Stage 1 saw a "super D" from Thredbo top station at nearly 2000m to Thredbo itself at around 1300m, but don't think it's all beer and skittles. A 5min fireroad climb thrown in for good measure. Still it was fun, most competitors complaining of burning lungs, to be expected when you pedal once, flat out, for 5mins, at altitude. Both myself and new team mate Andy Blair lost more time than was reasonable, but there's plenty of chance to make it back up during the week.
Stage 2 included a transition from Thredbo to Lake Crackenback resort and some very cold weather with light rain. Not the best conditions for a cruise of 18km.
The "single track" around the resort was puck marked with wombat holes some of which were filled in, poor critters. For the most part it was rough, unridden double track, with a new piece being put it from Thredbo Diggins to Crackenback which consisted of "shotta" a graveled fast and smooth trail, yet to be finished. I was dropped early on, the previous weeks training around Thredbo obviously taking it's toll, while Andy popped up to win the stage and take the prize of some quality accommodation at the resort.
Stage 3 was the one everyone dreaded. Long, lots of climb and starting with a cold ride on the ski tube up to Perisher. I found myself again frustrated and off the pace, which a flat then added to. I crept home at my own pace hoping to save something for later in the week all on my own with no sunscreen on, it was a long day. Only later did I see photos of the wild dogs strung up from a tree on the final major climb to the last feed station, which I spent 10mins at.
Stage 4 certainly wasn't a recovery stage. Up at 4.15am for a 5.15am start, in the dark. Lucky we had lighting from Radical Lights, very bright, very light and excellent run times. There was no need to reduce the power from full with run times of around 4hrs, I didn't plan on being out there that long. I finally felt part of the race, attacking and taking the pressure off Andy. The ground was like the cobbles of Flanders. All the cattle mill around the damn while it's muddy putting hoof prints in it, then it dries like concrete. Very rough, but I actually found it fun. I even managed to stay away for a while. I couldn't quite hold it on the last climb and eventually drifted back being satisfied that i'd done my job for the day.
Stage 5 would see us ride the longest stage at 90km, with a little less vertical than tuesdays stage. We needed to make time. Andy was 6mins off the pace in second while I was looking to help him get it, and a stage win for myself. We were in a great position, both climbing well. Andy rode away meaning the race leader, Jinglish would have to chase. He thought otherwise and was expecting help from the other 4 in the group, i'm not sure why. I sat at the back collecting tickets the whole time, waiting to take my chance if we caught Andy.
We did, but I wasn't in the group having flatted on a fast rocky descent. Game over.
We then transitioned 40km to the coast, which was the hardest part of the day. Windy and undulating it was much longer and slower than anticipated. Well done to all who made it inside the time limit.
Stage 6 was split into two stages due to heavy rain which had opened to lakes we would normally cross on sand, to the ocean. The first saw Andy and myself go hell for leather from the gun, getting into the sweet Bermagui singletrack first and keeping the pressure on. We were rewarded with a good gap leaving the confines of fun and heading up the coast to the finish. 20m from the finish I acquired a vine in my cassette and unable to pedal pulled over to remove it, not knowing the finish line was just around the corner! All the time I had worked so hard for was gone, again leaving me frustrated and very angry. Rubbing salt was the fact that race leader Jinglish had a slow leak that wouldn't seal, and he didn't bring a tube with him. But because of the neutral zone between stages, he would scab a tube off someone and not lose any time.
The second stage 30min after finishing and I was still angry. We again threw it down and after crossing the first lake entrance in nipple deep water had some trouble in the soft sand, which then saw Jinglish get a gap. Andy and myself threw everything we had at bringing the gap back, not helped by a section we were instructed to walk when the race leader was allowed to ride, losing more time. It was race over as we came in on the soft sand spent and frustrated, Andy missing the overall win he so wanted and myself the stage win I was chasing.
A well run event with plenty of scenery to boot. Met a bunch of fine people, new friends and with the race in it's infancy i'm sure there will be improvements to come making this a race one to be revisited in the near future.
