My Everest - The Scott 24Hour Enduro

18 Days to go - the time is flying

I'm almost hesitant to continue the count down.. Not this weekend, not next weekend, but the one after !! Sounds all too soon.

Have been doing a bit of riding over the past week. Had a great morning of Downhill at Sutherland with Doug. The work put into these trails is amazing and I could have spent the day here railing berms and working on technique.

I had registered for the Appin Club XC round on the 21st and rode that yesterday. I actually really enjoyed myself, and while not a front runner, I ran 3 laps non in 2:11. I picked up my marker about halfway through lap one... a guy infront of me, one behind and thats how we stayed till the end of the second lap. I sat on the wheel of the guy in front who had the legs on me over the flats, but I could pull him in up the technical climbs and on the downhills... the problem was I couldnt pass him seeing as soon as we hit the flats and a section to pass he would pull out a good 4 or 5 bike lengths on me. The guy behind me was sitting on my wheel up the hills and flats, he actually had the goods on me, but was scared on the technical stuff and so was satisfied to stay on my wheel.

Coming through transition at the end of Lap2 I see Doug standing there holding the bike with the rear tube and tyre hanging off.. looks like he is done. I ask him if he wants car keys and he says yep.. I pull over quickly knowing I have now lost my wheel and the guy behind me has gained a place on me. Hand the keys over, then back into it. I cant see the two bikes in front of me so think that this is the position I will finish in. I still feel good and suck down one last GU and crank on. About 1/3rd the lap I get a glimpse of the guys in front of me and know I have a shot at pulling them in. I push reasonably hard and by the time we get to a techy downhill run to a bridge I have caught the slower of the two riders. I rip up behind him and he pulls over and calls me through.. sweet thanks !! I can see the other bike and he is about 10 seconds in front but we have a tough techy pinchy climb ahead that I have nailed every lap so far. I get through it and see the guy in front of me a little closer.. he is suffering a little on this climb... im feeling it too, but its not too long before I am back on his wheel. We are nearing the top of this climb and I think I may just sit here, but then realise that we are about to hit single trail with no real passing points till we get back on the flat. I make the call to push past him and lead into the single trail, still more gentle but sustained climbing. A few more kays and I glance to see I have started to drop him off and now we are heading into the techy downhill sections where I know I can pull out a few more seconds on him with the hope of holding enough of a lead for the final flat section into transition. I put the hammer down and get to the next fire trail with a good lead. The legs feel good so I keep pushing hard knowing this is last lap and I only have 1 or 2km to go. Up th final straight and I cant see anyone behind me and cross the line with a 20 second lead over this bloke and I am stoked.

Ok so I didnt win the race.. I didnt even finish close to first.. But I rode a race I was really happy with and where I had to think a little... and I like that !

Final standings and times are not posted yet so I am hankering to see where I finished.. Im thinking mid to lower mid as there were a lot of people pulling out after 2 laps... anyway time will tell.... for now its on to the 24 !

29 days to go.. and I see a light at the end of the tunnel

Given that this event runs overnight it would be appropriate I have some lighting organised for the bike.

I started this little side project about 2 weeks ago and have finally secured the parts I need to complete my "Home Made Luxeon" lights.

After researching this a bit I decided it wasnt too hard to build my own.. given that a decent set of lights will go for $300-$800 it certainly makes sense.

I settled on a 3w Luxeon LED unit in a narrow pencil beam with the goal of having this helmet mounted. The globes themselves I short cut a bit.. while I could have gone to the level of buying the LED, the driver and lens etc there are ones already on the market for home made bike lights. By the way a 3watt Luxeon is the equivalent of a 10w halogen but is a bright white (almost blue white) light where as the Halogens are yellowish in comparison.

So I sorted the globe unit for $30, but now needed a housing. I had a stroke of brilliance here and I have to say a touch of good luck. The globes are 50mm in diameter at the widest part (maybe 51). I found some stainless steel pepper grinders on ebay for 0.99C + postage that are the perfect shape and coincidentally 50mm in diameter.

