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Post by Between the Tape... on Feb 18, 2008 17:40:45 GMT 10
The starter (Lewy) called our group up to the line.
Ten seconds.....five, four, three, two, one, goooo!
Mad panic, quick click in, wind off the first selected gear, shift up, shift up, shift up, big chain ring, push hard, get to the front to get into that sweet piece of singletrack first...achieved!
Carefully turn into the singletrack from the fireroad at mach 1, (you dont want to lose the front end here in front of all the spectators and the timing crew, who'd definately laugh) launch the first rollover, savour the sweet turns and slight downhill gradient of the first couple of hundred meters.
What's this the track's gone flat, oh well put it in a bit, can hear some of the pack getting closer.
Oh this sucks...it's starting to go uphill a bit, gear down, wind it out, I can hear a bunch of riders breathing down my neck, "go round on my right" move over a tad to the left, 1 rider,2,3,4, shit gotta get back on the track, puff, pant, puff, pant, wheeze.
There's still a few behind me, track flattens out a bit, get a tiny bit of breath back, negotiate some tricky turns, litttle bit of downhill respite, a couple of log rollovers, holding my own, this is better.
Oh no, not again, that nasty side of MTB rears it's ugly head again, another uphill section. Those neck breathers are there again, "on my right", 1,2,3, this is getting monotonous. Had to get back on the track, still a couple there tho'.
Finally get to a wider piece of track, the last two neck breathers go past.
(Sorry, going for dinner next installment soon)
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Post by Lewy on Feb 18, 2008 17:52:29 GMT 10
That will learn you for starting at the front.
My race was, start everyone then cruise to the timing tent making sure they started everyone on time. Then start riding around the track realising I need to do a lot more training or bring out the dually with 27 gears next time and leave the bone shaking filling removing one gear torture machine at home.
Only problem then is I won't have en excuse for riding so slowly.
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Post by Between the Tape... on Feb 18, 2008 19:03:49 GMT 10
Now, where was I............ Thats right, the majority of Sport B men, both Under 17 men and 1 Sport C man, had passed me (luckily I'm an age bagger in Supermasters men).  At this stage, both my lungs were threatening to contact my heart, to put a stop to this madness. Puff, pant, puff, pant, wheeze, cough, then a big swig of the water bottle, burp. Now feeling a poofteenth better and ready to hit the fastest piece of singletrack on the course. Sweeeeeeeet!!!! ;D Pedal, pump, turn, finally able to give the lungs a slight rest and put the skills dept into gear. What's that, I can see someone up ahead, I making up some ground.  Onto the fireroad, shift up, shift up, big chainring, pointing downhill a bit and starting to hammer, enter singletrack again and pumpin' dips and berms. Looove this part of the track. Narrowing the gap to that rider I saw a little while ago. Through the dip, sharp turn right, gear down, and over the rollover that's claimed many a rider, someone's packed it up with dirt, too easy.  All of a sudden the skills dept. handballs back to the cardio dept. who informs me to sit down and wind out a lower gear, 'cause they haven't finished smoko yet.  More slight uphills, puff, pant, puff, pant, wheeze..... cant see that rider anymore.  The grade flattens out, put it in a bit to get enough speed to clear the table, land, DONT TOUCH THE BRAKES, jam the front wheel into the loamy right hand berm (say a quick prayer to the tyre tread God) exit ready for a fast trip over the bridge, no toll, alls good. ;D The cardio dept has finished smoko and ready for the assault on the climb out. Yeah right!!! I felt like a 20 year old Victa 2 stroke, trying to start up with a dirty air filter and a gummed up plug. By the time I got to the double rollover, my heart informed me the lungs had been in contact and threatened a strike. Like any good boss, I bullshitted my way out, by telling the plackard holding organs, we were nearly at the top and it would be smooth sailing from there. I also informed the brain, there would be beers later in the day, he was now on my side. Puff, pant, puff, pant, wheeze, cough, another swig from the bottle, burp. (I need a break , back a bit later.) |
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Post by Between the Tape... on Feb 19, 2008 17:47:34 GMT 10
