Tuesday, July 6, 2010

racing pics




The action from saturday.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Smoothing rocky trails.

The Event of the weekend was a 4hr race run by ROCKYTRAIL entertainment, at AWABA mountainbike park.
On friday night after my usual 530spin class i was in the garage changing my rear tire over to another rim as on tuesday glass cut open the tire a 2.0 supersonic continental race king and when i went to re inflate i kept losing air from around the valve, so with barely a drop spilt and i good upper body work out on the floor pump it snapped into place delivering cold chills as it always does..
Saturday started early with a 530am start so i could have a good meal of oats :) and some toast, the tire had not lost a single psi so my spirits were up, wheels were off and the turner flux was neatly folded into the back of jem's 3door barina.
Off to awaba we go>>> THE GOALS>>75% of the winner in 3.5hrs as i had to leave early for a spin class..

We slot into a little spot on pit row and i go for a practice lap while stopping to chat to who ever i know, it really takes a long time to get ready before a race..
I spent the race briefing doing my last bit of weight reducing, i could of also removed my rear flashing lights i use for commuting to but i didnt realised they were left till i got home..

The 8hr solo's go first, then we get to race of, i slipped into the single track second and just cruzed finding my zone because we soon caught the tail of the 8hr riders, it was a slow hectic first lap with people taking each other out or me, i lost a few positions in some confused mix up, the angry pants were on for the next lap, flying through timing/pits leaving any food jem had ready.
We had a nice food plan set out. a torq gel every second lap with a mouthful of toq bar every other lap which kept me fuel up nicely.

I soon found my sniggle groove and had a massive smile just loving the sport more then ever, with a conti supersonic 2.2 mountain king up the front and the hero grip through the forest section it was pure bliss.
So i was just out there cruzing around with the bigger picture of getting 75% of the winner so i can qualify for the voting competition to win a ticket to the croc trophy mtb race.

Around lap 5-6 i could here paul craft (commentator) giving the 4hr leader a good wrap for his fast lap times and mentioned he was gona be hard to beat, i had a chuckle and the fire in my legs were now roaring as i stormed through timing 25sec behined him to the elation of the MC "and now we have a race" i stomp the big dog back into the bush, but at awaba a rider can disappear in seconds., I ended up passing the leader while he had stopped to grab a bite, he gave me a cheer on to which was nice but i soon was grabbing a gel on run and off into the lead, i was told the rider i just passed was an ex (very good) downhiller so i was keen to try to get away, my hills were my friends and my legs did all they could to flatten them.

3.5hrs done and im leading so i pull over and call it a day, MC paul was really confused i explained my situation and everyone was standing around looking very stunned.. and from the crowd a screaming jemma blasts me with alot of profanity to the amusement of everyone, id done enough to qualify and thats all i went chasing i was satisfied and very happy to have a good ride, good enough for me but not good enough for jem, (i still feel guilty for her missing my poduim at the husky) she needed to be rewarded for helping me so much, and maybe i got a bit scared with the abuse that was hurled, hmmm i wish a gel was hurled the last lap had to be ridden with only a small amount of water mixed with torq energy, so one last time down the cork screw and my last time through my cheers squad from WSMTB. At this stage i could hear the count down to the 4hr mark, sweet i was gona finish over the 4hr mark and not have to leave a gap for 2nd place to slip through to do another lap.
4hrs 1min i finish with timing it spot on, i quick speech ruined by a flat battery on the mic, i fold the turner into the back of the barina again and zoom to carlingford for the spin class.
No stretching or cool down really punished my legs as i had to climb 3 flights of stairs to get to the spin room.

It was such an adrenalin fueled day, but lots of laughs and stories were shared over lunch at 4pm.

I arrived home to a cool looking trophy a carton of beer and a XTR cassette :)
A big thanks goes to the ROCKY TRAIL crew for an awesome day
my pit bunny for her awesomeness!!!

and my sponsors SCV IMPORTS, the turner flux is the most comfortable race weapon you will find..

Im feeling the target getting bigger on my back, see ya at the next race.

REALLY HAPPY CHOP :)