Matt's Adventuring: Dirtworks 100 Race Report

Doing the tourist thing after the race!

So after a less than successful BMC100 race it was time to do the second leg of the double century of dirt.

Before I blast off into the whole race report I would like to preface it with that I had lost a bit of confidence after the BMC and in a 5 or 6 hour race this can play a big part in how well you go. So it was the Thursday before the race and I was doing my final training ride and had just finished a Warrandyte loop and popped out onto Warrandyte Ringwood road, just 30 meters in front of a roadie. When I got stopped at the lights at Falconer road he caught up, and proceeded to sit on my wheel, after about 500mts I thought I would see if I could drop him, which by the time I got to Park road in another 500 metres I had put 60 metres into him. This was exactly what I needed to restore a bit of confidence and put the mind right for the race. Nothing, like dropping a road rider when you are on your mountain bike.

So Kerryn, Kaylah, Tahlia and I set off from Tullamarine on Sat morning for the travel up to Wisemans Ferry north of Sydney which is where we would be staying.
So as we were in Wisemans Ferry we had to get the vehicle ferry over to St Albans, so I was up at 5am and Kezz gave me a lift up to St Albans which took about 25 minutes, the weather was at least 6 or 7 degrees colder at St Albans than at Wisemans Ferry. So as Kezz left to go back to bed and look after the kids I went for a warm up ride that would not only warm me up but prove valuable later.

So after the Elites had gone the first wave loaded in to the start chute. I would have had at least 120 riders in front of me, but I figured we had about 8km of gravel road to sort the field out. So after about 2kms of dodging in and out I was in the main front bunch which was about 60 riders and I was mid pack. I was travelling along well and enjoying being sucked along by the bunch, we turned left at the 8km mark we headed along a farm road that would take us to the base of the first climb. As we hit the base of the climb which was steep I managed to pass a few riders and plenty of guys who had clipped out. As there were about 30 or 40 riders in front of me the track was quite congested, I was climbing well until the two guys who were riding in front of me tipped sideways and I could not get around them. It was like a sideways domino effect. The terrain was too steep to get going again so it was hike a bike for about 100meters before the terrain flattened out and I could start riding again.

So back on the bike and the climb had certainly sorted out the main bunch, and I found myself riding with 3 other riders. As we got to the transmission road we would ride along the ridgeline undulating along for about 10kms. This section had quite a few rocky descents which the hardtale rider in our group would drop off on then work his way back as the trail went upwards. As we hit the 28km mark and the first drink station 2 of the guys stopped to refill their drinks. So we now road as a group of 3, as we were joined by someone (rockstar kit) coming out of the drinks station, this worked well as we passed a few riders. At this stage of the ride I would have been about 20th from the main bunch excluding the elites, who had a 10 minute advantage from the start line.

We road as a group of three, me, the rockstar and the hardtale rider, along the sandy fire road until we turned right onto the Old Great North Road (OGNR). The next 15kms were some of the best riding of the entire course. The track is a mix of rock gardens, single track, fire trail and technical climbs. The climbs required you to pick the right line and carry your momentum otherwise you would come almost to a halt. The start of this track was a steady climb and it was at this point the rockstar and I dropped the hardtale rider. The rockstar had ridden the course before and as we rode along at a good pace we were overtaking a few riders. Towards the end of this section at about the 40km mark we came to a steep really rocky descent and the rockstar took the right and I took the left hand line, which proved to be quicker. It was at this stage I opened up a gap and then I rode along for a while by myself until I caught another couple of riders and we leapfrogged each other for a few kilometres until we came to a fast descent down to the 50km water station.

I filled up my water bottle which had been empty for about 10km but with the camel back that I did not have at the BMC I was still well hydrated. I grabbed a piece of watermelon a few lollies and a banana and was off, this took about 15 seconds and I passed two guys who were waiting to fill up with Electrolyte drink where as I was getting water. I now headed out onto a steady climb for about 2 or 3 kilometres. I was caught and passed by the hardtale rider on the climb. However as we entered a rocky descent I easily made up the ground lost on the climb. This continued until we reached the OGNR again. This section of the course would prove to be a good one for me. Sections of this track can only be described as rock trail. Not to mention awesome fun. Picking a line and hitting the drop offs with confidence was crucial. I would catch riders on the downhill and then ride away on the technical rocky climbs. I was feeling really strong and was riding hard and really enjoying the ride, and was definitely racing hard, and working my way through the field.

A photo just to break up the text!!!!!!!!

