Baptism of Fire

Headed down to Canberra for a casual event by Rocky Trail Entertainment, the Real Bike Insurance MTB cruise. There were plenty of distance options, ranging from10km to 100mile and entrants of all experience levels. The trails of Mt Stromlo were host to the Cruise and we braved another cool Canberra morning to register.

The 50km distance was going to be my cruise today and I was looking forward to some fun. We are away, winding up on the bitumen, converging onto the single track and snaking our way to the base of the initial climb. Heart rate check, yep it is high, we wind our way up the mountain, quite a few guys are keen and take opportunities to pass me. Further on, ok this might not be good, have just been passed by one of the ladies, heart rate check, still very high. My legs burn, just have to keep on the wheel and then finally some relief, downhill! This is where the fun starts, down the hill we fly, trail names like skyline and luge fly by. I make my first pass in the second half of the lap, the course is rocky, dry and dusty through this more technical section I make a gap, a small victory. Up ahead I see the guys that had previously passed me and as we wind our way back towards transition I begin to feel comfortable, my heart rate has dropped a little, my legs are feeling great.

At the transition to the second lap I am now on the wheel of the guys and my nose has started to water, it is a sign I am in a good place. The fact was this is same place I last rode my bike, well any bike. October 2010 for the 24 WSC. Should I really be feeling this good if I’ve not been on a bike in four months? Who cares, I’m having fun. We steadily climb again, just tapping away at the peddles , there is plenty of space and not much traffic, we pass easily some of the slower 80km riders. I spot the sneaky A-line towards the top of the hill and in a moment of elation take the line, passing the guys and making a gap. Now it was power on! Heart rate check, very high, oh well, my legs feel good and my nose is running, lets make the most of it. With plenty of open trail in front of me and a heap of downhill I let the Yeti fly. I take a glimpse back, no riders just empty trail, now just hold this for the last lap.

I wind my way to the base of the climb for the third and last lap, something is up, my legs are getting this hollow feeling. I think my body has been working on muscle memory and it is starting to falter. Nearing the top of the climb I take a quick look down and cant believe what I see, the riders I had passed a lap ago are making time on me, this is bad, all fun drains quickly and I am forced to drop from the 39t to the granny for the final section. Just let me make it to the top and hopefully I can hold them off for the remainder. I traverse to the start of the main decent and have the lady I passed on lap one on my wheel. Please let gravity do its thing as my legs have nothing left. Moving onto the second half of the course, heart rate check, very high, I engage the fork lockout and stand on the peddles for the pinch climbs. I have a small gap but it isn’t much, we wind our way back towards transition and finish line, pumping every bump and weakly spinning in between. There is only seconds in it as I launch off the A-line jump and make a feeble attempt at sprinting the final couple of hundred meters. Fully spent and exhausted I cross the line, eleven seconds between us, I am shattered after my first ride back in 2011.

Thanks to Rock Trail for putting on the cruise. My support crew, the Taylor’s and Enduro Pulse for all their assistance. And congratulations to Michelle who won the 50km Female Open category and pushed me to my limit. My 2011 baptism of fire.