MTB Marathon Champs

Well its been over a month since my last post, which is a bit slack but I am now working a real job again so time has been taken up with work. But I thought it imperative to share my experience of the Avoca Marathon Champs.

As we made our way up in the family bus with Jason's camper in tow and Ash and Cam along for the pain we talked shit for 2 and a half hours. After what can only be described as a peaceful and good nights sleep, considering there was a very tall man who can be angry at times inside the camper with us.

The prep had been done the training was complete now it was time to ride. I say ride not race as I think this race was going to a race of survival. 93km and 3500 "high" meters was always going to be tough. So as we toed the line it was just tempo the start and don't blow up, so after a 5km "sprint" we hit the first climb 8km long not steep but constant. I was struggling with the dust and seemed to be having an onset of asthma which I have not had for about 10 years.

But I just kept a good tempo and towards the top of the fire road could still see Ash saw I thought that was good going. The next 30 km was just up down with some fast single track thrown in. As we popped out onto the bitumen I found myself in a bunch of 5 guys, none who wanted to drive but who all wanted to be off the front and dropping the others. So we hammered along for the 8 or so minutes it took to do this part of the course. I was feeling strong and rode along at my pace at the front for a few kilometers and found myself alone as we entered the winery. Probably should have kept that energy for the climbs that lay ahead.

There was some fast single track descents over the next 10 kilometers on a relatively flat part of the course. As we then started climbing again and again I finally arrived the next food station. There was a sign that said 38kms to go. So I figured I had come 52 and was still feeling good. It was this station I met up with Ash and Troy who seemed to have tried everything was available, I was in and out and left 30 seconds after them, on a fast descent.

The ride then started to get brutal the climbs were leg crushers and some of them calf crushers as you pushed your bike up the steep sections. I could feel that my legs were starting to get pangs of cramp no leg lockers but they were coming. Mentally the climbs were starting to wear a bit thin it was just relentless, I was riding just behind Ash when he stopped clipped out and started walking into the bush, I thought for a moment he had had enough and was walking out, but it was just a toilet stop.

As we finally hit the Endurance trail I thought we are on the home stretch, well it was the longest home stretch in the world. Steep descent was followed by impossibly steep climb and invariably a leg crunching switchback. What saved me in this section was a bit of banter, and Ash was up to the task. However he eventually started walking faster than me and pulled out of sight.

Finally we were back onto fire road and ticking off the kms when we headed back onto the endurance trail still with 22kms to go, the last 16km had taken about and hour and half how long was I going to be out here for.

I was getting a headache so I drank a quick full bottle and filled up again and took a water bottle with me to try and hydrate. As we left this transition we headed back onto the Endurance trail, and I had caught back up with Ash after his 3 course meal at the feed zone. However he was soon gone and I rode in silence with a few other guys all just willing the end to come. As I crossed a manned road the guy told me about 12 kms to go, that perched me up as I knew the last 5 were flat as we rode them the day before and there was still a massive water bar descent.

After another 20 minutes of riding I came to the last feed zone with a sign 15kms to go. I had just ridden for 20 minutes and gone backwards 3 kms, now that hurts. So I fuelled up again and went up and over the three sisters with the ugly claiming me! and then it was down and down fast.

I overtook 3 guys at the bottom of the descent and managed to keep them at bay over the final 5kms and finished in 6hrs 35 minutes.

So overall I did not crash had no mechanicals, the bike was on song, I did not lock cramp until I tried to get off the bike and Jas was still packing up when I finished, so all in all not bad.

When I think in the scheme of events I have done and how hard was this, it was hard, really hard physically but the last 30kms was mentally tough as you seemed to be making no progress at all and you were riding so slowly, well I was.

Like all hard things you finish and you say I am never doing that again but as time passes the pain fades but the glow of achievement remains. And to be honest if you finished the race KUDOS as no matter how long it took to finish was an achievement.

So I guess if you see me next Feb or March pushing my bike up steep hills you know what I am in training for!

New Yarra Glen Loop

In the past year or so we have a "regular" Sat morning loop which takes us around Sugar Loaf Dam. It is what we call a road ride on the MTB's.

As I have plenty of spare time at the moment I headed out on Thursday to do this loop and add a few extra bits. I had done this a few weeks before and found some single track out at Yarra Glen and was now trying to loop it all together.

