Dwellingup100

Very rushed week since Anaonda Gold Coast last Sunday;
Flew home Monday,
Worked Tuesday,
Swim/Boozy lunch/dinner/kebabs Wednesday,
Put bike together/Paddle/Bike Trainer Thursday,
Work/watch the Hawks winning ways at the Pub Friday
Race Satuday = Pete the most un-organised for a race he has ever been......ever!

I had some drama with my rear wheel last week, so I asked Chris to throw in a spare wheel just in case. This would turn out to be a blessing.

Early start pick up Theo at 05:30 and head down to Dwellingup. Got there just after 7 and had time to do all the stuff I hadn't had time to do during the week, pump up tyres, shocks, get food and water sorted......

08:30 start, saw Scott on the start line. Off for the first 40km loop we went, Chris Theo and I riding together. Picking up places nicely and riding Big Bertha without too much trouble (Hi Dan) apart from the multitude of inconsiderate people walking in the riding line!

NOTE PEOPLE, IF YOUR WALKING. GET OUT OF THE WAY OF PEOPLE RIDING!

Off the top of Big Bertha 10km in, we heard 2 massive crunch sounds and then noticed we had lost Theo. We waited......and waited.......and waited......then Chris rode back. Theo's (read Nigel's) back wheel hub had died a noisy death. Nothing we could do. Theo bravely told us to ride on. He would walk to transition and try to work something out.

Chris and I began passing back all those that had slipped by while we were trying to sort out Theo. I have to say much like the Karri Cup I was really dragging the chain and the ever patient Chris was having to wait for me.....a lot! Very glad to back at the Oval for a break at the 40km mark and I was saying over and over that I was looking at a long hard day.

To our surprise Theo appeared like a tall, young...male.......genie at the transition. He had walked 5km then got a lift back to the Oval. He had managed to get Chris's wheel rigged up and happened to be ready to go as we came in. Off we went together again on the 60km loop. Again I was dragging the chain, Theo and Chris were doing a great job of getting on the front and dragging me along.

Then we hit Turner Hill.......Turner hill appeared at about 56km mark to my surprise as I was plodding along thinking it was at 64km. For some reason this co-incided with my second wind, and I was leading the boys out pertty much for the first time of the day. We had a great run through this XC racing track and took quite a few riders. i could hear Theo behind me having a great time.

Out of here we were holding a good pace and continued to take more riders as we were looking for the infamous "Hells Gate". Eventually it appeared. A steep downhill rutted out track that wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. From here I was holding my breath for Marinup another XC circuit as I knew that was about all the excitement left. My legs were feeling remarkably good considering the poor performance of the first 50km or so and I was holding my own. Theo was strong, showing the fact he had missed 30km of riding but we were all really glad he managed to get back out there.

Into Marinup I found myself on the front again and I was picking up the pace. I was watching my bike computer and loving the flowy single track and pushing harder with every km as we neared 100km. My old chewed out chainrings were not too pleased with that, and evey time I gave a good push on the pedals there was a massive crunch! Smoothness was the key. I was a little confused as I didn't think town was that close but it was a 100km bike race right? Wrong. Then we passed the 100km completed sign which had a side note 3.3km to go......bastards!

Rolling into town we were keeping a good pace and I felt good, but Theo and Chris had it all over me as we rolled into town. In the spirit of things they sat up and we crossed the line together.
06hrs40min

Off to the pub we were informed that if we "Picked up" we needed to inform management as it would be an extra $25 for the room. Many beers AFL and Rugby on the big screen we caught up with lots of nice kids. Pinjarra Pie Shop for Brekky was a great wekend.

Garmin;
Dwellingup100 by pjgoo2 at Garmin Connect - Details

Have a look at this video. I'm the second rider at 02:22.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZwLCJ6lDqQ

Now, Mainpeak Multisport next weekend. That's going to be a whole different story!

Anaconda Adventure Race Gold Coast 2011

Garmin;
http://www.trainingpeaks.com/sw/GDKEQTW7LMKR5QVDSNTTB4DNR4

First time for the Gold Coast Race, after having done the Augusta event  twice I thought I might broaden my horizons. To add to the attraction, Mici's family we're coming for the weekend.

Managed to get hold of the XT I hired on Sat to set it up and have a quick spin. Glad I did as it made the paddle out through the breakwall a little less scary. Had a quick look at the "Tulla Bar" where we were to paddle back into the river, and it looked fairly tame.......

Had the worst build up week to a race I have ever had. Felt like I was getting the flu and had the worst stomach ache the night before. It was so bad I couldn't even go for seconds of John B's incredible lamb for dinner! I felt un-Australian!

Raceday, and thankfully my guts had settled down. Up early to go and set up the transitions which involved a bit of driving. Had some difficulty finding the MTB Transition, but managed to get it and the Run transition sorted, back to the start and set up my Ski and dropped off my gear for the final Run Transition. Bloody logistical nightmare.

