Kona update

It is over, had a great one lots of fun. Started to get good at 2 wheel drifts in mud ;). Finished in 8th place, now to relax at hotel Binn's. But what is the go 20min from Mel CBD and no mobile reception.

Ready...I think

All packed got everything ready, new comfy knicks, butt cream's, anti bruising gel, packed bike, and even some extra brake pads for the wet weather ;).
Should be a good one, I'll only have 1 bike for this race flying limited me a little but I should have plenty of spares if things go bad, not that they will. I just don't know what to expect on a new track and wet conditions.

Must be time I ate again.

Bring on the Kona.

Maybe I should start shaving

The picture looks bad, but my knee has come up OK. It won't hold me back anyway.

Another crit over in a blink. It was a good one and great turn out, lots of big boys out which was good to see. The track was on the lower end of Majura with some twisty trails which don’t really favour me. But I decided to try and get a good start.


Sitting in the second row, and we were off, it was all out to the first corner, and managed to keep a reasonable position into the single track as I took it wide and gained another position going in. I was in 7th and considering there is about 6-7 people on each row I was happy. The first lap was a blur just managing to keep up with the rider in front, but I dropped a couple of meters. I knew there was a big gap behind, and as I went to put a bit in I really had no top end. So I kept my position and back into the ST. Basically that was how it stayed every lap I lost a few meters in the single track I knew I had a good gap and only really did what I needed, for the following laps. Until the last corner I had a few meters of my gap still there and thought I’d just punch it out over the last little section. But as I exited the ST over a little dip I moved my weight too early and lost the front end. Jase was nearly on top of me by the time I was getting up nearly clean me up. I ended up losing 2 positions, luckily Jase really did not lose any, but that’s crits.

I have to say again, such a great crowd out there, everyone is encouraging and it is great to see. The Onya Belco/Civic did another great effort.

So this weekend I’ll have a weekend of riding for myself. Bunch ride Saturday morning followed by a MTB ride Sunday. Final preparation and build for the Kona, so it will be a big one. Then I’ll look forward to some tapering ;).

Highland Fling

What a fun weekend, some disappointments but overall an enjoyable weekend.

Saturday was spent getting organized and working it all out. My first fling and making sure I knew exactly what was happening to ensure I knew what was happening in transitions etc.

I originally set out to complete the 100 mile, it started off at a fast pace, I put some in but went back to being conservative at I knew it was a long one. We were still keeping a good pace, till the open paddocks riding up a hill I had no idea what was happening. Riders were riding at me charging down the hill. Till a few guys said wrong way head back so we did into the congestion, and some walking.

Back on it, and continue on some fire road, I find Arran a fellow FTP rider and we switch positions back and forth a few times, as we head for the transition area. Looked at my watch as I cross knowing I had 5 minutes and make my way through. Kendra was waiting for me swapped packs, new bottle, a lube and I was right to go again. I head out for the next 54k’s and it was not long before Arran and I were together again. We worked our way down through some fast fire road then single track etc etc…. till I go to change gear and heard a snap and no change. Bugger, my rear cable snapped and it was straight to the small one. I pushed it hard up and over a few hills, but I knew it would be too big a gear for me. So with some work I got the cable hooked back up with some easier gears but still limited.

So I was trying to get back on it as I worked my way through single track, but I knew it was going to be hard. I found the climbs hard and walked a bit due to the gears, but found my average speed was dropping to a point where I knew I would struggle to make the cut off for the second loop. I pushed on to the open fire road and tried to make up for lost time, but coming in I knew I would not stand much chance of making it. So I decided to head back for the 110k finish. Kendra was there waiting and tried to talk me into keeping on going but realistically I had dropped 2+km/h in average speed due to gearing and I had to maintain my current average for another 54k’s. So it was time to enjoy the ride back, there were a few 100milers taking there time and cutting the distance short so I was not alone. Found it pretty nice just taking my time making my way through the 50k’ers. Headed back in to lots of cheers with people thinking I was the first 100miler back which I was but just frustrated I had not done the distance, and confirm with Huw, he was expecting Denis.