So it was an early start at 6am and on the Virtue I knew I was in for a nice plush ride as we normally tackle this ride on the hardtails. The first part of the ride went well with me putting a nice loop together, it was when I was "searching" for a track I used to ride when I lived in Yarra Glen that things went south, or actually west.

This track was impossible to find as the fires had been through this area, so I rode down the side of a hill where I thought the track used to go to find the track in the valley. Yep not my best idea as the re growth in the valley was alot more than on the ridges where I had been riding. So it was hike a bike for about an hour over 3 ridges before I finally got to the fire road I was after, then smashed it down the fire road to St Andrews, and linked in the Smiths Gully tracks.

Bumped into my neighbour from Yarra Glen who now lives in Smiths Gully, such a small world, considering I was riding tracks he had showed me about 6 years ago.

So after the sweet trails of Smiths Gully it is a slog back home for food. I arrived home to a bit of a worried wife who had started the search for the lost mountain biker. I guess I need a mobile phone when I ride, but that's another story.

Dirt Fest Daylesford 2010

It was about 4 or 5 months ago that I decided that the 50km race at Daylesford would be the race I would train for.

So my training was focused towards this race. On the start line at 7.30am on Sat morning I was ready to go and confident in the fact that I had done everything that I could do to be ready for the race.

I had ridden a practice lap on Friday night and I knew that the race would be fast. So the gun went off and we were off. From the start I was second wheel behind Lachlan Stewart. The race would be 5 laps of a 10km loop. As we headed out on lap 1, the first part of the course contained alot of the climbing on the course, as we got to the top of the climbing at the 4km mark and the start of the descent I took the lead and let the Virtue do its thing down the descent. I could feel on a couple of occasions a gap open up as we wound our way back down and around to the end of the first lap, as we rounded the turn around flag it was neck and neck.

The start of lap 2 on the first climb about 500 meters into the lap Lachlan put in a move and i feel back 5 meters, which I then pulled back. As we hit the next climb he pulled away and I could not stay with him and the gap was 10 meters at the top after some flowing track another climb saw the gap open more, and then he was gone. The next time I saw him was at the turnaround point and I was 350 meters behind.

Lap 3 saw me give it everything I had, I figured that I had to pull the gap back to at least let him know I was coming, so I concentrated on climbing fast as I knew that I would be descending faster. At the end of the lap I was only 150 meters back.

Lap 4 saw me pull it back to about 30 or 40 meters after about 4 kms of the lap, at the 3km to go mark it was 10 meters with 2 kms to go I was on his wheel and ready to go past, as we dropped down and did a dry creek crossing my chain dropped off and came outside the front derailleur. I quickly went about getting it back on but it took at least 20 seconds. So with angry legs I set off after him again and pulled back the 20 seconds in the next 2kms and went around the turn around point about 10 meters behind.


Turning after 4 laps just in second spot

As we hit the first climb of the last lap I attacked and went with everything, I felt a gap open but did not know how far it was, as we got about 3 kms into the last lap and at the top of a climb I had a look and the gap was only about 10 seconds. So I kept the pressure on and really hammered it up the next 1km which was the last of the sustained climbing.

With 3 kms to go I checked on a long straight section and I was alone and knew all I had to do was keep it upright and I was home.

So I smashed it down the fast flowing descents of the last 2 kms and crossed the line for the win in a time of just a minute over 2 hours. I ended up winning by about 4 or 5 minutes as I think Lachlan had spent his tickets on lap 4 trying to stay out in front.

I was wrapped with my ride and to average nearly 25kms per hour with 1050mts of climbing over the 50km was a great result for me.

The victory smile

Exploring along the Yarra

Its been a while since my duallie has seen any love, with issues with both front and rear Easton rims, and months of delays. I decided I would buy a new set.

So Bellie was parting with his latest set of SLR's so the deal was done.



I decided that I would head out towards Wonga Park and do some exploring around Clifford Scout park. I love just riding the bike around and exploring areas.




So after a couple of hours and finding a couple of great sections of single track I had made not a bad loop around.





I went back a few days later and manged to connect my new loop to the track that should lead us all the way to Warrandyte, but that is for another day.

As for the wheels they work and make make rolling along nice and easy.

It is great to finally get the bike back up and running and I look forward finally getting the old rims repaired and on my old hardtail, which is going to be re born.

Not a bad view out to the Yarra Valley to those who are floating along!

