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!