The How to have the best Fling ever.

The Highland Fling by Wild Horizons is entering its 13th year and it is all about the journey we have experienced over the 12 previous editions as this weekend will just make our Heart sing.

I feel that the Highland Fling is a weekend like no other, the race is positioned at the end of what we use to call the end of the season and long enough out of winter it gave people some hope they could train enough for it. The Fling was never regarded as a technical race and therefore the hopes of many would be even higher.
At times in this article i wish crush your hopes in the aid of preparing you for the weekend ahead, Because it is to late to train for the amount of VM (vertical metres) this race has if you havnt been doing more than what race is going to throw at you each week, you better read on to find out how to survive. and if you are a 100miler stay tuned for the special treatment and powers you hold over the whole weekend.

I have enjoyed every aspect of this race over the years. Competing in the Full fling. 2x the 100mile event and the Dash. This year will be my 3rd as MC so lets get down to how to have a good fling.

How To Fling
Saturday 

1. The Highland fling is not just a race, it is a whole weekend. Arrive early saturday afternoon and enjoy a coffee in Bundanoon before it gets crazy, we use to enjoy no phone reception, it made for a real escape. The Saturday has the Bundy Run + The Dash + The Rolloff WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.  The local hall has great deals from all the suppliers and dinner for riders and Presentations for Saturdays events. 
2. The Dash is your opportunity as a spectator to get up close with the elite riders and local businesses attempting to be the fastest up constitutional hill. Only 1 rider has ever won the Dash and the Fling in one weekend so why not give it a crack.

Camping

1. An essential part of the Fling experience when it is your first time, nowhere else in Australia can you be woken by the smooth tones of bagpipes #protip Camp near the fenceline very helpful for middle of the night pitstops and far away from the portaloos you wont hear those creaky doors slamming.
2. Curfew: Im sure at some point you will be to loud at an event and upset somebody. Most campers will be looking for sleep by 930pm but you will also see riders enjoying beers past that time, maybe the ones you see cramping on a climb the next day.
3. I like to think the 100milers have the red carpet at the fling and i recall being scalded for talking to loud in the camp ground one night to which he informed me he had 100km race the next morning. Well buddy i have a 100miles to do... i never received a reply. 

RACEDAY 

1. You have registered right? last chance in the Hall (bundanoon) 
2. You Start at the pony club, but you know that because its where you camped.

Now that you have had breakfast and used the toilets im going to assume you know what start wave you are in and your number plate is tied on, read on for your survival guide.

Over the years we have had many types of weather at the Fling. This weekend is looking so perfect for racing, which fits between the hot and cold years we have had recently.

My first piece of advice is sourced from seeing so many riders from canberra wear less than anyone else on the start line.

1. If you are cold on the start line you will be warm enough during the race. we are mountainbikers after all, so we thrive on a challenge.
2. Self seeding: Keep your ego in check here and don't seed yourself where you think you can ride but where you know you can ride. You will have a good dirt road after the start to be a hero and ride off the front if you need too.
3. Listen to the race briefing and remember you have done all the training you can so just do your best to finish what you start.
4. The Elites start later so be ready for that steam train to arrive right behind you today.
   

STAGE 1

• At 27km and 590VM its damn hard as your HR will be 90% of MHR most of the time. 
• The dirt road leaving from the start is a false flat so if you think you can ride harder, id suggest save that for later because once the pack makes a hard left and gets close to the farm is on like donkey kong.
• WET FEET. We all hate it but its part of the fling, get off any carry your bike, save the drivetrain at all costs.
• The paddocks are tough so look to be efficient here and start your hydration and eating plans early.
• You make it to Wingello - Told you it was going to be a hard 27km.

TRANSITION

• Only Full and 100milers get a neutral time zone. Half Fling is a non stop race.
• 100milers have a separate pit area 
• Use your free 5mins to fill up bottles have a quick stretch or sit up and eat, id suggest do not get to technical with your time so keep rolling and use the adrenalin to keep you fueled for stage 2. 

