"F-ling awesome" and "don't even feel to wrecked right now, but lets leave my time out of it, hey..." were just some of the comments post 2011 Highland Fling. The Fling is one of a few times a year the usually sleepy town of Bundanoon is awakened with a chorus of pedal clicks and gear crunches. Nestled in the Southern Highlands and close to great MTB location of Wingello the competitors were in for a treat.
For first time half Flinger, Andrew Coppleman, it was all about completion. "I am still alive,... I didn't come dead last", Andrew had chosen the half Fling to be his first MTB event, from all accounts he had a ball especially on the technical single-track towards the end, "the quality of track was best and watching other riders make a meal of it was amusing". When pressed Andrew revealed that the sand at the top of "Broke Back Mt" was a definite low point.
When the on-course decision had to be made, "Your Call", between the step-ups and the fire-trail around, it wasn't as bad as he expected, though he did walk the step-ups. "The other guys I normally ride with did really well and I can appreciated the value of training". Andrew is now considering his next event, possibly something a little more DH based, Super D perhaps?
Scott 24hr solo, STM Rydal 8hr, Syd to Gong, endurance rider Mark Astley has been leaving plenty of tyre marks over the last few months. Most recently he pulled up a bit sore after the full Fling. With no dedicated training since early October and the Scott 24, there was no surprise the Fling hurt a bit. After taking the first loop nice and easy Mark made good time on the second loop and absolutely smashed his time for the same loop last year.It was the final loop that makes or breaks the ride and the "Rollercoaster" around the 95km point is perfect for sorting those things out, "was smashing the flats and dying on the hills, ...granny gear an all".
The Highland Fling continues to be a "must do" on a ever growing list of 50/100ker events around Australia. Have you Flung recently?
Thanks to Andrew and Mark for their inspiration and perspiration.
Yeah that seems to cover it well.
ReplyDeleteHaving not done the fling for a few years and hearing comments from last year I was cautious of those last few k's. The first section to Wingello was faster than I remembered too. The singletrack in the main loop has aged well making for great fun each time.
The last section was tough, I think I had the slowest time in my category, but the was some fun stuff in there. Loved the Bakers Delight section, bad puns (buns) and all.
Once again Huw arranges a fun event. Did you hear the bongo drummers?
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