Thank you Virgin Blue Airlines

My wheel bags travelled with cabin crew luggage so that they would make it to Cairns safe & sound. My bike made it to Cairns in one piece too! :o) I am so relieved. The wonderful staff memeber was able to do some creative checking in & I didn't have to pay for any excess luggage.

Only one airline to fly with when travelling in my book now.

Europcar are awesome! They have provided an almost brand new Pajaro 4wd for the duration of the race & a couple of days either side.

There are a few mtb cyclists out & about today. I haven't been able to get into the 'holiday mode'. We are staying at some lovely holiday apartments .

Until next time GGF & have a great ride.

What's in the inspiration "tool box"

I am sometimes asked "how do you manage to ride for 12 or 24 hours?" & "What do you think about when you are on your bike for 6-8 hours?" & "How do you get up at 3am most mornings to train?"

There are a few others, however these are the most common.

When we read Andrew Bell's story about the recent Scott 24 hour he talks about pain. Not just leg cramps that a some water, food & stretching makes better. He is talking about the sort of pain that not only physically hurts, but the sort of pain that grinds you down mentally especially when you know you have over 20 hours to go that makes you doubt your ability & makes you think you want to just throw your bike into the bushes, walk home & never ride again.

There is a very deep hole (I am starting to think it is bottomless or has a leak) inside that I need to fill. Committing to, training & preparing for & completing the crocodile trophy 12/24 hour races are some of those things that fills the hole.

Through out 2008 road & xc season I have stood on the podium steps a few times. These are not the moments that I remember or mean the most.

I remember fast corners, awesome single track, long-slow-tough-ball busting climbs.

One of my most vivid & exciting racing memories for this year was race 3 of the Inferno Series. 80kms or so long. Awesome 'Jaman' & I were smashing out rough single track, wheel to wheel. With in sight of each other for the entire race. I tell the story of this race often.

I have my own personal demons. They are well camoflaged day to day. So difficult to find. The best way I have found to flush them out of their hiding place so I can smash them is phsical & emotional stress. Go & do an endurance training ride or race. Find them, them smash them.

What have I done?

I should mention that the two photos used in this post are taken by John Flynn. John is not only an awesome photographer, he also rides a bike! Check out some of his stories
So, about 2 weeks ago when asked how I was feeling about doing the croc trophy, I described it as "I am at the stage of I wish it was tomorrow but I also wish it was still 3 months away!"

Today, as I write a few things in my diary, realising that I fly out at the end of next week I now have the feeling "What the flip have I gotten myself into?"

Then I look back at the many other occasions I have made that same comment.

I committed to completing the 2008 crocodile trophy nearly 9 months ago. There have been so many changes in that time. Many simply falling in behind my croc goals.

With that in mind, I would be a fool if I didn't appreciate all that I have experienced leading up to this event. It's not just about the 9 days of racing for me. It is the entire experience leading upto, during & I am very excited about what is to come once it is completed.

8 Hour Enduro...eat some dust

What a totally awesome day. It was a warm day, with the potential to be a lot hotter. Low to mid 30's I think. There was a lot of dust. The course was fast.

Our little campsite was in the perfect position for quick, easy pit stops. The campsite was made up of a handful of other great people that love their bike riding. Some of them have even turned into 'racers'

I started at the front of the race but was happy to let the speedy team riders take it out & I wasn't interested in anyones elses pace other than my own.

Big Mistake: The course was so fast I was back in under 30mins for the first 4 or 5 laps. I finished 600mls of fluid (240 calories) & a GU gel (100 calories) 340 calories in 1/2 an hour, 1360 calories in 2 hours. That is 2 times my maximum intake. No wonder I said to my pit crew "there is something wrong"

So for the next 1 1/2 hours I downed just water with the occasional swig of electrolyte. Everything started to feel a lot more comfortable.

I took my two sons out to the event. They did the kiddies race & soaked up the race atmosphere. Both of them love riding their bikes.

Attack!...Attack again & again "Kapow!!!"

Mount Nebo interval session with some well established climbers. Nice guy, Andrew Patten (4th in Grafton to Inverell 228km roadie race Div3) showed up & dished out some pain also.

To describe the ride would be simply to say it was a rapid succession of attacks for 37kms.
Post session coffee is a real treat.

I had a few things bothering me this morning & got a little distracted. This is what resulted. Bit of skin off my butt too.