Racing hots up, as Male Solo fields catch fire!
Sucking up the fluids (Crummy, 2013) The 4th race in the popular Rocky Trail Enduro series attracted over 300 riders and the year's strongest solo field to date. Ed McDonald, Andrew Hall and Andrew Lloyd were the three most prominent names in the elite field, while Benjy Morris and Brett Bellchambers were the favourites in their respective categories. Throw in ex 24 hour World Champion Craig Gordon, James Boland and Aaron Bashford who were racing in the elite pairs, and the pace was sure to sizzle from the very start.
Last week, I reported on the preparation and training necessary for success in Endurance Mountain Bike racing and pre-race talk centred on the commitment and sacrifices several of my rivals were making for the upcoming World 24 hour championship. My biggest rival at today's race was Benjy Morris and he has incorporated the services of a coach and has recently curtailed his enjoyment of the veritable delights of alcohol. I was informed that Jason McAvoy is training like a man possessed while Ian Bridgland has also employed renowned coach Mark Fenner to improve his overall prospects. Races, like today, would provide a decent measure reflecting the progress the solo riders are making in their quest for World Championship success.
Last week, I reported on the preparation and training necessary for success in Endurance Mountain Bike racing and pre-race talk centred on the commitment and sacrifices several of my rivals were making for the upcoming World 24 hour championship. My biggest rival at today's race was Benjy Morris and he has incorporated the services of a coach and has recently curtailed his enjoyment of the veritable delights of alcohol. I was informed that Jason McAvoy is training like a man possessed while Ian Bridgland has also employed renowned coach Mark Fenner to improve his overall prospects. Races, like today, would provide a decent measure reflecting the progress the solo riders are making in their quest for World Championship success.
 Masters Rivals - Benjy Morris & Andrew Wells |  Mid Race Fuelling Station |  Singlespeed World Champion - Brett 'Jeebus' Bellchambers |
The start of these races is always crucial and this was to prove the case once again. Self seeding at the start is like a bad joke without a punchline. As usual the start was fast and furious but the mass of riders were to come to a grinding halt at the start of the singletrack. With few opportunities to overtake, a certain level of composure was required before the track opened up and the slower riders, who had shot off far too fast for their ability, could be passed. After only three laps, I had lost six minutes on Benjy Morris , who had made an excellent getaway and who had crucially avoided the mayhem of the start.
I concentrated on tapping out a consistent rhythm on the pedals and less than 40 seconds separated my first 8 laps. However, I was unaware that Benjy was also lapping consistently and the gap between us was actually opening.
Wendy Stevenson, GP4 Female Solo Master Winner (Bateman, 2011) Almost five hours had elapsed and the GP4 riders had finished, leaving the track fairly free of traffic. The legs had barely complained up to this point and I was enjoying the excellent flow Mt. Annan has to offer. For the uninitiated, Mt. Annan is located in South-West Sydney and is a purpose-built track in the picturesque Botanical Gardens. Each lap is eight kilometres in length, contains just 124 metres of climbing with approximately 85% of singletrack consisting of rollovers, steep pinch climbs and fast, twisty descents. I was beginning to utter sounds of elation to myself on the multitude of gratifying sections, which would have appeared strange and disturbing to those who have yet to climb into the complex mind of a enduro solo mountain biker. Nevertheless, the fact was, I couldn't help but relish the vibe of this track.
The Botanical Gardens With less than two hours of racing, I was informed I was only six minutes behind Benjy. I started the next lap with renewed vigour, but it was not long before I knew that, despite commendable on-bike fuelling, the legs were about to revolt against any overtime in effort. I had cut almost a minute from Benjy's lead but he had responded by stepping up his own pace and was beginning to extend his lead once again.
I rolled over the line just under 14 minutes behind, to claim second place, with Rohan Essex in third place a further two laps adrift. The previous race in the series I had finished almost double this time behind my rival and so this performance was definitely a step in the right direction.
I rolled over the line just under 14 minutes behind, to claim second place, with Rohan Essex in third place a further two laps adrift. The previous race in the series I had finished almost double this time behind my rival and so this performance was definitely a step in the right direction.
 GP7 Male Solo Master Podium |  All hail Benjy |
Carving up the singletrack at Mt. Annan (Crummy, 2013) Rocky Trail had once again put on a great event and it was a pleasure to race on a excellent track in mild 16 degree temperatures under an azure sky. Mention needs to go to Ed McDonald, who looked incredible, clocking up 17 laps and crushing the solo field and beating all the seven hour teams for good measure - Jason English, take notice.
After the race I was able to enjoy a delicious Budweiser Budvar, a Czech beer which was one of the prizes for all those riders who graced the podium. I just hope that this beer could break Benji's new resolve and preface his downfall!
The final race of the Rocky Trail Shimano MTB Grand Prix Series is on the 7th September and, coming just a month before the World 24 hour, will serve as a telling indicator of form for the most significant enduro event of the year.
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