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Sudety MTB Challenge - Stage 2

29/7/2014

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Once again, the build up to this stage was far from ideal. After replacing the rear tyre and being supplied with Stan’s goo from event winner from five years ago, Pawel Wiendlocha from Poland, the tubeless valve continued to leak. Eventually, I took the valve cap from my spare wheel and the tyre appeared to seal. The following morning, as I was adjusting the pressure in the front tyre, the valve broke in half. To solve this problem, I utilised the spare wheel again, by salvaging the core from the valve. I arrived at the starting gate, uncertain I would survive the day intact. I took a second tube as an extra precaution.

A slightly longer stage of 67.5 km with just over 2100 metres of climbing lay ahead. If I could survive the day without any mechanicals, I was certain I could register a decent performance. The early climbs were not technical but still split the large field early. My Polish rival, Zbig, was up ahead and I made it my aim to beat him and endeavoured to close the 8 minute lead he had over me from the first two stages. The temperature was in the low 20’s, with a threat of a later thunderstorm. However, conditions were to remain perfect throughout the day.

I have now become accustomed to the nature of racing here. Work hard to crest the mountains, then recover on the warp speed descents before doing it all again. Climb…Descend…Repeat. This might sound like I’m doing the race a disservice but it is actually a great way to race and the varying terrain provides plenty of variety, not to mention some stunning views from the highest peaks.

Unlike yesterday, where I had punctured early, today allowed me to work with riders of similar ability, and we were able to share the work on the climbs and flatter sections (not that this race has too many flat sections – it’s either up or down. My group swallowed up Zbig and on the longest climb of the day he dropped back. He informed me afterwards that he always had me in his sights but a puncture put paid to his attempts to stay with me.

One feature of this race is the mud and slippery thick tree roots and half way through this stage I found myself struggling with this technical form of riding. I was not alone however, and as the trail began to rise, even the most gifted riders were reduced to walking.

On the last climb, a group of about six riders reformed containing the impressive Swiss female elite rider, Andrea Kuster. As we descended some steep singletrack the pace increased on one section and I felt my bike slip from under me. I someone regained control and heard Andrea squeel from behind. She had done the exact same thing but we had both managed to stay upright and had probably avoided a serious crash. We crested the top of the climb together and began yet another insanely fast descent. I have to express my amazement at the skills of some of these female riders as I saw her disappear into the distance, chasing podium glory.

I finished in a time of 3.59.50 (14th in category and 64th overall), beating my Polish rival, Zbig by ten and a half minutes and moving to 15th (Masters) in the General Classification after the first three stages. I cannot speak more highly about this race. It is well organized, and the race trails offer incredible variety and challenge. I am looking forward to the final three stages and I hope to continue to ride strongly.

 

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Sudety MTB Challenge - Stage 1

29/7/2014

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The late ten o’clock start to each stage means a large, healthy, and surprisingly tasty, Polish breakfast can be consumed, without fear of overeating. I’ve never eaten pancakes, filled with strawberry yoghurt, but they represent a perfect component of any calorie-starved mountain biker’s breakfast. I chatted to Zbigniew, and vowed to beat him in the day’s stage. At 65.5 km in length and with over 2400 metres of climbing, the road book showed riders would have to endure four long climbs, the longest being six kilometres in length. Riding in Europe is very different to what we are used to in Australia. Our tracks are composed of mainly singletrack, punctured by short sections of connecting fireroad and undulate and swoop. European stage races like the Sudety and the Trans Alps offer up long climbs followed by predominantly fast technical descents, and I’ve been informed that this is a pattern repeated in many other European stage races.

The sun was warm as we lined up in the start chute for what seemed like an eternity. When we were finally released into open road, the mass of riders sorted themselves out into a more realistic pecking order. This fact was enforced by the first of the long climbs. I was riding strongly, and had a number of my marked riders only metres ahead. We came to a steep drop requiring riders to scramble down the wet slippery rocks and tree roots. I lost a few places to the more fleet footed riders but I was well in control of my race destiny.

At around eight kilometres, we were riding through some sharp rocks when my rear tyre suddenly went soft. I jumped off and punched some CO2 into the tyre, hoping the Stan’s goo would seal the hole. A hundred metres more, and I pulled off the track, resigned to the fact that I would have to fit a tube. I’m not the quickest at fixing punctures, but I told myself to stay calm and just make sure I fixed it properly. After around ten minutes, I was on my way again, and the next few kilometres involved passing many much slower and less technical riders. If anything, this really spurred me on, and I soon forgot my latest misfortune. Indeed, a puncture is the least problematic of mechanical problems and a fact of life when racing a mountain bike.

