2008 - Careflight Woodford to Glenbrook Challenge - Post Ride

OVERALL
My first actual 'event'. I did 1:07:00. If you take the total active riders (500 or something) and divide it by my position (182) and multiply by 100 you get 34. Which means I came 34/100 which I'm happy with. I was in 30-39 category.

EARLY ON
Was really just going along at my own easy pace without breaks. It's a slow cold start, and by the time you warm up you feel like doing another lap. I felt lazy early on and walked up a few hills, till I felt warm, then I was on a serious overtaking mission, it was like all these people in front of me were falling apart. Occasionally some crazy 40-49 year old would fly past me, sometimes creep past.

Next time I'm going for sub 60 minutes and will warm up first down the street I think, or stretch to warm up... and explode from the start rather than wander into it the start of it slowly. The last 25% I gave it some serious stick.

WATER BARS NEAR END
Also, one of the water bars towards the end I preloaded and pulled up for extra air and didn't realise how far I was going to fly (may have had something to do with the speed accumulated as you realise the end is near so put it in!) just looked like a regular water bar with a bit of kick. The volunteer fireies liked it. They had a great spot at the water bar jump. Think it's the longest air I ever maintained.

GRASSED CURVES AT END
I wonder if anybody came undone on the grassed curves at the end. I went a bit crazy at the end. Soon as I saw it was just a massive grass field I sprinted (to the horror of the nice old lady at the grass start warning to slow down) like a madman. I was sliding quite a bit on the grassed left hander, much to the cheers of some crazed spectators wooting and hooting as I kept pedaling out-of-seat while feathering the brakes to regain control. I was prepared to loose it there it as looked harmless, but I kept it on the track, just. Almost ended up in the bush with the wooting spectators. Was a great spot to see some action. I'm sure some people must have come undone there.

LEARNINGS
Didn't eat the apple or the musli bars till the end.
1 hour is a short ride.
Carried 2 litres and starting drinking early. Next time only take normal 'Noel ration' (700ml water /hour)
Carried a jacket in my pack when I should have taken track pants and jumper and gave to volunteers.
Need to take an old rag for bike when it goes in frame. I got 2 super small marks on the soft shock crown metal.
Need to take gifts/handouts (will think of something) to the volunteers I pass
Need to wear something very very bright that stands out like dogs b4775.
Strap on a camera
Soon as finish, go to premium grass crash spot for fun
Have car waiting at clearing with beer and bbq food inside it.
Go faster early on (soon as hitting the dirt)

SETTINGS
R Shock: 130
F Shock: 90
R Larson 2.0 wire: 20
F Mich Dry2 fold: 20