I have never been the greatest descended but no one could keep up with me down the rocky descents and I just continued to go past people. The bike was just floating over the rocky sections. I would have been about 15th from my bunch which excluded the elites and was about 30 minutes down on the overall leader. Towards the end of this section of the OGNR I was passed again by the hardtale rider as the road climbed again. This guy had some good skills on the bike, and was obviously keeping up with me on the descents. We continued to roll along until we came to the fast steep descent down to the Macdonald River, I was able to open a gap on the descent and also pass another rider. We then popped out to a short road section and the famous kayak bridge crossing. I wanted to make sure I got to the bridge in front as I wanted to ride the bridge without any wobble from other riders, so with the bridge crossing successfully completed and wrist band to prove it, it was onto St Albans road for a 5km road section to the final climb of the ride.

As I pulled out onto the road the hardtale rider joined me a we rolled turns along the road maintaining a good pace, he was starting to cramp and was struggling on a couple of the short pinches. I decided that I would stick with him along the road as the energy saving would be worth it later on the course, as we still had 30kms to go.

As we turned onto Webbs Creek Road the steep climb started and the hardtale rider pulled away from me. Halfway up this climb was the last water station and I filled my water bottle grabbed a few lollies and he got out of sight and I would not catch him again. We had ridden almost 50km together. I would finish 26 seconds behind him. As I continued the climb I was starting to feel the pinch. This was a long section with no downhill sections just constant climbing, and after a solid 5km on the road it was getting tough. I was determined to finish the race strong, and knew the last 8kms was a road section, so I was telling myself it was only 15kms to go, as the last 8km would be flat.

At the 80km mark I had to stop and go to the toilet and this allowed 2 riders who were behind me but out of sight to get within sight. I held them off for a while but they eventually passed me, and as I was doing everything to not let them pass, I had nothing to try and stay with them when they did. It was 2 BMC riders Troy Bailey (current 24 solo world champion 35-39yo) and another guy who were working together. I had passed Troy at the bridge at the 65km point whilst he was changing a flat tyre. He would finish 5 minutes ahead of me, which says alot about the finishing fitness of the top riders, and also the benefits of working with another rider.

The ride along the ridgeline of the Womerah range was tough as I was digging down deep on each short pinch and then almost had nothing to keep me moving when the trail flattened out. I was passed by another 2 riders working together one who suggested we work together on the road section which was still about 5kms away. I said sure if I am still with you. As I approached the 85km mark, which is the highest point of the course at 311 meters, 3 riders all working together wearing KOM kit went past. The two riders in front were dragging the third guy along who was struggling a bit and as hard as I tried I could not hold a wheel. As we crested the highest point the marshal said 15km to go. I knew the next 7kms would be all downhill and I rode as hard as I could to try and catch the 3 KOM riders, so that I would not be riding the last road section alone.

This downhill section was really fun and reward for the last 45 minutes of tough work. It was fast and open fire trail, which made it hard to bridge the gap to the 3 KOM riders ahead of me. I came out onto the road which meant I had 8kms to go. I pushed as hard as I could crossed the river through a sandy shallow section and was keeping a good pace until 2 riders caught me with about 2 kilometres to go. At this stage I had had enough of being passed, especially by groups of riders and I managed to stay within 10 meters of them along a flat section, we were flying along the gravel road and we came to a small pinch and I pulled back onto the wheel of one of the riders and then we went down a slight downhill into a tight right hander and onto the section I had warmed up on, as we approached a small pinch, which I knew was the last one and about 400 meters from the finish. I went with everything I had and gapped them on that little pinch and then just dug in till the lefthander and across the line, to the screams of the family.
I had managed to finish in 4hrs 51 mins and in 34th place overall and 8th in my category. I had got to the 50km mark in 27th place overall, and had not been overtaken from the 50km mark until after the 70km mark. I rode a really strong race and absolutely loved the course. My only flat spot was between the 75km mark and 85km mark where I was overtaken by about 10 people. I know that my fluid and food intake was much more consistent and better managed which produced a better result than the BMC race. I have learnt that I need to add a few longer rides into my training program so that I still have the strength at the end.

One advantage of finishing quickly is the beer is still icy. Tahlia and Kaylah enjoying the race atmosphere at the finish.

After crossing the line the kids were very excited that Dad had done well and kept saying your early Dad, we didn’t expect you for a little while. It was great to share such a great moment with some of the family as with 4 kids they don’t often come to my races, so that was special.
Whilst the event organisers have not released the official results, I have calculated I came 6th in the double centurion category.

I would rank this course as the best 100km course I have ridden, its road and gravel road sections were perfectly spaced apart the climbing was on interesting tracks and the OGNR tracks are first class. I would say that I will be back again next year for another go.