Wagga and MTB

Camping just outside Wagga, comfortably.

What fun is Mountain Biking? This week ended with the Wagga MTB 3+3 Enduro. MTB Wagga puts on a fair show for their annual 3+3 Enduro and this year was no exception. It all started with an evening Dash for Cash, a one-ish kilometer loop completed as the sun faded through the afternoons clouds. A recent local downpour had just dampened the track adding to the experience with a powder free surface and cool clean air to breath. The dedicated MTB Wagga crew had a large transition area and event hub with a massive communal shelter. The shelter became useful to keep dry during the occasional weather change, be it wet, windy and/or sunny.
The location for the 3+3 Enduro is "Pommie" Reserve situated beside the Wagga Golf Course on the western side of town. The reserve is now off limits to motorised vehicles, the MTB track has good signage and a well worn track. The local mayor and aboriginal elder were on hand to welcome the competitors to the Enduro, many had traveled just like me from Sydney and some from as far as Orange, Albury and Bateman’s Bay. This year the event was ridden by close to two hundred riders with most being the dedicated solo type riders.
The usual rush from the race start to the first single-track didn't happen as there was a couple of kilometers of fire trail which turned a few corners then went uphill. The bunch slowly stretched out with ADF Cycling Champion Dion Blair and now local to Canberra Shane Taylor leading the way. Along the Summit Road we headed into the first section of single-track which hugged the ridgeline before a succession of switchbacks. The overnight rain on the mixed clay base had the trail in near perfect condition. Riders were spread along the trail and congestion never seemed to be an issue which was great on a trail that was close to 90% single-track.

Myself, Shane Taylor and Dion Blair

On the western side of the hill there was a gated tree section which the SS riders and those with super wide bars found challenging. This flowed onto sections named "Blair Witch" and "Dead Mans Gully", from there it was a grind back up to the top of the hill via pinching rocky switchback corners. Reaching the top of the trail again it was virtually all downhill from there. Sweeping along the contours we descended bit by bit carry a ton of speed on the narrow trail. Pop down into a gully and we were rewarded with DH style bermed corners, I lent on my Thredbo experience here and railed the Goose through the section. Over the last big whoops, a bit of a climb and we entered into an open grassland section which flowed down to the transition. You could absolutely blast around these last few corners, leave the brakes off and follow the nice arc would leave a broad smile on your face.
The smile never left my face, there were so many highlights during my 5:40hrs of racing. Conrod Straight a fairly level section of single-track of which the big dog was usually engaged. The mob of Kangaroos on the nor-west side of the hill which took out the bunting as they bounded through the scrub, we came close to sharing some personal space as they crossed the trail. Seeing quite a few spectators on course enjoying racing, one guy even had a lengthy conversation with me as I climbed the switchback sections on the eastern side of the hill, he was shortcutting between the trail to keep up with me so we could chat.

Ripping the tread off the Kendas over the weekend.

MTB Wagga has continued to develop their enduro since I last raced it as a 3hr. I came away this time with 8th place and a random draw prize, of which there were plenty. A great weekend was had by all, Dion continued to show his cycling prowess pulling back a top five finish which included mechanical dramas that saw me pass him on a lap. Thanks to his highly skilled support crew for looking after me as well. Shane pulled the pin after a couple of solid hours out in front with the super fast boys, probably due to the fatigue from the two 24hr races he has completed in the last month. Even still we all commented on how much fun it had been.