Stage 6: Granite Dam to Laura
115km - 1,850m climbing
Stage 6 completed, after the monster yesterday. A good day considering that it is day 6 and we did a long day yesterday. Came in 2nd again in my age group. Hans out climbed me again.
Todays stage was 118km from Granite Dam to Laura. The first 40km was good going, then we had 20km of really rough, slow going, and it finished off with 60km that was a lot faster and better going.
I had a good start as i was in the front break of about 15 riders off the start. The bunch broke up on the first hill, and I was just able to hang on. I pushed hard and managed to just make the cut, as it is a lot easier if you are in a group, and i hang on until km 40 when the going got rough. I was happy to see the front guys attack, and go, and Hans followed them, so that was my day. I sat up, and rode low risk, as now I am protecting my second place in M2 category. I have it by 1.5 hours, so easy to protect. I still managed to fall once, but that was after the third placed rider in M2 today caught me. He is a big Polish rider who motors downhill. I had been sitting up, and really taking it easy through the 20km of hard rough going. It was really rough, and slow going. Anyway, he caught me, and then i decided I was not going to stick around, as I thought he was not as fast on the flat. Correct, and in the next 10km I put 3 minutes into him, and that included throwing my chain off, and a my fall for the day. I was happy to see the gap, as I rode out of aid station 3, he was about 100m away from coming in. It is kinda satisfying.
Once I had the gap, I decided that no one else was going to catch me, and put my head down and went until the end. In the end I think I was about 5-7 minutes in front of him, so happy with that. Another second for the day. The bike is all good post fall, and I added another scrap, this time to my left arm. The crash was at the end of a technical section, and I came into a corner a little hot, and just did not make it around. A small tree broke my fall, and it broke in the process.
So overall happy with today. The legs felt good considering the ride yesterday. It is amazing how quickly you can recover. I also have the advantage of a lot of riding and this is my third stage race this year. The very front of the race was decided in a sprint finish, and the rider who is leading overall took it.
Tonight we are in Laura. 80 residents, a road house, a post office, pub and a store. The store sells ice blocks and that is what matters. We are now out of the rolling hill country which we spent the last 2-3 days in, and on the flats. It again has the real outback feel, and above all it is really hot. Today someone was saying it was 42 degrees on the bike! I guess it might be time for another ice block.
Thank you for all the email support. It has been great, and sorry I cannot reply as I have very limited internet. This has been a lot harder than the Haute Route. The climbs are steeper, the going is slower, and the days are longer. Then throw in the heat, the dust, and the camping, and it is another level. I am pretty sure it took me 1.5 - 2 hours to go 20km today, and I am lucky as i finish early. Someone just came in now, and they have been out there for 5 hours longer than me, and it took me 5hr 15 mins!.
Tomorrow is a 50km time trial. 25 km out and back. The good thing is that we start between 8 and 9, so we will be done by 11. A good recover day. I would say sleeping, but it will be too hot, although i may try and find a shady spot. Until tomorrow.
hamish