My first Enduro! I left work early on the Friday, bad headache (yeah right!) and headed up the Hume to Beechworth, I made my arrival to my accommodation of choice, well not really a choice it was either here or pay $120 for a room on my own so I opted for the cheapskates accommodation being the Commercial Hotel. I paid for my room grabbed my key and headed straight out to the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park. I met Graeme (on the left in the photo above) and his brother Brian who were staying at the same Pub as me, they were later to be my dinner dates for the night and thank god for that too, the room was about 3x3 metres and had a bed and a sink in it and that's all so would have been a boring night otherwise. Anyway, I changed in to my gear and headed off on my bike on to what is definitely the best track I have ridden, mainly single track and quite rocky and technical, no massive climbs, fantastic! for me anyway. Riding it on the Friday was great as there were not too many other riders out there so had the track pretty much to myself.Saturday was a different story with over 200 riders I was quite nervous as the track was quite tight and me being a stress head I was worried I would get in the fast riders way and was having second thoughts about riding. As it was the rider I was going to partner with had not shown up or let me know if he was or was not coming so I was trying to decide to ride it solo or just take photos all day, the photography was looking to be a winner when Steve and Jodie Clausen convinced me otherwise, they introduced me to David Jupp who had the same issue with a partner pulling out so we decided to ride as a mixed pair. The decision then needed to be made as to who would do the first lap, I nominated David for the duty, good decision too, the start included an extra 15 minute hill climb.
My first lap was OK, I spent alot of time pulling over to let the other riders pass, 2nd lap was going great, I realised the riders could get around me quite easily without me having to stop and was feeling pretty relaxed, I was heading into the 2nd half of the track along a bit of fire trail when all of a sudden a hissing sound came from below, nope not a snake, a flat! SHIT! No tube, no pump, no idea how to change a tube even if I did have one, oh well better start walking, pretty much every rider offered to help which I knocked back as it was my own fault for not having a tube on me and felt like the biggest idiot too. One of the solo guys was having a tough time and wanted to stop so he pretty much took over and started changing my tyre for me, he only had enough air to half fill the tube so he headed off and I waited until one of the other riders that was not taking it too seriously to lend me a pump, so another rider stops and he starts pumping away to no avail, that tube was dud, back to square one, he was better prepared than me and had 2 spare tubes so gave me one and we got the tyre fixed and I was away again. I quickly went and bought spare tubes to repay the riders and waited for them to pass the finish line so they didnt get stuck out there without a tube.
Last lap hurt, I felt pretty good at the start of the lap but going into the 2nd half of the track this time I was not feeling too good at all, legs were sore, shoulder and back was sore, had a couple spills too so was not feeling great, alot of riders were very encouraging and that kept me going until I got to the last climb before the finish, I didnt think I would be able to ride to the top but somehow managed a very slow ride to the top and then it was pretty much all down hill from there, that was it for me I handed over to my partner and he completed the last lap of the day.
I really enjoyed my first Enduro experience, I like the fact that you get to rest between laps, eat, drink, socialise and then head off and do another lap, seems to be less pressure than the XC races too, everyone seems to be more relaxed and has a chat as they ride along beside you too.
I am planning to do the 6 hour Rock Hop www.dirtridersmtb.com on the 18th of May in a team and the Anaconda Chase the Sun series solo http://www.fullgaspromotions.com.au/new/cts.html on the 11th of May but for now I will concentrate on finishing off the VSS XC with the 5th round this Sunday 13th April and the last round on the 27th. Hopefully with good results at both.
Thank You's for today
Same as usual but special Thanks to David for partnering with me, I am glad I got to ride and didnt attempt it solo, I struggled with 3 hours so dont think I could have made it to 6. Also to Graeme and Brian for their great company both at the Pub Friday night and in between laps on Saturday.
Happy Riding!
Kat
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