STAGE 2

• 51km 1120VM 40% singletrack

The cream rises to the top in stage 2. 

• Eat heaps leaving Wingello 
• You now have 20kms of singletrack so stay sharp and hydrated and enjoy how awesome these trails are.
• #protip Never look at a photographer Gil the ninja will be waiting for you. 
• An eternity passes and you pop out of the forest and you are very close to a feed station              ' frequent riders lounge' if you are a 100miler seeing this for the second time 100kms into your race is a sinking feeling most riders could be finished and you are the furthest point from finishing, best to keep riding.
• leaving the lounge is a hoot as you descend, be gentle on your bike through the creek and give the legs hell on the climb. i seen a red belly snake at the top just 2weeks ago. 
• Keeping HR under 90%MHR on the climb will ensure a strong finish to the stage.
• You now realise that you have not done enough climbing in your training, so keep chewing that stem.
• That halfway hill is a long one * a representation of how it feels is below.
  
  
    
• well out past 'outer limits' In the distance you see riders on a dirt road along the horizon. Now is a good time to be not alone find some friends and get a train going.
• Each rider has a duty to uphold to their fellow man in towing any 100milers along this road to Wingello.

The toughest part of the whole race for a 100miler is the 50m od trail past the timing mats. They could turn left where 99% of the field goes or turn right into a world virtually on there own and repeat stage 2 again.

STAGE 3

• 30km 520km - Say goodbye to your average speed.

Once again eat lots leaving Wingello to prepare for whats to follow.

• Paddocks and twisty singletrack along with punchy climbs litter the final stage, oh don't forget the free bike wash again.
• Physically the toughest but mentally you know its the home stretch, you start dreaming of how good its going to feel when you finish.
• Never go light on the fluids, this stage could take you 2hrs +/- 30mins.

YOUR CALL

What???

There is a fork in the road on the Fling journey 

Left is shorter and rocky (mountain biking)

right is longer and a smooth road (soft option)

Suck it up and go left.

Over the top and its smooth sailing from here (false) we now make a diversion through another farm and i remember the torrential rain that struct me here as the 8hr mark slipped by in the 100miler i questioned the powers from above asking them 'if thats the best you have'

• FREE BEER: Its not an illusion. We kept it secret last year, 4Pines is back and offering you free beer again. You cant take it with you though.

THE FINISH

• Have a chat to your MC Chops about your journey 
• Kick ya feet up and feast on the food by the local schools especially the milkshakes.
• Support the whole event and hang around till the presentation 

See you at the Fling

Chops :)

thanks google for all photos.

the professional report on the fling can be found here https://www.wildhorizons.com.au/events-and-tours/events/highland-fling/the-course-and-location/

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.

Endurance racing, does it come with an off season?

Endurance racing, does it come with an off season? Physically or Mentally.

The year 2014 is coming to a close and that means another season of endurance mountain bike and OCR events are completed. So now we can call this time of year the 'off season' but for us Australians, it's the time of year that greets us with ample hours of daylight to enjoy. Depending on your location you may be facing a wet season in the north or afternoon storms and humidity in Sydney or maybe the relenting dry heat of anything west of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales.

So what seems to now look like there is even more time to train should I be having an off season you ask.?

Through my 10years in the fitness industry and years of endurance bike events such as, 24hr solo world champs and the Croc Trophy in which I completed both in the one month that equated to 52hrs of racing over 1500kms I see a trend emerging of two types of 'off season' for endurance athletes. 

A physical and a mental off season. 

At the end of the year you have to find what is the right fit for you, the year that you have had will mostly depict what type of off season you will need to have, this can become a learning experience in which you will gain very valuable information about your capabilities mentally and physically.

In the past like the year I raced the 24hr worlds and the Croc Trophy I needed a break physically because of the high volume of training. The body needs to repair and rebuild so you can continue in your chosen sport. After working so hard and being completely fixated by those two races I needed a break mentally as well. My solo sadistic training rides turned into group rides with friends and just enjoying trails and mostly finished at infamous beery in Terrigal. My fitness was to never drop as I was doing just enough to maintain what I had built up. As my body recovered my mind became happy which only fueled the fire to get racing. February some 2months later the RockyTrail 100mile race was on the calendar and I was ready to rip roar around with a race plate on again. It was to be one of the best days I've ever had racing.