Another Epic day on the EPIX ride

On Saturday we headed out on a Grand Final Epix with our destination St Andrews Pub, which on the road bike is about 45 minutes away, we managed to find a great MTB loop and took 6 and a half hours, we had hail, broken deruirleurs, bent hangers, many crashes, one before we even made the dirt tracks. All in all it was a great day and the weather was good to us considering what we could see on the horizon.

As I am off on holidays my post is short Check the Epix Blog here for more details and photos of the day.

Just Exploring

So on Sunday last weekend the 19th I headed out for a ride around the extended local trails. I found a whole bunch of new cut track that the locals have been busy building. One of my favorite things is to head and just ride exploring new track and potential areas where you could find track. No real time limits just exploring.




A nice view from the top of Warrandyte down to the Dandenongs. With roadside single track for good measure.

These tracks were new last year and are now well bedded in and awesome for some fast riding.

This is some new to me "old" trail that I had never found before. It ended to early with a private property sign.

So with a few more adventurous days like this one, I will eventually be able to ride from home in North Ringwood to Kinglake without any bitumen. So as the tour comes to an end and I can actually get out on the bike a bit more I will have a few more regular posts.

My first Adventure Race is coming up in 2 weeks, so will be good to get back into the multi sport scene again.

Forrest 6 Hour Wrap Up

So winter has set in the rides are getting fewer and the nights sleep shorter thanks to le tour.

So I thought I should finally take the time to write a report of my latest race, the Forrest 6 Hour. After asking Jas if he was interested in doing a race and after his initial 10 seconds of no I am retired we chose the Forrest 6 hour and what a great choice that turned out to be.

We dragged the families down to Apollo Bay on Friday night and had a few too many sherbets on Friday night, which knocked me about on Saturday but funnily the ladies were as bright as buttons, something to be said for constant training!

Jas was meticulous in his preparation (which I will pay more attention to next time) and had one of everything for the race, I had a few Recovery Bars, a couple bananas, a honey sandwich and my bike. He even said to me on Saturday night do you need to do anything to your bike, I just said no the best thing I can do is rest.

So as we drove into the race headquarters we headed down what was already a boggy slippery road. Now I thought that a car that had drive to all wheels such our Toyota Kluger was a four wheel drive apparently this is not the case, as Jas mentioned he wished we had a four wheel drive. I was assured that if we did get bogged that Tessa would winch us out when she got there, in the Landcruiser.




I secretly think he was hoping we or someone would so he could get his winch out.

So after setting up it was off to do a practice lap. It was then up to Jas to do the le mans start. He was away in third or fourth after spotting me holding his bike above my head. (Jas’s idea not mine) My concern was that after Jas’s first lap I would take over in 3rd and hand back in 10th or something.

This was not to be the case and I actually on my first lap got past one of the Specialized riders. We both continued to lap consistenly and held 5th place for the majority of the race until we moved to 4th with a few laps to go and managed to hold onto it.

I had a few issues as mentioned previously left my helmet behind, rode a lap with no gloves and also dropped a bolt from the front chain ring and had to ride the last 3 laps in the big ring. But all in all it was great race which was awesome fun and the course was brilliant. I’ll be back next year for sure.

So this was my second attempt at a pairs race at an enduro and so far I have enjoyed both and will be back for more.

Forrest 6 Hour

Results are up here


The course was awesome, great atmosphere and great fun was had.

And apart from a forgotton helmet, forgotton gloves and a missing chainring bolt the race went off without a hitch for me.

The Werac Warriors managed to come in 4th in the male pairs, which was a great result for us.

A Full report will be up when I finish cleaning the Forrest mud off my bike.

Officer XC Race

So it was time to strap on a number plate again, the first time since the 3rd May. I rolled up to do the A grade race as I wanted to do 5 laps. Perhaps I should have started with B grade and just rolled around an extra lap. As within the first 100 meters I was hanging on as last wheel. I know with the quality of riders in the field that the pace would have been on at the front.

So once the pace settled I was 17th of 17 about 10 frustrating meters of the wheel in front of me. However I managed to finish the 1st lap 30 secs in front of James Williamson, ok so he had to stop to take half a metre of chicken wire from his rear wheel and cluster, but I will take it anyway I can. As you can see from the results the advantage did not last long.

These events are such a great way to get the race legs back. They are run well and if you like riding a MTB then you should get down and do one.




Lap 1 still feeling good even after being turned inside out by the "real" A graders.


Enjoying the support of the whole family


Finishing Lap 3, ok now its more than half over


Lap 4 and the kids are excited when I come through. Getting a big cheer each lap


And rolling up to the finish.


