Great to see the turnout of MTBers at the SCOTT24. Even though I wasn't riding I still of a few butterflies at the first glimpse of Stromlo will all the tents on it.
I knew riders in the Solo category, teams in Pairs, Sporty 4's through to riders in teams of Mixed 6's. Everyone would have got a good taste of the Stromlo mud and rocky conditions.
I'm not sure anyone really warmed up to the Blue Lap but that didn't stop the smiles and "Gordo Style" grimaces through transition.
First-timers on the Red Lap just wanted to get back out for another run on Skyline and the Luge, in an instant they had forgotten the +30mins of straight climbing involved to reach the top.
The weather gods were just toying with those on the mountain, blowing up some incredibly dark clouds, bone chilling winds, little precipitation and then kicking back with some sun and a rainbow for laughs.
As darkness fell over the quietening camp the trails remained ablaze with bikes and lights, it is always a spectacle to look up the hill as lights flickered and wound their way around.
When the sun rose over Canberra many weary, muddy faces were washed with the red dawn. Slowly energy was kicked back into riders, the nights efforts now showed, in some cases the hunt was still on for that elusive position or team. In others, riding through the night had brought on a multiple lap advantage, an early shower, hot food, rest and recuperation before the presentations.
Like Bathurst, for MTBers, it was all good.
More to follow...
No comments:
Post a Comment