It's now 2014 a uni degree is complete, barely any racing has taken place due to a thief stealing my race bike, I will be using the Off Season to build a big base that will be the foundation to get back to my best in 2015.

So if you have had one of those years where you have trained harder and longer than ever before than looking at an off season that's gives your body a rest and your mind a holiday could be just what your body needs.

To give you a greater understanding on how to spend your off season I got chatting to a few endurance athletes of the mountain biking and Adventure racing world to see how they use their off season.

 Jason English: 5x24hr solo World Champion likes to still ride 6days a week as his next race will be early Feburary " I will just swap out the long slow kms with 2-3hrs at higher intensity and do a few local crit races for fun". Jason is a guy that really likes to train, to the point I have seen his strava read 38hrs of riding in 7days.

Andrew Lloyd:  2nd place 2013 24hr solo World Champs. Being Another 24hr solo specialist and recently completed the Croc Trophy stage race he can really clock up many hours of riding. In comparison to Jason English, Andrew is new to the sport and is finding out what an off season can do to your next season of racing. Currently feeling " broken from the bike " ( The Croc trophy makes grown men cry) he is still physically training but resting mentally by using Crossfit to challenge himself, I'd be interested to see how many wall balls he could do unbroken? 

Melissa nuttal: Adventure racer/ Mountain biker found that having an off season was easy to do years ago, but now there is a race somewhere nearly every weekend. " The good thing about doing different disciplines is that you can focus on one, and give the others a rest" 

Another athlete that chooses to never really rest physically for two long but always taking a mental break when one thing becomes a chore.

So begins your Off Season, shall it be to become fitter because you couldn't reach your training goals throughout the year or may it be to rest and repair physically and mentally from a tough 2014. Either way sit back and reflect on what you have achieved and learn from pushing your body to new levels, give yourself a reward for going through the tough times to get to the finish.

My Tips for 2015

* Measure your fitness from 2014 and use that as a benchmark to train for in the new year.

* Write down your goals and remember why we started all this in the first place, because it's fun.

Chops.

Adversary of the singletrack mind (seriesRnd2)

Round 2 of the SINGLE TRACK MIND series took riders to the sleepy lollie shop town of mogo, South of batemans bay.

Little did we know the singletrack gold that awaited us at the end of the rainbow.

(Just passing Kiama) 

Once again this 7hr race became a battle of mind over body, the lead up was great for the mind but not the body as 7days prior I raced a12hr event in pairs. Although the adrenalin was pumping all week to do winning that race.

It was a Wednesday morning enjoying my last week on holidays from uni. It was a day to pimp my bike ready for Sunday. Once the new Conti tyres were fitted I noticed a spoke had pulled through and cracked my room. Everything begins to implode now.

The guys at whooly wheels (an old mechanic of mine) assured all could be rebuilt by Friday.

With the wobbly wheel I ride to paddington and leave them the task of rebuilding a wheel and shortening the remote lockout cable.

Stress level are now quite elevated due to financial pressure, so selling a crankset on Friday afternoon allowed me to breath I'd have some pineapples in my back pocket and might make it to payday next week, to save some money and had already bought a few bars the week before I'd thought I better not spend any money on gels and just race using bars.

Nom nom nom nom. 

Picking up the bike on Friday all was not 100% as their was a fault in the production of the tyre which made it run untrue. I was to find out later that I now only have lock and fully open on my DT Swiss forks, where is had 3 settings before. Along with my free hub not making it's usually sound and feels it's been jammed full of grease and just not having any rolling speed. I left feeling sabatouged.

As you can see the stupid things playing on my mind.

It's the day before the race and as per usual my trusty traveling buddy Phil arrives at cyclestudio to pick me up, this weekend being so much easier and fitting only 2 bikes in his 3door hatch we were away fast, but it's lunchtime in sydney on a Saturday so it was a slow trip to bondi to pick up my gear.

