This year’s Scott 24hr marks 12 months since I injured my shoulder. It was at the same event last year that a grade 3 AC separation cut my weekend short and put me in rehab for 12 weeks. Mt Stromlo can give a serious bite if you stray off track for a split second. I parked any fears that I had and it wasn’t until after the event had finished that I had my own quiet celebration in defeating my demons and keeping it rubber side down for the entire race. I could not have done this alone; it was a combination of a team who were all 100% committed, the luxury and privilege to make use of the sponsored Scott tent for weekend, and a head cold. Yes the head cold actually helped me in the end.
2 weeks out from the race I came down with a head cold and it lingered until days after the event. Training and racing with a head cold (above neck symptoms only) always seems to present a fine line between driving the virus deeper into your system and chest, to clearing out the pipes, creating good blood circulation and leaving the virus on the roads and tracks that disappear behind you. I ran the gauntlet and continued to train in the lead up, however I backed off the duration and intensity. During the race I was prepped with cough syrup to break it all up, saline spray to wash out my nasal passage before each lap, and a steroid nasal spray to stop the nose from running. By the end of it I felt like I had been dumped by big surf all weekend. But knowing I wasn’t 100% well, I was able to ride well within my limits without regret or guilt, and in the end it made the entire weekend really enjoyable because I felt strong on every lap. The symptoms were totally gone by Wednesday after the event. I got lucky this time.
I was proud to get the ‘Semi Pro’ treatment in the Team Scott tent for the weekend. On arrival we were setup with some team gear including the latest Scott RC race kit, Scott factory hoody and cap to match. The team looked great and I received some comments from people on how good it was to finally see a Scott Team racing in the Scott.
The team of riders all pulled their weight with nothing but smiles for the entire weekend. Each rider throwing down smooth and consistent lap times for a convincing category win and a solid overall result.
The Team
Paul Morgan – Team Captain
I first met Paul a few years ago on a ride in Mogo, NSW. Paul was leading a social ride through the local state forest and immediately it became clear that this guy can ride and is easy to get along with. A few months ago Paul and I had a candid conversation on the start-line of a Rocky Trail GP race and I was so engrossed that I nearly missed the gun going off, soon after Paul invited me to join him in the Scott team for the Scott 24hr. Great organisation, great riding, thanks for weekend Paul.
Peter Pike – Rider 2
Peter was by far the most enthusiastic rider we had on the team. He has only been riding MTB for a few years but is absolutely passionate about it. Pete was super stoked to be riding Stromlo and rated Skyline as his favourite section of the track for the weekend. Solid effort mate.
Liz Smith – Rider 3
Liz won the Australian National Solo championships in 2012 and went on to get 4th in a hotly contested field at the WEMBO World Solo championships in 2013. All of which I was totally naïve about before meeting her at this race. But when I saw Liz’s lap times and consistency it made me jump on the line and check out the Google. Great riding Liz, thanks for sharing the weekend with us, and I’m sorry for not offering at least 4 of my laps to you as it would have seemed like you were only getting warmed up by the end of each lap.
Dave Smith – Rider 4
It is no coincidence that Dave and Liz have the same surname, they are a long married and a joyful couple. I would imagine they have been through a lot together endeavouring through multiple 24hr events. Dave threw down some great early laps and obviously pushed hard through the last few to make sure the team was represented well. Always great meeting a fellow Dave and hopefully we can hook up in a team in the future.
Dean Quince - Rider 6
Had not raced a mountain bike race for months but left everything on the track, including some of his skin. Punched out fast and consistent laps all weekend and was having so much fun that he did an extra lap at the end of the race that left him with the most distance covered by any of us. Good times Dean.
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