first ever 100km enduro

Well boys and girls that was the toughest race I have ever had the pleasure of doing.

I went into the start not quite knowing what to expect or how I was going to cope. I had had a crazy couple of weeks leading up to the race that meant that I hadnt been on the bike since Rob's anti-social ride 2 weeks prior. http://nobmob.com/node/6068
I would like to say I went into the race with my legs well rested.

At the start line I decided to jump on the back of the elites starting wave, I think this was a very sensible idea as these guys know what 100km racing is all about. The start was not as fast as I expected, everyone settled into a good pace from early on. The first singletrack had me grinning from ear to ear as everyone was holding a good pace though it all. Not far into the race came one BIG hill. I have a lack of low gears on my bike and I decided to walk this hill to save the legs. It was a wise move I think. most of the first 50km ticked by at a very good pace and I was feeling comfortable, I think I came into the 50km feed zone in the 2.45 mark or there abouts. I though I was on target for a 5.30 time which is what I though I should aim for, boy was I wrong.
On the elevation map on the web it showed that all of the bigger climbs were in the first half of the race so I thought I was in a good position. After stopping for a few minutes to get food and water headed off for the second 50km.
This is where things got tough for me, I stopped for too long at the feed stop and I just couldnt get into a good rhythm. I got dropped by the guys i was riding with for the first 50 very quickly into the second 50. it took me till about the 60km mark to start feeling ok again, this was perfect timing as the single track was fantastic!!!!
I was in 29er heaven, flat out through the singletrack going as fast as I dared. The next bit of the race went pretty well except from the 75km to the feed station, I needed more water bad.

The next 20km of the course was very hard indeed. The course looped back on itself and you can see riders coming down the singletrack towards you all I wanted to do was to get to that sweet looking bit of track ASAP. A good 25mins later I was back to where the tracks crossed over. I had pushed pretty hard through this piece and was suffering big time, but with not much more to go kept pushing as hard as I felt I could.
One knee-deep creek crossing followed by a nasty hill climb and then it was almost all down hill to the finish line.
I was smashed as I came across the finish line.
I was stoked to see some fellow NoBMoBers at the finish and stoked with a sub 6 hr time.

This was my first 100km event for me and I dont think I could of choosen a better one to take part in. A great course, well organised and a great bunch of NoBMoBers.

I will be there next year.

The fish and chips rated very highly on the way hame as well.

Big thanks to Damien for a palce to stay and driving the whole way.