Once on the road we would realise that making it in time for a practise lap would not be possible, so we drove through the wind and rain and solved a few world issues until we stumbled across a real issue on a road trip. 

The car and it's occupants needed fuel. Petrol for the car chocolate milk (oak) for us.

We drove on for miles. (Because once you drive more than a few kilometres everyone reverts to measuring a trip that takes longer than expected in miles) to find a Coles servo so Phil could use a fuel saver voucher.

We arrive and no joke the one voucher Phil had was out of date by 2days. I go and hunt down some OAK, phil walks into the servo and I'm empty handed. That's right..... No chocolate milk.

Could this servo get any worse.

Servo guy: hi guys what are you up to today

Chops & Phil: arr ummm ( a servo guy wants a conversation) we are off to a mtb race

Servo guy: oh yeah where abouts? 

Chops & Phil: down in mogo

Servo guy: so you race mountain bikes ?

Chops & Phil: awkward silence 

Chops: yeah mate, we race mountain bikes..........! 

Leaving the servo. 

Chops: we are not visiting this servo on the return trip Phil.

Pre Race dinner was with a host for the night (Grant) and Jase & Kylie McAvoy at the local Thai restaurant.

Kudos to you if you can race off this stuff.

Grant hooked us up with 5star accommodation and the wood heater was amazing.

It was actually hard to leave for the race, maybe it was the coldest start line of the year that had me thinking that way or the zombie mode I was in.

Getting to the start line or event centre was not an easy task, and best to leave a lot earlier to reduce the stress. So I'm lucky to have Phil help me with bottles so I can focus on just getting ready.

LETS GET RACING I hear you say.

We traverse down single track and through the bush to the start ready to race flat out on a track unseen.

My start was horrible..The kudos I got from people about the 12hr had me in good spirits though, unlike my body.

The pain in my hips was horrible and could barely pedal without lasting to long and I'd have to stand and stretch. The next 2.5hrs was a constant battle on staying in the game but I've never ridden so much with my headspace so filled with other things. Plus eating bars sucked...only have plan A is such a bad plan.

Closing in on the 3hr mark and my body started to feel good and I could do a lap without the need for stretching.

Paying closer attention to my Magellan GPS I notice my avg speed is not that much slower than the 12hr race, you know what choose you may not being going as bad as you think.

Now I would overcome adversary:

Let's make it a 4hr race now

Let's try to keep the avg speed from dropping.

I found a game within the game to keep me motivated.

I managed to succeed in my goals and began enjoying my day and actually chatting to some riders instead of grunting in response.

The long climb out the back became my friend as early on in the race I could not push my HR up so now hours in, I could still punch my HR up to 85-90%.

Lap on lap from berm to berm between the creek crossings and off the jumps, mogo presented 12kms of amazing trails. At times you felt it was the Australian version of Cool Runnings, and the bobsled tryouts were on.

It's to be said that trail fairies build mountain bike tracks,  well these must be on the trails built on cloud 9.

Closing in on the final hours I pulled up in transition to chat with Phil and find out my position and I was coming 4th so I rolled out for another lap thinking it would be my last arriving back in transition with 15mins to go. I stopped to chat with Kylie who knows more timing data then the actual timing system and with 5th place a chance to make it in before the 7hr I should of fuelled up and headed out, alas I just chatted with Gary James and Kylie then Lloydy arrived and was happy to call it a day..

With seconds to spare 5th place came rolling in, so I stepped on it.

I could hear Kylie cheer me on. Actually she was yelling at me to stop as 5th place was not going out again. 

After a rest I enjoyed that last lap and knowing it was my 12th to match Loydy and Callum on the same amount of laps I was happy... Pockets empty of food made for a few blury glycogen depleted minutes before adrenalin fuelled my veins to keep me going to the finish line.

With over 3000vm it was the easiest track to obtain it on as it was butter smooth and descents took you to a happy place every time.

