Stage 3 (first for the day). Worst stage ever. Started with group A, but 4mins in I pinch flatter the rear tire. All fixed and moving before B group caught me. We had a tough moist forest climb. Towards the top my hanger snapped (bummer big time). I took my time fixing it, making sure I didn't stuff it up because I only have one spare. This put me way off the pace.
Stage 4, the longest of the event. Started with a 6km road climb. I rolled over the top not far off the pace in group A, but the pace heated up and I couldn't stick at it... I needed a couple minutes to re-energies, so I dropped back had a relax and then got back to it. It was a really fun stage and the Look hardtail is becoming a joy to ride now that I am remembering how the ride a one. For me now, the race has become less of a race and more about enjoying the experience. Just too far back to get back into the top 10.
The first day is done. Stage 1 was not so fun... I flatted and struggled with some very bumpy trails. Stage 2 was more my cup of tea. More climbing and fast riding. I am now 25th over all and =9 vet.
Hopefully I build momentum as the race progresses. Speed isn't my strong point.
Well, it's come around a bit too fast, but today I head over to Tassie for Wildside starting on Saturday. I decided yesterday that it was time for me to get back on a hardtail. I dropped into Kona's head office only to find out all 2010 hardtails in my size were sold. Just too popular I guess. Anyway I ended up with a Look 986. I had my first ride last night out at Lysterfield and I am very impressed. Hopefully the legs can justify such a rig.
I will try and keep you updated on the race over the 4 days of competitive and non competitive stages.
SA pics are still forthcoming, they should be worth it...
Yesterday we (Willo, Mike Ross(AMB). Anton (a you Kiwis rider) and myself) were escorted through the Melrose bike park by Richard Bruce, the owner of the local bike shop, Over the Edge). This park has some mad riding. It's not for the faint hearted. There are plenty of places where you could slide a wheel over the edge and end up in a bad way. But this made the even more funner to ride.
We enjoyed it so much, we ended going out again this morning before we needed to depart.
I will update with more pics when I get home.
Late last week I was invited to join AMB (Aust. MTB Magazine) and Freewheel/Enduro magazine for a promotional look at the Mawson area in preparation for a few choice SA events. Arriving early this morning, I think the plan is to ride the trails for today and tomorrow and then have a charter fly over on wednesday. Having never raced in SA, I was keen to see the area myself after hearing plenty of good reports on the riding over hear.
Happy new year to everyone and sorry for the rather large gap since my last post. As you can imagine, it has been pretty hectic around our place with school holidays and all.
As far as riding goes, I have been getting plenty in.... I decided to try something different this year and actually train. I have employed myself a coach, Simon Knowles. He is an old triathlon mate of mine, a full time coach and extremely well qualified for the gig. I will go into more detail on this one soon, but to sum it up, things are going really well.
I have the Wildside 4 day stage race on at the end of the month for my intro back into racing for 2010. I am really looking forward to this event but have no expectations on myself. It will be my first ever stage race and I doubt it will be my last Oh yeah, speaking on stage races, I have just confirmed my participation in an exciting variation of a stage race in SA in June. A 350km, over 4 days, but if you race along side a team mate, you can ride the entire 350km in one hit. Sounds like fun hey... I will fill you in my more details including my riding partner shortly.
Anyway, things are looking great for 2010. Stay tuned and detail will come through soon.
