A Bridge too far
At the beginning of an athletes season both long and short term goals are set reflecting the expectations for the year ahead. Despite the fact that this was only my fourth year racing mountain bikes, I had targetted winning my age category (40-44) at WEMBO's 24 hour solo as a realistic goal. Previous results, including second in WEMBO's inaugural 24 hour event in Italy in 2012, and two silver medals in the Australian Nationals and first place in two other 24 hour events seemed to suggest this lofty goal was viable. However, the problem with setting goals like this, is the unpredictability of the other competitors. Throughout 2013, Jason McAvoy trained exclusively towards the same goal and Benjy Morris had emerged as, arguably, the favourite for the top honour. As a result, my dream of becoming World Champion in my age category had fractured somewhat and come the start of the race, I knew that a place on the podium would have been an incredible achievement. As anybody who has raced solo in a 24 hour event knows, so many variables are at play physically, mentally and mechanically; it is, indeed, a long race and so it proved much to my detriment.
Thanking Wendy for helping set up my transition area Despite impeccable preparation there is no accounting for last minute setbacks. I arrived early on Friday, and after greeting several rivals, fellow competitors and support crews I absorbed the pre-race meeting and, in particular, the warnings concerning the presence of a large population of venomous snakes. It appeared that any late-night toilet stops would need to be made close to the track, thereby avoiding any close encounters with black or brown serpents in the longer grass. A quick practice lap with Pete Selkrig confirmed the apparent tameness of the course. Unlike previous 24 hour events at Mt. Stromlo,there was no fearsome fireroad climb to worry about nor any technical climbs or descents. On the surface, this appeared a perfect course to really attack. I retired to my hotel in high spirits, keen to sink my teeth into the opposition the next day.
Focussed and Ready However, the following day brought my first set-back. My team support from Project 63 were running extremely late and, even worse, they had absolutely no room for me in their marquee. This was a stress I really didn't need and I had to scramble and rely on the goodwill of others to fill the void. Russ Baker offered up the battery charging tent as a last resort, Graham Sonter and Catherine Wood offered to share their tent set up and then Malcolm Bradley proposed an area alongside Wendy Stevenson. My stress and panic subsided. There are truly some wonderful people involved in mountain biking and it invariably feels like one immensely supportive family. Indeed, only days earlier, Gary Harwood and Martine Robine had supplied a rear wheel when my own wheel's free hub had faltered while several others were ready to help instantly and had made similar offers.
Korndog, Dave Langley & Phil Garry (Korndog) provided priceless and outstanding support throughout the race, but his initial contribution was to quickly erect my newly supplied marquee from Wendy Stevenson, and then to set up my transition area and to finalise any last minute adjustments to my two 29er bikes. Later, he was to team up with my lovely wife Greer and tirelessly run bottles and sustenance throughout the race, a service none of us riders can really do without.
Race Start The initial laps of the race were fast and I found myself jostling with the Pushy's duo, which included rival Damian Gillard. On the third lap, while negotiating the fast descent of 'Breakout', I lost traction on a dusty corner and skidded sidewards across the track. Fortunately, I avoided an array of rocks merely collecting an eyeful of dust which hampered my vision for the remainder of that circuit.
Transition As the laps were ticked off and the night drew closer I had moved up the field and was sitting comfortably in third. I was informed I was ten minutes behind Jason McAvoy and Benjy Morris and over twenty minutes ahead of fourth. The two leaders were jostling for supremacy and the gap between us was growing. I was content to be lying in third and perhaps either McAvoy or Morris would push too hard and may even blow up. I was still moving steadily up the field leaving a quiver of quality riders in my wake, including long-time rival Mike Israel. Even with tiredness setting in, I was feeling confident and happy with my progress. As I rounded Slant 6, the encroaching darkness brought forth a girl in a bikini, frantically waving her cookies at gasping riders; she reappeared later in the lap before darkness completely engulfed the mountain.
Sunrise Unlike the professionalism I had demonstrated in the daylight hours the night brought errors and the first signs of failing. Up to that time, my transitions had been flawless but I continued to come in too fast and leave too early. I changed a battery, ordered an extra shirt for warmth and forgot my water bottle (which also contains my nutrition) and left without my energy gels. On completion of the lap, I should have taken the time to drink a complete bottle but, once again I rushed out and began to pay the price. On descents, my Giant Anthem was creaking strangely, causing me unwelcome doses of worry (later I was to find a 4 cm crack had developed in the seat tube)! My last few lap times of the night were considerably slower and by the time the sun had risen I was out of the podium places and had dropped to 5th. While the hot air balloons covered the Canberra morning sky my own dream bubble had apparently burst. I was now struggling to get past some of the slower riders. I stopped in transition where my wife was standing, feeling despondent. Fatefully, I stepped off the bike for the first time in nineteen hours. I was thinking about the nine day stage race in northern Queensland in just six days time- The Crocodile Trophy. If my goal to finish in the top three was all but gone here perhaps I should start my recovery now. Continuing would eat into my energy reserves and would probably prove futile anyway. In the swilling of my mind, I made the decision to withdraw and sat down on a deckchair that seemed to beckon me towards it. My race was over!
Down and Out Whether or not this proves to be the correct decision only time will tell. Other high profile riders had withdrawn early from the race too. If I perform well in the Crocodile Trophy, my decision will be vindicated. I have never withdrawn from any activity in my life so the last few days have been difficult. But I must learn from the mistakes I made and if I am able to embrace these lessons, I will return a much better and stronger rider and this is what I intend to do.
Congratulations to everyone who podiumed and to all those riders who pushed themselves further and harder than ever before. In particular, to Jason McAvoy for becoming World Champion in my age group, after holding off the dogged and determined Benjy Morris. Moreover, Jason finished fifth and Benjy eigth overall. Jason never stopped smiling at the presentation and was positively glowing. To Jason Archer and Jamie Vogler for their commendable third and fouth places, to Jason English for winning the whole event for a fourth time, to Andrew Lloyd for pushing him so hard and Andrew Hall for third in the elite. Finally, to Garry James for his incredible victory in the 50-54, holding off my mate Pete Selkrig, and to Mike Israel who (after doing it to me 2 weeks earlier) caught the unfortunate Ian Bridgland on the final lap to win Gold in the 45-49 age category.
Congratulations to everyone who podiumed and to all those riders who pushed themselves further and harder than ever before. In particular, to Jason McAvoy for becoming World Champion in my age group, after holding off the dogged and determined Benjy Morris. Moreover, Jason finished fifth and Benjy eigth overall. Jason never stopped smiling at the presentation and was positively glowing. To Jason Archer and Jamie Vogler for their commendable third and fouth places, to Jason English for winning the whole event for a fourth time, to Andrew Lloyd for pushing him so hard and Andrew Hall for third in the elite. Finally, to Garry James for his incredible victory in the 50-54, holding off my mate Pete Selkrig, and to Mike Israel who (after doing it to me 2 weeks earlier) caught the unfortunate Ian Bridgland on the final lap to win Gold in the 45-49 age category.
Sunday Morning at Mt. Stromlo
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