So my first fling done, there is always a hollow feeling when you have not completed what you set out for. But realistically with some issues I was having in the week leading in (and still there) it might have been the better option leading into the Kona. I hope I’m sorted by then, I need and due for a good one ;).

Overall it was a great race and there was a good atmosphere to it especially around town. Not sure if I’ll be back next year though, with the Worlds in October. It’s always nice to have a break after a big one.

Thanks Kendra and Neil for being at the transition zone, it made things allot easier.

My first Dirt Crit

I got to say it was good fun.

Going from racing 24 hours to a 10min crit seemed a bit odd. But anyway I thought I would give it a go and something I have been meaning to do for a while now, I just never really got there. Now with no excuse’s it is good to get the Club Lime jersey out there a bit more for some weekly racing.

It was a bad start I must say, a guy in front had a bad one leaving me dodging him and dropping back. Really I have no idea how many riders were behind me going into the first single track but it was not many. I rode past Dan who had a slight mechanical and then worked my way down to the fire road for some overtaking. I passed 5-6 riders, and being the only stretch where I could overtake next lap I got 3 more, then another 2 and coming up to the finish I managed to get another. I ended the race to finish 11th, it does not seem that great, but I think it was pretty good for a first effort anyway.

It was an awesome race and very social. Might have to have another go next week and try for a better position on the start ;).

Fitz's

What a ride, I was in this one for fun and training and that is what I got. I must admit I was tempted to go for something longer than the 105k but considering my schedule I think I picked well.


With a most relaxed start I wanted to stay to the front of the pack down to the cotter as I hate descending in big groups. The climb out of the Cotter was a solid effort, I was just hanging onto the wheel in front, not putting in a huge effort but just to stay there but realized at the top there was only 5 of us left. We rode to Tharwa, turned around without much of a break and headed back to see the gap. It was not much only 1 minute, and it was not long till we saw Karen, it was quite funny really seeing little Karen leading this big group of about 30 guys behind her just sitting on her wheel.

The last climb before heading to the Cotter Mr McAvoy put a bit of effort in and split us up. I really was not ready for it at the back and dropped right off. I noticed the group was split into 3, 2 groups of 2 and then me. I had used all my power beans when it was my turn at the front, so I rode the last 25k off my base hoping that the following group would not catch me. But I did manage to get in contact with the 4th rider at the last checkpoint but it did not last long. I ended up finishing in 5th to a big cheer from the Mumnuts (onya girls), all done in just over 3.5 hours. Jase finished 2nd, behind a guy that did no work at the front, one reason to hate road race’s ;).

After the ride I promised a mate (Brownie) I’d come back and ride the last section with him. So I headed back after re filling my bottle and grabbed a couple of softies. By the time I got to Uriarra it was heating up in a big way, so I drank my solo and kept going. I got to the intersection at Brindabella road saw a couple of riders in the shade and that was a good excuse to stop for a bit. I kept going but saw Brownie only a few km’s down the road and was keen to get back out of the heat. I was expecting a nice easy cruise back but Brownie had other idea’s smashing it along the flats, he must have got a bit of extra motivation from somewhere. But heading back up the 3 sisters was hard it was 42+ degrees’s and was glad when a volley offered to refill our drinks as I was running out quickly. So we were back on it again and finished it off. Close enough to 150k’s for me and a little de-hydrated and sunburnt but it was all good fun.

As it seems the ride revealed that I have not yet solved the issue I had at Worlds, although I have no pain it is obvious my preventions are not working. So hopefully with a few emails I can find out some answers. It has come at a bad time with the 100mile fling this weekend and hopefully it will be OK and come good, but I need it sorted before the Kona for sure.

Other news I entered into Worlds last Sunday, having another go at my age group. No doubt it will be the toughest 24 hour competition the Worlds has seen so it is bound to be a beauty.