MTB Marathon vs. 3 hour exam

Now in the middle of my final exams of my second year of Electrical Engineering, I thought I'd share a rather amusing comparison between the course of an engineering exam and mountain bike marathon and realized that they are basically the same thing! I got to compare these close up having my first exam at 9:30am the day after the Highland Fling last week and hope you will find it funny. Enjoy.

FLING: Spend all the previous weeks in intense training.
EXAM: Spend all the previous weeks in intense studying.

FLING: Most of my non-cyclist friends think I'm crazy for voluntarily punishing myself in such a tough race.
EXAM: Most of my non-engineer friends think I'm crazy for enrolling in such a tough course.

FLING: Try to integrate my training into my commute - i.e., ride to Hornsby station.
EXAM: Try to integrate my study into my commute - i.e., read notes on the train.

FLING: Spend much of my riding time thinking about all the darn study that I should be doing.
EXAM: Spend much of my study time thinking about race tactics and wishing I could be on the bike.

FLING: Try to go to bed early the night before and end up in bed half an hour later than planned.
EXAM: Ditto

FLING: Up at 4:30am to eat in sufficient time. Nervous.
EXAM: Up at 5am to be at uni for sufficient time to read through my notes at a relaxed rate. Nervous.

FLING: Hydrate like crazy three hours before the start to avoid cramping.
EXAM: Hydrate like crazy three hours before the start to avoid drowsiness.

FLING: Stand in front of a tree six times the hour beforehand and get every excess drop out.
EXAM: Stand in the men's room - ditto.

FLING: Shove down a gel and mandarin to give me energy as I begin the ordeal.
EXAM: Shove down six pieces of dark chocolate to give me energy as I begin the ordeal.

FLING: Listen to the briefing and rules intermittently, but really trying to be focussed on how I'll approach this - I've READ all the rules to the session!
EXAM: Ditto.

FLING: 100km (or thereabouts)
EXAM: 100 marks

FLING: Begin at the back end of the pack, struggle to get a good start.
EXAM: Nasty surprises are seen on the paper once we are allowed to begin.

FLING: Riders are required to give assistance to other riders experiencing strife and will have their time adjusted accordingly.
EXAM: If you attempt to give assistance to another student you are given zero for the exam!

FLING: Hold out for the first 80km but struggle to stay motivated after that.
EXAM: Ditto for the first three quarters of the paper

FLING: Leave centre physically exhausted.
EXAM: Leave centre mentally exhausted.

FLING: Piss like a hose the minute when I leave the event centre.
EXAM: Ditto when I leave the room.

FLING: Results told to us that afternoon.
EXAM: When do the darn results come out? Not for a month? You kidding me?

FLING: When's the next race?
EXAM: Gosh! When's the next bloody exam?

MORAL: If you can complete a 3 hour exam, you can compete in an MTB marathon! (Conversely if you are competing in MTB races you should sit some exams!)