The usual thoughts are running through my head and giving me a touch of insomnia in the process, or was that my 32kg Pointer whimpering as the thunder rolled through at 4am this morning. Thoughts like, I could have ridden on Friday arvo last week but opted for a beer and bbq instead. Hmm thats going to hurt on Sunday. Is my bike ready to go, need to get those slick little carbon bar ends installed, that will definitely fix my lower back pains and basically plant me on the podium. What am I going to eat pre race, during and post race? Have I got a goal or am I just there to give it 100%?
Well I can answer most with logical ideas and remedy the other thoughts with procrastination. All pretty obvious when it comes down to it so I'm going to write down a few observations on team racing in 24hr events instead.
We have two local 24hr events that happen during the year, The Mont and The Scott. The Mont (entries opening in 2 days) portrays itself as a friendly but competitive 24hr race, family orientated and targeted at beginners through to Pros. The Scott is a little more serious, the track is more demanding and competition seems to be smokin' hot throughout the entire field rather then just at the pointy end. Both events sell out like a U2 concert and you're lucky to get a spot after a couple days of entries opening. It amazes me that so many people (including myself) make a 24hr event their first MTB racing experience. Talk about jumping in the deep end, maybe there is comfort in the thought that you're doing it with 5 other loonies. But I tell you, those first couple of 24hr races that I did, where I thought I could train for 2 weeks, and expect to finish strongly, were some of the most testing hours that I've ever experienced. Last years Mont was really the first time that I put in a bare minimum of training and prep and it was much more rewarding and enjoyable as you'd expect. I wonder what the percentage is of first timers going on to give other MTB racing a crack.
24hr Team Racing Observations
- doesn't matter where your team finishes, what matters is where you would have finished if everyone had the same lap time as you
- finishing the race seems to be debateable, if it rains and you're not in the top three, then democracy rings true. Except for that one dirt bandit, who just can't stop riding and most likely has some sort of chemical imbalance
- trying to find a bunch of 6 riders all on par with riding speed is like trying to make pandas mate. You either have to split up an existing family or you find the perfect match only to find out that the panda gets cold paws cause they are worried about what the other panda's think.
- there is a fine line between a social team and a competitive team, social pretty much goes out the window once the first round of lap times are set and everyone is trying to get closer to the gun rider
- sponsorship is cool but comes to those who know people and not necessarily those who are fast. People who appear to be sponsored always seem to attract attacks on the track. They always have the best tent sites with flat screens and DJ's.
- the pro's go past you so quick that you often crash a few corners later cause you lose focus and start thinking about how the f'ck they do that and then a rock jumps out in front of your wheel.
- there's something exciting about having a hot shower at 3am. Until you get in there and the steam from a dozen pair of jingle jangles fills your nostrals and you just want to get back to your swag and forget it ever happened.
- Sunday night dinner after the event never tasted so good, even if it is bangers and mash. Half a beer goes down like velvet, the 2nd half does too but you can't remember because you've already fallen asleep on the couch.
I'm entering a mixed team of 6 for the Mont, we tried hard to get a team of pandas to mate but just couldn't get it happening this year. So I'm looking forward to training and racing with the motley crew that we've thrown together.
Triple lap of Stromlo this arvo, about 40kms, there has been some rain so hopefully the dust, and now mud, has settled.
Until next ride..Stay frosty
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