Me getting the low down on Jason's trouble with the Fauna with my little buddy just hanging with dad.

So after a solid hour and a half it was all over and a great warm up for the 6 hour.

Two interesting quotes from the day

When I asked Ashlyn (4 y.o) if she enjoyed the day she said yes but dad but you took a loooooong time on your last lap were you weak?!

Then after asking William (3 y.o) if he enjoyed the day he said yes dad but next time I want to get my spiderman bike and ride the tracks with you!

photos of the day

Kinglake Climb

Whilst most people hooked one of these up for the public holiday and did some jobs around the house Jas and I headed out to Kinglake.


The last time I was out in this region was in April and then it was just black and it looked as though the Kinglake area would never be a green forest again. It is amazing what a "small" amount of rain and time can do. Mother Nature is a most powerful force and in many ways cannot be stopped.


The green is starting to come through




This tree was just as black as you could imagine yet its still alive and has started its recovery.


So much black, but also so much green starting to show its way through.

And as we were on bikes I should show you a picture of what its like riding with Jas, that's him on the left of the road. We are teaming up on the 5th of July for the Forrest 6 hour, what have I got myself in for.

But first we are doing the Officer XC race on Sunday as a warm up, if you are at a loose end come along they are a great casual race to attend and get a bit of race tempo practice.

Epic Day in the Saddle Up Over Around and Home

Saturday saw another adventure with a long day in the saddle expected. I was planning on a 4 hour ride. So after meeting Rob at 6.30 we headed out along Dandy Creek trail to the base of the Dandenongs.

Its true the bike almost rides itself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


We climbed our way up the mountain on the single track and fire road until we hit Dodds track, where we proceeded to dismount and walk. This track is really really steep and the challenge is there for someone to ride it.


Its always a relief when you get to the top and can look back down the hill. And on Saturday the sun was just coming up and it was great to be out in the bush on the bike.


Posing at the top of Dodds, with slightly aching calves after the uphill walk.

So now with the majority of the climbing done we headed over to ferny Creek for a little hidden gem of a descent, that I had done once before. Unfortunetly this track had been altered and is now a great walking track, not so good for bikes anymore, so after that dissappointment we pushed on through Belgrave to Tecoma where we would pick up a link track to Lysterfield. All timings were working well.

It was a great morning, but I think I mentioned that already.

As we arrived at the picnic ground that is the start of the link track to Lysterfield we were told the area was closed as due to the Upwey fire in Feb they have closed the area to allow the wildlife some natural bush to make new homes. So we were sent on our way up a climb, that we were told would get us to Lysterfield. We were only about 1km away from Lysterfield when we got turned around so we figured it would not be too far.

So after climbing the hill, riding through what seemed like someones back yard thinking we had found the track again, going down the hill to the creek we were essentially lost, no track to be seen. We knew Lysterfield was south west of where we were so we pushed on up back up the hill out of the valley.

As we got to a road we stopped a car coming from the direction we were about to head and asked
if it was the way to Lysterfield, she said it was but it was "miles" away.

So as our 9.30am deadline passed and the 3 hour mark in the saddle arrived we finally hit Wellington road, but still had a bit of work before we got to the singletrack. As we finally arrived to a T junction I said to Rob 1 hour ago we were 2 kms to the right, we had just done one mighty loop around. Needless to say he was not that impressed

As we hit the lake track so Rob could catch up to his kids who he was meeting there we bumped into the ladies MTB skills session. After catching Rob's kids and JD I headed off for a lap of the park and home.

On the start of the Commonwealth Games Track I again met up with the 20 odd ladies doing the skills session, learning how to get over a log. 10 had completed and 10 were waiting to go, they waved me through and as I approached the log with 20 sets of eyes on me I made it with no issue, phew no pressure.


So at the top of the CGT is was almost 4 and half hours in the saddle.



The day was cool but clear, and now I was heading home, so things were looking good.

Dandenong doesn't look so bad from this distance.

So after another 20 mins on dirt to get out of the Park it was the long slog home up Stud road. The legs were feeling heavy but still ticking over. I got home after 5hrs50 mins, so it was a fair days work, and it was only 12.30.

So I will rest on Sunday and then will be back on the road bike on Monday.

Up and Over the Nongs

After another hectic week, I got on the bike at 4pm on Friday and did the commute home. I decided to take a shorter route this week and did not go via Templestowe but followed the single tracks that run next to the main Yarra trail next to the Freeway through Doncaster and Box Hill.