I finished the day in a better place mentally, it just shows if you push through adversary you be happier on the otherside.

Battered and exhausted bodies left Mogo that day the roadtrip was filled with the epic tales of how Phil won the Men's pairs a Mac attack and a very late arrival back in sydney.

I fell in love with this bike even more at mogo and having fresh rubber on the rims made it a great ride..

How will round 3 go I wonder..

Just chops.

Team MAGELLAN take line honours at the JETBLACK 12hr.

Shadows created by the moon on a flat piece of ground among the grapes with hot ambers warming the cold country air. The harmony of car, tent & marquee that creates a small town built in an afternoon greeted myself and Phil as we arrived after everyone's bed time on Friday night. 

It had been a 4hr drive to set our minds ready for a race that would test the mind body and fitness of everyone involved, with that Friday being quite a stressful day getting out of sydney I was relaxed to see my team mates campsite after seeing his bike posted on Facebook laying on the freeway after falling off at 110km/hr.

So the build a tent competition was clearly won by yours truly but alas Phil atleast had a useable air mattress, so I grabbed the blanket used to protect the 3 bikes in the back of a Hyundai excel safe (chops can pack a boot) as my bed for the night.

Setting my alarm for 730am would mean I get the same number of hours sleep tonight as I would the two previous nights combined, which I'm sure had Paris (Team MAGELLAN captain) worried when he rang on Wednesday asking how my taper was going, I dare not tell him about the 2.5hrs I'd spent that day doing spin classes. So begs the question, which is more important? Have you prepared correctly? Or Are you ready to ride until you can't to achieve a goal? The latter I know I always am going to do.

A correct taper has it's place though, stay tuned for my next blog entry on what I do to prepare physically and mentally.

RACE DAY

                The day begins with me replacing front brake pads and my front chainring ( supplied by SCV IMPORTS) then I take my bike to the mechanics for a new cassette and chain with them tuning my bike it's was extremely crisp. Thanks BLACKMANS cycles. I've got my bling and I'm ready to race.

Paris was to start the race for us, standing in event centre when everyone was racing was a bizarre sensation, I didn't know what to do. So began the ramblings of myself and MC Crafty on what position riders would finish the first lap.

This event centre was the best I've ever seen, as riders where 4-6mins from the finish line you could see them take on wine hill. My predictions of Paris coming in 4th were correct as he was glued to Gordo's back wheel, a slick transition and I was off on my first lap and over taking 3rd place almost immediately.

The slick transition.

The track was extremely dry and sketchy which filled me with instant regret I didn't put the new tyres I'd bought on my bike, so I rode quite conservative so I could learn the conditions and adjust to riding my bike in my 2nd race this year. Watching my heart rate throughout the first lap had it punching over 85% a lot and 90% a few times! which I'd rather not as I did not have faith that my legs were free from fatigue.

Tagging Paris we were all smiles as it was very apparent that after being riding buddies for 10years we had never done a race together, he was always a guy I have looked up to on how to live and enjoy life and a rider I spent along time chasing to match his ability. Paris has had a year filled with victories hitting his prime at the age of 40 with a baby only 5weeks away, I had the privilege of Carrie looking after us in the Team MAGELLAN tent. I was able to focus on what I needed to do and never had to watch the time as Carrie would give me a shout when and what I needed to do with 10mins before Paris was due in.

RACE LEADERS is belted ( I just got goosebumps typing that) out across the hunter valley as Paris comes stomping into the finish chute. A smile is spread across my face with the tag consisted of paris giving me a big push I shot off on my lap with a huge turbo boost and friends cheer me on as I passed their campsites hearing I was in the race lead. Up the fire road and into the wind I shake my head as the words race leader has now sunk in with a depth of disbelief. After receiving some what might say friendly sledging before the race I found that the sharing of hidden agendas plain rude. It never fuelled my fire but would only make the day sweeter if I was to prove them wrong.

Entering the singletrack my swooping skills had returned and ripped through there with ease all the while waiting for someone to catch me. Punching out another 30min lap I tagged Paris with the words of ' keep the pace and keep it smooth' Paris being a rider who has won 4hr events 50km races and some 100km epics I didn't want him to bury himself to early in all the hype of a 12hr race.

