Hits and Misses in Singleton

Getting it all right for race day can often be as hard as the race itself. We definably like to make it look easy but this round of the Rocky Trail Grand Prix we seemed to be on the back foot before it even started. To wrap it all up and summarise it all, here are our hits and misses.

All smiles for the start lap. Photo: Cat Sturrock

Hits

Singleton isn't to far from our base in Sydney, even still we opted for a casual late wake-up and breakfast on race morning staying local.

We were presented with a very crisp but sunny morning, the frost didn't last very long though.

Super dry conditions, with a fast and mostly smooth trail, a regular on the HMBA calendar.

The open trail offered plenty of passing opportunities, with copious amounts of flow and peddling. Just a couple of loose, sandy corners amongst a whole heap of fun.

Getting out with our JetBlack MTB Racing team mates and the rest of the Rocky Trail racers, a nice easy vibe out on trail. Plenty of opportunities to have a chat with those riding around us, good topics included CX and SS.

We spent a whole our whole of our second last lap with @jasonenglishmtb, a rare period to mix it up with one of our very best. Bikes, Di2 and the juggle of training featured along the way. #whosdomestiqueareyou You can read Jason's account of 2017 WEMBO Italy here.

Learning on race completion that some of our solo team mates finally got a smooth run at a Grand Prix. There has been much banter between us, with mechanicals and sickness favouring CrummyMTB throughout the year. This round though, a solid performance without issues. Can't wait to see what happens at Stromlo!

Gloves are off and the fight to pull back time is on. Photo: Cat Sturrock

Misses

It is to easy to make excuses and on quick reflection a lack of proper preparation had significant effects on all our misses.

Some ghost shifting from what had been super dependable Shimano 11spd was the first sign. Thankfully it was on the back half of a lap and we eased it back to transition to see what the problem was. All bar two threads of the shifter cable were connected, the source of our shifting problems easily identified. Our quick race kit didn't have cable but our team sponsors, The Odd Spoke, had provided the team with a box of common kit. The old cable out, new one in and dialled-in faster than we had ever done before (even in a workshop environment) with our upgrade to full-length outers helping the process.

Arm warmers were off at this stage but gloves were still on, but further rattling was coming from the bike. So while out on the trail we paused for more reflection, finding issues with our chainring bolts. Again we nursed it back to transition from the returning section, called benefit of the doubt, and just re-torque the bolts.

The re-torque wasn't sufficient, again we paused finding the bolts loosening. We finished another lap with a visit to the JetBlack HQ tent. Our mind had been racing, searching to find a solution, after all we had run this chainring (32t) on the bike previously (we have been running a Hope 30t for all other courses this year). The fix jumped out at us and we hastily made the required adjustments, swapping the chainring around, providing the chainring bolts more area to grab when tightened.

We went on to finish the four hour race, seems our Pivot 429 is in some need of attention and for us to be better prepared leading up to events. Thanks to our supporters and partners JetBlack MTB Racing with The Odd Spoke, Natural Balance and Rocky Trail Entertainment. 

Ascent Cycling Enterprises support us with custom built wheels and Mitas tyres, proven as a fast combination.

Get your 2018 Giro d'Italia Grupetto tour tickets here.

Last years Singleton Round writeup.

A magic corner, Singleton.

Photo by Cat Sturrock

Singleton is well know for it's mining industry, but what is less known about is the 10km of corners sweeping the hillside just outside of town. These corners were host to the second round of Rocky Trail's Shimano Grand Prix and all the #RockyTrailRacers were in for a treat.

Look ma, one hand. Photo by Cat Sturrock

Once the starting whistle was blown we shot down a short open paddock onto the course and into the singletrack. The singletrack swept its way, corner after corner, through the sparse bush landscape. With no major hill and hardly a climb all you wanted to do was ride it faster, connecting corner to corner.

After some conga-line antics during the first lap we found some space, opened the throttle and it was super fun. From there we caught up to a reliable character, Jamie Vogele, who was back on the bike after WEMBO NZ. We had a couple of consistent laps and were joined by Elvio Fernandes.

Elvio tightly hugs a CrummyMTB wheel. Photo by Cat Sturrock

We made a break from Jamie at the crest midway through the course and make a fast winding descent. Some time after this something started to feel wrong and there wasn't much power through our left leg. Elvio seemed to sprint away and there just didn't seem like much could be done about it. Then it felt worse, around the hip. Quick mental calculations still put the finish two laps away.

Rollovers were the obstacles of the day. Photo by Cat Sturrock

Thankfully the course was relatively flat and momentum could be maintained, we knuckled down and pushed through the remaining laps. Jamie eventually caught us again and we passed through transition with one minute to the cutoff. There aren't many times we don't go back out in this situation but with the discomfort of the last hour or so we made the choice to concede a placing or two. 

Awesome trails crafted by the Singleton mountain biking crew, just off the highway the trails worth a look with the whole family.

Massive thanks to JetBlack MTB Racing team, their support makes my ride.  The team sponsors, particularly JetBlack Products and Lifestyle and Leisure. Ascent Cycling Enterprises continue to keep my custom built wheels in top shape.