Singletrack Mind – Orange

After the Ginja Ninja 250 in February, I was keen to return to the Kinross Forest , just outside Orange , to ride the sweet trails. Thankfully the Chocolate Foot team was at hand with Round 1 of their Singletrack Mind Series in late April. It would be a just a 7hr, being friendly for those who make the travel commitment and just long enough to test those legs backing up after the previous days Capital Punishment.

Arriving later than expected after under estimating our travel time, I was very happy to find no line at rego, but most importantly rego was still open. Race number on, race kit on, I went straight from the car to the rider brief and short warm-up. We massed on the fire-trail for the climb before the singletrack and first lap.

The weather patterns had be completely different to February in the weeks prior to STM – Orange and it was immediately noticeable. We were facing a totally dry trail and with well over 200 riders, in time the trail was sure to begin to rut. Thankfully the CWORBC crew had a roving trail fairy patching the trail throughout the day. We were also presented with CWORBC’s latest trail additions and had the dusty pleasure of bedding in these new flowing sections for them.

With the race well under way there seemed to be a casual atmosphere amongst the participants, everyone seemed to be having plenty of fun. For me it was all about spending time on the bike and getting the little things right, food, hydration and any other little niggles. I had a great ride sitting comfortably within the top 10 solos, even backed off on a late lap to capture some riding with the GoPro.

Up the front of the race it was very much a fox and hound affair. In the male solos Ed McDonald, usually a Single Speed fox, ensured he was untouchable by running gears and outpaced his competitors. 2011 STM Series winners Andrew Hall, after completing the Capital Punishment the previous day, just didn’t have the legs to keep with Ed and went on to settle for second. It was a similar story in the female solo category with Ronja Hill-Wright leading the category, but Janet Martin with her consistent laps stamped her dominance in the latter hours and ended a lap up on her competitors and a comfortable win.

Kinross with its tough little climbs, technical features and plenty of cambered corners you would have to agree is a great trail and I’m sure there will be plenty more mountainbikers keen to return for more fun. Well done to the CWORBC crew and Chocolate Foot for another well put together event. See you at the next enduro event.