My time off the bike was filled with chatting with mates and feeding my face and receiving compliments of leading the race, which I would brush off as the finish was a long way away. But deep deep down it had become my new goal, something I wanted to share with Paris in the 2seconds we spent together through transition. If the meaning of motivation was to leap out of a book and read a book or watch a YouTube clip on motivation Paris would be that motivation. So I never got to share my thoughts on trying to win the whole race but, 

On a day like this over a mountain bike course on the edge of a valley two mates set out to battle into the night in honour of each other's ability and desire to achieve as much as possibly from the life we have both chosen. Each lap proceeded to only ride for a fellow mate, lap times where created out of respect for a team mates ability with the clock only stopping once the job done was worthy of the company that shared the battle. 

That's teams racing in a nutshell. Your inner self can achieve amazing goals if what makes your heart beat can push your body past what others can not achieve, enter in a mate and the goal becomes to ride for that common goal until the heart can no longer beat. 

 Note the sunnies...http://www.revantoptics.com 

Lap for lap we ride until the sun sets and our lead was only to increase on second place and by watching the lap times of other riders it was interesting to see peoples lap times drop unlike team MAGELLAN's, surely night laps will be slower but that's the same for everyone. 

My first night was more like a pinball game as I bounced off many trees and failed on many occasions to choose a smooth line through the powder filled trails at James estate winery. 3 trees per lap was my average for the 1st two laps.

The event centre was becoming a place where people felt the cold, I never really thought it got cold. Maybe the racing was just to hot or the adrenalin was keeping me warm, so many riders would huddle around the fire buckets where as I did my best to stay well clear and my lungs free from smoke.

We had now lapped 2nd place and taking off on my next lap my lights were to go flat, so I rush over to my tent to grab my 2nd battery that I had fully charged for it to only just die instantly once I switched on my lights, so I back track to see Paris and steal his helmet and lights, catching and passing second place just before the wine tanks.

Once back in transition i meet Paris who awaits for his helmet and has a fresh battery good to go. This was to be our only non rolling transition so 20sec later he was away.

The finish is closing in and with my stuff up, my next lap will be my last. Yup we could of got 24laps in.

Never checking the lights I borrowed for the final lap was a rookie mistake so I let peter Selkrig pass me so I can use his lights as mine were pointed to close to the ground, I hung on for quite a while as we had a good chat but once he dropped me on a climb I was left in the dark so I stopped to fix the situation.

Once going again I just followed the light and kept my lines smooth and safe, Benji caught me once out of the singletrack and we had a good chat, it was so nice to finally have some company in the race, wine hill approached and I rudely just smashed it to the top and finished my lap, tagging but following paris out of the event centre, looking back I wish I did go out and roll around that last lap with him, but crash tackling him over the finish line under the echos of RACE WINNERS will be equally memorable.

23laps completed in 12hrs 5mins 1lap clear of anyone else in the field. What an amazing 12hr race we had.

 

Clearly bloody happy with our win.

The battle was over TEAM MAGELLAN victorious in a race that will never be forgotten. To make it even sweeter was Phil with the power of the cookies I brought with us won 12hr solo master Wendy won the elite women's solo and Linda & Briony won the women's pairs as I'm now a coach to these riders it was a great weekend. A huge thanks to all the riders saying Go CHOPS as I passed you on course, apologies for just zipping by. I usually recognize who you are once I pass because I'm just that focus on going as fast as I can. So thanks for taking a breath to cheer me on.

In the east the glow of a new day begins, in the west the moon says goodbye with the ground covered in frost along with our tents, we pack up the little village we built to say goodbye to our home away from home, and head back to sydney but not before we experience a taste of Italy in the town of Denman that had a Canadian feel to it. 

Solar powered cafe and a street that looks like Banff.

Thanks to MAGELLAN for the continuing support and Revant optics for supplying me with lenses for my Oakleys.

