Convict 50 - Lucky I wore Lycra!

This year the 50km race started in 4 self-seeded waves, with the first wave being for riders expecting to finish under 2 hours or place in the top few in their category. I certainly wasn’t expecting a podium finish, but 2 hours was my goal so I decided to go in the first wave. While we waited to start the announcer was making some pretty negative comments about how many people had seeded themselves in this wave, especially if they were wearing “cotton t-shirts”. Apparently lycra was compulsory for this group…

Off we went, and I sat towards the back of the group for the first 6 km. The pace was reasonably high by my standards – around 33-34 km/h average. After about 6km the group started to split as the fast guys put the power down and gradually disappeared from view. I settled into a group of 4 taking my turn at the front. We hit the big climb and I was a bit concerned about the pace of the first 10km taking its toll on my legs already. Self doubt started to creep in - was I punching above my weight by starting in this group? Climbing is usually my forte, but had I burned too many candles already?

We started the big grind, and right away there were plenty of people getting off and pushing their bikes, including a couple of the guys I had been riding with. No way I was doing that, so I gradually passed about 20 or so riders as I ground my way up. Unfortunately some of the walkers were taking the best lines and not moving aside for riders, but most were very good. By about two-thirds of the way up I found that most people were riding again, but I did manage to pass a few more. On reaching the top I felt OK but not great, so had my first gel, drank some Endura and backed off the pace for a couple of minutes. Then it was into a big gear and off along the ridge-top stage.

Now last year I spent the majority of this race riding alone, which was not a smart strategy, so I slotted myself into a new group of 4. Again the pace was high for me but I hung on for a few km. We caught two riders who joined us and slotted in at the back just in front of me. Soon after came a quite long climb, and about halfway up I noticed the three of us had dropped off the back. I quickly passed the other 2 and tried to catch the front 3 but it was too late – they already had a gap of about 50m and were working together well. I tried catching them but failed, so once again I was riding alone. Bugger. For the next 10km or so I generally maintained my position but was passed by a young guy who kept getting away from me on the descents, although I caught him on the climbs.

As we neared the final descent I passed Kylie Webb (fastest 50km female) fixing her chain. She said she was OK and waved me on. I soon caught up with the young bloke again and rode with him for a while. For once, I wasn’t riding alone! What a relief it was to be able to sit behind him and get some respite, before returning the favour. But it didn’t last - on the final descent I saw a guy fixing a flat. I asked if he was OK and he said his pump was stuffed. Now I knew a sub-2 hour time was touch and go, but I felt sorry for the guy, so slammed my brakes on and lost my riding buddy. I donated my pump to the cause, and as I did so Kylie Webb screamed past me at about 50km/h.

Back on the bike, I took off down the final descent and onto the flat dirt road for the final 15km “time trial”. There was no-one behind me, and Kylie and my ex-riding buddy had teamed up about 200m ahead of me, so I did everything I could to catch them and avoid riding this section alone (like I did last year). Alas, I spent 15 km chasing them, and never caught them, but at least no-one else caught me on this section.

Crossed the line in 2:01 – 1 minute off my goal – and was handed a beer which tasted sensational. I really felt like I gave this race everything I had, so will have to step up the training to improve next year. And perhaps learn how to stay in a group.

I know the 50km Convict cops a lot of flak for being too much like a road race, but for me, the location, scenery and atmosphere definitely make it worthwhile. And trying to justify my position in the first start wave certainly pushed me to my limit.