Mont 24 hour 2009

Wow what a weekend I don't really know where to start.

Friday we headed out to claim a site and get semi organised. But driving through I managed to see Paul who had a nice big area next to his setup so we claimed it and setup.

Saturday morning came and I had the car packed ready to go, but we had a little issue. Kendra had a blocked ear and could not hear a thing. So on the way we went to the chemist brought what we could to try and fix it and headed out. Unfortunately we just could not clear it, so we booked in at 2:40pm to the medical centre, after all this training she was not going to miss out on this one.

Anne was starting our mixed team of 6, really nevous she headed out with a Mumnut (Jenny) and had a blast. I don't think I have ever seen anyone over the age of 15 so excited when Anne came in. It was great, she handed over to John, who was really impressed with the wings and halo he had to wear I just had to take this shot.

Kendra and I headed off to get the ear fixed, and after a long wait we headed in. The doctor we had was a bit concerning not really giving us much hope, and more telling us that we could create more problem by using a syringe to clear it. We thought we would give it a go and I was really happy to see to my amazment some lumps come out (sorry no pic's). Kendra was really happy to hear again and we were off.

We got back in time for Kendra to get a day lap in. So she got ready to go and some encouragement from Anne she was away taking the baton from Brett. Now it was my turn to wait for her, this was a first. But she came back in all smiles she had lots of fun. It was so good to see as this was the biggest thing she has ever done. She has always been apart of it helping me out, but first time out riding it.

So the race went on laps went passed and Drew was all ready to head out on the fully ridgid SS for his second lap. About the time he was meant to swap over with John he came in looking a bit green he sad he could not do it and had ate something that did not want to be in his stomach. So I rushed to head out on my first lap in the night.

Got to transition waiting for John to come in waiting, waiting. Next thing John appears from nowhere handing the baton to go out. Seems as though he had been waiting a while with no one there for him. Anyway away I went with a glance of my watch. The track was fantastic packed nicely from the rain it was a really smooth run I was having a ball. Feeling like a wanted to make up for lost time I pushed it fairly hard and made the most of the fire roads. The lap went by really quick and before I knew it I was back in looked at my watch and it was 3 min less than an hour. I was happy I wanted a sub hour night lap even if it was unofficial it was my goal done for the race. Just the team goal to go, all we had to do is finish.

Kendra was getting worried her first night lap in a race, she headed out on her second lap. But came back in a bit dissapointed. She found it pretty hard out there at night, but she still had a clean run and did not have to go back out till the morning.

Straight after her I did a 2 lap stint and I was fighting the sleep monsters as it was something like 2:30am. The monsters did try to drag me into the forest but I was fighting off. I was using the method on keeping momentum and not really using much brakes and started to come around the ice dam. Going to hard I ended up using the rocks around to edge for a berm. It was working great for a while till the unavoidable happened. It was all good and I was back on again but strangely enough I was more awake than ever and kept going. I cruised through the next lap and a half enjoying the course not really worring too much about pushing hard just enjoying that nice track. Came into transition and handed over to Anne for her 2nd night lap.

John and Brett finished off the night laps which was great and with those 2 laps done they were done finished leaving me to head out again. I took it pretty easy, I socialised with lots of riders just rolling around I came back in to my surprise it was Kendra ready to go. She had another great lap to end her race on a high. She did have a little off an OTB experiance but with only little graze's and some bruising it was all good. Drew finished us off for the day and having a good run he finished it off early.

So thanks to the team for a great event it was fun and everyone put in a top effort. Drew even made his traditional pancakes in the morning. It was lots of fun camping with team's I cycle on and the Mumnuts, there was always something happening and someone to talk to who was happy to hear how you went. Nice work guys and well done.

Hear is a picture of Jen, who had a bad accident a few months ago but still

managed to get out there. I also hope that Merryl gets better soon. She came off on the last lap about 2k's from the end and damaged her shoulder.

But a huge thanks to everyone who made the event happen really good work, I'm really hoping the tracks will be just as good next year.