LunarC - a win for 2010.

Rolling in for the win.

The weekend kicked off my 2010 season at an 8 hour with a difference. LunarC, run by in2adventure, kicked off at midnight on Friday and ran through to 8am Saturday. Another night time race, perfect for the Queensland summer.

Slickers is a fun place to race. It is not technically challenging, but has been home to some really enjoyable races and good results for me, like insomnia and a bunch of ARQ/Geocentric adventure races. It was great to see so many riders racing - 250+. Even better there were plenty of girls racing all categories... even a number of SS nutters, and no kayak leg :)

Solos were off 2 minutes ahead of the teams, so I knew I needed to get moving lap one to stay clear of log jams. The course was a surprise, with a lot more pinch climbing than I expected - a change from most of the other race routes used previously. Still, on balance I am better up a hill than most, so I'll take it. A quick change from bottles to a camelbak on lap 3 sorted out the lack of easy spots to eat and drink.



My old Gap Cycles teamie Kylie Maduna (ForTheRiders), of national 4X fame, has shifted focus and stepped up the to solo plate. With plenty of going long experience in ARs and marathons and despite the casual pre-race chat, it was clear she was there with a plan and had been training specifically for the race.

Race Face!

She gave me some work to do! I lapped pretty consistently, and despite not having a support crew - drop ins from Trickle, and support from those whose races didnt work out (better luck next time Prof and TR) meant there were a few people around most times to help out.


Local boys, taking rests from racing, did the next best thing - drank Rum and cheered on the riders in style. Who couldn't smash up the hill with that encouragement!! Nice one TK and Dec.

Thanks to my lap buddy, Shannon who rolled around the last lap. And then the lap after that. (remember, there is always 'just one more').

Time to get the kms in. It is going to be a massive year. I am convinced my uturnfitness programs are the best I've ever had and look forward to getting faster and stronger for when it counts.

Bekkers and Fellows were flying. Matt Dog hot on their heels. It was great to see Jeff Toohey back hammering around the course. There are a lot of eyes on October that is for sure. Including mine.

Next up, Dusk to Dawn.

*thanks to PHOTOEVENTS for the images.

coming up....

Well, 2010 is here and the first race of the year is coming up.

LunarC - a midnight 8hour kicks off this weekend at the scene of many a mud based crime - slickers. Given the rain we have had, there are plenty of us who are holding out to the very last minute before confirming that we will in fact show up. I have sacrificed many a brake pad, bearing and bushing at that place..... Last race at Kurwongbah saw us riding more THROUGH the lake, than around it and resulted in a rebuild of my rear suspension among other things. Don't believe me .... check it out.


Hoping for a dry and hot week this week. If not, I suspect I will race anyway.... but maybe I will put the Ridley to one side and dust off the Trek fuel. And I better get on the phone to Mick to order one of his home made mudguards.


There is a promise of a new course with more interesting bits - looking forward to a great race....!

Pitchblack solo

Night races are just made for queensland at this time of year! It was 35'c while we were setting up and I was particularly grateful when the sun dropped down below the horizon to provide some relief. Gareth went for a pre-race lap on his dirt jump bike to 'see what kind of stuff you guys ride all night' and rode closer to my average lap time that I am ever likely to admit!! Animal! On a Giant STP.

Tailwind put on a great race - tshirts and bottles for all competitors. Big tent with TV and DVDs for kids. BBQs selling great burgers, and free brekkie for riders. And best of all, a tough track.

I have learned to love the track at OHV. I still remember the first inferno race. It blew my mind, and to me seemed incredibly and impossibly technical. I have slowly learned how to ride rough rocky terrain and not get blistered hands (hello death grip) and there is not too much there that gets the better of me now. I've definitely improved since sacrificing a helmet to the OHV gods in the early days (still finished the lap)...


I had a really enjoyable race. Both TR and Nick were soloing so often times I found I had company. I also made new lap buddies friends like Ky..... and received plenty of encouragement for Bozz and the Dog. After the over-crowded track at the Scott, OHV space was a welcome change.

