Fling review

As always the advance party had reserved a large plot for camp nobmob, thanks Pikey, and duely set up camp complete with girlfriend who would be experiencing her first every camping trip. What better way to experience camping than with the 'mob.
I had taken the new bike for a test ride and was thouroughly happy with the performance so with a nicely cleaned chain and pumped up tyres I was ready to go. Discovered the front tyre would only hold about 25psi and thought it was a crap pump that I had bought. Investigation found that the valve was partially parting company with the tube but only at higer pressure. Got the new tube out only to find a rather massive slash in it. Ok so this is really a good thing to discover before the race, and duely purchased some new tubes.
Dinner and evening conversation was entertaining and provided the perfect setting to ensure the proven pre race preparation according to the Pikey method could be followed. After the bottle of wine it was time for bed but not before the 'mob had attempted some one arm push ups and the Rocky claps between push ups....The highlight was Steve demonstrating some 'the plank' and other Yoga moves... how we got onto this topic I am not sure, maybe it was the discussions around Army life, rifles, training etc with Ben?
I had decided that I had 'peaked' and if I was ever going to do a good time this was it... ride quick and steady was the aim.
The 50K boys were keen for a good start so we got ourselves a possy only about 10 rows from the front.
This plan worked well and there was no traffic or congestion to be concerned with. Was really bothered by getting feet wet at the bike wash but ploughed on through anyway and didnt think about the cold wet feet too much. Rode the first hill and passed a number of people through here, I had got separated from the mob but figured they would catch up. The paddocks were flowing and tagged onto the back of a huge pack for probably 30-40 mins. Had a funny moment in the pine forrest, I had looked down to turn off lock out and the riders ahead had gone out of site, so when I can up to an arrow pointing into the bush I turned! Darn it there was no track in there anywhere to be found! So made it back out to the trail and followed riders around the real corner and into some single track.
Zipping along nicely and felt great. Got into transition around 1:33 and headed out for the home run feeling happy to be on target. Back was starting to hurt and feet were cold with my big toes completely numb. Perfect for the next bike wash.
Still riding up all the hills and keeping on pace and swapping a few times with various riders. Bike was going fine too. Refused to let back get the better of me. Didnt care about wet cold feet by now and launched into one water crossing for the photographer and rode the last one well over the bottom bracket and quite sandy.
By 40Km was starting to hurt a little but expected that riding as hard as I could and confident of getting home strong. Had been figuring the course was 55km but when there was no 5km sign I figured it was the old 55Km ish as happens at these events. At 'your choice' I had begun to hurt but knew there was only a short way to go. Finally got to the road with about 2.5 minutes left to break 3 hours, the road was too long and made it in unofficially at 3:04 completely spent. I had 50Km in me and had set the strategy for around 3 1/4 hours with no stops. It was a great day, a great weekend, a great ride and to do that time was a bit of a surprise. I wanted to ride non stop and crack 3 hours for 50Km and well and truely did that, even at 55Km I was under 3 hours!
I was sorry I had to run off to a bbq and miss the rest of the guys and the 100Km come in. Congrats to all.
This ride I was determined to do 'Natural' no Gu, no red bull, caffeine etc. Also wanted to ensure that I had fresh water to wash my eyes if dust in the contacts got too bad. After a good brekky, I carbed up just before the start and had an energy bar and banana for the duration of the race with 2.5 litres of water to get me through. Munched the energy bar through the first section and the banana midway through the final section. I could have done with an energy hit at 40-45Km. The post race drinks were also caffeine free.
All in all, thrilled.