I continued to overtake riders, particularly on the longer climbs. On the descents, I paid more attention to my race lines, conscious that I was more prone to flatting with a tube. I was also aware that, without a second spare tube, a puncture now would involve trying to flag down another rider. What was Polish for ‘spare tube’? Or German, Spanish, Russian, Latvian? To reinforce this particular point, I even had a rider call out to me for help but I just shrugged unable to understand a word he had said.

Thunder cracked close by and was shortly followed by a downpour of rain. The track became flooded and the final steep, technical descent had just become muddy and considerably more technical. I spotted Mike Blewitt and Imogen Smith on this section and glided past them, feeling confident I could maintain my speed without flying over the handlebars. Fortunately, I made good progress and was soon on the final descent to the finish.

I was able to finish in a time of 4.41.26, fifteenth in my category (70th overall) and only five minutes behind Zbig and so I think I succeeded in reducing much of the time lost with the puncture. Perhaps this is another lesson in my mountain bike education which shows it pays dividends to remain calm in adversity. With another longer stage tomorrow of 67.5 km and 2100 metres of climbing, I hope to continue to climb in the solo standings.

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Sudety MTB Challenge - Prologue

29/7/2014

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Pre-Race Problems

On arrival at Prague Airport on Friday morning, my bike appeared and it was immediately apparent that the rear brake handle had been broken in transit. Further investigation revealed a new brake unit was required. Fortunately, the following day, I ran into my old German mate, Andreas Ueberrhein, and he informed his German crew who organized for a new Magura brake to be transported from Germany, almost 10 hours away. That evening, I rode over to their hotel and Andreas helped replace the brake unit. Without him, my race would have been over before it started. Needless to say, that would have meant my journey to Poland was for nothing – wasting not only money and time, but the opportunity to enjoy my first ever European mountain bike stage race.

I returned to my hotel relieved, and looking forward to the following day’s prologue. Along with fellow Australian’s Peter Selkrig and Garry James (riding in a Master’s 100 team), we planned to ride the Prologue in the morning to determine what we had in store for us in the afternoon. We climbed for around five kilometres, arrived at a town but there were no signs for the start. We took a few photos and returned to the hotel only to be informed by our Polish host that we were a mere 100 metres from the start line.

As we made the return journey up the hill my Garmin 510 decided to act very strangely, turning on and off, while not responding to screen activation. At the end of the ride it powered off completely and was hot to the touch. I now had no computer. I rode into town and there was a loud bang as I rode over a broken bottle. No puncture but the tyre appeared to have a number of small gashes, which were not too deep and would be okay for the race. At the hotel, I looked for over an hour but failed to locate my multi tool. Frustrated, I wrote a short Facebook message and Mike Blewitt (riding in a mixed team with Imogen Smith) came to my rescue by offering a Magellan Cyclo 105 and a multi tool. Too late for the Prologue but enabling me to use them in the next five stages.

The Prologue

I rode the gentle climb to the start line, relieved to be close to actually beginning the event. The sun was hot and I arrived dripping in sweat (this is quite normal, as anybody who has sat next to me on an indoor bike would testify. I met another of my Crocodile Trophy buddies, Polish M2 rider (and rival) Zbigniew Mossoczy. Zbig is sure to be a great companion once I am in the Event Centre Village as well as useful when it comes to translating the baffling language of Polish into English. Why does Polish have so many ‘z’, ‘w’, ‘y’ and ‘c’ letters in every word and god knows how you are supposed to pronounce it? Forty million Poles are welcome to it.

I was called up to the start line for the short 15 km Time Trial. Riders were set off at 30 second intervals and so I aimed to target as many riders as I could up the six kilometre initial climb. Perhaps I was being a little optimistic. My only other two competitive time trials have been pretty poor, in terms of results, and this was only short, so I would have no opportunity to utilise my strength of endurance. At least it involved a fair amount of climbing and a technical descent, two areas that would count in my favour.

I settled into my climbing rhythm, but was then passed by two professional-looking riders three quarters of the way up. I realised then that the standard here was pretty high. At the top, I was overtaken by a third rider but managed to pick up my tempo, following him along the undulations across the plateau, before finally being dropped at the final technical pinch section.

I had overtaken two riders on the climb, and now, as we hit the steep, technical descent, which was even more difficult following a heavy thunderstorm, I started to pass several more, some walking, others struggling to ride efficiently through the rocky and heavily-rooted descent. The track opened up, and with only a few pinch climbs, the remainder of the course pointed down. I managed to hit some nail-biting speeds, which were easy to maintain due to the wide corners. Not being the best descender, I even surprised myself that I was carrying so much speed into the corners. I continued to overtake riders, and at no point on the descent was I overtaken.