Back at the unit I picked up my loyal support crew Ethan and Mici. Down for the Swim start the ocean was very calm, next to no wind. I was surprised at how small the field was compared to Augusta.

Off in the swim in Currumbin Creek, arouns a bouy and back to the ski transition, out, around a flag back in, out the breakwall into the ocean, arouns a bouy, into the beach and run to the Ski's for about a 2km stage. Swim went reasonably well by my standards.
1.9km 39:55 110/151 overall 20/23 18-39male.

Onto the ski the conditions were brilliant. The chicken was still taking pride of place since the Avon, and got a few nice comments. Into the bar, I got tipped off on an embarrasingly small wave. Managed to get straight back on and was off up the river. Hopped in the wash of a double ski and managed to hold onto them for about 6km, they were good guys and I was very thankful particularly as I had forgotten the ski leg was 15km not 12.....Had a geat exit and ran up to my Run transition I set up earlier. I was a bit shocked to see spectators everywhere in the transition. I found this REALLY annoying as they would not get out of the way.
15km 01:37:20 78/151 overall 14/23 18-39male at end of leg 81/151 overall 14/23 18-39male

Felt great as I set off on the run. ran past no41 who asked how old I was, I replied 38 and he said "good I don't have to race you!" the run course was brilliant! cris-crossing a creek for 6km, then came "the hill" I was warned, and yes it is big, and steep. I was chatting to my now mate no41 and asked if at the top of this was the last of the uphill? He replied "Yes, but don't get excited". How true! The downhill was worse......really technical and very......downhill. Quads were burning by the end. Then onto the bike.
12km 01:28:10 71/151 overall 14/23 18-39male at end of leg 69/151 overall 14/23 18-39male

Started the MTB gently, aiming to work my way into it. I was warned there was some "propper" climbing in this leg as well, and it didn't disappoint. Some very steep pushing, and when on the descents I had to take it a bit easy as my new brakes weren't playing the game. Pull the back lever to the grip and still not pulling up. Bugger, it was good open fire trail that you could fly down. into town and I was catching a guy and thought I'd take him after a water crossing on a mown lawn area that looked a couple of inches deep. He slowed down so much I was thinking "C'mon mate1" he then rolled into the water and I watched in horror as his bike disappeared to the handlebars! Lucky, as I would have hit it at a million miles an hour......A cool ride through a drainage tunnel and into the final transition, I had a great result.
18km 01:18:01 44/151 overall 11/23 18-39male at end of leg 61/151 overall 11/23 18-39male

The final 2km run for me at Augusta has been a real struggle. I hit the road and was lucky someone pointed me in the right direction as the course wasn't that clear. When I hit the bridge I started to stretch it out and was really happy to be running 04:30k's. That's great for a plodder kike me at anytime let alone after 5hrs of prancing around the bush. To my surprise I came across half my support crew on the way in. Ethan was very dark on John B for missing my finish. Crossed the line and none of my largest support crew ever were there to see it. I had beaten my estimated time by about 25min and they were all otherwise occupied. When they did turn up, none of them were wearing the IOAR (Indian Ocean Adventure Racing) shirts I had brought along for them to wear. Still was nice to have them all there.
2.1km 10:14 42/151 overall 13/23 18-39male

Great race, great course. beers at the Currumbin SLSC were well enjoyed. I'll be back!
Final placings 05:13:40 60/151 overall 11/23 18-39male. Great result for me.

Avon Descent

Decided to do the Avon Descent a while ago, partly in an effort to become a true "West Australian" (still have the Rotto Swim to go before I get there apparently), and partly as a lead up to the Speights Coast To Coast, a Multi Sport event across the South Island of NZ. I have since put off the Coast To Coast for a while, but thought I'd have a crack at the Avon anyway. I managed a bit of ocean and river training. Even a "Valley" rapids and a "Tea Tree" run in the weeks leading into the race. despite this I still felt under-prepared and a bit scared. Mici had taken the opportunity to get the hell out'a town, but thankfully Matt Henderson had signed himself up to be my support crew.

Friday I headed up to Northam for scrutineering and rego. I dropped off my ski and was impressed with the amount of water over Northam weir. First obstacle only 200m from race start, brilliant! Race day and Matt and I had picked up Pete G and Pocket who were joining some other kids for a road ride from race start at Northam back to Perth.

Got a good start and was second of my wave of 8 boats. Successful navigation of the weir and managed a good pace. Kept telling myself to settle down, 2 long days ahead. First stop was at the top of Extracts weir for water and food 28km. Inexperience here. Where Matt and I met turned out to be where everyone was coming out that was "Portaging" (walking) their ski around the rapid. I wanted to have a crack at it, but I couldn't get back out so had to walk it.

