Can I just say, that CORC is proving itself to be a progressive club
that is not afraid of trying new things. I understand new things can be
confronting for an administration that has been in place for nearly 25 yrs. To
CORC I'd like to say, please don't stop doing what you're doing, all of your
efforts are highly appreciated.
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| Trent keeping it smooth with sign-on |
The night race on sat was an awesome novelty, and felt extremely different and
more exciting then any 24hr event I've been involved in. Complete with a Red
Bull DJ pumping out fresh tracks, the night had great atmosphere. Timed 5 or 6
weeks before the Scott 24hr is an excellent idea with lots of riders obviously
dusting off their lights for the first time.
Paired with the odd twilight 3hr I think 1 night race is probably enough
for the XCO series. The inherit risks with night racing and the extra
organisation required with lights, is probably enough to take the novelty out
of it if we were to do too many. This would apply to both riders and volunteers
I would imagine.
My two week lead up was again less then ideal. But racing in Veterans I
don't believe I can use this as an excuse. The end of winter presents sickness
and time constraints for most so I think we're all on the same par. I was lucky
to fall ill with a viral infection a week before rather then the day before.
But again I was starting a race with the excitement of not knowing how my body
was going to react to hitting my threshold and maintaining it for 70+mins.
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| Start/transition worked perfectly on the road crit track |
We started on the road criterium track and this in itself presented a
little danger in going too hard off the start. But I went out hard
and found myself leading the group, pushing the wind but within my limits.
First right hander on the dirt and I got some corner freeze and pushed wide,
James flew up the inside and assumed position in first. The pair of us made a
gap and set into a groove.
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| James Collins leading the way |
B grade had started in front of us and we started to
reel them in, one by one. Well, until we got to the leading rider of B grade,
Gordon Brewster. Then there were 3 of us riding together. It was a great
feeling, flowing down through the switchbacks of the luge at a cracking night
pace.
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| Good Old Duffy Descent |
I was in front of James and I heard the all too familiar sound of a wash
out taking place behind me. The switchback gave me a perfect view, James was
already picking up his bike to start the chase. With only a lap to go I thought
I was home free, but within a few kilometres James was back on my wheel.
Danger! Gordo firmly slammed the hammer down and kept upping the pace. I stayed
with him but at the end of the fast fenceline section I dry reached and it blew
my rhythm. Within 5 mins I had lost Gordo's wheel and James passed me, I wasn't
blown, and my legs still felt ok, but I was on the verge of painting my bike
with the contents of my stomach so I had to back off the throttle. Not sure if I had drank too much fluid just before the race or had too much endura, but my guts weren't feeling right. James made a
40sec gap in the final stages of the race and I rolled over the line in 2nd
place.
Next race is the a Twilight 3hr Pairs race with Hamish
Ride on
Dave
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