River Deep Mountain High - Climbing out of the Hole of Despair
I was rudely awoken at four in the morning, my alarm clock pleading with me to surface from my bed and make the relatively short two hour journey north. The fast, flowing trails of Awaba awaited. It had been a hot night and the remnants of that heat lingered in the early morning air. The warmth of spring was destined to thrive in the day ahead and it would be necessary to keep well hydrated in the battle that would ensue.
The Turner Czar had suffered a broken carbon seatpost and front derailleur issues in its previous outing and a visit to the on-site race mechanic melted away my concerns and I was ready for the race ahead. Indeed, I was seeking some grains of redemption, after a disappointing showing at the Kowalski Classic just seven days earlier. A lighter week of training and a readjustment to a slightly higher saddle height had left me feeling more optimistic.
The Turner Czar had suffered a broken carbon seatpost and front derailleur issues in its previous outing and a visit to the on-site race mechanic melted away my concerns and I was ready for the race ahead. Indeed, I was seeking some grains of redemption, after a disappointing showing at the Kowalski Classic just seven days earlier. A lighter week of training and a readjustment to a slightly higher saddle height had left me feeling more optimistic.
The usual suspects lined up for the race start. Garry James, Jason McAvoy and Dave Langley would be difficult to beat and Mike Israel had returned to the fray after missing the first two instalments of the STM Series. With notable exceptions Stu Adams injured and Pete Selkrig racing Cyclo-Cross, the Masters field remained daunting. Considering my recent lack of form, a podium position looked like a long-shot so my initial goal was to remain competitive for the full duration of the 7 hours.
After three laps, I was in 6th place with Jason, Mike and Garry setting the early pace while Dave had just glided past me leaving me desperately clinging to his wheel. Before he left me struggling up the switchbacks on camelback we had passed Mike Israel. Perhaps a big week of training had left him heavy legged. Once again, Dave was looking strong and it seems that in every race he continues to improve. At the pace he was going, I was convinced he would begin to reel in the other early leaders.
After three laps, I was in 6th place with Jason, Mike and Garry setting the early pace while Dave had just glided past me leaving me desperately clinging to his wheel. Before he left me struggling up the switchbacks on camelback we had passed Mike Israel. Perhaps a big week of training had left him heavy legged. Once again, Dave was looking strong and it seems that in every race he continues to improve. At the pace he was going, I was convinced he would begin to reel in the other early leaders.
Success at the World 24 hour is my ultimate goal and training has been geared towards this end. Psychologically, I have suffered recently but it appears that I am not alone in this, and a number of riders have been having a crisis of confidence and some poor results of late. Ultimately, it is better to have a poor result now so that fatigue can be addressed and the rider is hopefully able to return to form before it is too late. Races, such as this one, can provide a good yardstick for what adjustments need to be administered to a training programme in order to maximize the chances of peaking at the optimum time.
Now sitting in 5th place, I felt reasonably fresh and I was getting some admirable support from Kylie McAvoy in transition and plenty of support from friends in teams. Furthermore, I was enjoying the Awaba track and the sweeping descents through rainforest and the resonating rumble as I traversed the numerous bridges that adorn this wonderful course. On lap 7, I was still lapping consistently under 40 minutes and I was surprised to see Garry James ahead. He looked like he was really struggling, a sight I can not recall ever seeing before. Garry is such a strong rider and I would not be surprised if he was yet another victim of overtraining for the World 24 hour.
Jason and Dave, I believed, were now sitting comfortably in 1st and 2nd respectively, and with Mike and Garry only distant threats I began to relax and my next 2 laps were over two minutes slower. Coming into transition, I glimpsed Mike's blue and white Turramurra shirt along with Open Male Solo rider Matthew Clutterham. Not quite sure how he had closed the gap I put the hammer down. Surely this would break him. My 10th lap was quick and, as I went through transition, I was shocked to be told Dave was only just ahead. Sure enough I soon caught him, and I prepared for the ensuing last lap battle. It never happened as Dave pulled to one side and ushered me through. I stepped up the pace, just in case, but there was no riposte.
I continued to push hard but surely now I was secure in second place. It was at this point I made a fatal error. I was still visualising my celebration as I crossed the line when I caught a glimpse of that blue and white shirt on the switchbacks. Surely not. How could he possibly make up that time and hadn't he cracked on the previous lap. I responded with as much gusto as I could muster. But this only seemed to drag more venom from the beast behind. I heard the roar of a incensed animal as we descended the fireroad and he was now right on my shoulder but I was able to hold the racing line into the singletrack. Mike was literally breathing down my neck and as we climbed the Murderhorn I lost traction for a split second and he seized the moment. He powered through the sniggles as I simultaneously called on every last sinew in my tiring legs. It proved of little help. Mike claimed an incredible 2nd place putting in his 2nd fastest lap of the day on the final circuit to move him up two places. The final margin was just 12 seconds while Dave was a scant two minutes behind.
Jason and Dave, I believed, were now sitting comfortably in 1st and 2nd respectively, and with Mike and Garry only distant threats I began to relax and my next 2 laps were over two minutes slower. Coming into transition, I glimpsed Mike's blue and white Turramurra shirt along with Open Male Solo rider Matthew Clutterham. Not quite sure how he had closed the gap I put the hammer down. Surely this would break him. My 10th lap was quick and, as I went through transition, I was shocked to be told Dave was only just ahead. Sure enough I soon caught him, and I prepared for the ensuing last lap battle. It never happened as Dave pulled to one side and ushered me through. I stepped up the pace, just in case, but there was no riposte.
I continued to push hard but surely now I was secure in second place. It was at this point I made a fatal error. I was still visualising my celebration as I crossed the line when I caught a glimpse of that blue and white shirt on the switchbacks. Surely not. How could he possibly make up that time and hadn't he cracked on the previous lap. I responded with as much gusto as I could muster. But this only seemed to drag more venom from the beast behind. I heard the roar of a incensed animal as we descended the fireroad and he was now right on my shoulder but I was able to hold the racing line into the singletrack. Mike was literally breathing down my neck and as we climbed the Murderhorn I lost traction for a split second and he seized the moment. He powered through the sniggles as I simultaneously called on every last sinew in my tiring legs. It proved of little help. Mike claimed an incredible 2nd place putting in his 2nd fastest lap of the day on the final circuit to move him up two places. The final margin was just 12 seconds while Dave was a scant two minutes behind.
Dave, Mike, Phil and Jason Very rarely does a 7 hour enduro throw up such close racing and it was a pleasure to be involved in a titanic tussle with two great bike riders and two of the nicest guys you could possibly wish to meet. Jason McAvoy was unquestionably the star act, winning by a comfortable 10 minute margin, but the drama was undoubtedly played out behind.
As for WEMBO, in two weeks time, I think we can all take the positives out of this race. Personally, I feel I am recovering the form that went awry in recent weeks. It is more than likely that we will all be involved in comparable drama at Mt. Stromlo, particularly considering three of us will be competing in the same age category.
As for WEMBO, in two weeks time, I think we can all take the positives out of this race. Personally, I feel I am recovering the form that went awry in recent weeks. It is more than likely that we will all be involved in comparable drama at Mt. Stromlo, particularly considering three of us will be competing in the same age category.
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