It was a good solid hitout and was a bout 2.5 hours on the MTB.

12 hours later I got out of bed and headed out on the road bike and hit the Dandenongs. Whilst it was really cold about 6deg and even colder at the top of the mountain.

No Views this week


There were heaps of riders out braving the early morning fog. I did a loop that took in the 1/20 climb, Perrins Creek road and the Wall, all the way to the top of Mount Dandenong.

The roads out the back were wet, but the descent down into Montrose was dry and fast.



So after a solid 3 and a half hours in the saddle and a bit under 2000mts of climbing it was off to Auskick.


Where Tahlia played her first game of AFL.

Here's hoping that next weekends weather will be as good as the weekend just past as I am hoping to get some long kms in over the long weekend.

Back on the Mountain Bike

After a 2 week layoff after the dirtworks I was back on the MTB on Sat with the local gang out at Smiths Gully.

To be exceptionally lazy Cam has done a great post about it, so head over and have a look, and save me all the typing.

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.

Not a bad view from the flat we stayed at in Coogee.

Link to results page

Link to photos of the event

Dirtworks 100 Mountain Bike Race

This was my first time riding in this event and I could not say enough about the quality of the riding. It is an awesome part of the world and the trails are fantastic. I would rate it as the best 100km race I have done, as far as the course design and trails go.

The weather was perfect which made the ride even more enjoyable and the bike was perfect. If you have never ridden a Felt Virtue do yourself a favour find some rocky descents and let it go. The BMC 100 is a ride that you can take a hardtail on, whereas the Dirtworks is made for a dual suspension bike.

My race report is coming, hopefully tomorrow.

BMC Dirtworks Double Centurion Catergory

I am sitting in 9th position in the Double Centurion catergory. Hoping with a good ride on Sunday I can crack the top 5.

BMC 100 Race Report Part 2

Ready to race in the early morning fog and rain.



So as I hooked into the tight lefthander at speed the tyres held and I rode out the other side, however something had happened to my rear brakes which now seemed to be 'on'. I pulled the lever on thinking they might reset then dialled them out as far as they would go but they were still on. I had to pull over and see what the issue was.

On inspection I could not find any reason the calipers seemed tight and straight, so I rode on. The brakes being "on" lasted about 3 or 4 kms, after that they were just rubbing. Fortunately a good portion of this 4 kms was downhill so it was not like riding uphill with the brakes on.

So seemingly having this problem fix itself I plodded on and on, there was plenty of climbing in the final 25kms or it seemed that there was, perhaps it was my fatigued state. However what I did notice was that on a fast descent where I had to use the brakes they would lock "on" again for a period of time. Rather than this being a huge physical road block it was making the last part of the race harder mentally. As it was becoming really frustrating.

It was at the 70km sign that the lack of fluid I had taken in, in the first part of the race would come backto bite me, and I would pay for it big time. There were riders constantly going past me that I could not hold there wheel or even get on the wheel as they went past, as each rider went past the race became more of a test of survival than a race. I would say that about 30 or 40 riders would have gone past me in this time.

I basically suffered along like this for the last 30kms, still enjoying the single track, which was mainly downhill and pushing as hard as I could on the fire road climbs.

There was one rider who I was leapfrogging from the 80km mark, so I made it a goal to try and stay with him, he would open a gap and then it would close down again and then I would open up a gap, I guess it was about who was feeling good at the time. With about 2 or 3 kms to go he opened up a gap on a climb which had a switchback in it, as I got to the bottom of the climb he was already 50mts ahead, but as I changed gear he was past the switchback, as he heard me change gear he looked over his shoulder to see who it was and how far back I was.

In my spent state and with not having been able to race hard for the last 25kms or so I knew that I would catch that rider, its always a tell tale sign that you have nothing left when you start looking back. So I dug as deep as I could on that climb, and made some ground and then there was a small single track descent before we headed out onto the fire road which took us around the lake to the finish, as we hit the road at the front of Cammery Waters I just rode as hard as I could, went past the rider and then just gave it everything for the last km. As I crossed the line he was nowhere to be seen so he would have been at least 200mts back.

So after a disappointing last 30kms I managed a small win at the end.

So overall I finished in 92nd place which was about 60 places worse than last year, but a much hotter field attended in 2009. My observation on the race was that the tracks out at Woodend are 1st class, I would just like to see a bit of the fire road climbing substituted with some single track climbs. Having said that the course was well signed and the event well run.

