WSMTB Twilight 4hr

Some pretty warm days lead up to WSMTB's twilight round of their 4hr Summer Series. Rolling up to the foot of the Blue Mountains on the afternoon of the race and the temperature was still in the mid thirties, it was going to be a classic hot and dry Yellomundee race.

Just over 100 riders made up the teams and solos, mostly of WSMTB regulars. Club President BigDog led the starting riders to the fire-trail start chute and got the 4hr underway, then jumped on his bike to get his own race underway.

A good couple of weeks on the bike over the festive season seemed to have done wonders and our race was going well. Climbs weren't taxing and it was easy to get some flow in the fast dry conditions.

Photo: Riding Focus

Only issue was our bottle holder was working loose, we should have work out earlier why our bike was making such a racket. This slowed us down when we to remove the holder and make room for the bottle in our jersey pocket. Back on track and slowly the days temperature was dropping and lights were about to be turned on.

Up till when we stopped to remove the super loose bottle holder we had been keeping up with a couple of pairs teams, it was good pacing and company. On what might have been our last lap we trundled around and stopped to chat just before the 4hr hour in transition. We passed the results on our way to pack up and was shocked to find our name near the top of the list.

Whoops! Probably better head out for that final lap.

Thanks to the WSMTB Club for putting on a great event with a casual vibe and fast competition. 

A big shout out to JetBlack MTB Racing team and our 2015 sponsors, we managed a 1st and 3rd in the Solo Male category.

The results are available here.

L to R: CrummyMTB 3rd, Andrew Finlayson 1st, Tim Bartholomew 3nd.

Keepit Real 100 2014

As we headed out of Sydney it looked like we might miss the regular afternoon storm. Dinner was at Singleton and there was a fair way to go to reach Tamworth. The clouds were brewing, forming the inevitable rain-cloud shape with just patches of clear sky. Unfortunately the roads weren't heading in the direction of the clear sky and on the radio the Hunter Valley were being warned of hail and high winds.

There was rain, hail and high winds, so much so we pulled the car over pointing it into the oncoming weather, fearing the bikes may be wrenched from the roof otherwise. The rain persisted all the way to Tamworth featuring some spectacular lightening along the way. Thankfully our lakeside cabin was dry, while we enjoyed camping on the foreshore last year the additional crew joining us this year needed a few more amenities.

Slightly damp conditions around Lake Keepit,
tell-tale signs of the possible trail state.

We were at Lake Keepit, just west of Tamworth, for the second edition of the Keepit Real 100 by Switchback Events. A challenge by distance event along the shoreline and forested sections adjacent to the lake ridden mostly on the fire-trails and single-tracks in the area. We were signed up for the 50km again this year and pretty happy with the addition of more single-track for 2014 rendition.

Race day dawns, still humid and overcast but no longer raining. Time for breakfast and some pre-race prep before heading down to the registration area to pick up our race number, timing chip and goodies.

As we count down to the race we spot some of the top competitors this event has drawn, Jamie Vogele and Peter Selkrig fresh from last weeks National Solo 24hr Champs, and Torq/Merida team mates Em Parks, Holly Harris and Billy Sewell. But more impressive was the rest of the riders, it seems that there was twice as many people up for the challenge this year.

There was a new starting loop before we traversed along some 4wd trail and were spat out not far from the dam wall. It was a fast start with last years winner Sam Spokes putting plenty of pressure on the remaining field.

From the dam we headed into the steep hilly country where the Switchback Events crew and hardy volunteers had crafted the additional single-track sections. This single-track was intermixed with more open fire-trails, usually just in time for a steep climb!

Jamie Vogele and Billy Sewell lead out the 50km event.

The fire-trails were clay based and when not flicking globules of orange at you they were attaching themselves to our tyres. Thankfully we took the On-One which is built for these conditions, its wide stays and thin tubing now allowed for our super fat clay-laden tyres to pass easily and not collect as much muck.

At the 10km mark a deraileur misalignment saw us stop to fix the mechanical, our only one for the event. Handfuls of riders passed us and our work was cut out to work our way back up the ladder. The single-track helped, we were able to rocket along the sweeping narrow trails and over the technical sections with relative ease. On one of the more gradual climbs we caught team mate Sara Mills and further on it was known roadie and recent MTB convert Ray Griffin.

Riding with Holly Harris at the start of the back 20km.

The trail turned back towards the dam wall and we burst out of the forest, we were now riding with last years winner Sam Spokes, a mate of his and Holly Harris. Sam had turned off the afterburners due to some pedal cleat issues, turns out mud and road-shoes just don't mix. While Sam wasn't racing to win he still pulled some solid efforts as we transitioned from the first 30km to the flatter, more open remaining 20km.

