This here's my race report from the Highland Fling MTB marathon that I competed in in November 2010. I thought I would include it as one of my first posts. This report was originally posted up on www.cyclenet.com.au, a cool site run by my buddy Craig. It's a little wordy but read on anyway and enjoy...
After three false starts with participation in marathon events this year I was really hoping the Highland Fling would be the one where Mother Nature smiled on the event and it was one where there wouldn’t be a DNF recorded against my name.
So with the hire car loaded up I headed off to Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands looking forward to flinging my cherry for the first time, so to speak. When I arrived at Bundanoon I was greeted with warm humid conditions and some threatening looking clouds as well as hundreds of keen mountain bikers ready to do the same thing, ride…
Organisation was slick and in short time I was ushered into the local hall by one of the volunteer ‘bakers’ to pick up my number and t-shirt. From there it was a short drive to event central – Ferndale Oval, the start and finish as well as my accommodation for the night. After setting up camp and preparing my bike I had a wander around to see what was happening before heading back to the campsite to relax.
I hit the sack early and was glad I did because as soon as I jumped into my sleeping bag Mother Nature brought the rain down. I fell asleep to soft patter of rain on my tent roof hoping I wouldn’t wake up to the same thing in the morning.
Sunday morning dawned and I was awoken around 5.30am by movement around the campground. At 6am the MC decided it was time to wake everyone up with his dulcet tones and some theme music. My fears of a wet start were unfounded as the skies had cleared. I started getting organised when I realised I didn’t bring milk. Luckily I found a substitute, an Up n’ Go, so used that on my cereal. It wasn’t long before I was suiting up and rolling to the start. Cruising around I caught up with friends and we all posed for a photo before heading to the start for the briefing from the event director. With that done, the gun was fired and everyone was off!
I quickly drifted to the back of the pack especially with the fact that shifting problems started early – note to self, do NOT change cables just before race day – it would be something that would haunt me all day. So after getting used to the lack of a 30-tooth rear sprocket I started to really enjoy the trails. The first stage – the Ground Effects stage – consisted mainly of fire road and grassland as well as the aptly named Early Bath. The event director was right when he said it was a thigh deep water crossing. It was brisk in, but the warm temperatures meant that the shoes dried out quickly after.
The fire roads gave way to grasslands and it wasn’t long after that the elite riders train passed by on one of the uphills shortly before the first transition. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about them now. I felt rather good as I rolled into the transition area at Wingello. I grabbed some food from my Camelbak and re-filled it before heading out for the second stage – the Tertini Wines stage – but not before realising my Camelbak was leaking. I had to stop to adjust it a few times to stop the leaking but after sorting that out I was away down some nicely graded fire road before hitting the first of the single track, some of it newly created for this event. It was sweet too, a little technical in parts but nice and flowing. I had a massive smile on my face. In fact the entire single track throughout the race was great, I just wished I were more fresh to enjoy it! I snaked along the single track that was interspersed with connecting fire road.
The temperature was getting warmer and with some of the more open fire roads the sun felt quite intense. During this time I started dicing with another rider who would pass me on the uphills but I had his measure on the flats and downhills. My bike seemed to roll effortlessly, I love riding a 29er… We would chat as we rode together or passed each other. When we finally reached the drink station about halfway into the stage our dusty grins said it all – Wingello single track rocks! I had all but drained my Camelbak so eagerly filled it up before grabbing another bite to eat. I filled my bottle as well with some electrolyte drink I don’t normally consume. I think it would come back to haunt me later.
From the drink station it was downhill until I saw a sign saying 50 metres to The Wall. Being a first time Flinger and overhearing stories from other riders it was apparently something to be feared. They were right! At the bottom of the hill, I turned left and saw straight away how it got its name. But I decided to give it a crack and rode a short way up the hill before joining the dozen or so other riders walking up it. As it flattened out it was back on the bike to grind it out to the top.
