DW - from a NobMob Newbie...

Hi all,

Thought add my two cents worth describing my first "real" mountain biking event - DirtWorks 2008.

Firstly, what a great set-up. Christine you're a legend! Camping? Yeah up near the "Church" she's says... Ha! Hardly! Running water, campfire, full kitchen... and REAL toilets.. no dodgy portaloos for NobMob. Unfortunately I have a feeling we won't always have such luxuries at other events!

Secondly, a big thanks to Rob (and others?) for organising the NobMob clothing. It definitely felt good lining up knowing you were part of a big group and that everyone would be thinking... "Get Nobbed!" as we rode past them!

So onto the 'race'. Seeing i've never done one before - i took the conservative action of starting at the back of the D Group in the 50 km division. Starting mates Christine and Stuart reassured me they were aiming for around four hours... "yeah, thats probably do-able" i thought. After a very leisurely roll out of town (where the most exciting incident was a dropped transponder) we hit the "climb". The others starting walking, but as i don't like giving up - i made it to the random log blocking the track before dismounting. But really, walking is seriously more painful than continuing to ride. My calves were so close to cramping that Christine and Stuart eventually caught up to me! Damn.. what a waste of effort that was...

Anyway, once on the ridge i was away and having lots of fun. Unfortunately I left the others behind, but strolled on till stopping for a stretch at the 20 km point. It was about here i noticed something silly. People weren't riding up the hills. They were mostly all walking... Now for me - if you're going in a cycling event, surely you don't want to be pushing your rig up a hill all bloody day! If you do, at least buy a carbon lighweight like Stuart so it's easy!! (Sub 10 kg, wow!)

So i made a pact with myself - in no way am i pushing my bike today (barring mechanical of course)!!

The next few km's seemed to travel slowly by... my dodgy knee holding up well, my back a little tight.. but overall - Sweet!

Next i ran into Evan - and as you do while out on the trail, we spoke long on the beauty and excellent craftsmanship of the Scott brand of mountain bike and the wonderful Genius MC... in between climbs and rocky descents that is !!

Had food and beverage at the 28 km point (including my secret powerfood = left-over Apple and walnut scroll from Baker's Delight, and my first ever GU - bloody hell, that shit is like Up and Go on roids... and i know my roids (ummm, long story)).

Ok, first climb after the break was tough, legs a little stiff... and seems it was tough for Evan too, as i waited briefly at the top but he wasn't to be seen... woops.. so i pressed on.. Passed a dude who said only 5 km to go till the road - nice, once we hit road my "scumming" skills will surely get me home in one piece, so i upped the effort till we hit downhill. Seriously, did others think like me? That this downhill was too short?? 30 mins of agony getting up to the ridge for 5 mins of serious downhill fun? No wonder downhillers like shuttles and ski-lifts!! Before i knew it i was spat out onto the road - think like Cadel, Lance.. head down, breathe!! It was a dirt road TT.. loving it...

Passed poor Harry who hadn't yet thought of turning his broken Stumpy into a singlespeed.. only 11 km of walking to go for him.. "ouch!" i thought...

But i spoke too soon as i was called on to stop and help a guy with a similar problem - his middle chain ring had disintegrated and his chain had snapped too... Well after 10 mins and no results from two bumbling, tired idiots with two chain tools i decided to go before my legs seized up..

Think like Cadel, Lance. Go.. Go.. Managed to hop in behind a few fast finishing 100 km riders and make it back into town safely, also easily pulling in 10-20 riders (but not Evan, who sailed past me while i was stopped with middle chain ring dude..).

Was very pleasing to be greeted at the line with "ay, NobMob!!" and to be shoved a beer. Dirtworks done!

Here's my GPS data - like everyone else my official time on the day was 10 mins longer than the GPS said - 3:28. But taking off 10 mins for the unscheduled stop and 10 mins for the dodgy timing makes 3:08 - fairly respectable, i reckon!!

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5564019

Ok, so once again big thanks to all you guys for making me feel welcome - it was great putting real faces to random names. I hope i can make it to more events in the future and maybe with a bit more training, i might even be of value in some teams for the enduro season later in the year!

Cheers,
Lance.