I finished in a respectable time of 48.22 placing me 20th in M2, out of 61 riders and 91st overall. Zig finished in 12th with a time of 44.40, my German friend Andreas (M1) finished two minutes ahead of me and Australian’s Mike Blewitt and Imogen Smith finished on the third step of the podium in the Mixed Pairs Category.

Quite clearly, a difficult week lies ahead, with a very good standard of mountain biking being set from Day One.               
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Sudety MTB Challenge 2014

26/7/2014

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Preview

I am now just a day away from competing in my first ever European Stage Race. The tenth edition of the Sudety begins in Southern Poland, and crosses over the Sudety mountains into the Czech Republic. The race is nearly 400 km in length and involves 12,000 metres of climbing. Stages are difficult but the views are fantastic with riders from all over the world competing for personal glory.
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Prologue (Sunday July 28th) - The event kicks off with a short, uphill time trial of around 16 km and 516 m of climbing. The prologue begins in the town of Sienna, close to the lower lift station at Black Mountain. The initial phase is a long, steep climb towards the Pass of Vipers Glade. Along the way, the route traverses the slopes a few times where there are wonderful mountain views Difficulty 3/6
Stage 1 - 70.7 km 2615 m Difficulty 4/6 - Tour of Stronie Slaskie



Stage 2 - 74.5 km 2247 m Difficulty 3/6 - A loop of the Stronie Slaskie hills

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Stage 3 - 68 km 2172 m Difficulty 5/6

The tracks of the next part of the race will cross three mountain ranges. They will touch the northern part of The Śnieżnik Range and the peaks of The Bialskie Mountains at a height of 1062 (The Sucha Pass) and 922 meters above sea level (The Dział Pass). The wide metalled and cobbled tracks, characteristic for this region, will demand the right technique and increased vigilance on the downhills. Crossing the mountain glades, will reveal wonderful views. Providing that the weather is clear, it will be possible to see the wide panorama of The Sudety Mountains.
Undoubtedly, the most exceptional place will be The Borówkowa Mountain (900 m above sea level), requiring a very difficult and exciting descent down a narrow forest track surrounded by large stretches of blueberry bushes.
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Stage 4 - 44 km 1603 m Difficulty 5/6

Very demanding stage, with the unique track requiring concentration for its whole length. Technically difficult fragments will not forgive mistakes and  lack of ability to fully control the bike. The trails will show no mercy to careless bikers. The Sowie Mountains are only 40 km long, but it’s just this short part which will come back to you in your nightmares. Characteristic points are the historic aqueduct, the biggest in this region of Europe, a fortified Prussian fortress with views from what also happens to be the highest point of the stage.

Stage 5 - 79.1 km 2267 m Difficulty 4/6

The sixth day of The Sudety MTB Challenge contains the finish line in the health-resort Kudowa Zdrój and is the last chance to relish real mountain biking. The stage begins with a long uphill climb in the Suche Mountains to the ruins of a 13th century castle, which, at the same time, is the highest castle in Poland.  After crossing the non-existing border with The Czech Republic riders will be able to recover before entering The National Park, which will bleed remaining energy reserves dry. The finish of the six-day-long competition in The Stołowe Mountains guarantees additional emotions, which will remain in the memory for a long time.
Whatever happens, the next week is sure to be spectacular and, for me, it will provide the perfect springboard to a European adventure that will later involve time with my wonderful wife in the beautiful city of Prague and a chance to catch up with friends and family in sun-drenched England.
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Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series - Event 2 - Mogo

22/7/2014

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Breathtaking Bike Battles By the Border of Bateman's Bay

