The organisers of the Chocolate Foot STM Series chose to make Kinross Forest the location for the final round of the series. With an abundance of flowing singletrack, absorbing technical sections and heart-pounding descents, the reasons for their decision were clear. Many categories were still closely contested and the Masters Solo was no different. Garry James was likely to take out the series win, but only four points separated myself and Dave Langley in third. Throw Paul Brodie into the mix and an intriguing day of racing lay ahead. 

Orange had avoided the deluge of rain that had been soaking Sydney and the East coast, and offered up clear, blue skies and a dry and dusty track which had undergone a lot of trail work since last year's inaugural                                                                                                             STM event. Needless to say, the track was                                                                                                               fantastic to race on!

Paul Brodie was the early pace-setter once again in the Master's Solo and led for five hours and by up to six minutes from Garry, before he was finally reeled in. The duo fought it out for the next two laps before Paul finally cracked and Garry was able to seal yet another victory. A few minutes behind, Dave and I were fighting our own private duel. Dave invariably starts conservatively and endeavours to grind his rivals down. Four and a quarter hours had elapsed when I glimpsed the 'Soggy Bottom' blue and yellow shirt of my nemesis. It wasn't too long before he had caught, passed and left me choking in his dust. I chased him hard, and on lap nine, we were the fastest two masters solo riders on course. Unfortunately, I couldn't maintain the pace, and Dave started to open up a sizable gap, whilst maintaining his pace for the next two laps.

With an hour and twenty minutes left of the series, I calculated I had three laps to go and I ought to at least attempt to close the gap on the three leading riders. I was really enjoying the course, particularly the 'A' lines, which may have been only marginally faster, but they were making the course slightly more challenging and, at the same time, a great deal of fun. Furthermore, I was being admirably supported by my wife in transition, who was making my bottle changes flawless, allowing me to roll through and maintain momentum. To my surprise, I suddenly spotted Dave in the switchbacks ahead. The problem was, I only had half a lap to close the gap and I would have to overtake him on the downhill, which would have been extremely hazardous. Dave had also spotted me and shot off like a scolded animal. My attempt to reclaim third place was to end in vain, the final gap being 46 seconds, and Dave was to claim second place in the series. 

This is my third STM series and it has been one of the most memorable. Joe and Fi have taken the races to great locations and created a great atmosphere at all their events. The racing in the Masters Solo has been amazing, and I have forged some great friendships with my fellow competitors. Congratulations to Garry on his second series win, but also to Dave Langley, Jason McAvoy, Mike Israel, and Paul Brodie for making our races so competitive. The rivalry brings out the best in all of us. A number of races have been decided by minutes, sometimes seconds, and even though the riding is fierce, the respect is always conspicuous. Next year, I look forward to reconvening the battles and competition of the last three years.

Coming off nine days of racing in North Queensland, in hot and humid conditions, undergoing 15,000 metres of vertical climbing and covering around 900 kilometres in one of the World's toughest mountain bike races probably didn't bode well for a race just seven days later. Throw in WEMBO's 24 hour solo at Mt. Stromlo a week before 'the Croc' and even a casual observer might predict this race would be 'somewhat challenging'.

Lining up for the start of the race, I exchanged pleasantries with a number of riders, including newly crowned World Champion Solo rider Garry James. After congratulating him on his recent sparkling form, he asked me if I had ' good legs' in which I replied 'very possibly', but I'm sure my response lacked any real conviction. It was therefore no surprise that this race was to prove I possessed legs made more akin to jelly and blancmange.

The first lap started well as I jumped on a train of four riders with Garry at the head of affairs. I knew that Garry was the favourite to win the Masters Category and it made sense to keep him in my sights. Jason McAvoy was attending a wedding and Mike Israel was another notable absentee. Dave Langley seemed to pose a threat although he had been struggling with a back injury that had already scuppered his quest for glory at WEMBO. I had also spotted Canberra's Paul Brodie at the start line and knew he would certainly be mixing it up with the main contenders. Indeed, it was Paul who raced into an early lead, which he was to hold for almost four hours. 

Half way through the first lap, I began to lose touch with Garry's small armada of riders and I found myself moving backwards through the field. My early exuberance and energy seemed to have seeped through those weary legs and my confidence quickly waned. Clayton Locke glided past, and his dark lycra racing kit soon flickered away into a distant memory. I had turned up to race without any real expectations. The dusty and technical course was starting to bite. The short pinch climbs became increasingly more difficult and the heat sucked the sweat from my aching body and left crystals of salt across my short and shirt. Three hours had elapsed and I was suffering. Passing through transition, I heard I was in fifth. These races are an endurance test and I knew others would be in similar difficulty and I would just need to be consistent and the riders ahead would come back to me.

Ahead, I spotted the black shirt of Clayton Locke and I moved behind him. I was impressed with how well he was riding but now I had paid my respects it was time to send him back down through the field. I accelerated past him on a pinch climb and simultaneously my left calf cramped. I had to reduce my speed and Clayton came powering by and immediately distanced me. Shortly after, I stopped for water in transition and had to guzzle one whole bottle instantly, before setting off to hunt my prey. It wasn't too long before I caught Clayton,and this time, I passed him on a fast section of fireroad. Clayton didn't respond and I was now up to third and in a podium position.

The last two hours were about survival. I was riding with just one brake (my front brake had failed three hours in), I was cramping badly , my feet had swollen in the heat, my hands were sore and I had a stitch, which I just couldn't rid myself of. My attention was diverted from the track and then I lost control on a dusty descent and crashed, swallowing a mouthful of the loose dust. As I tried to stand my right calf cramped. I tried to stretch the muscle, prompting my right thigh to cramp painfully. I sat in the middle of the track helpless for what seemed like an age. As I tried to stand, my left thigh cramped and so I waited a little longer. On standing, I found my bars had turned in the crash and so I was forced to make the necessary adjustments as two riders came by. Fortunately, neither were in my category.

I managed to nurse myself to the finish. I had seen that Dave Langley had been struggling with his back problems and so I knew I just needed to stay ahead of Clayton. To my surprise, I finished on the same lap as eventual winner Garry and second place Paul with only 15 minutes separating the three of us. Clayton had finished half an hour early and was two laps back. 

I was completely exhausted at the finish and continued to cramp while driving back to Sydney. It's been a tough few weeks and it is time to relax a little before the final installment of this excellent series at Kinross Forest in Orange in three weeks' time.