A Hot, Dirty Affair Dripping with Passion and Pain
The theme of the 10th edition of the Highland Fling was 'A Dirty 10 Year Affair' and, on post race reflection, I have serious questions to channel towards Wild Horizons Director Huw Kingston. By definition an affair, as the theme alludes to, is an intimate sexual relationship or episode between lovers. Sure, there is a passionate attachment to the race, as demonstrated by the numerous riders who were impressively participating in their 10th event. Although a 'Dirty Affair', in regards to mountain biking conjures up ideas of mud and slime, with the exception of last year, this rarely happens in the Highland Fling, which is held in mid to late spring. My interpretation is to take 'dirty affair' to mean a relationship that is morally degraded, sordid and wretched. At 113 km in length, the Fling is one of the toughest marathon races in Australia. Throw in 2400 metres of climbing (or descending if you prefer to believe the pre-race notes), high temperatures and extra singletrack, which was great fun but extended race time even further, and you have an event designed by the sadistic 'dark side' which left many riders cursing that they had strayed from the comfort of their home. There would be no sympathy for the 1000 plus riders from respective partners and there would be no hiding from the consequences of this annual fling.
The Highland Fling attracts the best mountain bikers in Australia and the competition in all distances and categories is always hot. Pre-race banter was as boisterous as always, and pizza and beer brought out the usual sledging between mates. I was aiming for a Top 15 finish in Masters but knew the course would take longer to complete than normal and this extra distance would be to my advantage. Ben Edols was bringing some impressive form to the race and was keen to get the better of me, while Mike Israel, Gary Harwood, Trent Moore and Guy Cowan were other Masters rivals riding strongly in recent weeks. It was therefore of no surprise when the 100 km race was initiated at a blistering pace along the rolling hills, paddocks, creek crossings and farm tracks towards Penrose State Forest.
A number of riders from the recently completed Crocodile Trophy came to the fore early on. Martin Wisata was laying down some impressive power and disappeared up the road with the lead bunch. Clayton Locke, competing in the 100 mile event, was looking stronger than ever early on. I was able to hook up with another rider in the 100 mile event, Jason Lam, mentioned that he was nuts, and we stayed in a small group as we approached the first transition. It was at this point that the lead group of four elite riders (Andy Blair, Mark Tupalski, Brendan Johnston and Chris Hamilton), starting fifteen minutes behind us, came flying past in an orderly train.
Luckily, in transition, I was able to quickly locate my support crew, Mark Hardy's partner, Gloria, who I had only met for the first time the previous night. I grabbed a 2 litre camelbak, which Mark had sensibly advised would be necessary for the 53 km of rough forest trails and the exhilarating Wingello singletrack. Gloria told me Mark was five and Ben one minute ahead and I felt confident I could close the gap as endurance became the dominant factor.
Luckily, in transition, I was able to quickly locate my support crew, Mark Hardy's partner, Gloria, who I had only met for the first time the previous night. I grabbed a 2 litre camelbak, which Mark had sensibly advised would be necessary for the 53 km of rough forest trails and the exhilarating Wingello singletrack. Gloria told me Mark was five and Ben one minute ahead and I felt confident I could close the gap as endurance became the dominant factor.
| I motored up the first half of the 'Great Wall', but after the plateau I lost traction and dismounted. It was enough, however, to close the gap on Ben Edols. We rode together for some time before I lost some ground and Ben was calling out for me to stay with the pace. I kept eating and drinking and hoped I could keep my opposition in view. Halfway Hill and the Kick were negotiated and I was back with Ben and a number of other Manly based riders. |  Jenny Fay - A winning ride was scuppered by mechanicals in the final stages |
Not long after, Jenny Fay, leading the female elite came cruising by. I jumped on her wheel as we climbed out of yet another gully. When I looked round the others were distant figures. I rode the 'Fay train' for a while, conscious not to hinder the leading female competitor. I had visions of taking her out on a corner and then trying to explain the incident to MC Chops at the finish line. As we rounded the next corner of fast firetrail Jenny flew into the rough and my nightmare vision was playing out. I kept checking behind me and eventually Jenny was back on pace and driving forward. We were passing tiring riders at ease but eventually I had to relent and Jenny powered on ahead. I settled back into a less frantic rhythm.
 Peta Mullins - Elite Female Winner | At the second transition, I spotted Gloria again and shed the camelbak and took on a fresh bottle. Peta Mullins and Rebecca Locke, second and third respectively in elite women, rolled into transition just behind me. After the allotted five minutes, Peta, Bec and two other riders began the final 27 km Gu Stage. For the first kilometre of flat dirt road, I stayed behind the two girls as they swapped turns, but soon felt guilty as the speed slowed and took up the pace making myself. Peta swapped turns but Bec and the two male riders were suffering. A singletrack descent called Jack's Jaunt was followed by an uphill climb back to Penrose State Forest. Peta was still behind me but the others had faded. I was happy to keep driving the pace, it was almost a compliment that Peta was content to stay on my wheel. Second place was assured but surely Jenny was not going to fade this late into the race. I was going to inform Peta of this fact but then thought better of it. Peta is mountain and road bike royalty. She didn't need me to tell her my version of how the race was unfolding. |
We were now just 15 km from the finish when we suddenly passed a stricken Jenny Fay fixing a puncture. Peta slowed as we both surveyed the scene ahead. She offered her commiserations and then the hammer went down. I followed Peta through the first part of the Rollercoaster, hoping to stay on her wheel as she rode to potential glory. Of course, Jenny could already be in hot pursuit. Peta was to put four and a half minutes on me, a very impressive display of strength and speed. I gave up the chase and concentrated on picking my way through the tail end of the 50 km riders. There were plenty of panting punters on Brokeback mountain but once again I failed to spot any breathless cowboys, although the two male riders sitting on the log under a tree were possible candidates. I'm sure that a direct line up that hill would be far easier than the multiple sandy switchbacks the track tends to follow.
 MC Chops with Peta Mullins after her blistering finish | As I descended towards the event centre, I caught a tiring John Miller, my teammate from our Mont 24 hour success, and we were able to cross the line together. Another fling was flung. I achieved my goal of finishing within the top 15 in Masters with 12th place and 50th overall. Ben was to finish seven minutes behind, while Mike Israel, Guy Cowan and Gary Harwood finished in the three places ahead of me. Trent Moore broke his chain, managed to lose it in the grass and lost valuable time to finish a disappointing 22nd. Peta Mullins won the female elite event for the second year running, while the unfortunate Jenny Fay withdrew after a second puncture and a broken seatpost. |
The Highland Fling is my favourite marathon mountain bike race, probably due to the extra distance, the constant hills and the warmer temperatures. This year was a tale of multiple 'affairs' that will keep me coming back for more. It was great to get down and dirty with my Manly buddies in the early stages, before separate flings with two elite female riders I have the utmost respect for - it was an honour to ride with Jenny and Peta. Mountain biking is certainly one sport females can excel in and this was demonstrated in abundance in all categories and distances - kudos to Wendy Stevenson, one of only 11 riders to finish the 100 miler with nearly half the field not finishing; Briony Mattocks for a brilliant 6 hours 21 in her first marathon, Melissa Nuttall who was 2nd in the female open, and in the Half Fling, Linda Corrigan and Stephanie Jackson and, particularly Sara Mills, the 17 year old, riding in a higher age group and finishing third outright.
  |  Peta Mullins - Elite Mountain / Road Biker and Poster Girl |
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