Having just come back from China, I decided that my aim was to cruise. 10 laps was the goal. I cruised and managed 12 laps before knowing I was 3 laps up, that I could sit down and enjoy breakfast while watching riders come in from their last lap. Nice to finish what has been a MASSIVE year with a 1st and 132km of single under my belt.

Thanks to Jezza from Ride Inn for the mid-race tune up on the Ridley!!!

What's next?
A catch up with Coach Tapper from uTurn Fitness for program setting for 2010.
Steve has made me fitter and faster than ever before, and the plan for 2010 is to step it up.
Come ON!!!!!!!!!

coming up.....

Next event is pitchblack - 12 hour enduro that runs all night long. I have been back in the saddle a few days a week and generally getting moving prior to the onslaught that will be my next uTurn program. Not really enough for a hardcore 12 hour solo, but I think I have a lap or two up my sleeve. Particularly exciting is that this will be a family affair with Gareth and Annabel heading out to camp and support me.... a rare treat.

Should be fun considering I am spending that week working in China. What can I say, I hope the hotel has a bike in the gym, no alcohol for me on the plane, lots of water, and neck to toe skins whenever I am not in a suit will be the order of the day.
Maybe the low oxygen atmosphere of the plane will give me the edge?!?!
Maybe the slight jet jag will work in my favour by perking me up right when everyone else is ready for sleep?!?!
Maybe it is going to hurt more than usual!
Maybe I can't wait!

EDIT: Rhino warns that apparently I get to expect several days of hacking coughs due to chinese pollution. Breathing. Over-rated.

crusing.

This weekend saw the long weekend road ride reintroduced as I slowly work back into some semblance of training. We had to stop at this place along the corso for a group pic.... not only had these guys put a bunch of effort in to decorate, they really bought home the creepy theme with knee deep empties in the front yard, and the front door wide open to an otherwise silent house. Happy Halloween!



I figure if entries to the worlds are open, it is probably a clear sign to get my ass into gear. It's been great getting work done around the house, getting my job ramped up again with some major RFPs and generally being totally relaxed on weekends - but I am missing my bike. Things are warming up in Vegas and I need to get some riding under my belt before summer's heat well and truly arrives.

My main training buddy, TR, has finally figured out how to flip the switch in his head and is also on the same trajectory for October. Time to get serious.

stromlo rocks.

The scott 24 was definitely worth the trip. I now understand how my bike buddy Pen spent every day riding there for a few weeks a christmas or two ago... the trails!!!!!


Great to meet the nightlightning crew and spend 24 hours alternating laps together. Very happy to have ended up in 4th considering we did the job with 5 riders. I have to say though, 6 man is a SOFT way of racing 24hours.. I didn't know what to do with all the down time. It almost seemed like a waste! Still, got some experience at Stromlo, found some new friends and most importantly found my 24hour mojo which had been MIA....

I was definitely not as fit - hardly surprising with no training or riding to speak of since August but I managed 5 of our team laps, and scored the dawn lap and the last lap!
I made some good lap buddies, including an ADFA rider who was happy to chat and then to challenge me to a sprint up the chute. Crowd PLEASERRRRR!!!!

I'll be back.

Scott 24....

I am off to the Scott to race in a 6 man with the Night Lightning team.

Never met the guys - doesn't matter.
Not fit as I can be at the moment - doesn't matter.
Bike is not perfect at the moment - doesn't matter.
Busy with work at the moment - doesn't matter.
Only got 5 out of 6 for a 6 man team - doesn't matter.

What does matter is that I am looking forward to racing with a team, pushing myself hard and having a great time as we do the best we can together. I have rediscovered that little bit of excitement for riding which I temporarily misplaced after Canada. Keen AS!

Word is there were blizzard conditions which dumped 30cm of snow last night all through the alpine areas = one hell of a cold race coming up. Maybe I should start packing (note to self, WARM things, WARM things)!