As I continued on I started to feel the fatigue set in and found myself getting progressively slower. The psychological turn around point for me was the section called The Outer Limits. I felt once I passed this section I would be homeward bound. After what felt like ages, I saw the signage to The Outer Limits, which was a relief, but now I was feeling I had the hurt locker open and had one foot in it. The hills started to feel longer and steeper and consequently harder so I found myself starting to walk a little more. I didn’t feel too bad as a number of other riders were doing the same. I started noticing too how much I was starting to ache. My neck, shoulders, back and arms not to mention my legs were hurting but I kept at it, I was determined to finish this one.
Coming out of the Wingello State Forest and onto some relatively flat dirt road felt great and as some rain began to lightly fall I was able to make some serious speed back to the Wingello Transition Area. The transition resembled a battlefield with bikes and the bodies of tired riders lying everywhere. I jumped off my bike, nearly cramping in the process, and replaced the electrolyte drink I was picked up at the last drink station with some of the drink I normally use. I also took the chance to refill the Camelbak for the last time, got my chain lubed up before having a stretch and heading out onto the third and final stage – the GU Stage. This was the homeward stretch.
Leaving transition, the sealed road gave way to dirt and I followed this flat section out to a private property, some more grassland trail and down to another creek crossing. From there I followed some snaking single track that looked suspiciously fresh – shame I was feeling the exact opposite! – and as I reached the top it was there that I really hit the wall. Before I had one foot in the hurt locker, now I had jumped in it like it was a swimming pool.
From here on in to the finish even the smallest hill was a struggle and I spent most of them walking. The downhills were great as I could just roll. It was now going to be a battle just to finish. I continued on and eventually hit the Bike Wash section, yet another creek crossing, before heading up another hill to a T intersection. The marshal directed me right and I saw riders on the other side of the fence. I was thinking great, I’ll head up the road a bit then do a U turn and get on the other side of the fence. I did, to some extent. It was the long way round, via the Boundary Rider and Roller coaster sections. It was a little disheartening but there was no point in giving up now. During the Roller coaster section, I had one of two unicyclists in the Fling ride past, my jaw dropping at the speed and skill the guy possessed.
My head was in a deep dark place now and I continued to ride on autopilot, riding the best I could, walking the hills, rolling the downhills and pedalling slowly along the flats. I kept trying to eat and drink but every bite I took or sip that I drank made me want to vomit. Eventually two other riders caught up with me and we rode and walked together, passing the 10km to go sign. They gapped me when we reached the fence line and passed the T intersection we previously rode past and I didn’t see them again. The marshal who directed me right at the T intersection then yelled out some encouraging words to me and letting me know that it wasn’t far to the finish.
I continued along the fire road, passing the 5km to go sign, and by this time I was alternating between walking and riding, on the flats. I was now starting to be passed by the 100 Mile Flingers before hitting the Your Call section. Here I had a choice, go left and follow a shorter, steeper route, or go right and follow a longer, more level route. I figured I’d be walking anyway, so decided on the shorter route thinking it might be a little quicker. Whilst walking this section the only female competitor in the 100 Mile Fling passed me. She also offered me encouragement letting me know it was nearly all downhill now to the finish. Awesome I thought and headed down once again before being directed left into a private property by two of the most animated marshals I saw all day.
It was the homeward section now, so close to the finish I could almost taste it. I decided I was not going to walk anymore and pedalled on with the knowledge that I would finish. Being absolutely shattered after riding 110km I nearly came off on a very minor little section under the road bridge before heading up a small rise for the very last time and onto the finish straight.
I don’t remember much as I crossed the finish line. I was a little dazed at actually finishing the race, completely drained both physically and mentally. I was stopped by a volunteer just before the finish chute who collected my timing chip, before barely being able to climb off the bike and be greeted by a friend who finished a good two hours before me.
I had done it. I finished. I was ecstatic but looking at me at the time you wouldn’t have thought it. I slowly climbed out of the hurt locker that had me imprisoned for the last few hours and walked away satisfied at what I had just achieved. Now all I had to do was pack the car and drive for two hours home…
On reflection, the course was great, the single track awesome, the organization very professional, and the free pasta salad for finishers very tasty… If you’d had asked me at the finish line if I’d do it again I’d have probably swore at you and said no. But sitting here now typing this story I think you’ll probably find me at the start line again next year. As a friend said before the race, ‘Bring the pain…’
