Winter Series XC racing at Beaconsfield. Its been a wet week but the forecast was for a clear saturday arvo and no rain sunday. The decision was made late saturday night to head on over and have a crack... Mel decided to race as well. Show off the new bike.
Beaconsfield scout camp has an awesome network of trails and the organisers put together a great little loop with a good mix of single track and short fire road links to pass on plus a couple of muddy bogs just to make it interesting...
The laps were short so A grade ended up with 7 laps. I had no expectations looking to have a consistent ride and hopefully keep the power on for all 7 laps. Mel entered B grade and had 6 laps.
Looking around on the startline i guessed i'd be out of the top 5 but i'd have a crack anyway. The muddy trails would be awesome and suit my style.
Off and Racing and after slipping my foot twice on the pedal i finally clipped in and we were into single track. Feeling strong I kept the pressure on the rider in front and after a lap i realised we were in 4th and 5th. 3rd place was just up ahead and we were catching. Weaving through the trail we popped out onto a short fireroad climb and both attacked passing 3rd place.
Off and Racing and after slipping my foot twice on the pedal i finally clipped in and we were into single track. Feeling strong I kept the pressure on the rider in front and after a lap i realised we were in 4th and 5th. 3rd place was just up ahead and we were catching. Weaving through the trail we popped out onto a short fireroad climb and both attacked passing 3rd place.
At the halfway mark it was AJ and Rohin way out in front. Steve Cusworth 3rd, Me 4th and Peter Kutschera in 5th.
I thought Steve and I had left Peter behind but like the silent assassin he was always there, we'd get away only to be roped back in somehow. Every time i was sure we'd gapped him i'd take a quick glance over the shoulder only to see him still there.
After a few more laps and some heavy traffic on course we finally got a decent gap on him and with one lap to go it was Steve still in 3rd and me in 4th. I'd ridden hard for 6 laps and was feeling it on the climbs. Through some last lap traffic i lost steve's wheel and that was it. Crossed the line in 4th happy with the day.
Mel had a good ride too, first female across the line and some prize money too. A stick in the gears and small get off slowed her down near the end but the new bike is working well.
Finished. Not as muddy as last week thankfully. Note the lack of bottle, i ditched it on my last lap to save weight.....
Another sunday arvo cleanup.... wouldn't have it any other way.
Mel out on the new bike.
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