Day 1 done and dusted
My race plan went out the window today, as I won my age group. That was not the plan, so now I will have to race to keep the position. The plan before todays stage was to take it easy, and see what happens towards the end of the race. I will bank the boomerang I won today, and am happy to have got one on my first stage of the Crocodile Trophy.
A good day on the bike you could say, much better than planned. I thought it might have been OK, when I passed the guy who got second in my age group last year, and rode away from him. Better than planned as I won by 1 min 30 sec, so I will bank that and take that to the next stage. I also had the fastest time for a lap in my age group, so not so bad for a non-mountain biker. I am guessing it was the long straights where I could use some of my roadie power. My other piece of good luck was hitching a ride with another kiwi, Steve, in his Dad's truck back to Cairns, avoiding the 15km bike back into the headwind. Thanks guys, and much appreciated.
Todays stage was 5 loops of the Smithfield Mountain bike course (a short 15km ride out of Cairns), the same course as was used for the World Championships a few years ago, and I hear the year that Roberto rode. The course was fast, and twisty, although it had a flat and quick section at the end, where my road bike training of riding into the headwind paid off, as it was rough, but still fast. A good fun course, and by lap 5, my mountain biking skills were coming back to me, andf i was really enjoying it. I think a lot of people went out too hard, as after the first lap no one passed me, and I passed a few very red in the face riders, as it was also hot. In the end my time was 1hr 45mins, and the overall winner did 1hr 30mins.
The Podium shot :) The guy wearing the Smart Cycling top got second in the age group last year.
And the boomerang I get for winning my age group, along with AUD 70!
That was today. A good day on the bike you could say.
Yesterday was sign in day, and it was pretty low key. By far the lowest key race briefing and welcome I have been to, for the most serious race! Hanging out in the sun.
The other interesting study that the doctors are doing here is looking at what the race does to you over the 11 days. To do this they are weighing people, and measuring their fat, in about 20 places. This was done yesterday, and they will do it again after stage 5, and then at the end. It will be interesting to see what effect the race has on me. At the weigh in we did not get the fat results but I weighed in at 78kg, 2 kg heavier than usual, although everyone was weighing heavy.
Next weigh in - after stage 5, then at the end. I will report the weight, and fat if they have the results.
The weight in:
Dinner last night with Pete and Christopher Morrin, Dad's brother. I have not seen them for some time, and Pete and Judy, are over here volunteering on wildlife and fauna suveys. A good dinner and away from the race thoughts and talk, so good fun. Great to catch up with them.
Finally I will finish with a few other photos from today.
The Kiwi races. Steve Bunton from Perth, Bevan Spratt from NZ, and myself. Three kiwis, and only one lives in NZ. Typical.
On the start line before the action today.
Tomorrow stage is 89km and 2,500m climbing, plus 18km of neutralized to the official start to get us out of Cairns. The test comes in the first 9 km when we climb 500m, then again at km 80 where we climb another 400m, although word has it the climb has been reduced due to road works. It will be an interesting day, as I will ride my own race, but at the same time need to keep an eye on Hans, who is second place behind me.
Thanks for all the emails of support. They are much appreciated, and i try and answer as many as possible. Today I may not, as I had to rewrite this as I lost it once already. In particular, thank you Ramon for your support of not working and taking time off. I really appreciated it, and the comment that you should enjoy it while you can. More on that tomorrow...
Until tomorrow - cheers hamish
PS - the Leah update. She is in Mallorca, but has not managed to send any good pictures of them riding yet, so tomorrow we may have a bonus photo or two here.
Sent from my iPad
My race plan went out the window today, as I won my age group. That was not the plan, so now I will have to race to keep the position. The plan before todays stage was to take it easy, and see what happens towards the end of the race. I will bank the boomerang I won today, and am happy to have got one on my first stage of the Crocodile Trophy.
A good day on the bike you could say, much better than planned. I thought it might have been OK, when I passed the guy who got second in my age group last year, and rode away from him. Better than planned as I won by 1 min 30 sec, so I will bank that and take that to the next stage. I also had the fastest time for a lap in my age group, so not so bad for a non-mountain biker. I am guessing it was the long straights where I could use some of my roadie power. My other piece of good luck was hitching a ride with another kiwi, Steve, in his Dad's truck back to Cairns, avoiding the 15km bike back into the headwind. Thanks guys, and much appreciated.
Todays stage was 5 loops of the Smithfield Mountain bike course (a short 15km ride out of Cairns), the same course as was used for the World Championships a few years ago, and I hear the year that Roberto rode. The course was fast, and twisty, although it had a flat and quick section at the end, where my road bike training of riding into the headwind paid off, as it was rough, but still fast. A good fun course, and by lap 5, my mountain biking skills were coming back to me, andf i was really enjoying it. I think a lot of people went out too hard, as after the first lap no one passed me, and I passed a few very red in the face riders, as it was also hot. In the end my time was 1hr 45mins, and the overall winner did 1hr 30mins.
The Podium shot :) The guy wearing the Smart Cycling top got second in the age group last year.
And the boomerang I get for winning my age group, along with AUD 70!
That was today. A good day on the bike you could say.
Yesterday was sign in day, and it was pretty low key. By far the lowest key race briefing and welcome I have been to, for the most serious race! Hanging out in the sun.
The other interesting study that the doctors are doing here is looking at what the race does to you over the 11 days. To do this they are weighing people, and measuring their fat, in about 20 places. This was done yesterday, and they will do it again after stage 5, and then at the end. It will be interesting to see what effect the race has on me. At the weigh in we did not get the fat results but I weighed in at 78kg, 2 kg heavier than usual, although everyone was weighing heavy.
Next weigh in - after stage 5, then at the end. I will report the weight, and fat if they have the results.
The weight in:
Dinner last night with Pete and Christopher Morrin, Dad's brother. I have not seen them for some time, and Pete and Judy, are over here volunteering on wildlife and fauna suveys. A good dinner and away from the race thoughts and talk, so good fun. Great to catch up with them.
Finally I will finish with a few other photos from today.
The Kiwi races. Steve Bunton from Perth, Bevan Spratt from NZ, and myself. Three kiwis, and only one lives in NZ. Typical.
On the start line before the action today.
Tomorrow stage is 89km and 2,500m climbing, plus 18km of neutralized to the official start to get us out of Cairns. The test comes in the first 9 km when we climb 500m, then again at km 80 where we climb another 400m, although word has it the climb has been reduced due to road works. It will be an interesting day, as I will ride my own race, but at the same time need to keep an eye on Hans, who is second place behind me.
Thanks for all the emails of support. They are much appreciated, and i try and answer as many as possible. Today I may not, as I had to rewrite this as I lost it once already. In particular, thank you Ramon for your support of not working and taking time off. I really appreciated it, and the comment that you should enjoy it while you can. More on that tomorrow...
Until tomorrow - cheers hamish
PS - the Leah update. She is in Mallorca, but has not managed to send any good pictures of them riding yet, so tomorrow we may have a bonus photo or two here.
Sent from my iPad
