The Fling - Done and Dusted

To say I was nervous for this years’ Highland Fling would be an understatement. There were a few new faces racing this year which just added to nerves. To top it off I was questioning whether my training had been sufficient. Normally I focus on a combination of base and interval sessions but this year just couldn’t find the time (or desire) to get up early for those long base rides – I guess having 3 kids sort of takes up any spare time you thought you might have had.

My buddy and training partner Ian (Chitts) also recently added a 3rd child and I consider it his fault that we didn’t do the level of base riding we should have. Getting up before sunrise after having done a midnight feed was just not that appealing for him nor was riding on my own for me.

On the plus side, I had lost 2kg in the 5 weeks leading up to the race (cutting out booze & sweets) and was on my Cannondale Scalpel for the first time at the Fling. If you asked me 5 years ago whether I would spend close to $10k on a bike I would have choked on whatever I was eating but spending the dough on the Cannondale is one of the best decisions I have made. If you want a do it all and race at the pointy end of the field bike – the Scalpel is the way to go.

My set up on the bike was perfect thanks to the bike fit done by Hugh and the guys from City Bike Depot. No use spending the money on a bike and then not having it set up tailored to you.

The night before the Fling we had our customary pizza and beer and settled in early for a good nights rest. I was still worrying about the usual suspects (Jason Morgan, Darren Smith) and the new ones (Todd Sinclair and Luke Beuchat). These boys can race and Todd has KOM’s galore on Strava.

The race strategy was simple – stay with the front group for as long as I can and if everyone is still together try and break away at brokeback mountain and use the single track and 50km participants to put some time on my competitors.

The start was quick, similar to last year there was a group of about 6 riders being led out by Ed McDonald and Andrew Hall. We arrived at transition together and then waited for a few guys and headed into Stage 2 and single track of Wingelo. The pace over the first 50km was fast but I was feeling good and at no point did I think these guys are going to get away (other than when I took a tumble in the single track and had to work a bit to get back).

The group started thinning and the big group (was probably between 8 and 10 guys) who started Stage 2 together dwindled to just 3 of us (Ed McDonald – 100 miler, Michal Kafka and myself). The single track had helped weed out some of the strong roadies and less technical riders and luckily for me Todd (who I considered the biggest threat) got caught up behind one of these guys. Making sure you are in the right position in a race is critical as once you’ve lost the group it’s normally very difficult to catch them again. Also, those short intense efforts coming out of single track trying to catch the bunch on the fireroad normally burns some candles.

Michal took the front in the single track which was the best thing for the group – man this guy just flows through the trails and makes it look so smooth and easy. I was hanging on for dear life and believe this is where we put some time on the rest of the field. Once through the single track Michal however started to fade on the hills with Ed still riding like this was a 100km race and not a 100 mile race. We stayed together for another 5 to 10km or so when Ed started to ease back so I took the gamble and set of by myself for the last ~40km.

I did not want to do the last section of Stage 2 by myself but waiting around for the others after we had done so well through the single track was just not an option. I put my head down and just gunned it towards transition.

The last stage was uneventful – the constant fear of someone catching up is shite. Thoughts like the guys behind had gotten a group together and were catching up kept on playing through my mind. Ian pointed out after the race that the alternative is worse (i.e. being the one needing to catch up) which is difficult to argue with. I was past by 3 elites in the last 30km but just couldn’t manage to stay on their wheels.

Rolling over the finishing line was a great feeling given I was spent at the 100km mark. A first top 10 overall finish was unexpected and winning back the Masters title after losing it last year made the effort and sacrifice worth it.

This year was hard – the dust and heat contributed but the course felt longer and the terrain a lot sketchier.

What made my win even sweeter was that my training buddies did well, Michael Faretta and Ian got podiums (2nd and 3rd in Vets) while Todd also got 3rd in Masters. Michael, Ian and myself do our intervals together and most weekends join up for a long ride – its great that we have all done well and must say something for the way we have been training (including our post training coffees – btw Ian you are on the next round). I am stoked for them.

Paris our other training buddy who rides for Magellan had an awful day with a number of punctures. Those of you who know Paris also know that always make sure you are ahead of him. If you are behind him you will at some point be required to give him any of the following - a tube, bomb, multi tool or chainlink. Despite his mechanicals Paris still managed a respectable 4th in the 100 miler.

So what’s next? for one, I will be avoiding fire roads for a few months.