Nearly at the top, negotiate a plethora of babies heads, I'm there. Hit the sandpit righthander, the track levels out, steady the heartrate, the breathing, the cadence grab a drink and sneak a quick check behind....... no-one, awesome.  Turn left, shift up, shift up, shift up, woo hoo! fun time again, over the criss cross tree, 10 seconds later, lookin' at the quarry. Take a wide berth around, (dont hit the golden bell frog), bottom of the deceiving switchbacks. Look....there's someone just ahead of me up the hill, yeah, about three switchbacks ahead. After some sketchy moments on a couple of the corners, reach Lewy's lactic fireroad, can just see that rider in front disappearing into the distance. Should I push it and try and catch them....my legs make the decision for me...'get real'!! I'll just cruise to the next singletrack then, shall I..... K. More fun singletrack, haven't had any bitchin' from the cardio dept. for a while, head's in the right space, all's good. Pumpin' and turnin' through the rocks and dips, speed up for the jumps, yeah baby, rail the tree berm, shift up, shift up, big chainring, thread the undergrowth. Reach the bottom, mud, rutts, sand, speed, the perfect recipe for carnage....narrow escape. I owe the skills and concentration depts. big time. The brain kicks in with, 'dont forget about those beers'.  Lock the rear shock, stand up, start grinding up the hill. Half way up, message from the cardio dept. 'SIT DOWN IDIOT'.......sorry, shift down, shift down, shift down, wind it out to the top. Puff, pant, puff, pant, track levels out, can see the finish line, put it in, hit the first jump, woo hoo, drop onto the road, speed past the timing tent, cool and collected on the outside, twisted and tormented on the inside. Rewind...do it all again. ;D 'Gotta love Coondoo'.................. |
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Post by Between the Tape... on Feb 26, 2008 12:34:09 GMT 10
I need to do a lot more training or bring out the dually with 27 gears next time and leave the bone shaking filling removing one gear torture machine at home. . See...........thats why I struggle to understand why you frieks want to ride these technophobic dinosaurs. I guess if you had dreadies, grew big pointy mutton chops, got a couple of sleeve jobs and changed your name to "Malarchi".....fair enough. (Nat a little more ink and work on the dreadies, you're close enough) |
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Post by Lewy on Feb 26, 2008 17:09:07 GMT 10
I need to do a lot more training or bring out the dually with 27 gears next time and leave the bone shaking filling removing one gear torture machine at home. . See...........thats why I struggle to understand why you frieks want to ride these technophobic dinosaurs. I guess if you had dreadies, grew big pointy mutton chops, got a couple of sleeve jobs and changed your name to "Malarchi".....fair enough. (Nat a little more ink and work on the dreadies, you're close enough) And now Kev has to work on the dreadies and Tatts. |
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Post by Between the Tape... on Feb 26, 2008 19:09:08 GMT 10
Kev...I'm very disappointed, the only way I'll forgive you, is if this thing you are so compelled to ride, is a Cannondale as well. |
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nat
Sport B
The QLD Connection
unleash the gears within
Posts: 236
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Post by nat on Feb 27, 2008 10:00:36 GMT 10
does arse hair dreads count?
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Post by Lewy on Feb 27, 2008 12:39:26 GMT 10
does arse hair dreads count? Someone had to bring this thread down to the gutter ;D Its a change that its not Pat for once |
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Post by lefty on Feb 27, 2008 12:45:14 GMT 10
Kev...I'm very disappointed, the only way I'll forgive you, is if this thing you are so compelled to ride, is a Cannondale as well. Sorry Pat, no way was I going to spend real money on a another fad, just a faze I'm going through........It's alright, I can give it up when ever I like............It's under control..........Honest |
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Post by Lewy on Feb 27, 2008 12:48:11 GMT 10
Kev...I'm very disappointed, the only way I'll forgive you, is if this thing you are so compelled to ride, is a Cannondale as well. Sorry Pat, no way was I going to spend real money on a another fad, just a faze I'm going through........It's alright, I can give it up when ever I like............I'm in control..........Honest Ok MR i need to buy a 16,17,19 and 20t cog and I have changed my avatar to redline ;D Did I see some Mutton Chops appearing on the side of your head on the weekend |
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Post by Between the Tape... on Feb 27, 2008 14:31:07 GMT 10
does arse hair dreads count? As long as they can be seen whilst riding. (could have taken that down the storm drain Lewy, but I left it in the gutter) |
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Post by Lewy on Feb 27, 2008 14:47:07 GMT 10
does arse hair dreads count? As long as they can be seen whilst riding. (could have taken that down the storm drain Lewy, but I left it in the gutter) You're thinking about Mankinis again, aren't you |
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