It was time turn up the hurt just a little more and we broke away from the group before the course turned onto the hard packed fire-trail section. Then it was into a TT position to maintain the gap back to the group, just insight ahead was a CX bike (Lewis Garland). I really wanted to catch the CX bike but every time I came close the course would flatten out and he would gain time. We were now returning along the shoreline and it was exceptionally boggy, almost like riding on wet sponges.

Turning from the shoreline up towards the finishing arch, locking out our X-Fusion fork and determined to leave it all out on course, sprinting all the way. We didn't catch Lewis on his CX but made up a place overall passing young Michael Harris, finishing 13th overall and 7th in Senior Male Category. Full results are available here.

What a blast the Keepit Real 100 was! A heap more singletrack, nice overcast conditions and the most leg-sapping mud we have seen in a long time. Thanks to Switchback Events for putting on another challenging event in a great location, you should look out for more events from this dynamic team. It was great to catchup over the weekend with my JetBlack MTB Racing team mates, thanks to the team and our sponsors for their continued support. 

JetBlack 24

It was November and we are again considering the final big event for the year, the JetBlack 24. A running history of some tough conditions this event has seen us ride both successfully and less-successfully across a variety of categories. For this year we chose to compete as a team reeling back to a 6+6 in hope of some rest and recovery overnight, dialing the fun up to 11 during the day.

The hectic start for the teams in the 24hr and 6+6.

There were warm conditions again this year and hydration was going to play a key aspect of anyones ride.  A trail extension was added, only just completed the week of the event and this would see riders enjoy a couple more built features and then turn around to hurt badly on the winding climbs.

Open fire-trail start gets the first few teams into the single-track without serious conga.

Rocky Trail Entertainment had scored the National Solo 24hr Championships to be held in conjunction with the JetBlack 24hr. This saw some of the best endurance riders gravitate to Mt Annan from as far away as New Zealand and South Australia. But it wasn't just the specialists in attendance for the Nats but plenty of guys and girls giving solo 24 a go for the first time. It was great to be able to watch as top contenders Andrew Lloyd, Ed McDonald, Jason English, Liz Smith and Tory Thomas played their hands throughout the event.

24hr solo first-timer Kevlar.

For us in the 6+6 it seemed like we had picked the most competitive category with many teams including some serious XC and Marathon talent. We still laid down some decent lap times while hovering close to the top 5 teams in the category, many thanks to our team mates for the no stress transitions and chilled vibe while off the bike.

Team-mate Mick hands off to Shane in the 6+6.

The on-course atmosphere was very laid back, it was pretty sweet to be able to ride with so many top-level and representative riders. There is always plenty of passing opportunities and everyone was courteous, solos, teams, who-ever. 

Another great event by Rocky Trail, thanks to JetBlack MTB Racing team and our sponsors for all their support this year. 

We were able to relax overnight while the 24hr rides rolled through.

Full results here.

Highland Fling 2014

Words by Belinda Althaus.



Twelve weeks of intense training, lots of hill climbing (like crazy amounts), and a few 4hr races had led to this day, the Highland Fling.  Time had come around again, however the day was a contrast difference to 2013 whereby average temperatures were about nine degrees, drizzling light rain, no dust and a few less k's.

 

It was what you would consider ideal climate, sunny with a light breeze.  However this brought with it some downsides.  It was dusty, hot in the exposed areas and the wind only picked up as the morning rolled on.  An extra 6kms were added to this year's Full Fling which in hindsight doesn't sound like much…. What they didn't tell us was that there would be a lot more climbing as well. More singletrack was added in the second loop as well which would test the skills, particularly in my case as this hasn't always been a strong point of mine.  



My goal this year was to ride a sub-six hour race with the 2013 race being 6hr 6mins.  I was feeling confident, I had trained hard, and prepared well.  I was mentally and physically fitter and it had all come down to this race.  I decided I would race with the elite women, noting that these women are strong and brilliant at what they do.  Some of these girls included the likes of Jenny Fay, Peta Mullens, Christy Henderson, Rebecca Locke, Lucy Betchel and Naomi Hansen who was the current leader in the Marathon Maverick series.  I was clearly not within the calibre of these riders, but I wasn't going to let this deter me in racing my best.  The Full Flingers (excluding elite) and 100milers set of 15mins earlier then us, and before long time had rolled around for us to hit the pedals. 



The elite bunch including males and females weren't large (20-30riders) which made for a surprisingly pleasant start.  I was aware of my experience and ensured I stayed out of the main field and instead tacked onto the back.  This may have proved a bad move but I didn't want to be seen as "that rider" so for me it was the safest move.  The start wasn't too hectic and the bunch stayed together for the first 5kms.  I was holding on the wheels of the bunch with relative ease, however clicking it back a notch on approach to a loose sandy corner followed by a moderate pinch the gap began to open and the bunch was spreading out.