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Without doubt, the race that took place on Sunday 20th July is one that will live long in the memory. Only a few times in my racing career, have I been involved in such a hard-fought titanic battle as the one I was privileged to be a part of in the Masters Pairs at Maulbrooks Mountain Bike Park in Mogo. Like all races, there would be winners and losers, but this time there would also be heroic chases, hard-fought duelling, bodies pushed to their absolute limits, exhaustion and cramping, unfulfilled battle plans and tales of heartache and woe. Ultimately, however, there could only be one victor.
Following an unfortunate training crash, my series partner, Mike Israel, was sidelined with a broken elbow but I was fortunate enough to secure the services of Jetblack Rider, Michael Brown, just days before the race. I was aware he was a quick rider and that we should consequently remain competitive with the other top pairings. It's often difficult to know exactly who the opposition will be and, with Mogo being a long four hour drive from Sydney, it was a case of preparing for the unexpected. 
Once again the long drive down was shared with James Lamb, and the kilometres just melted away in no time at all. Memorably, while running low on fuel, I decided to wait for the next Coles service station to make use of my discount vouchers. Caltex, however, seem to have a monopoly on fuel on the south coast and after passing several of these I turned to my trusty GPS navigation system for voice activated directions to our target station. After failing to respond to my voice requests, Chops turned to manual, only to be told we needed to return to Nowra. We ignored the pesky machine and continued on, the fuel light now illuminated. I told Chops we would patronise the next fuel stop, no matter what, and simultaneously, we both decided it was time for a refreshing chocolate milk. Suddenly, a Coles appeared on the other side of the road and we pulled over only to find my voucher was two days out of date and unusable, and then to find they had sold out of chocolate milk. But I digress...
Browny had volunteered to start the race and was comfortably placed as the lead riders entered the start of the single track. Jack Lavis was first to complete a lap but solo elite ride, Ed Macdonald, was soon to follow. The first few riders had opened up quite a gap on the field, demonstrating the course was taking no prisoners and was already dishing out ample servings of singletrack punishment. I didn't have to wait too much longer before Browny appeared and I was propelled down the opening descents. I managed to claw past the first rider I saw and was surprised to experience how much climbing was done in the first two kilometres. Here the track evened out and threw up some quick descents up until the four kilometre mark and more climbing followed. At the eight kilometre mark the top of the climb was reached and the snake trail awaited. This incredibly fast descent is one of the best I've ever ridden and the berms were so well constructed, even I was able to maintain velocity and stay off my brakes. I finished the lap and a check of timing revealed we were in the lead, with a minute separating the Top Three Masters Pairs.  
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My next lap was soaked in an air of complacency as I believed that this might actually be a comfortable day in the saddle. However, at the completion of the lap, Browny told me we were now two and half minutes down on the team of Fortyplusfothers. I checked the timing which revealed that this pairing were flying. After my third lap, which involved a serious refocussing I was amazed to discover that we were now four and a half minutes back and had dropped to third. Worse still, we were only thirty-five seconds ahead of Ben Edols and Roelof Burger and close to falling off the podium altogether. Quite simply, some of the competition were putting in amazingly quick laps, 2-3 minutes faster than us.
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Transition Time
Mountain Bike Enduro Races are a strange beast. Due to the length of time in the saddle a lot can change and this can happen very quickly. When you think all is going well, you blow up through inadequate nutrition (like I did the previous week). Conversely, when you think the stars have aligned unfavourably, the tables turn just as dramatically. This was to prove the case on this all so dramatic day in Mogo. I started my fourth lap just after the four hour mark. I, like my partner, was staying consistent and with a clearer track, now the four hour competitors have vacated the scene, there was far less chance of being held up. Not that this was ever a problem, with riders following etiquette throughout. I had really put some effort into, at least, holding our position, when it did finally happen. A rider failed to let me through at the top of the snake trail and I was held up as he continued to brake heavily through the berms. I passed him half way down and tried to repair the damage. At least, my heart rate had dropped! Although, still four and half minutes behind the lead riders we had picked up an unexpected place. Talking to Jason Morgan at transition, I was informed his partner, Paul Morgan, had punctured for the second time that day, explaining their slow start on lap one and their amazing comeback to occupy second place after six laps. They were never to fully recover from this latest setback.
Browny and I were able to maintain our consistency during our penultimate laps unlike the leaders who were tiring. As I handed over to Browny the lead was just 90 seconds with just two minutes separating second, third and fourth. Anything could happen and the race was up for grabs for all four teams. I was convinced the leaders, Fortyplusfrothers, were keeping some energy in reserve and would surely kick again and leave us all in their wake.

As my team mate approached transition for the last time, he cried out we were leading. This was great news. Then he gasped the opposition were right on our tail, officially five seconds behind, and I knew I was in for a brutal last lap. My buddy had somehow overturned the ninety seconds and it was now up to me to keep the lead. We had come a long way and I could not face letting it all slip away now. What was more, Jason and Paul Morgan were closing fast and were themselves only a minute in arrears and charging. I immediately felt a rider jump on my back wheel and I knew Matthew Pandelus was stalking his prey, waiting for his moment. I gritted my teeth and powered up the first climb. He stuck to my wheel like glue. A rider passed by but I was relieved to see it was a rider from the Onyabike team. My rival was still waiting for his moment. I passed other riders but he remained in tow. I now got the feeling that he couldn't be any stronger than me, otherwise he would have already made his move. Like me, he must be hurting and this thought gave me the determination to keeping suffering and gradually I managed to apply more power.