Ready to hunt down the next podium! 

JUSTCHOPS :)) 

Adversary of the Singletrack mind.

When does your mind engage on the battle that lays before you? 

For myself this could be months, weeks or maybe just days in Advance, maybe for you it's just hours seconds before the starting horn fires. Sunday the 17th of may 2014 was a day I had dreamt about since November 2013. Far away in my mind I truly switched off any thoughts of racing as well, I don't wish to dwell on what's behind but more on where I want to go, so through the summer on one gear I would commute between up to five different gyms 7 days per week for 4months solid, to fullfil the dream of one day racing again. I had no idea and would frustratingly answer " I don't know " to anyone who would ask when I'm racing next, and quickly change the subject. 

Is that all I am? A guy who just rides and races bikes...... From the outset that's what it looks like.. From the core that's what drives me and gives my life purpose. I'm sure everyone at times or on a regular basis is confused on their direction in life and I'm no different. As much as I hate the traffic on Bondi rd outside my local cafe As I write this blog I enjoy being here and what this place offers me in life, see I'm lost in my direction as well. But what I do know, is what ever direction I may go or be going it is going to be a whole lot more enjoyable on a bike.

If the mind is strong the body will follow. The body will do what the mind says it can.

 Peoples confidence in my ability to ride the 7hr was high as I just bashed out 340km on a singlespeed in 12hrs just 4weeks prior. But what was my ability to be competitive? 

My decision to race the 7hr category at the first round of the CHOCOLATE FOOT singletrackmind series came about a week prior, working in conjunction with Fi and Joe in building a women's mtb development squad would be a great motivator to have their coach out on the battle field come race day. On a day I installed a new saddle and was informed the 3 best 24hr soloist's were racing I ticked the 7hr box and looked for head space to focus on Sundays race.

I may have not have the ability of the best guys but what I do have is a will to suffer until I reach my goals and sweat like a gypsie with a mortgage until the final payment is made.

Resting the legs for the race was the easy part for once, with using a hyperbaric chamber on Friday night really assisting me, getting enough sleep is something I'm failing at big time so I had hoped Friday and Saturday night would be more than 7hrs which would have me feeling great compared to the 5-6hrs I live off.

Saturday morning posed a big challenge, lugging my gear to the north shore.

I managed to fit what I needed for the wknd in a backpack and the tyre sealant in my bottle cage ( I hoped too, but never did get to use) with my only water bottle filled with the energy powder I would use, once I found a few bottles to borrow. The 20km ride to cyclestudio went ok.

After my classes Phil Welch arrives and we loaded up the bikes, 2carbon bikes 0 blankets.(cheap dig)  But I guess the weather was warm.

We set off on the adventures of Phil and chops. The beginning was more technical than a mtb track in taree but after we get past chatswood it was smooth sailing on a journey bound for Taree.

Arriving at the track in the late arvo with the assurance that Phil has ridden the track in the dark there was no urgency to get on the bikes, but he couldn't feel how itchy my feet were... 

When you are away from the sport you dream of singletrack nirvana, but you forget the social aspect.

We would spend an hour soaking up the atmosphere of pre event rego and reccy lap report just to chat with our mtb family.

10kms of trails I've never seen..... The manning valley trails here we come. I take the lead and with Phil hot on my heels, my theory is to hit the course at close the race pace so really get a feel of what to expect, hence I eject myself from the course quite early. Then Phil misses a corner, but I'm sure that was to just let me ride first.

Once finished we were both happy with our 'Swooping'. 

SWOOPING: A Canadian term to describe the technique one must use when riding singletrack in Australia Cory Wallace (2014). Example of Swooping below.

Soon as Dave Bateman took this photo I was excited to see how it came out.

Now Dave has been trekking around races longer than most of us have been racing, I've emailed to purchase my pic at $15each.

Once we completed the reccy lap we became dinner for the mozzies of taree, so we made a move for our motel.  The Crescent Motel where I requested a room away from any crazy EPL fans in a non smoking room on the ground floor, so out of the 3 only 1st floor rooms me and Mike hiked our bikes upstairs and went on the hunt for food.

