The team continued their winning ways on the weekend. Del and I travelled up to the first round of the six hour enduro series, Six Hours in the Saddle (SHITS). Despite the forecast, it turned out to be perfect racing weather, cool without being too cold. The track had a bit of rain leading up to the race, but despite a few muddier patches was in great condition and just got faster during the day as it contnued to dry out. Elevation gain was minor, but this was compensated for, by nearly all of the racing done on tight single track which was littered with rock gardens. The track was 100% rideable but demanded 100% concentration all the way (a lesson which many competitors learnt the hard way).
We both went into the race, pretty relaxed, looking at it as a lead up to next months Geoquest. Despite this we somehow ended up at the pointy end of the field. In the end Del won the women's solo fairly confortably. In fact she was racing a couple of other solo women in the last lap not realising they were a lap down. Then current world 24 hour champion James Williamson came up behind her with 2 kms to go on the last lap, Del pushed a bit harder than normal so as not to slow him down before he got the chance to pass. Sometimes being selfless doesn't pay, Del overcooked a corner and slammed a tree, Willo then slammed them both. Del scored a busted helmet, a wreaked rear mech and Willo's blood all over her bike. James ended up with a nasty cut over his eye and missed the opportunity to do another lap. Despite the mishap Del ran her bike over the line to take the win.
I ran consistently all day, and crossed the line in second place in the over 40's solo men. Finishing my 8th lap with 10 minutes to go, it was an anxious wait to see if any other Vets were going to cross the line forcing me to do another lap, luckily it didn't eventuate and it was with a sigh of relief that I listened to the countdown.
Another successful training session, lets hope it serves it purpose and helps us go even faster at Geoquest.
Stu
We both went into the race, pretty relaxed, looking at it as a lead up to next months Geoquest. Despite this we somehow ended up at the pointy end of the field. In the end Del won the women's solo fairly confortably. In fact she was racing a couple of other solo women in the last lap not realising they were a lap down. Then current world 24 hour champion James Williamson came up behind her with 2 kms to go on the last lap, Del pushed a bit harder than normal so as not to slow him down before he got the chance to pass. Sometimes being selfless doesn't pay, Del overcooked a corner and slammed a tree, Willo then slammed them both. Del scored a busted helmet, a wreaked rear mech and Willo's blood all over her bike. James ended up with a nasty cut over his eye and missed the opportunity to do another lap. Despite the mishap Del ran her bike over the line to take the win.
I ran consistently all day, and crossed the line in second place in the over 40's solo men. Finishing my 8th lap with 10 minutes to go, it was an anxious wait to see if any other Vets were going to cross the line forcing me to do another lap, luckily it didn't eventuate and it was with a sigh of relief that I listened to the countdown.
Another successful training session, lets hope it serves it purpose and helps us go even faster at Geoquest.
Stu
No comments:
Post a Comment