I measured and cut to size with angle grinder  mounted in a vice, tidied up by hand.

Cut 2 slots on base of housing that will allow a hose clamp to pass through to affix to either helmet or bars (though this will be Helmet mounted)

Connect wiring, switch and light base unit, plug the globe and then mount switch.

To mount the globe in the housing itself I am using Sikaflex which is like a silicone sealant but should handle the heat, hold it all together but not be impossible to remove the globe if needed.

By the way... as of today we are "Officially entered" with payment made !!! WOOOT !!!!!

30 Days to go.. and we have a team !

I received an email today saying we have a 4th person agreed to partake in this folly. Next step is payment and then its official !

I went out for a good ride at the local this morning, ended up 26kms which felt really good. Im doing a guide sessions of the local DH/FR trails on Saturday and its been a while since I have ridden these so thought I would make sure they are all still there. Some of the more fun drops have been bypassed which is a bit disappointing. Other stuff made a little easier... but anyway its all still good.

The forks are continuing to leak so I put the bike in for a new set of fork seals, brake fluid and some cables.. the mech didnt inspire me with confidence : (   I have entered a local club round that is the weekend after this one, so I hope they dont screw up.

Back to the 24 hour and now we need to start working out the logistics of how this will all hang together.... tents, lights, tables, power etc

31 Days to go.. and the Irate Intern was amazing !

Wow.. nearly down to 30 days to go and we are still on the hunt to confirm a 4th person.. I'll be bummed if we dont make an entry.

So, the Irate Intern at Mogo.... what an amazing ride. Epic. Simply stunning.

It had rained for 3 days leading up to the race and it pissed down the night before. Staying in our lovely little cabin in Moroyua Heads we were a little concerned as to how the track would be. Di was primed and ready to undertake the biggest challenge she has yet faced.

Sunday dawned a completely different day, sunny, clear skies and not too cold. A good breaky and we are on our way to Mogo town for the start of the race. The 50km kicked off at a sensible 9:00. We caught up with a few friends who were down for the weekend but not riding.

Soon enough we are off along a short sealed section before into a loooong climb for a km or so before turning into some sweet, but congested single trail.

The plan was that I would ride with Di which I was totally happy about. For me I was just happy to be riding this place with the wife. Di had an off about 10km in that saw her head plant in a nasty fashion which shook her up pretty badly but she was determined to keep going. Her goal was to finish and to not finish last... right now I think we were in last place.

Anyway, the track was amazingly well prepared and the single track was bliss. Di and I had it all to ourselves then slowly started reeling in some other riders which was good for Di's confidence.

We got to the feed station at 30km and Di was still good.. a little tired but still doing ok. Then some more hills started and this began to get the better of Di. We had a group of about 10 people we had passed behind us, and determined to keep this lead we pushed on until we hit the 40km mark which was like a weight lifted from Di's shoulders. This also was where the loooong cruisy downhill fire trail started which was refreshing. Di managed to get past another 3 people and kept hammering all the way to the finish line. Our time wasnt fast, but we knew it never would be. Di achieved both her goals and I was the proudest hubby.

Personally I really enjoyed this ride and will look forward to challenging myself against it next year. I figure I should be able to finish mid pack which I will be happy with.

From here though, the focus is the 24 hour. I have a club round in a couple of weeks at Appin which is a 3 lap dash and the rest of the time will be spent pushing the morning ride and some long weekend slogs.

39 Days to go

Time is getting away from me pretty quick... !!

This weekend gone I took off for a ride up in the Blue Mountains with Doug. The plan was the 6 foot track, however was changed at the last minute for an "adventure" ride Doug had done previously.

We take off from the Mt Vic residence and head down Berghoffers(?) pass and on towards Hartley Vale.

We take a left off the Great Western and then onto some firetrail, over a fence and then the fun starts as we hammer along this firetrail down down down into the valley to meet the Coxs river.

Doug Flats so we have a breather, eat a snack and wait for said flat to be made unflat.