In all class we headed for the waterfront although they were booked out, plan B was to follow their directions to the manning hotel, via picking up Timmy and supplies from Coles. 

Before to long we had followed the road out of town, and clearly lost we made a detour through a hotels drive thru, where I suggested Mike to stop for directions.

Two young ladies where having a drink probably their 10th and a durry out the front, purely for my own entertainment I asked for directions. Between them mainly arguing who knew how to get there better, and constantly repeating the same directions to the nearest roundabout and fumbling over pronouncing "Mals toy shop" (men's toy shop) so they had a good drunk laugh about that, soon their conversation was drowned out by 3 elite endurance riders stomachs growling and we made tracks before being taken in my the charm of the wildlife.

Finding a pub that has their main beer on tap (XXXX) sign brighter than their own sign does make it a challenge to find, alas we ran in for some country tucker and a spot of pool. The finesse of team Turner & Hooch made it for some intense battle for chops and Timmy. But when Tim has the skills to make Sports Tonight PLAYS OF THE WEEK, it will be a night we won't forget. 

RACE DAY

The first race since the HIGHLAND FLING 100miler and to be honest the first race my own bike in 12months, through the great help of Keedan owner of  BIKE BAG DUDE, I've been hooked up with the first HT MTB since my first ever entry level bike in 2003. 

A MERIDA BIG NINE is an unbelievable bike! 

Race briefing is underway while my head is thinking my legs are not warmed nor have I visited the loo, it's the 1%'s that make for a great day, I roll down to the start calmly chatting with Lloydy and Mike was kindly enough to donate his front row position and I nervously awaited the starters horn.

Sitting next to Guy Frail gave me confidence in having a super quick wheel to follow, with in seconds my heart rate hits 95% max but I felt amazing a dropped a few more WATTS on the ascent up to the singletrack and tucked into 5/6th a true surprise to myself but a huge confidence boost. Now to implement "let's stay under 85%MHR" 2hrs go by and I barely seen it under 85% so as Gary James came cruzing by his suggestion of let's stop sprinting was music to my legs, Taree was just to much fun to go slow.

At 2hrs in nutrition and hydration plays a big role if you want to race 7hrs strong, so I could not of achieved this race without PHIL & MIKE bottles and food was always ready on my table, it was quite guess work for them in regards to how much powder to run my bottles with.

Now the next 5hrs is truly a blur, this is what happened.

> broken bottle cage

> tyres losing pressure

> my back was giving me hell

> free hub body shat itself

> The person who suffers the most will achieve the most

> rode 500m on the rim

> kudus to Laura and Luke who came to my rescue to fix my tyre and screw my cassette back on after it fell off.

Now with just one hour to go after wanting to know my position for hours I was 5th, my goal for the race.

Lapping around knowing I could squeeze a third lap in if I had an hour to go, with the amount of cycling I'd have to do the next day I opted out on that idea. 

Taree makes it impossible to just roll around to waste away time, so it was BALLS OUT on the final lap, just for the hell of it. 

So I came in just under the 7hr mark, not something I normally do but  I didn't get lapped by the English bullet train twice so that was an added bonus.

What a great race, yeah i went through hell. That's the beauty of endurance mountain bike racing.

The more variables you can conquer the more you achieve and the greater you feel from a hard day on the bike.

The CHOCOLATE FOOT team really put on a great presentation, I was there to take pictures of PHIL, you know the only guy at a mtb race carrying around a stuffed toy? and MIKE as they finished second in pairs but first in our race.

Packing up was the 'Goodbyes' to the mountain bike family until the next Sunday get together and then a roadtrip back to sydney with PHIL. 

It's great to be back 

Content and very happy, well until post race depression blues kicked in.

See you at Round 2

Thanks to 

MAGELLAN for continuing support 

Bike Bag Dude for helping me with a race weapon

Chocolate Foot for a great days racing and for using CYCLE-STUDIO to train their development team.

JUSTCHOPS :)

IG: JUSTCHOPS007