Day 2 : Hunter Valley - 54.71 km
Mud, Sweat, Tears and Mountains
Steady Climbing on the First Mountain (Flow Magazine, 2014) The sunshine and beautiful blue skies of Day One were quickly to become a distant memory, as New South Wales remembered it was actually Winter and left her taps in the sky on full throughout the night. Peter Selkrig and I, duly aborted the scheduled forty minute warm-up ride from our accommodation near Lindemans Winery and took to the warmth and dryness of a motor vehicle. Fortunately, the rain abated and a satisfactory warm up was achieved before the race start.
The lead car peeled off after four hundred metres and the race up the first big climb was on in earnest. Selkrig had been caught napping and was still in sight half way up the hill. Category rivals were all within touching distance, while fellow Manly rider, Mark Hardy, appeared to be struggling to find his usual comfortable rhythm. The field began to spread out as the fireroad continued to point skywards. Mud was being thrown up from other riders, and it seemed folly to follow too closely. I decided the sunglasses were more a hindrance and carefully stowed them in a back pocket, from which they were soon ejected and ultimately lost. Mud was still getting in my eyes, but a few blinks, and vision would be temporarily restored.
The lead car peeled off after four hundred metres and the race up the first big climb was on in earnest. Selkrig had been caught napping and was still in sight half way up the hill. Category rivals were all within touching distance, while fellow Manly rider, Mark Hardy, appeared to be struggling to find his usual comfortable rhythm. The field began to spread out as the fireroad continued to point skywards. Mud was being thrown up from other riders, and it seemed folly to follow too closely. I decided the sunglasses were more a hindrance and carefully stowed them in a back pocket, from which they were soon ejected and ultimately lost. Mud was still getting in my eyes, but a few blinks, and vision would be temporarily restored.
Mud Chute (Flow Magazine, 2014) At the top, the trail undulated for a few kilometres before diving into some newly created singletrack. At first, the trails were incredible fun as it was possible to slide uncontrollably down the mud slides, unclip at the bottom, and use a trailing leg to turn into the next section a la speedway. It was here I was to pass Imogen Smith, who had made a very fast start, but was now looking distinctly unhappy with all the mud. My fun continued for only a little longer. The trail was becoming less and less rideable, as were the short pinches that seemed to be ever increasing. Running the bike up the hills became more and more taxing, as did the remounting of the bike and reclipping into mud-caked pedals with mud-buried cleats.
Hell on Earth! (Johnston, 2014) On a dry day, this section of singletrack would have been a dream to ride - the Race Organisers had even promised some of the best singletrack we would ever ride. This fact was an even more bitter pill to swallow, when the trail emerged on a newly bull-dozed section. The dirt had turned into knee-deep mud that surely couldn't be ridden. I tried to run with the bike, but the wheels gathered so much mud that they stopped turning and I ground to a halt. I picked the bike up but it was now so heavy, that even this was impossible. The only option was to stop and clear as much mud from the wheels as feasibly possible. I continued on my way but the mud-fest just kept coming. It was hell on earth and I was losing the will to live. When would this ever end. I looked around and others were struggling too. Selkrig was to snap his chain, others were to retire completely. After some might say was an eternity, the trail emerged onto a more solid road. After clearing as much mud as I could I was able to ride away, just as Emily Parkes passed by. I soon found my rhythm and we were back in a mountain bike race again. I overtook Emily on a pinch climb and never saw her again.
The bitumen road section into Millfield was an opportunity to work with others and keep a decent pace up. Unfortunately, our small group of four soon became three. At the bottle drop, a second rider stopped and our group was two. My partner was having problems with his rear derailleur and had actually wanted to stop so he could clean his drive chain, but had erroneously followed me past his point of saviour. His loss was my gain, and we worked together for a number of kilometres swapping turns at the front. As the final hill climb began to steepen, he paid the price for his lack of gearing and dropped back. I saw bikes ahead and knew it was time to jump ship and catch the tiring riders further up the road.
The bitumen road section into Millfield was an opportunity to work with others and keep a decent pace up. Unfortunately, our small group of four soon became three. At the bottle drop, a second rider stopped and our group was two. My partner was having problems with his rear derailleur and had actually wanted to stop so he could clean his drive chain, but had erroneously followed me past his point of saviour. His loss was my gain, and we worked together for a number of kilometres swapping turns at the front. As the final hill climb began to steepen, he paid the price for his lack of gearing and dropped back. I saw bikes ahead and knew it was time to jump ship and catch the tiring riders further up the road.
In dire need of a shower (and a tan!) As we reached the top of the second climb, and crested the final pinch of around 25-30% gradient, I knew the last 10 kilometres would be relatively cruisy. We entered a boulder shrewn paddock, I passed the Flanno Express, Craig Barnes, and Master's rival Alex Kooijman and Jacob Van Egmond who had ridden 26 kilometres with broken handlebars. I was feeling strong and I was able to power on alone, accelerating away down the final technical and suicidal descent, into Drayton's winery and finally back to the finish at Lindeman's.
I finished 5th in category and 36th overall, a vast improvement on the first day. I was able to gain time on Kooijman, while Darren Smith suffered a broken derailleur and dropped from the top of the rankings. Richard Piel and Stephen Billington performed strongly, and with Stu Adams, they hold the Top 3 Master's podium positions.
Tomorrow is the longest day with 63 kilometres of riding in the Hunter Valley planned, although if the predicted rain falls, this stage could be shortened, as the organisers attempt to avoid another day in the mud. Indeed, some thought should go to those riders towards the back end of the field who would have ridden the track today when it was at its very worst. More time in the saddle means more pain both on and off the bike. Without doubt, towards the front end of the field, riders have a much easier time. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better for everyone.
I finished 5th in category and 36th overall, a vast improvement on the first day. I was able to gain time on Kooijman, while Darren Smith suffered a broken derailleur and dropped from the top of the rankings. Richard Piel and Stephen Billington performed strongly, and with Stu Adams, they hold the Top 3 Master's podium positions.
Tomorrow is the longest day with 63 kilometres of riding in the Hunter Valley planned, although if the predicted rain falls, this stage could be shortened, as the organisers attempt to avoid another day in the mud. Indeed, some thought should go to those riders towards the back end of the field who would have ridden the track today when it was at its very worst. More time in the saddle means more pain both on and off the bike. Without doubt, towards the front end of the field, riders have a much easier time. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better for everyone.
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