CycoActive - Professional Endurance Cycle Coaching
  • CycoActive Coaching
  • Your Coach
  • Pricing
  • Mallorca Guiding
  • Contact Me
  • Going Solo Blog
  • Backroads Blog
  • MarathonMTB
  • Mallorca - Sian & Mark

Ay-Up 12 hour Dusk till Dawn, Tamworth

17/2/2014

4 Comments

 

Idiot's Guide to beating a Multiple World Champion

Channel 7 Preview Video
Newspaper Race Report
Crummy's Race Video
Picture
Having raced mountain bikes for just over four years, it often comes as a surprise that so much can be learnt from a single race. Weeks earlier, Pete Selkrig had convinced me to ride with him and his long-time friend, Ray Griffin, in the Baiocchi Griffin JT Fossey team of three. Now, the adage is that 'you are never too old to learn' and with my two team mates both on the wrong side of fifty, these words of wisdom would surely come under a prodigious amount of scrutiny. On the other hand, both Pete and Ray come armed with an impressive resume that would put many elite riders to shame. Pete has won State and National titles across several disciplines encompassing track, mountain biking, road and cyclocross, while Ray won the state criterium and time trail and was second in the Australian Nationals criterium in 2013. Nevertheless, the transition from road to mountain bike is not an easy one, with different energy systems utilised, tactics and strategies vary significantly, and markedly different bike handling skills are required. 

Ray had only recently purchased a mountain bike and was about to embark on only his second MTB race. His first had been on a track ideal for a road rider. Tamworth was an altogether different proposition. Tight and twisty pinch climbs with a plethora of rocks and hairpin turns, making the track a technical challenge for even some of the more experienced riders. The adrenaline charged downhills with a scattering of jumps and steep-sided berms would surely test tired riders later in the night.  

PictureSolo rider Jamie Vogele coming to terms with the local flora
Drought-breaking rain had been forecast for the Tamworth area, and the expectation was for a mud-fest and a bike-breaking ordeal. It was therefore a delight to ride a practice lap on a tacky course with the sprinkling of rain almost completely eliminating the choking, bright red dust. It quickly became apparent that excursions off the main track should be avoided with cactus, thorns and prickly pears abundant. 

The event organizers had attracted some of the biggest names of endurance mountain-biking to their inaugural event. Multiple World Champion, Jason English, would be pushed all the way by an ever-improving Andrew Lloyd, while dual 24 hour under 30, WEMBO champion, Sean Bekkers, and Michael Crummy would be sure to set a lightning, quick pace from the outset. Meanwhile, child prodigy, Guy Frail, aged just 16, from the TBSM team, had assembled a formidable team consisting of Brett Holl and Stefan Merriman (former four time World Enduro Champion) both of whom would be much more accustomed to winning races on a Yamaha.

Picture
Baiocchi Griffin JT Fossey vs The Bike Shed Mortdale
Guy Frail was to set the early pace, posting the fastest lap from the gun and our attempts to stay with them were clearly in vain. By the time I had finished the second lap, the night had closed in on the event centre and our hopes of beating TBSM had vanished with the setting sun. Ray returned from his first lap and admitted he had found the course troublesome. He had hit his arm on a tree, had struggled to negotiate a series of switchbacks and was voicing the fact that this would be a very long night. His next lap was a minute and half slower and I concurred with his earlier insight. The top three teams, and solo riders, Jason English and Andrew Lloyd, had now started to cut through the rest of the field. We were placed fifth for the first six hours, but we had our sights set on Crummy and Bekkers team of two. If Ray could maintain his lap times, we would eventually grind them down.
PictureTamworth's finest rag appears to be excited about the talent in town
Pete and I were posting consistent times, around the 35 to 37 minute mark, but Ray was to go one better. He was actually getting faster with each passing lap. It is testament to his skill and determination to learn a new bike art. He was now successfully riding a section of track he had previously struggled with, and was clearly learning how to ride effeciently under the impressively bright lights we had been supplied by sponsors Xeccon Lights. At 11 pm, we were fourteen minutes behind Bekkers and Crummy. By 12 pm it was just over three minutes. Bekkers was now doing double laps and, by 3 am, we were 30 seconds ahead. 
I was now being chased by Sean, and I was able to hold him off for the majority of a lap before finally succumbing to his superior pace. He now started his second lap with Ray following. Only days earlier, he had given Ray some lessons on mountain bike skills. As Sean came through, to hand over to Crummy, he retorted on the fact Ray was only just behind. Ray had tracked him all the way and it was now all too clear that we would win this particular battle. As Crummy left for his double lap I joked that he was the hare and the old greyhound, Selkrig, was about to chase him down. On being caught on the first climb, Crummy jumped on Pete's wheel. The old pro came to the fore and some suspect lines through the rock gardens left our poor rival in a heap and the game was up for Team Ay Up.