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Feel those watts!
We approached another slower rider and I called track making sure I didn't inform the guy that there were two of us. That was my rivals perogative after all. I passed and heard a collision behind. The two had come together. I powered on but he had recovered and was still in hot pursuit. Clayton Locke appeared ahead and I called early, knowing we were now at the top end of the final climb and this steep pinch would be a great opportunity to gap my competitor. I easily passed Clayton and sensed my opportunity. Now at the top of the snake climb I failed to pass another rider but fortunately, this time, he didn't hold me up too much. I passed him half way down and knew Matthew still had to get past as the track plummeted again. The last kilometre was fairly flat and I was not going to succumb here. I dragged out the last ounces of energy and recruited the last of my rebellious muscle fibres. I could see Browny in his bright, fluro Jetblack top and he was celebrating. I cracked into a sprint and embraced my buddy on the line. We had done it. Thirty-eight seconds later Matthew crossed the line, with Jason Morgan of BBC-Shimano just over a minute back and Ben and Roelof fading a little to finish five minutes in arrears.
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Masters Pairs Podium
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We were this close for the majority of the last lap
Racing like this, doesn't happen all too often and it is even sweeter when you come from behind to win. It was hard to wipe the smile from my face for hours afterwards. We were quick to congratulate the second place team of Matthew Pandelus and Troy Roberts and found out that both had suffered with cramp later in the race. Matthew's plan to hold my wheel until the bottom of the snake trail where he would jump past me on the final section of fireroad never had a chance to reach fruition. Mutual respect abounded and we were all in awe of the great track that had been the backdrop to such a wonderful race. It had been a long drive, but certainly worth every second with Mogo being one of the best tracks I've ever ridden. Chocolate Foot STM Organisers Joe and Fi have certainly dished out a winning combination by including this venue in their wonderful series, allowing mountain bikers of all levels to experience one of the best tracks NSW has to offer. Without doubt this is a race that will live long in the memory...
official result
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Jetblack 12 hour 2014 - James Estate Winery

13/7/2014

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Rise Like a Phoenix

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James Estate Winery Event Centre (Photo : Mike Israel)
The pleasure derived from the sport of Mountain biking never ceases to amaze me. Regardless of motivation, be it racing or social riding, winning or participating, smashing out fast laps or grinding out lap upon lap, the result is always the same. An incredible sense of achievement, hours spent in beautiful outdoor locations and wonderful company from a nicer group of people no other sport, I've ever been involved in, comes close to matching.
The last few weeks have been some of the most testing of my life and I was, more so than I can ever remember, in need of some mountain bike elixir. After receiving a written warning from my school employers for fighting for higher moral and ethical standards from other staff members, I returned home on Friday afternoon in a distressed and confused state, packed for the long journey to the Upper Hunter Valley, and reversed my car straight into an oncoming vehicle. After the sound of metal smashing into metal and my initial shock subsided, I was able to step out of the car and inspect the damage. Whatever the cost happens to be, I am thankful I did not hit a Mercedes, BMW or, worse still, a pedestrian. 
En route, I picked up James Lamb, and he was able to calm me down in his own inimitable way so that I arrived at the event centre at peace with my current troubles. I was able to sleep through to the morning, my problems dispatched to a unwelcome place I revisited on only a sparse number of occasions during the race.

The late start of 10.00 seemed weird, but as is my forte, I somehow managed to leave my preparations to the last minute, culminating in a late arrival to the start line. I tried to burrow in from the front, to take a position on the second or third row but my path was blocked. I relented but then suddenly realised I was now in the front row. 
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James Lamb Putting Down the Power
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I looked left to see multiple World Champion, Jason English, ex world Champion Craig Gordon and the fastest rider in the race,Trenton Day. Looking right, was Andrew Lloyd, Paris Basson, Peter Selkrig and Brett Bellchambers. I was smack bang in the middle of all of them. What the hell was I doing? Worse still, up and coming youngster, Max Richardson was directly behind me. My main rival in the Master's Category, Jamie Vogele, had taken up a sensible position in the third row, so had Benjy Morris. Crafty, the event compere, spoke to Jason English, mentioning he had taken his rightful place on the front line. So what was I doing there? I was an interloper, a gatecrasher, a trespasser who would be the subject of ridicule and torment if I was to hold up the hundreds of riders behind me. I braced myself - 15 seconds to the start - my heart rate was already over 100. 
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Bring it on!
I powered down on the pedals, and like a scolded cat, I flew out of the starting paddock. Two hundred metres evaporated before us and I was in about eighth position. We climbed the firetrail and I could see the race leaders, only a few bike lengths ahead. My heart rate was relatively comfortable, as was my breathing. I had made a sensational start and, as we hit the singletrack, I didn't even have to slow my cadence, gliding through the first sections smoothly. I completed the first lap in 31 minutes which had opened up a 90 second lead on Jamie Vogele. 

