Pass me a sledgehammer because this nut is becoming too hard to crack
With the World 24 hour Solo Championship just five weeks away, Rocky Trail's 7 hour at the same venue of Mt. Stromlo was always going to be heavily loaded with the main protagonists of enduro racing. Ed McDonald, Andrew Hall, Andrew Lloyd, Garry James and Brett Bellchambers were amongst the biggest names while I knew that the Masters category was destined to be gruelling affair, with Benji Morris, Jason McAvoy, Dave Langley and Trent Moore all carrying excellent form into the event.
This was the first time I would race my brand new Turner Czar and I was interested to see how it would roll in such esteemed company. After cracking two Turner Flux frames, I had waited since October 2012 for Turner to design and manufacture their latest 29er cross country race bike. With a number of problems associated with building up the bike, I was quite relieved to be sitting at the start line on my latest steed.
I was also keen to deliver a good performance for the MIA Blackmans squad and Team Manager, Michael Brown. An added bonus was riding for a squad with so many riders competing in the team categories, because I would be a lot harder for my solo competitors to spot and I hoped that this wouldn't help motivate a rider chasing me late in the race. This had happened in the last round of the Chocolate Foot when sparring partner Dave Langley amazingly closed a five minute gap in the last hour of the race at Nowra.
This was the first time I would race my brand new Turner Czar and I was interested to see how it would roll in such esteemed company. After cracking two Turner Flux frames, I had waited since October 2012 for Turner to design and manufacture their latest 29er cross country race bike. With a number of problems associated with building up the bike, I was quite relieved to be sitting at the start line on my latest steed.
I was also keen to deliver a good performance for the MIA Blackmans squad and Team Manager, Michael Brown. An added bonus was riding for a squad with so many riders competing in the team categories, because I would be a lot harder for my solo competitors to spot and I hoped that this wouldn't help motivate a rider chasing me late in the race. This had happened in the last round of the Chocolate Foot when sparring partner Dave Langley amazingly closed a five minute gap in the last hour of the race at Nowra.
Rocky Trail, 2013 The race exploded from the start and I was able to propel myself into a decent position near the front avoiding the usual chaos as the riders funnelled into the singletrack. After establishing a decent position it is important not to blow up trying to maintain the same pace as the team riders and those riding for just four hours. I eased back a little, only to see Garry James cruise past. This was of less concern than normal because he was racing in a different category and, without his nemesis Peter Selkrig to contend with, it would probably mean he would be less inclined to race on the rivet.
Benji Morris - Last minute preparation. The track at Mt. Stromlo is in incredible condition and the trail fairies have done some outstanding work, particularly building up the berms on 'The Luge' section. The beauty of Stromlo, is the switchbacks during the climbs take your mind off the energy being exerted and, with the exception of a couple of slightly more technical step ups it doesn't feel like too long before you are rewarded with Skyline and the aforementioned Luge. And what a reward they represent. These two sections are amongst the best I've ever ridden; fast, flowing, fun and just plain exhilarating. Race Organiser, Martin Wisata has to be commended on designing a sensational course for the race and, while building in enough challenge for the elite riders, he was smart enough to have 'B' lines for those who required a slightly easier alternative to the main race line.
Nutrition and hydration needed to be prioritised, as the warm spring temperatures started to take a toll on a number of riders. Stromlo has a habit of throwing up fun and pain in equal measure and, as the race progressed, the climbing and white knuckle descents started to eat into the energy reserves and both lower and upper body muscles started to rebel. After my great start, I had been overtaken by Trent initially, and then Dave Langley, who commented that the fluro yellow knicks had given me away and, I assume, had aided his chase. He passed me looking strong and, even if this was just pretense, his confident persona had me convinced. Late in the race, elite female solo winner Eliza Kwan had jumped on my back wheel and I vowed that I would finish ahead of her at the end. Although she is fairly new to the sport of mountain biking, Eliza has a strong triathlon background and should give Jess Douglas some stiff competition in the World 24 hour this year.
I calculated that I would reach transition with about a minute left and mentally settled myself for another lap. I am not sure how, but I always seem to arrive at transition with a few minutes of a race remaining, compelling me to complete another lap. I knew Trent and Dave wouldn't be to far ahead, and with Stromlo's sharp, unforgiving rocks there is always a chance of a mechanical. Having dropped Eliza, I pushed on hoping to catch a glimpse of one of my rivals. This didn't transpire and I finished the race believing I had placed 5th. Little did I know, Trent and Ian Bridgland had both been barely a minute ahead of me but neither decided to go out for a final lap, therefore propelling me to 4th in the Masters category behind winner Benjy Morris, who scored a psychological victory over Jason McAvoy, just six minutes behind, and Dave Langley in third.
Masters Podium for the Overall Series How much can be read into this result is debatable. Certainly, both Benjy and Jason are looking incredibly strong, and Dave just gets better every race. Perhaps, as Dave reminded me afterwards, racing on the back of a 755 km week and a single 313 km road ride is not necessarily perfect preparation for this particular event. I hope that I can mix it up with the others in five weeks time and I know that a 24 hour event is very different to one of 7 hours. As a side note, the shock winner of the elite solo was Troy Herfoss - apparently a motocross rider- who has also entered into the World 24 hour in October. Jason English take heed!
A consolation for me was winning the overall series, pipping Andrew Wells, with Benjy Morris in third. Rocky Trail's series has been superb and an overwhelming success. The races have been held at some of the state's finest mountain bike venues, and without doubt, a multitude of riders and I are looking forward to doing it all again next year.
A consolation for me was winning the overall series, pipping Andrew Wells, with Benjy Morris in third. Rocky Trail's series has been superb and an overwhelming success. The races have been held at some of the state's finest mountain bike venues, and without doubt, a multitude of riders and I are looking forward to doing it all again next year.
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