Merida X-Fusion 6hr

[crummy]

Coondoo swings both ways.

The Merida X-Fusion 6hr was held on the weekend at one of SCUM's most popular locations. The Coondoo track had been reinvigorated by the organisational team and trail fairies. There were new sections of single track, power-line and fire trail and some sections of original Coondoo to be ridden in reverse. There was a rock garden which would be walked by an occasional competitor and downhill fire trail with water-bars screaming out air-time. The compulsory Coondoo log-rollovers were in there as well as a reversed section from the quarry to the wooden bridge becoming a sweet sandy switchback ascent.

Solos started separate from the teams and gained a four minute advantage via a shortcut through to the second quarter of the eleven kilometer track. Although the track was well bunted and signposted, there was a small mix-up with one reversed section but the remaining five hours and fifty minutes was without incident. The local Rural Fire Brigade volunteers were at hand to provide checkpoints around the track with their 4x4 vehicles and radios.

My race went well for the first half, the lead riders had scurried off into the distance and I was keeping a solid pace. Another Sydney based rider on his ss was riding with me and we were working well through the track. There was plenty of fun on the track, pushing the bike ,tyres and myself as far as we could go. Big air off water-bars, rollovers and plenty of fast switchbacks. Finding and connecting faster, smoother lines through new or reversed track. Or just letting it loose in front of the timing crew.

More at mcrummy.blogspot.com

[dunkman]

It's a bit late but now all the facts and figures have been fully sorted and I finally got a nice long ride in to clear the brain ...

From the organisers point of view the Merida/X-Fusion 6 Hour was a great success. I can say that because all the feedback from the key people (all you lot that rode and participated) has been great.

281 riders complete at least one lap so we'll call that the official race numbers. 74 solo's and 87 teams were on the start line for a total of 161 riders on the track at the same time. The course was approx 11km long but relatively quick, resulting in some impressive kilometerage for the leading teams.

Track conditions on the day were almost perfect (from all reports and the little we rode) thanks to the Thursday evening rain. While it did make access a little challenging it settled the track beautifully.

As our first experience with an event like this it was extremely satisfying (and relieving) to spend a day with so many people enjoying themselves on and off track. We really appreciate all your feedback which has all been positive and helpful.

The medics reported only a handful of minor incidents on the day which left them free to have a ride and relax with the rest of the crowd. The same lack of incidents meant the RFS people on the checkpoints were hardly troubled all day, but I think we'd all prefer it that way.

There were couple of issues on the day. The registration computer chose the most inappropriate time to rebel causing delays to regsitrations on Sunday morning and a delay to the start. Thankfully everyone was really patient and our timing crew got things going without drama for the rest of the day.

The other hiccup happened on the start lap when bunting was moved to allow a vehicle through and replaced to the wrong tree. Unfortunately this happened at the only spot on the track where this could be critical and resulted in the first few teams riders heading the wrong way into single track that would soon be full of eager solo riders. Thankfully quick action by our man on the spot meant that no riders were in danger and from that point on the event went smoothly (phew).

The only other bummer was the coffee van malfunctions throughout the day. It was one of our priorities that we have coffee at the event and we felt your pain whenever the van wasn't on site.

While I know a lot of people found driving into the event as challenging as the ride, on Friday morning when Dave and I took delivery of the dunnies it was a whole lot worse. Some hectic activity in the form of Matty Groots shovel drained a lot of the water and made it lot better than it could have been.

We need to thank all of our sponsors. Obviously the named sponsors Merida and X-Fusion for providing major prizes and supporting the event in many ways. Other cycling industry sponsors were

• Shimano
  
• JetBlack
  
• Maxxis
  

.

Local sponsors were

• Coolangatta Estate
  
• Daily Grind
  
• XS Energy drinks
  
• Callala Bay Cellars
  

We'd also like to thank Huw and Fiona from Wild Horizons who provided a free entry to the Three Ring Circus.

None of these events run without volunteers. We were lucky to have the support of many.

The Falls Creek Rural Fire Service, provided assistance on checkpoints and roads as well as the greatly appreciated food and drinks on sale all day.

Callala Bay Playgroup who provided much needed calories.

Anthony Chater and his team of medics provided their expertise to the event and thankfully were under utilised.

And of course SCUM for their help throughout the whole process, and on the day. If you enjoyed the track it was due to much hard work over a some years by club members. SCUM's commitment to working with State Forests should see that these trails remain open to mtb'ers in the future.

I'd really like to take this chance to thank all those that helped make it come together and run on the day.

Dave and Jill from the Bike Shack for initiating and driving the idea, finding sponsors and all that stuff that goes on the background. Dave especially for saving you all from listening to me on a microphone.

Henry and Jude and all those that helped in timing. Having these guys on the job made life so easy for us.

Kel (SCUM Sec/Tres) for finding solutions to problems I didn't even know about and for working all weekend making sure all the loose ends were sorted.

Pat (SCUM Trails co-ordinator). Pat would ring me to tell me we had a problem and then exactly how to solve it, or how it had been solved. Also around all day to help wherever.

Without the help of committed assistance of Pat and Kel we would not have had an event.

Kev (and Kel) for all those excellent pictures for the right price. I hope you were smiling when he got you.

Chate and Bundy for some excellent last minute pallet work.

A big thanks to Matty Groots who spent far too much of the two months before this event either talking me out of or into one idea or another, and/or wandering (and riding) around in the bush trying to piece together something like a great track. We have since divorced and returned to our families.

Finally to all who came along and supported the event, SCUM and the local volunteer groups. It was a great event because of you all. Thanks.