 

Naomi Hansen had also fallen from the back and I was holding her wheel.  We both began to lose contact and it was at this point that I made the decision to ride behind her wheel rather then lose contact altogether.  Naomi was a strong rider, consistent pace; however she was lagging on hills which suited me.  I used this to my advantage and therefore was able to ride consistently with her in my sights knowing that I only had to put a few good pedals in on the hills and then just maintain on the flats. This worked well, and it enabled me to ride into Transition 1 directly behind her with having over-done it.



Transition went well, a bottle change and some solid food and I was off ready for the second stage.  At this point I was in front of Naomi and help this position until the first section of single track appeared. I was riding well, except I came to a rock garden which I baulked at which was then followed immediately by several riders coming through with I waiting with no where to go until they passed.  Naomi was in this group and so again I was behind her. No time to give up I got back into rhythm riding with intensity, pushing up the hills where I could.  It was getting hotter, the exposed fire roads weren't helping either and my two water bottles were rapidly emptying.  I was conserving my water with anticipation that the mid way water refill would come soon.  A welcomed relief when I saw it, stopping quickly to refill.  Within 10kms of the finish of Stage 2 I descended a hill to see Naomi on the side repairing a puncture.  This was my opportunity to put some time in and with that I was spurred on to keep pushing all the way home.  

Transition 2 appeared and I was clearly behind my goal time of 4hrs.  It had now been 4hrs 40mins but I wasn't going to let this disappoint me.  I had a race to finish and I just wanted to finish strong. Another brief stop in transition, some more solid food and I were again on my way for the final leg. This could arguably be described as the hardest part of the ride as there is a section of single track within the last 15kms that tests every ounce of your concentration and mental capacity.  After a disastrous finish in 2013 whereby I nearly gave up at the 90km mark due to hitting the wall, I was determined this would not happen again.  Instead I continued to eat, and broke it down into 3 lots of 10kms. You do what you can to get you through and this was my best option on the day.  

It worked and I rode a strong final 30km, riding well against the times of the elite women ahead of me.  The single track seemed to fly by and the "final 5km" was getting closer every minute.  Once I saw this, the pedals were turning with exhilaration and determination knowing that once again the Fling had been flung and I had managed to finish with a sense of strength not to mention contentment in my effort regardless of the finish time.

 Unfortunately the goal of sub-6hrs wasn't met, and instead I rode a 6hr 29min.  This was the case for many riders including the elite riders however with many saying it was a lot harder and many riding a 1/2hr longer race.  This was a relief knowing that it too was a tough day for them.  

Overall I had a good day.  Will I do it again in 2015, well I would hope so!  It's a challenging race, but it's a race that can suit a lot of different riders.  For now though, it's just about the end of a season in what has been quite a lot of racing and travelling.  I'm very much looking forward to putting my feet up for a few weeks and just enjoying some sleep-ins and some social rides (or no rides). 2015 looks to be an exciting year of improving my skills and tackling that singletrack!!

 

Many thanks go to the team at BerryMountain Cycles for their continued support and service, they always keeping my Fate in tiptop shape. In addition I would like to thank Lawrence Drummond from Origin Fitness for his guidance and coaching and pushing me consistently to be stronger and fitter. This race proved that Effort = Results.

Muc for Lube

For us Muc-Off have been the brand providing some great bike cleaning products, our bikes receive a regular dose of Muc-Off Bike Cleaner which keeps them clean till our next ride. What was a little less known to us was that the Muc-Off products go further than just cleaners, they follow a whole of bike clean, protect, lube philosophy.  

We grabbed their Dry PTFE Chain Lube and are going to pit it against one of our favourite dry lubes, Squirt, see how it holds up.

This is what Muc-Off have to say about their product, Dry PTFE Chain Lube is formulated to hold up to the extreme pressures that are applied to modern drive chains. This highly versatile, dry weather chain lube has superior penetrative qualities that ensure every part of the chain link is completely lubricated. Our advanced ‘Dry Formula’ creates a clean, durable and protective chain wax layer that inhibits rust development and chain link corrosion. The added PTFE creates exceptionally low surface friction to provide incredible drive chain efficiency without attracting contaminants. 

We initially reviewed Squirt Dry Lube as follows;

Squirt - Long Lasting Dry Lube, August 2010.

This is a waxed based dry lube I have been using for many months now. It claims to be biodegradable solvent free and a heap of other things most lubes claim. What I know is that it works well in all the dry, and limited wet conditions I have ridden in. Being waxed based helps the chain to not gather dirt and this aids as the chain becomes more simple to clean. Bottom line I like using Squirt as it lasts for hours and the chain stays cleaner, the other bonus is that the cap does not leak like a lot of other lubes and my tool box is now oil free.

2010 JetBlack 12hr

We look forward to seeing how the Muc-Off Dry Chain Lube goes.