With each passing lap, the gap continued to grow. I was receiving excellent support from Mike Israel and training partners Briony and Linda. It makes racing so much easier when a pit crew is ready and waiting at the end of a lap and is able to provide a fresh bottle, gel, a time check and, most importantly, an encouraging smile and a few friendly words. I passed Wendy Stevenson after four and a half hours. I was feeling strong, and I think she was quite surprised to see me so early.
Temperatures were to peak at 16 degrees, the winter sun struggling to pierce the high clouds, but when it did the warmth was most welcome. I was getting time checks, suggesting Jamie was holding a minute, so I continued to charge, hoping the elastic would eventually break. The sun dropped low in the sky and Andrew Lloyd came past with the news that Jamie was struggling, informing me he was at least 10 minutes behind. This was the news I had been waiting for. Soon after, I was hooked up to my night lights and the last five hours would involve sensible riding and keeping well fed and watered. So much for great plans.
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Focus (Photo : Mike Israel)
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Getting Cold and Dirty
Half way around the track, and on the last section of singletrack, my handlebar light dropped, my Exposure Reflex hanging limply against my number plate. Fortunately, it was not yet dark and a quick pit stop and a helping hand from James Lamb allowed me to calmly set off into the night. A few minutes lost, but I had a comfortable lead of around 15 minutes.

The lights came on, and it was immediately apparent how much dust was being thrown up. Before catching a rider, their presence was given away by the cloud of dirt that had been temporarily unsettled. 

Temperatures continued to fall, bottoming out at about five degrees. The layers continued to go on but I had stopped drinking, my main source of fuel. My gels were buried under shirts and coats and so I failed to refuel enough, a mistake I would nearly pay ever so dearly for.
I hungrily devoured a couple of chocolate chip cookies that James Lamb had left on my transition table, as well as two energy bars, but I was still neglecting to refuel fully. Although I didn't know it at the time, Jamie had suddenly put the hammer down. Perhaps he knew I was weakening. With possibly three laps to race, I was barely hanging on, while Jamie was charging. A 17 minute lead was reduced to 12 minutes in just two laps. I started my last lap, feeling incredibly hungry and dizzy. I began the initial climb out of transition and managed to steal some savoury biscuits and gummy bears from Pete Selkrig's transition zone. The sugar had no immediate effect. I was now descending the singletrack but struggling to focus on the course and even running off the side of the track and into trees. Riders were passing me and I was powerless to follow. Like a boxer, I was out on my feet, surviving merely by instinct. I was not going to come this far and lose it all on the last lap. Brett Bellchambers came past and noted my disposition which he told me later was bordering on 'confused' and 'disorientated'. Jamie was closing in and I still had half the lap to complete. 

I drained my water and a light flickered on deep in my cerebrum. Impulses surged from grey to white matter and down my spinal cord, firing the motor neurons in my legs. Perhaps inspired by a combination of the image of Brett Bellchambers and Event Organiser, Martin Wisata's insistence on playing the Eurovision Song Contest's transgender winner, Conchita Wurst's song, Rise Like a Phoenix several times that night. Out of the ashes I was reborn and I was moving more freely as I approached the final descent into the event centre. I kicked for home, making it across the line a mere four minutes ahead of a charging Jamie Vogele. I had secured my first win of the year, a hattrick of Jetblack 12 hour wins, but only just. Clayton Locke was third, one lap behind, with Kevin Wynne-Smythe a creditable fifth in his first twelve hour solo race. James Lamb and Paris Basson finished with line honours, while Jason English beat Andrew Lloyd in the elite solo and Wendy Stevenson won the Solo Female Elite.
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Master's Podium
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Results
race highlights by outer image
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GENCO Mongolia Bike Challenge

3/7/2014

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More than a Bike Race but a Journey through Time

PictureGenghis Khan (1165-1227)
Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khan) was the founder of the the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in history, covering 22% of the Earth's total land area and six times the size of the Roman Empire. At its peak, the Mongol Empire stretched from the Adriatic Sea and the gates of Vienna in the West, to Korea and the Sea of Japan in the East, with 700 tribes and cities under Mongol rule.

