So close to sub 3

I made a pretty determined effort to get under 3 hours. Not quite there but very happy with the ride.

I made it hard for myself at the start, again confusing start time and rider briefing - I thought I would be lining up in plenty of time but of course everyone lines up well in advance of the rider briefing. This meant I started well back only just inside the starters shute. It wasn't a problem passing riders but it meant I had no-one to work with, and the only way to do a good time at the fling is to work with others.

All that aside the fling (even the half fling) showed itself to be an absolute baddass course. Riding into the roller coaster was like hitting a brick wall and when I dismounted I got a lesson in anatomy as every single muscle in both legs cramped up all at once. I wasn't going to let this ruin the ride and found the cramps stayed away as long as I was on the bike. I had a similar problem last year - I thought it was a nutrition thing but now I think its more about how much climbing you do in the race, it is a race of strength.

After the rollercoaster I struggled through some new singletrack switchbacks but spun pretty nicely up brokeback mountain. Then with clear track ahead I was on the gas, still chasing sub 3. Rounding the last corner I was still on the gas and banged through the back cassette determined not to concede a single position - thats why I like the half fling, I feel like I am racing the whole distance.