Back into it heard some great support from the cyclists and Matt. Next stop Wetherall Reserve another 24km. Uneventful and kept a great pace. Met Matt for more water and food and was feeling it a bit. Hit the water again for the final 11km for day1 and finish at Cobblers Pool. This section was all Tea Trees, and for those who don't know they are chaos! They are hard enough on your own as the water flows through them and drags you into them. Now add 630 people and it is bedlam. I had actually managed to stay in my boat up to here but came out a few times in the mix. Nothing too bad but bent my rudder in the process. No left turn available, but only a couple of km from the finish so no drama.

Matt met me at the finish and I was super chuffed for my day1 result. Finished over an hour earlier than I estimated. We pulled the rudder blade off and I took it home to straighten it out. Home for more carbs and an early night. 7am start tomorrow and a 1.5hr drive meant a far too early rise.....

Day1 4hrs52min overall183/387 category76/182 gender177/369 best leg Toodyay to Wetherall 52/182 in category. 52km down, 72 to go.

Day 2 we arrived back at Cobblers before the sun and fixed the rudder. All looked good (looks can be deceiving!). Off we went again and today straight into the remaining trees and the carnage began. Boats everywhere blocking the passages and the water just kept brining you into them.....like Lemmings. I think I actually got through relatively quickly considering, but the worst was yet to come...............

about 5km in I noticed the boat was all over the place, and wasn't responding to rudder inputs like it should. after a spill I had a look and noticed the rudder mount had pulled a large chunk of the pastic hull out of the boat. This is not good! This section is called "The Valley". Most of the rapids for the race were in here and no support for 35km. The boat was handling like an out of shape marshmallow, every 4 or so strokes and I was heading for the bank or a tree. What I thought was going to take about 3hrs took 4.5hrs. The only positive was that the hole where the water was getting in filling up the boat with water, the water came back out really quickly when I stopped to empty it out. Tried to fix it with cable ties, no joy. So, hit all the rapids bar Bells with no rudder and got absolutely smashed! Smashed my bum on a couple of rocks while in the  water down rapids (this would be an issue later) and my Life Jacket worked well during a swim at Emu Falls. At this point I was mentally dealing with the possibility I might have to pull out. I had no choice but to push on until Wayalunga but if I couldn't work something out for a rudder there was no way I was going to get through the 37km from there.

I worked out the way to tell what the oncoming rapids were like was took take note of how many spectators there were. Syd's Rapids there were a lot of spectators and safety personell. This was going to be a ripper! I gave it a go and got smashed again, I swum out to where a safety guy was and mentioned I didn't have a rudder. He advised "You definatley should Portage". With that I walked around the rest of it and paddled as best I could.

Arriving at Wayalunga Matt wasn't where I expected him to be. This meant I was going to had to do Championship and Wayalunga rapids still without my rudder. I had been really keen to get something sorted and was beginning to get a bit scared of the rapids since I had copped more of a hiding than Mr Bean in the ring with Mike Tyson. Found a quite concerned Matt at the bottom of Wayalunga (had been waiting for ages) and we got to work. Tape cable ties and more tape, and it looked like the rudder just might work. I asked Matt to meet me at Upper Swan just in case.

Right then, lets try Bells and see what happens. Launched and immediately got stuck in a tree.....DOH! Approached Bells and there were people everywhere, then just to add to the fun they announced my name over the PA system. Now they know WHO it's going to be that gets smashed. You wouldn't read about it, I breezed it through. "That's what my day could have been like" I was thinking, then I remembered now comes 30km of flat water.....

Caught sight of Matt at Upper Swan and gave him the good news "See you at Middle Swan" were back in business. About here was where the  power boats started to go by.....Ahhh there's nothing like the sound of a 2 stroke at full throttle! The 22km from Wayalunga to Middle Swan dragged on and my bum where I had cracked the rocks was really hurting. At Middle Swan more water and Food and a couple of Nurofen (Nurofen did nothing!) 15km to go!

I had my best result of the race on the last leg to the finish. 44/182. I knew I was going ok as I was reeling quite a few people in, but I didn't realise I was going that good! Finish at Garrat Rd and I was very releived to not be sitting on my bum any more. That hurt more than any MTB race.

Chris and Matt were there at the finish. Great atmosphere. Great atmosphere everywhere. I still can't get over the number of spectators....there were thousands of them, everywhere, all clapping and cheering indiscriminately.

In summary. I can't thank Matt enough. Brilliant effort and great encouragement. I'm not sure I'll be rushing in to go solo again, but I'd be keen to go again in a team. I was lucky, great water level, great weather, and made it through. Loved it!

Garmin Day1;
Avon Descent Day1 by pjgoo2 at Garmin Connect - Details
Garmin Day2;
Avon Descent Day2 by pjgoo2 at Garmin Connect - Details