We wander up the river a bit looking for a crossing then commit ourselves to a narrow section where we can hop over the river. Cleats on river stones is not overly grippy, but with a few laughs we get a across the river and start a long... make that very long climb along a fire/cattle trail through more farmland. This is Granny all the way for a solid 15 mins. When we get to the top of this hill, we need to traverse towards another hill through long tussock grass and cow shit. We ride/walk to our next marker then there is a short stint down a hill as roos and cattle scatter in fear. Through another gate and we start a steep climb that see's us both off the bike and walking till it levels out enough to get back on and spin to the top. This trail turns into some rolling fire trail through classic farmland.

I see more roos than cattle on this property which is odd and cant be good for the grazing, however it doesnt look that dry at the moment.

"One last climb" Doug pronounces and this is a pretty cruisy small ring haul up to some firetrail then follow the rolling firetrail for a while along a ridgeback.

We turn off this and again head down hill on firetrail that becomes double trail as it follows and criss-crosses the river. This section was kinda sweet.

We come out on some quality dirt road and a whole swag of quarry trucks smashing up and down. Doug tells me this is the quarry and we have to ride straight through the middle of it.. hmm ok. We wait for the trucks to pass, then pin it down through the heart of the operation, past the crusher and the office and more than a few startled faces.

We clear the quarry and are on some nice firetrail along the river and think.."Sweet !! we're safe now !!" then hear "Toot toot" and turn to see the quarry manager in a 4x4 .. uh oh.

He is a little astounded and cant really comprehend how we managed to get where we did, but advises he cannot let us continue and has to escort us off the premises... bugga. We were about 2 or 3 kms from our finish, but he has to take us out to the quarry entrance which is on Jenolan Caves road and adds about 10kms of road riding to our trip : (

We pump up Dougs tyre again and head off on the road to home.... lots of loooooong hills and a few more stops to pump up Dougs leaky tyre and we are finally back at Mt Vic... 2.5 hours and 36kms later.

BTW the rear hub I services last week worked perfectly and didnt make a sound all day.

No more riding this week till Sunday when the wife and I ride the Mogo Irate Intern.. until then !

45 Days to go

This morning it was as if Winter was a distant memory. What a great morning for a ride.

I headed out for the usual loop and ran into a mutual friend so ran a lap with him, then saw him off and went on for another lap of the single trail then extended this out to 35kms. It made for a physically more demanding ride than the previous ones, but I actually felt good the whole way around and was determined to push it out to 40-45km but a check of the clock meant I wouldnt have time today.

I took the HRM with me and saw some good numbers with my max HRM only hitting 187 which I think was the second lap up the 1km climb. Total Cals burned was 1977, or the equivalent of 4 Big Macs... does that mean I could chow down on 4 Big Macs before a ride ??  hmm  maybe not.

I think sub 40km will be the best I can achieve before work, simply because of the time restrictions. Still, if I stick to this as a plan of approx 100km per week in hard riding I will really be looking forward to the 24 hour.

On a side note, the rear freewheel has started making bad noises so I shall be pulling this apart this tomorrow and give it a clean and service... It sounds like something just needs either adjusting or lubing as its not constant, however considering I plan on riding the 6foot track this friday I think its wise to get this sorted out ASAP!!

No more rides now till Friday unless I get a real hankerin on Thursday and will head out to make sure my rear hub is all ok.

46 Days to go

With 46 days to go we have lost one of our potential team mates.

The plan was Ben, Doug, Anton and Ash..   Unfortunately Ash wont be able to make it, so we need to find a replacement. Honestly I dont think we will have too much trouble getting a 4th if we are really pressed.

Yesterday the wife and I went for a ride at Yellowmundee. I had Doug take me here about 10 years ago before I started riding.. and it was night. So didnt remember too much other than where the parking spot was.

I was expecting something good, what I found was something great. Di struggled with some fear-factor on the first km of the first lap, but after the techy descents and pinchy climbs the playground of smooth flowy berms starts.. WOW ! We cruised first lap and stopped for a short break while I tried to eliminate a rubbing front disc, then took off for a second.