PictureThree man team podium
Meanwhile, Jason English had managed to crack Andrew Lloyd to win Solo honours. Utilising Lloydy's light, Jase had patiently sat behind his closest competitior, and when he came in for more batteries, Jase continued on, still with enough battery power for another lap. 

Relaxing from the regime of drinking and eating after each lap, I went out at 5 am without enough sustenance. I began to feel faint and lost three minutes of time. I felt unable to continue and even asked Pete to do a double lap to finish the race. A quick nap, a plate of pasta, a caffeine and sugar hit, and I found myself on the start line, six minutes before the 7 am finish itching to make the most of the morning light, the heart rocking to a melody of legal stimulants.

Picture
Jase is lost for words on hearing that three old blokes had pipped him at the finish
Picture
Jason English came in just before Pete and he was content to forgo a final lap. Pete appeared soon after, and I was able to finish on a high with a respectable time. I pulled in to see the final result, and soon realised that the last lap had catapulted our team into second overall. TBSM had taken the race win, but there was much consolation in the fact we had beaten the World Solo Champion. It had taken three of us, riding solidly, to do it, but we had achieved a rare feat. 

It had been an amazing weekend, and I really enjoyed the experience of racing in a team with two great competitors. With Ray's amazing performance it is tangible proof that you can truly teach an old dog new tricks!

Official Result
Picture
Ray ' The Rookie' Griffin
Picture
Pete 'The Veteren' Selkrig
4 Comments
Brenda Taylor
18/2/2014 02:53:01

Well done Phil to all of your team for finishing 2nd in the the race. Also another well written and interesting blog xxx

Reply
Phil Welch link
18/2/2014 03:45:11

Thanks! It was, indeed, a great race with great people :)

Reply
Adam Bodkin
19/2/2014 03:17:14

You guys were incredible! (I was the solo rider in the tent opposite your van... with the puppies). Every single lap I did I'd be passed by at least one of you. Great inspiration!

Reply
Phil Welch link
19/2/2014 23:49:12

Well done for placing 3rd in the Solo Masters and thanks for your kind comments.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    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

    Categories

    All
    12 Hour Races
    Andalucia Bike Race
    Asthma
    Coaching
    Commuting
    Crocodile Trophy
    Cycle Tourism
    Diet & Exercise
    Dragon Devil
    Indoor Cycling
    LEJOG
    Majorca 312
    Mallorca
    Marathon Races / 100 Km
    Mongolia Bike Challenge
    Most Popular
    Obesity
    Passion & Goals
    Philosophy Of Life
    Port To Port
    Principles Of Training
    Prudential 100
    Ramo Pro Cycling
    Rocky Trail
    Ronde Picarde
    Sportives
    Stage Racing
    STM Chocolate Foot
    Strava
    Sudety
    Sufferfest
    Teaching
    Team Races
    Tour Of Wessex
    Training Rides
    Travel
    Ventoux
    Watt Bike / Power Training
    WEMBO / 24 Hour Races
    WSMTB



    Significant Results

    Stage Races
    • Crocodile Trophy 2013, Australia - 5th
    • Port 2 Port 2014, Australia - 4th
    • Sudety MTB Challenge 2014, Poland / Czech Republic - 15th
    • Mongolia Bike Challenge 2014 - 6th

    24 Hours
    • WEMBO World 24 hour Solo, Italy, 2012 - 2nd
    • Australian National 24 hour Solo, 2013 - 2nd
    • Australian National 24 hour Solo, 2012 - 2nd
    • Scott 24 hour Solo, 2012 - 1st
    • Sydney 24 hour, 2011    - 1st

    7 hour Enduro Series
    • Rocky Trail 7 hour Series, 2013 - 1st
    • Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2013 - 3rd
    • Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2012 - 3rd
    • Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2011 - 1st

    12 hour Enduros
    • Sydney 12 hr, 2014 - 1st
    • Sydney 12 hr, 2013 - 1st
    • Sydney 12 hr, 2012 - 1st

    6+6 hour Enduros
    • National 6+6, 2014 - 1st
    • Sydney 6+6, 2013 -    1st
    • Sydney 6+6, 2010 -    1st

    Archives

    August 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.