Known in Europe and vanquished Asian territories as a blood-thirsty tyrant and the leader of the most savage conquering armies in history, but acknowledged as a hero in Mongolia, a champion of democracy, religious tolerance and equal rights for women. By unifying warring factions, peace and security was brought to 8000 kilometres of trade routes known as the  'Silk Road', laying the trade foundation for the modern world. During the time of Genghis Khan, Chinese inventions, such as printing, paper, gunpowder and the compass spread throughout the vast Empire and beyond.

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The Mongol Empire at its Peak
Video: the growth of the mongol empire 1206-1294

Early Life

Temujin, later to become Genghis Khan (which translates to Universal Ruler), was the son of the Chief of the Yakka Mongols. He was born clutching a blood clot, a sign interpreted by a shamen, that he was destined to become a great warrior. Temujin's childhood was harsh and he was only 10 years old when his father was poisoned by a rival Mongol Tribe. Soon after, Genghis murdered his older half brother with a bow and arrow. He became Chief of his father's clan only for his own tribe to abandon him and leave him to live alone, digging roots for food and keeping sheep. He married Borte in 1179, but his camp was invaded and he was forced to abandon his wife, only managing to rescue her eight months later. Within three years, he had built an army and formed alliances to rival surrounding Mongol Tribes. He built a superior army with strict discipline and training with the prospect of rich rewards for their loyalty. Shrewd and ruthless, he soon became the undisputed ruler of Mongolia.

Invasions

PictureMongol Mounted Archer
Europeans mistakenly believed that their knights were the ultimate warriors in the world at that time. Despite being small in number (around 700,000) and illiterate, the Mongols were hardy men, herdsmen who had grown up riding horses and hunting on the Mongolian steppes, the grassy plains north of the Gobi Desert and south of the Siberian forests. Genghis Khan united them into a fearsome and deadly force. They rode small but powerful horses and wore lightweight protection, allowing them to fight with great speed and manoeuvrability, shooting arrows en masse into the air with incredibly powerful composite bows (twice as powerful as European bows and exceptionally accurate), while being sufficiently mobile to turn in all directions on their horses. During the invasions of Northern China, Central Asia and the Middle East, the Mongols also became highly skilled in siege techniques, which was to ensure them success in several future conflicts.


Genghis turned his attention to China, which was ruled by three great empires. He quickly defeated the state of Xi Xia, before crossing the Gobi Desert, breaking through the Great Wall of China and laying siege to Beijing, the capital of the Qin dynasty. The city was demolished and its ruler, Guchluk, beheaded.

In 1218, Genghis turned west toward central Asia and Europe. His armies rampaged through Muslim lands, spreading terror and destruction. Resistance meant whole city populations would be slaughtered. Moving north into the steppes of Russia, Genghis defeated the southern Russian armies and set a precedence for future Mongol campaigns.
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In 1219, to avenge the beheading of one of his own messengers, Genghis captured Inalchuq, the provisional Governor in Persia, and executed him by pouring molten silver into his ears and eyes. In 1221, Genghis Khan reputedly killed 1.7 million people in one hour following the killing of his favourite son-in-law. On request of his daughter, he massacred the entire population of the Persian city, Nishupur, and a pyramid of their severed heads was erected in honour of his victory. 

In 1227, after quelling a Chinese uprising, Genghis, the ruler of a nation of riders, fell from his horse while riding home and died, aged around sixty five. The most successful military commander the world has ever known was dead. According to legend, Genghis Khan's last words were that he had failed to achieve his destiny - to conquer the entire world - and his dying wish was for his sons to achieve this feat. In the following years, his sons doubled the size of the Mongol Empire, conquering many new lands, including Russia, Poland and Hungary.

Burial

Legend attests to the fact that the burial site of Genghis Khan was to remain a mystery so his rest would not be disturbed, ensuring a peaceful afterlife. The slaves who dug his grave and the 2,000 people who attended his funeral were killed by 800 soldiers, who were, in turn, executed themselves. Thousands of horses trampled the burial site and it is believed a river may have been diverted to flow over the site. One legend tells of the grave being discovered 30 years after Genghis Khan's death and a young camel killed and buried beside the Khan. The grieving mother would return regularly to the grave of its young until its own death when the grave was to be lost forever.

