THE MONT - 24 Tips for survival.

17 sleeps to go!!!!!

Remember that race you agreed to via a text message months ago from a mate?
Well its nearly arrived and maybe you have not done the training. But surely how hard could it be when you have a bunch of mates that will pick up any slow laps you do.

Here is a crash course on how to survive THE MONT .
 BEFORE YOU LEAVE

*  SPARE PARTS - Tubes - Tyres - Derailleur hanger - Brake pads - Plus anything else you have two of.

* TUBELESS - It is time to do this NOW. check fluid level and remove stans coral.

* TEAM MATES - Check on if they are training as well, suggest they don't race before the event or decide to take up downhill racing or you could me one man down before you start.

* LIGHTS - One more night ride to practice as you maybe lucky enough to score the pre dawn lap - check the burn time on your lights. This is a crucial must know maths equation.

* RIDING KIT - Have you seen your vest or arm warmers lately? dig them out. Take your favorite kit plus spares, this serves as a very good tactical maneuver late in the race. Your competition will not know who to chase.

* CAMP GEAR - Eski - Deck chair - cooker - camp light - Marquee (with sides) - bike stand -Tent - air matress - sleeping bag - beanie - uggboots are optional - phone charger - power board

THE DAY BEFORE

* THE DRIVE - No prizes for fashion at these events - Get your compression on, ignore the sledging and the complexes it gives the older people in your team. Keep hydrated and don't forget to call SHOTGUN.

* TENT CITY - Build your castle on the land you claim as your own, bunt out the space you need and dig your moat.
  
* CAMPSITE - #Protip Book a hotel on the friday night Practical = Closet to transition Fun = near the track. Check the wind direction so you are not down wind of the Port-a-loos.

* RECCY LAP - Its a real team building exercise and your only chance to ride together for the weekend.

RACE DAY

*RACE MORNING - Because you took the #Pro option, you are eating your weight in the buffet breakfast

* ARRIVEE - Be sure to have 'Eye of The Tiger' playing as loud as your mates car can doof out.

*REGO - Nominate someone to collect race numbers and goodie back, tell them to run.

* RACE START - Pick the person who likes putting tread on other riders Vertebrae, now fight amongst yourself on the rest of the order. Get along side the track to cheer on the most exciting part for the next 24hrs.

* TRANSITION - Two riders are needed for each transition - Rider 1 is frothing and covered in dust and filled with stories on how EPIC the start was and how much HERO dirt they found along the way be that rider who absorbs all their excitement. During the night it is helpful to have help carrying jackets.

* TIME KEEPING - The whiteboard system is still favorable as its the easiest way to see who is fastest in the team along with online timing that will help you assess your current position.

* NIGHT TIME - Get your rear light on and beam up your head light and fight until you see the sunlight.

* TACTICS - Team up with a buddy and ride lap on lap of 2 or 3 times so your buddies get some sleep. Try to get the dawn lap and be amazed at how technical the track looks after the night shift.

* 6HRS TO GO - Surely its time for a bacon & egg roll with a large coffee after your lap.



* LAST LAP RULE - Who does not ride must pack up the camp. Be sure to meet your team mate at the finish for the TEAM HUG.

* PRESENTATIONS - A great chance to catch up with other riders and maybe score free stuff.

* JOURNEY HOME - Ideally escape the event swiftly so the line for Maccas fries is not to long. Be sure to monitor signs of fatigue and re share the moments you had between the pine trees at 2am.

* SECRET ESSENTIALS - Paw Paw cream - Recovery powder - Head warmer - Track Pump - Clear riding glasses - camp shower.

* POST RACE  - Expect to be dreaming of swooping through pine trees for days - That canberra dust does not come off by itself so give your bike some love. Hang your MONT number plate with proud.

Now you have everything that you need, you still have a solid 10days to keep your training consistent on ya bike !

COACHCHOPS

 

Its been dubbed as the weekend of the year.

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. Partially true. What they really mean is that the fire inside your heart grows stronger and just wants to unleash FURY!!!

A 7month wait between racing will do that to a man whose desire is to only push his body to the limits while on this earth.
I could possibly write a whole blog on how i have  been screwed around by life therefore eliminating my chance to race since last year. That is not how i live my life though, i take a situation and make the most of it or sit tight until i get things my way.
 POP SNAP POP - Its a friday afternoon in a bikeshop (99BIKES) in bondi and i have taken over the workshop to do a tubeless conversion on a wheel i have borrowed from Sara Mills who has had only bad luck with it being tubeless. Simple reason really, a very sloppy job has been done, therefore never sealing the wheel tight enough.
So i cleaned the wheel the best i could and jammed on some Rim tape while watching the clock closely. I had to get all this done in 30mins to make my spin class. In such a rush i only put 3bolts in the rotor.
Saturday morning i have lost about 10psi, but i pump it up and commute to WATTbike heaven. The legs were extremely heavy with fatigue so the class was very tough going, along with the 2hr coaching of mtb skills around manly dam afterwards.

What made this weekend the best was i got to hangout with a very good friend, what made it even more special was that Alissa just bought a new bike and i was her first guest in her new place, but wait it gets better. Alissa had a house warming the night before so not only was there left over food but she had beer on tap!!!!

It was a night of chilling out and talking about dirt surfin.

2015 RACE #001
 

The start line had a few imports that were big hitters and also a little hitter called Guy Frail. Im not sure anyone else knew how hard this kid goes!
I get right on his wheel from the start (been saying for days how ill just roll around to get the feel of biking again, never really gonna happen with a race plate on) Justin cuts us both of as he was attempting to use the marquee to slow us down, off into the choppy trails of Ourimbah we go.
Dropping a bottle early on was far from ideal but conditions were pleasant so hydration was not a deciding factor.
The fire road climb is really where it happens racing here, its were natural selection happens very quickly, i managed to close some gaps but the leaders get away.
I am feeling great im pushing hard but against seasoned riders it just never gonna be my day.

I was to ride all four laps within 2mins of each other and without any pain from imbalanced muscles so i had the best time. I actually nearly got caught by Darren Dillion, i never seen the lil hunter coming. Ourimbah is like that a rider can be 30seconds away and you will never know.

Covered in sweat and a huge grin we stop at lake Macquarie after the race for some burgers before finishing the day in the ocean using handplanes that Alissa builds.

It feels good to be back on a functional bike.

JUST CHOPS :)

Its great to be back racing.