I think this picture says it all, but here it the race report anyway's.
How good was it???
On the drive down we headed in got our supplies and headed into Forrest how nice is it, it just seemed to be a great place to ride Mountain bikes, with a nice little pub. Kendra and I sorted us out, put the bike together, had dinner, did the rego sorted the pits, and chatted with mates it was all looking great. That night staying in the caravan park was great, well only because if we were in a tent we would have had no sleep, thunder, heavy rain, and I was expecting mud.
Saturday woke up to nice weather and was keen to get to the race, and as we got there it was clear that a lot of setups did not survive but we were all good.
The race started and to be honest it was all a bit of a blur, I was lapping with Adam Kelsall a great bloke I meet at Worlds and he guide and chatted me through the first lap. He gave me a nice relaxed start just what I needed. We lost contact and I focused on my own riding and really just tried to have fun. The track I found fun but really not what I was use to, but each lap I was building confidence.
I don’t know what time but the rain did start coming down and pushed the tracks into water saturation. Most tracks hold up OK, but some areas were pools. It was not long before my brakes were suffering, and the were getting louder and louder, and I knew the rear pads were pretty shot (even though they did not have much riding in them before the race). I came into pits and Ed McDonald was there ready, and as I got the gear, for him, got ready with my lights he just seemed to get the job done. Cleaned up both ends swapped out the rear and all was ready. I got to say whatever I was missing something, had a problem, Ed had it covered, he was riding in a 4 man team (which won) and smashed out some impressive laps/ and an impressive effort. I had 1 more day 1 lap left till we swapped to night laps, and I tried to stay off the brakes and keep it all clean as by this time the track was pretty trashed in places.
The night lap was a good one I liked it. Hard packed fire road in places gave plenty of time for drinking and eating. The course was really starting to grow on me and things were going great. The laps seemed to just roll one after the other, pushing on just enjoying it. Early morning I could not hang on I had to stop for a number 2, and with a lot of gear it was a pretty big effort to do it I must say, but I felt so much better, even when putting my now wet clothes back over my bibs ;). I was out again and pushing out consistent laps, and tried to put some quick one’s in to get in an extra night lap in as I was expecting them to be slightly quicker than the day laps. I made the cut off easily, finished off another lap and then took off my lights etc ready for the next course.
Day 2 laps were a blur I was having fun out there and that was all that mattered. Pushing it through the mud on the longest section of single track I have ever ridden. At 10am I came in thinking 2 laps to go and Kendra put the thought in my head to try for 3 so I put in some extra effort to try to make up a few spots. I put in a great first lap but the next on was 2 minutes off from being good enough and I was over the line done and drenched with mud. I ended up in 8th place pretty happy really with how it all went, it is a funny thing when you get the worst conditions I have ever ridden in and the least amount of gear I have ever had for a race and this was the one that it seemed to all just worked.
People to thank:
Kendra – who is always there, always knows what I want and need and really keeps me going. Always looking out for the little things and keeping it all smooth. You really kept me out there and really let me enjoy myself as I knew you had everything else under control.
Fenz- He is always full of good advice, and helped me to build myself stronger over the past 11 months.
Ed McDonald- I still can’t believe those quick laps you were doing and still always ready to help me out, and swap out my brake pads.
Radical lights- These things are weapons, look out for the 2010 models. I need to start saving. http://www.radical-lights.com/
McAvoy’s- Kylie for helping and doing everything she could, and Jase for helping organise the trip, and being a friendly face on the course, good to see you push through a tough one.
Jess and Norm Douglas- Who organised a spot for us and sorted us out. It was great to ride on there home soil and I really enjoyed it. You guy’s are always full of encouragement.
Brett Bellchambers- You were smashing it on the SS, that little push you gave me was awesome. It is funny when you lose focus a little and then someone does something like that and gets you going again. Just what I needed a little rev up. I like your work ;).
Gordon Scott- For getting the gazebo down there for us, it saved a lot of stress.
All the friendly riders on the track especially Adam it was great chatting to you and it just seemed every lap I knew someone or found someone to chat to. It really made it fun.
I could not resist sticking the out it was the 2nd last lap ;p.
Check this out, while staying in Melboure at some great friends Jenny and Alex's, I took the time to clean the bike. Jen wanted to know why I was such a good bloke and wanted to bring in the washing but it was about to rain really....Anyway Maddy and Toby thought it was such a great idea that they got in on the job and washed there scooters. Hmmm my brush seemed to have a higher priority on a scooter lol. Thanks for the stay guys can we book in next year?
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