited me, more time to hydrate. We had thought two laps each to start but it was so hot we settled on one to begin.

As we hadn't ridden the forest before we had no idea what to expect. Tracy came in looking very stuffed but with a big grin. And off I went - what a great track!! Love that rollercoaster and burnt forest, with some pretty technical challenging little bits to keep one on the toes. In one section the humidity was breath taking, literally, with the air feeling almost liquid. Liam started a bit behind me at the transition but it wasn't long before i watched Ernie waving to me (or so it seemed) as he blew past me up a hill - ah 20 years and 15kg separate us!! Towards the end of the lap at a technical bit of sniggle I came across Alex, a biking acquaintance and fellow cracknfail rider known from Dirtworks, Coffs and Mogo, lying beside the track in a bit of pain. Turned out he had come off and put his hand out and busted his wrist - ouch!! Said he heard it go. As i was first there I told the riders I had been dogging to send for help and I got out th first aid kit and did what I could - precious little really. Wrapped a little bandage around it and helped him with some water - he didn't want my nurofen, he was holding out for the good stuff in his bag!! His arm looked a little deformed and I remember thinking - that's gotta suck!! No point in waiting round so I left him and headed on.

And so it went - Tracy was off on the second and before long it was my turn again. It was so hot that by the time Tracy had done 3 we decided to break for a while and have some lunch - I was seriouly thinking 2 laps might be my day. However as the day cooled and the others wee coming and going I though I'd have another loop. By this time it was mid afternoon and a light breeze had come up finally. So I set off, and it was perfect!! Track was ideal, not many riders, all the A-lines running smooth and the weather nice and cool. What a blast!! I might go round again, I thought, since I am making excellent time and now know the track a little. Anyhoo, got to the bit I can only call Carpet Corner, a tight left hand turn/chute with a rocky exit that had green astro turf pegged down, several trees and a small bridge straight after. Having navigated it twice already I raced in fairly confidently, full lock on both brakes as I slowed into the chute. As I did the tight left somehow i stalled and in an effort to put my foot down went OTB straight into soft pine needles. Putting my hand out i thought "oo funny dry log snapping sound, but no logs??" And then I realised I had just heard my left wrist snap YUKKKK!!! A quick look revealed it looked almost exactly like Alex's had earlier, and the pain confirmed it. I had been right, it did suck!! Fortunately I was close to the service tent in the middle of the course and walked over to there, where they managed to get a Dr in on a 4 wheel drive. A field splint and ice and off we went.

And there endeth my racing for the day and at least 6 weeks to come. Turns out I did a real good job on it - busted the bone into a few pieces, had surgery yesterday to wire it all back together again and will have wires and a cast for 6 weeks grrrr!! So much for Wildside in Tassy. I wanna ride!!!

Anyways, great track, great day, shame about the cast. Thanks to those who helped Tracy pack up and sent their kind wishes to me. And yes, I typed this all with one hand!!!!