So my focus now turns to the Dirtworks 100 on the 3rd May. I have entered the Double Centurion category, which combines both times for each race and has an overall winner, and was hoping to find out where I sit in this field but it looks like it will remain a secret, until the completion of the Dirtworks

BMC 100 Race Report

So race day finally came around and after a great night’s sleep I was ready to go. The organisers had to delay the start twice as cars were queued up on the road which was to be the start of the 100km course.
So at 7.30 we were underway and I was holding about 40th place in the 1st wave of riders that went off after the elite. I was riding along quite comfortably and felt my pace was good. About 10km in I had a slight mechanical and stopped to check the rear wheel, all seemed ok but it was making some noises. So the 5 or 6 people I had just ridden past all went by and I had to catch them all again, so after doing that and passing them all again, I made a wrong turn, and dragged Jeff Williams along with me. We did about an extra 2 minutes in a circle and connected back to the trail, and went down the correct track second time around.
So now I had go past all the people that had gone past when I wrong turned. As we rolled along on fire climbs mixed in with some pine forest single track I slowly began to go past people, with the odd person going past me. At the 35 km mark I was really looking forward to getting into the Wombat trails and riding some fast single track and off the fire road climbs. I would get one but not the other.
After filling up my water bottle at the 32 km mark I missed the water spot at the 40km mark. This would prove to be a very bad mistake as I was now going to have to ride for 60 kms with a total of only 2 bottles of drink. I had decided to ride without a bladder, and just fill up ay the drink stations
Once into the Wombat trails the riding was awesome so many great tracks and fast riding. I was riding along in a bunch of 3 or 4 guys and I was on the front. I must have ridden for about 4 or 5 kms at a good pace and then I heard a gap open up and we came to a fast downhill section so I let the Virtue do its thing and gapped the bunch I was with. Within a couple of minutes I had ridden up to another bunch and sat on for a few kms until we popped out onto a fire road, which was the road we started on in 08 race. I knew this climb was a long and steady one, so I left the bunch and chased down a few riders I could see ahead. Approaching the 50km mark I was feeling great had eaten a recovery bar, had had a gel and was ok with fluid, at this stage. I still had 10km to the next drink station and was almost out of drink.
In spite of this I thought I would be ok kept pushing hard. I would have been in about 70th place overall including elite at the 50km mark. My best riding for the race happened between the 50 and 70 km mark where I was constantly overtaking people, ride with a small bunch for a few kms, then ride away from them catch the next bunch. This section of riding also included some great single track. It was at the 60km mark that I made another small yet costly mistake, as I got to the drink station I was riding with Nathan, who I know from Adventure Racing and wanted to try and hold his wheel. I stopped in to fill up and in my rush to get out, did just that filled up and left. What I should have done was gulp down half a bottle and then refill, as I had not drunk for about 6 or 7 kms.
So after the 60km drink station it is back into more single track and some of the technical obstacles. There were a variety of bridges to ride over some quite narrow and very high at least 2 or 3 meters. There were also a couple of log rollovers that had very steep ramps on the exit side. Again this section was great riding single track and a few really fast fire road descents. It was coming along a section of single track at about the 68 km mark that I was approaching a fast left hander, with a slight berm that I hit the corner hard and.......................................................................................









More to come later

BMC 100 On Sunday

Sunday is the day of the BMC 100. I have spent this week resting, eating and drinking. Its now time to see how much improvement all my training will bring. The course is essentially the same as last year and I managed to do it in 5hrs 31mins.

All that is left to do is get 2 good nights sleep and I am ready to go, and am looking forward to a good race.

Easter Saturday in the Nongs

Jas and I headed out early on Sat into the Dandenongs. Whilst it was foggy it was warm no need for arm warmers at 6am.

So after climbing up Mt Dandenong Road from Montrose we headed through Olinda and down the Elbow to Ferntree Gully and then up and down to the base of the Wall.


This section is the downhill which takes you to the base of the Wall.


I thought I was enjoying the ride but after looking at this photo, I kind of look a bit stuffed, lucky this was my last training ride before the BMC. I just have a few short sessions to tick off before I roll to the start line


This picnic ground is on the sting trail and is on the road heading to the base of the Wall.

So after 3 hours on the bike I staggered up the drive and feel quite relieved with the fact that the bulk of the work is done for my next race. Its now all about preparing for the actual race day.