Di managed to ride most of the techy descents and was having a cracker of a lap. She had a small off and lightly twisted her ankle but was still ok to ride, but this would be her last lap today.  Together we were lapping the 8.8km loop around an hour including stop time for breathers etc.

I took off for a 3rd lap after topping up the fluids. I was determined to set a decent time, with Di our actual riding time was about 44 mins a lap and that wasnt including the short rest stops.

The goal was to push hard, and crack 40 mins. While it mean nothing in terms of lap time, it was a mental challenge as I knew I would have to ride pretty much at limit to get inside this time.

I flogged myself for the lap, still riding the whole trail in middle ring and staying just on the safe side of the red zone. Out of the saddle up the hills, and riding on the limits of grip as the bike was drifting through the corners I was feeling really good. I was keeping an eye on the time and distance and knew as long as I stayed on it I was going to be close. With about 1km to go the clock showed around the 33-35 min mark and I knew I was in with a chance. The final series of flowing switch backs that climb from the gully all the way back to the car park needed to be pushed hard.. The legs were burning and the lungs were hurting.

Up the last section of firetrail to the gate and the clock stops at 38:30 and Im stoked... cant breathe much, legs hurting, but I know I achieved something personal here.

Rest day today and tomorrow I'll head out for another ride. Im thinking instead of tacking the 10km on the 25km loop, it may be better to repeat most of the 25km loop.. If I can hit 50km for this mornings ride in 3 weeks I'll be over the moon, I've also dropped a kilo and a bit in the last week or so.

50 days to go, and its cold outside

This month I start work at 2:00pm which theoretically allows me to go riding in the mornings before work.

My current plan is a 35km MTB ride Tuesday and Thursday, then a ride of some sort on the weekend. I figure 100km a week of solid MTB should raise the fitness level to where I need to be.. if it doesnt Im in trouble.

This morning was overcast, and cold.. I had a set of tights and long sleeve top, full fingered gloves but jeezus I just couldnt get warm this morning.

The first 10km of my ride is really cool single trail that has some techy descending and climbing and a 1km hill in the middle of that to really work the lungs, but I still never felt really warm today.

Its the feet.. the cold feet and numb toes that really become annoying... Anyway, the ride was good and this 35km loop I have only just started doing. Previously I have been riding a 25km loop that has about 6km of tar a few km of firetrail and the rest is sweet sweet single trail taking in everything from buff flowy trail to a selection of the DH/FR trails in the area.. I really like the selection I have here and dont think I can tire of riding it.... or scaring the wallabies : )

The additional 10km is some extra firetrail/double trail that joins what is normally the end of my 25km loop. Its not bad but runs behind some dodgy housing estates so there is the odd burnt out car and a few moto's, but hey.. riding is riding.

Tomorrow is a rest day and perform some maintenance on the bike. This weekend the wife and I are planning to spend a couple hours lapping at Yellowmundee so she gets some training for the Irate Intern in 3 weeks time.

I suppose soon I will need to sort out the logistics side of this.. I started writing up a short list of things I need to take... that quickly became a long list.... hmmm

52 Days to go

So we have started the initial chats with the usual suspects about will we or wont we enter a team for this years 24 hour Mountain bike race in Canberra.

I have to say I have been thinking of entering one of these for a while now, and now seems like the perfect time as long as we can get a team together and sort out the details in time... 52 days will go quickly.

In that time, I need to get a fair bit more ride fitness which is what this Blog is all about.. my preparation and my journey towards the 2008 Scott 24 hour.

Today I chalked up a 35km ride before work at my local trails. It was a good ride but the legs feel a bit tight today.

Saturday just past, the wife and I went and rode the 26km loop at Wingello in the NSW Southern Highlands.. what a sweet trail, and I was really impressed with how far and fast Di is progressing since I sorted out a decent bike for her.

She is in a training reigim of her own, having agreed to enter the 50km Irate Intern down at Mogo.. for someone who doesnt ride much she does well, and should be able to finish this one easily. We have 2 more weekends of long distance (25-30km rides) to rack up some saddle time and then the event itself in 3 weeks. After that, for me, its all preparation for the 24 hour.