Bright Enduro – Podium But Bittersweet

While 100,000 punters were enjoying Derby Day, I saddled up for a tough 6-Hour MTB Enduro in Bright. Having ridden the Tour of Bright on the road half a dozen times, this event was a new one for me. It followed a standard looped circuit of around 10kms through some of the roughest, bumpiest singletrack I have ridden.

At the race briefing we were told that a DNF would be recorded if you did not finish after the 6 hour mark ticked over (the rules vary from event to event), meaning it was going to be a long day. The course made it difficult with lots of huge river stones that made for trails with little flow but lots of technical.

I got a good start in the top 10 (with teams of two and three and the 3-hour riders all going off in a mass start) by the end of the first lap. With a 10am start and a forecast top of 33 it was going to be hot. And it was. I struggled badly between the 1.5 and 3 hour mark but came good after that, picking up riders consistently though you are never sure who is actually your competition. I was also doing my own team support and stopped every second lap to change bidons and grap gels.

At the 5-hour mark I figured I was in the top 5 but had no way of knowing my place, and it was difficult for the timing people to give you the feedback instantly. I was lapping in about 38 minutes and when I crossed for the second last time I still had 41 minutes to go til the 6 hours was up.

I didn’t want to do another lap as I wanted to make sure I got reasonable training in for the rest of the weekend (my last big training week before the 24 a month away). I did a really slow last lap and always kept and eye behind me. Unfortunately I got to the finish line and had to wait another minute until the 6 hour ticked over. Someone saw me there and said it was OK and that they had decided you could cross before 6 hours and record a finish. I started to pedal the three metres to the line and two guys flashed by me. They would be the winner and second place… I could live with the fact that first place went out again to do another lap – good luck to him – but second place stopped on the other side of the line…

So I went one better than the week before at Surf Coast but not entirely satisfying. The organisers were apologetic and I understand that these things happen. Bouyant about the fact that the training is going well and that I am able to ride at the pointy end of the smaller enduros. Last race before the Kona is a 12-hour as a pair next Saturday, then I can rest up and start the mental preparation for a 24 solo….

3 peaks challenge reconnaissance.

The TFM Avanti Cycling team have just spent the last few days up at Falls Creek and manage to ride the entire 3 peaks course on Friday. It’s simply amazing ride starting in Falls Creek making its way through Tawonga Gap, Mt Hotham, Omeo and then back to Falls Creek via the freshly sealed Bogong High Plains Road. Bicycle Victoria is running a challenge ride over several courses which is set to take place on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Check it out http://www.3peaks2010.com.au/

Thanks to Bicycle Victoria for giving us the first look at this epic ride as I know many people have been very keen to have a shot at the course for a while now. Oz Cycling have produced a great video clip from the day and it captures what it’s all about. http://www.ozcycling.com

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It’s definitely a step above any other challenge ride but if you love cycling and climbing it’s a must do.

Some numbers,
Ride time: 8hrs 30
Distance: 231km
Avg HR: 143
Max HR: 183
Kcal: 6515

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more soon..

Melbourne to Warrnambool 2009

Dan, Pikey & Steve contested the Warnie on Saturday.
It’s always a great result just to make it so well done to everyone who started.

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Congratulations to Joel Pearson, he probably found the day the most enjoyable taking the win!

for full results see,
http://www.vic.cycling.org.au/site/cycling/vic/downloads/Results/2009/M2W09.pdf
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/114th-melbourne-warrnambool-ne/results

Cycling Tips also has a great post about the day.
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2009/10/there-goes-the-warny/#more-6980

Surf Coast 6 Hour Enduro – Angelsea

110kms, 2500m of climbing and lots of sand typified the Surf Coast 6 Hour MTB Enduro at Angelsea on October 24. While the road warriors were riding the Melbourne to Warrnambool  down the highway 450 competitors were warming up for what has quickly become a coveted event.

The race is unique is that it runs from 4 – 10pm, giving the competitors two and a half hours of darkness to contend with. I had decided to ride 80kms in the morning reckoning it would be good training for the upcoming 24 Hour. What I had reckoned was the fact I would be riding at the pointy end and that I would need all of my reserves to race towards the finish.

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The start was predictably manic but suited me as it was straight up a long fire road. I crested the hill in the top half dozen of the 250 or so starters (130 in solo and rest in pairs or teams). The Merida trade guys set a cracking pack led by Adrian Jackson (two time world champion orienteering) and I was grimacing trying to hold on. Twice I had Troy Bailey – two time world champion age group 24 Hour rider – wipe out in front of me. Both times I narrowly avoided the same fate…

After two hours of racing I was in the lead but cramping badly. I don’t know whether it was the morning’s effort or poor hydration (probably latter) but I knew it was going to be a long day/night with the climbing. I lost the lead to Ashley Bleaker just after two hours when I took a slight wrong turn (he was on my wheel). I then watched Scott Chancellor – the reigning champion of the event and eventual winner – come past about an hour later.

With two of my 11 laps to go I lost third place but was also defending fourth with a rampaging Troy Bailey coming hard. My first lap in the dark was sketchy but once I adapted to the conditions my lap times came back on pace.

My last lap was a good one but I fell short of third place by 20 seconds or so, but managed to hold off Bailey by over a minute. In the end I was really happy with 4^th but to miss the podium by such a narrow margin was  frustrating. On the upside I felt for the first time that I belonged at the front of the race (albeit not right at the front J ) and it’s given me confidence that the preparation is on track.

A great event in a magnificent setting.

4th Australian Road Nationals 09 (35-39)

A real long drive to Canberra to miss a medal. Did everything I could to win many attacks, spent all my bici’s just couldn’t get away. Under estimated the comp many big guns like Michael Tolhurst and Tof Gippy stage winner (Team Budget Forklift) Peter Milostic and not to forget Reece Stephens who finished 6th at the worlds; real hard yakka. Next year I reckon the course will suit me better given the climb up Bunny in Ballarat…. As a junior I was runner up at the BMX Aust champs so to win this title would tick so many boxes.

Stu