24 hours of wet hellish fun

It was raining on the way down there, it was raining when we put the tent up, it was raining on every lap, and it was raining when we packed up and went home 24 hours later. Not just sissy rain, but proper hard man rain. Myself and the rest of Toasted decided that we would camp - in tents - in a field - in the rain - Oh how I envied the orgainsed bods that had pre-ordered cabins. Lightweights

This was always going to be an interesting race, ever since I saw who was signed up for the team. Sadly we lost Carlgroover at the last minute who selfishly went and got sponsored, but who redeemed himself by offering entertainment throughout the whole weekend, and got first place solo 24 40's to boot - awesome. Happily Tod stepped up in his place. Despite the incessant torrential downpour, moral in the team was high, and we spent most of the race switching between third to sixth position. Wayne was always on hand at the tarp to keep humour following, and reheat his never ending supply of pasta. Critty was there simply to smash out fast lap after fast lap, he didn't disappoint despite the multitude of technical aggravation's his bike was dealing him.

When darkness descended at 7:30 on Saturday night I was prepared for the eventuality of serious bone damage. Reports where coming in that the track was getting near impossible to ride, and seriously dangerous in the dark. Literally 5 minutes before I pulled on my muddy cold wet muddy soaking freezing muddy kit once again, I heard a joyous sound float over the air, braking through the roar of the rain like a little golden mocking bird of calming sleep - The race had been suspended!!! I had never felt so happy.

Critty and myself skipped across paddocks of blossoms and foot deep mud to share our happiness with the rest of the world, and in particular castle nobmob. We where greeted with equal happiness, smiles and a great bowl of pasta (thanks Blondie). Despite the torrential rain, that night we managed to sleep through and before I know what was happening I was woken from dreams of cracked shins on slippery rocks by Martin's voice over the Tanoy, race would resume at 7:30 - that was me then!

I jumped out of my warm, dry, warm, snug sleeping bag and onto the training bike and started waking up. For some reason I felt it was up to me to get our team a decent start to the day. The warm up worked well and I started passing riders immediately, even some from earlier starts... The track had improved a lot overnight and I followed whisperer for a short while before he let me pass (he was on 2 laps to my single), and I did my best to hammer the downhill single. In the dry I reckon this part of the track would be amazing, in the wet it was extremely challenging, and amazing.

The whole team went out for another lap that day, and special mention should go to Critty's amazing timing of snapping his chain at transmission, Critty for riding a whole lap with his front wheel undone, and for Damien for keeping his head on the last lap and getting us that fifth place - nice work mate.

This was my first 24 hour race, and wont be my last. Just look at the pictures Rob took of the riders, when did you ever see smiles that big at an event? Says it all really.

Quick highlights:
Knowing I was hammering every lap as hard as I could.
Passing a very happy smiling Carlgroover in the same place - twice.
Being part of Toasted, top work fellas.
That bowl of pasta.
The showers!!
The hard work everyone had put into the course and the event.
The Yeti (I know I keep talking it up but man!)
Hope brakes
Alex's lap times.
Alex's wind trainer.
Whisperer's mega tarp.
Seeing Jason English transition for the first time about 30 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
Seeing Jason English racing the KOM 4 men's at every opportunity.
Getting home where everything is nice and dry,
and knowing that next year it will only get easier!