Full Fling virgins

We left a balmy Sydney and watched the temperature plummet as we reached Bundanoon - it was in the low teens and the wind chill factor made it even colder. Luckily I packed a warm jacket, other not so lucky like GeordieAndy had to survive in shorts and a light top.

Pikey set up a great camp near the bush toilet and Saturday night saw us huddled together for warmth drinking beer and talking shit.

Bagpipes don't seem that out of place at 5.15am on a cold and misty morning and even the creamy rice for breakfast didn't seem to bad. Having to queue for everything made the morning go quickly and it wasn't long before we were in the starters hands.

The plan was to stick together (Pikey, Jeff [Heckler], Gary and me) and finish which we did in a time of 9 hours and 15 minutes. Our riding time was 7 hours 18 minutes so we had 2 hours of resting and recouping on the way. Our average speed (moving) was 15.1k which is our training pace.

Our plan also included plenty of rest stops, so at every transition we sat, stretched, rehydrated and lubed. Laying on the grass and moaning is technically stretching. Our total riding time was 7 hours 18 minutes so we had 2 hours of resting and recouping on the way. Our average speed (will moving) was 15.1k which is our training pace. My average heart rate was 138 bpm which is around 81% of my theoretical max and just a fraction below my training bpm.

We took turns leading and lagging and although the temperature only reached 23 degrees it felt like 30 degrees. Naturally I had to stop a dozen times to re-apply sun screen that when mixed with the dust (imported from Mt Stromlo I believe) it become a trap for flying insect. Hint for novices don't stop in the Forest section because there are March Fly's about 2cm long and they sting.

Here is the Motionbased log of our ride.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/da...

The first section was really slow as riders backed up. There were some riders who had to get off and walk as soon as the trail went between 2 trees that were less than 2 metres apart - that was very frustrating. Once free of the bottlenecks riding the paddocks was steady. The Forest section was the best fun, but also torturous. I mean 55k's of up and down or sniggle is too much to enjoy in one sitting. Screaming down the steepest and gnarliest decent Pikey heard a bang and he pulled me up at the bottom. After confirming with other riders everyone was OK we decided to continue up the steepest and longest rock strewn ascent this side of St Albans and wait from them at the top. Jeff had blown a sidewall but it had given use a good rest while he fixed it.

The 83k transition was a welcome sight and after a long break we all set off with renewed vigour or was it less trepidation knowing it was nearly over and the this section was quick fire trail. We made pretty good time until Jeff blew another tire just before the last bike wash, so we got to rest again and regroup for home. The last section was by far the easiest and the legs were full of energy, so climbing was easier.

I never used Granny, but then again if it looked too steep I walked. Most of the time was spent in my SS gearing of middle and 5th.

I can now tick the 110k box and it was probably my first and last. I think I would rather go hard for 50k than conservatively for 100k - although given how long we rode solo 8 hours race may be an option.

Food
Pre-race - Enduro the week before riding
Breakfast - Creamy Rice, So Good, banana, fruit bun.
During race - While riding water and constantly eating raisins (energy and magnesium)and more water. At transition a total of 2 gels, 2 banana's, 2 fruit buns, 3 shots of Endura. I probably drank 8 litres of water in total.

Post race - no muscle soreness (I'm off to cardiobox in 1 hours), no butt soreness, just slight dehydration and some lethargy.

It was interesting to note that driving home I had to turn the A/c down to 18 degrees from the usual 22 degrees - so our core temperatures were still up.

Thanks Gary, Pikey and Jeff for helping me to loose my 110k virginity.