Convict 100 - Womerah doesn't get any easier!!

This being the first endurance mtb race I entered in Australia back in 2009 I will always come back and enjoy the challenge that it presents. Last year was the first time I managed to ride under 5 hours (4:51) and this year I set myself a target of wanting to finish in the 4:30-4:40 range. Although I've not followed any structured training since mid 2012 I have ridden a lot of base kms and in the last few weeks I upped the intensity to try and build some endurance as the Womerah Range is always a battle for me as fatigue takes hold. Last weekend I rode a practice loop with Dicko, Brian, Anthony and the Ward brothers and we started on the Womerah Range, it was amazing how much simpler it seems with fresh legs, this wasn't the case yesterday!

The alarm was set for just after 3am, and as is often the case I was awake before it, nervous about the race start and sleeping through the alarm. So after making an espresso I got into the car and set off for St Albans. I had planned to get there for the opening of registration at 5.30 and this proved to be the case, I was slightly surprised that I was the only car on the ferry. I had to wait for the ferry to cross the river but this gave me the opportunity to have breakfast.

I found a park and registered without issue and bumped into Brian so hung around with the guys until it was time to get ready. I lined up alongside Brian at the start with Wayne a few riders behind, Dave and Paul were placed strategically to hop over the fence once the Elite riders had set off.

The start seemed a lot less nervous than 2012 (probably as there were no cars still coming into St Albans - good decision MaxAdventure) and although we were going at a reasonable speed my heart rate wasn't close to max as it sometimes is at the start of races. My strategy was to try to be as close to the front as possible as we hit the 1st climb. I knew that the right side of the track was rutted and would be almost impossible to ride so stuck to Dickos wheel on the left. A couple of guys had to dismount and despite a few close moments and rear wheel loss of traction it was all rideable. Coming over the top I took the opportunity to eat and then sat in a train of about 6-8 riders and seemed to be pushing quite hard. My HR was pretty high for this entire section and I lost the wheel in front after having some front shifting issues and dropped back to the next group of 5 riders. We continued together through the first water point and on to the start of the GNR. At this point we had caught up with Wayne I was on his wheel for a short while but he was too strong and 2 metres quickly became 10 and then he was out of sight, the next I saw of him was coming into transition as he was leaving. I stopped to refill my bottle and saw Brian coming in just as I was heading out.

The climb out of 10 mile hollow went fine, Brian caught me so I knew that he was going well although he was suffering cramps. Across the rest of the GNR I didn't ride particularly smoothly or well and I felt like I was battling the bike through the rocks. Brian was continually on my wheel and passed me on the firetrail to the top of shepherds gully. I had enough water so rode through the water stop before the kayak bridge. I had planned to ride the bridge as I did last year but the guy ahead was having some real trouble and looked like he was going to go in and that dented my confidence so I hopped off and walked.

I caught up to a train of 3 riders on the road and sat in for a while but ended up being sat on the front pulling a couple of riders for the last 3 or so kms. All I remember of the Womerah range was pain, I caught Gazza and had a moan about this section of the race and ended up losing his wheel. Late on in the range Brian caught and passed me (I'd passed earlier as he was refilling at the bridge) but I managed to catch him on Jacks track and we exited on the road together, soon enough Dave rode up to us looking strong. A couple of times I was just holding on as the road tilted up on the run back to St Albans. In the end we all crossed the line a couple of seconds apart, it was a great way to finish as we often ride socially together.

Finishing in 4:33 I was more than happy, seeing the km signs counting down I was getting worried about not making my goal. Congratulations to all that rode, particularly Wayne, Brian, Dave and Paul, you've all put in the training and earned your good times. The Convict continues to be a great ride and I look forward to supporting it again in the future. Thanks to all the volunteers who all seemed happy and would offer encouragement along the way.