According to a 2003 study, 1.6 million people (or 0.5% of males worldwide) are descendants of Genghis Khan, due to his far-flung travels, several wives and insatiable appetite for women. Although Borte was his only official wife, he followed tradition by taking several morganatic wives and a plethora of concubines. In 1260, thirty-three years after his death, there were around 20,000 blood members of his family.
PictureGenghis Khan Equestrian Statue

Mistakenly believed to be Genghis Khan's birthplace, the 40 metre tall statue, where the GENCO Mongolia Bike Challenge begins, is actually the site where legend suggests he found a golden whip (a lucky omen in Mongolia), inspiring the fifteen year old Temujin to conquer much of the known world. Located fifty-four kilometres east of the capital UlaanBaator and pointing east towards Genghis's birthplace, the statue complex cost the GENCO Tour Bureau $US 4 million.



Video: genghis khan: rider of the apocalypse
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The Peak of the Mongol Empire

PictureKublai Khan (1215-1294)
Known as the greatest Mongol Emperor, Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan and the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. After Genghis's death, his descendants carried out invasions in all directions but feuded over Royal succession. This led to civil war and four separate empires were eventually created. Kublai Khan completed the conquest of China in 1279, after defeating the third great empire, the Song dynasty in the south. He created the winter capital in Cambaluc (on the site of present-day Beijing). Finally, with all of China in Mongol hands, the Empire had reached its peak. Kublai founded the Yuan Dynasty in China and became the overlord of all the Mongol dominions. In an attempt to extend the empire, wars against Japan and Burma proved fruitless, as the Mongol soldiers fought unsuccessfully at sea and in the tropical climates of South East Asia.

Kublai Khan (known as Setsen Khan or 'Wise Khan') was a strong and fearless warrior but also intelligent and a great statesman, and exercised greater tolerance than his predecessors and even permitted the existence of several religions. One of Kublai's advisers told him "I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback" and, unlike his contemporaries, Kublai actually acted upon this belief. He was a beloved leader to both the Mongols and the Chinese and he became the longest-ruling Khan of the Mongol Empire. Kublai met Marco Polo in the 1270's and the Italian explorer described him as the model of a universal sovereign with humanity and genorosity of spirit. Marco Polo even encouraged Europeans to explore the possibilities of trade with the Orient, including Christopher Columbus, whose search for the Orient by sea route resulted in him mistakenly discovering the Americas in 1492. Kublai reestablished unity within China and helped spread the advances of its brilliant and progressive civilisation.

The Decline of Empire

In the 14th Century, with no unity in culture, corrupt government and incompetent administration, the great Mongol Empire would fall apart after less than 150 years in existence and by the 17th Century, much of the Mongol Empire had disappeared. In 1911, China became independent and regarded Mongolia as theirs. The southern section, inner Mongolia, was an integral part of China, while the northern section, outer Mongolia (roughly corresponding to the modern nation) remained out of Chinese control. A communist republic was established in 1924, aligned with the USSR.

Mongolia was isolated from non-communist countries, the nobility wiped out, religion suppressed and Mongolian culture denied expression.

In 1990, the first elections were held and communism was rejected. Mongolia is currently enjoying a mining boom in copper, gold and coal. Indeed, since 2003, GDP has doubled and tourism is on the rise.

A Journey Back in Time

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The Mongolian Bike Challenge is a unique racing experience that will transport riders back to a time when life was much harsher and far more brutal. Mongolia is a sparsely populated country, where a third of the population is under fifteen and modern life expectancy is just 64.9 years. Due, in part, to its isolation in Communist times, many aspects of Mongolia's 500,000 year old culture still remain and its nomadic tribes enjoy a lifestyle reminiscent of days long since gone. During the adventure, mountain bikers will find it almost impossible to escape the feeling of being transported back to a way of life long lost in the mists of time. Constant reminders of Mongolia's rich, sometimes savage, but always fascinating history abound in an ancient landscape, dotted with Gers (Yurts), or felt-lined tents, nomadic families and their herds, a thirteenth Century National Park reminiscent of the time of Genghis Khan and, of course, the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, representing the legend behind one of the most incredible Empires to have ever existed.
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    Author


    ​Level 3 Road & Time Trial Cycle Coach with British Cycling (BC) & the Association of British Cyclists (ABBC)

    National Master Wattbike Instructor


    Cycle Strength & Conditioning Coach 

    ​Cycle Trip Leader

    Sports Scientist (Honours degree in PE & Sports Science - Loughborough University)

    Postgraduate Teaching degree in PE & History (Loughborough University)


    Silver Medalist in WEMBO's World MTB 24 hour 40-44 solo at Finale Ligure, Italy, 2012 

    Silver Medalist at the Australian National MTB 24 hour 40-44 solo, 2012 & 2013

    I have completed several of the World's biggest stage races, including the Crocodile Trophy in Australia, the Mongolia Bike Challenge, the Sudety in Poland and the Andalucia Bike Race

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