A tale of two Sidis

The weather Sunday morning was evil, it was cold it was wet and the thought of 3 races didn't fill me with joy, but head to Little River I did for GMBCs 3 stage race. Thankfully the weather cleared and although cold, the day turned out to be suitable for the racing of mountain type bicycles.



There were three races, I think this has been mentioned before, but it's an important fact and I want to ensure it holds firm in your mind. David stepped up to A-grade joining Ryan on the rigid, single speed, Ristretto. Jim and I decided the weapon of choice involved gears and suspension, but Ryan's a hard man and rigid SS is the hard man way. Darren and Prue rolled in later with the boys, chatting and taking photos it's good to see Darren out from behind the welding gun, sadly he couldn't be convinced to race.



The first race was a short time trial. Straight up the fire road above the car park, straight down twisty single track in the open field. 6 minutes later, heart and breakfast wedged firmly in the throat it was over. Ryan 7th, Me 9th, Jim 12th and David 18th.

Between races the large crowd of riders mingled and chatted, the event really had a good club race atmosphere with plenty of talk and smiles. Soon enough though it was time for the smiles to be put away and the elbows to come out again, all aboard for the XC race. The course climbed the old boulder climb, the quick pace did well to separate riders before twisting along the link track to the top ring road. Head down, bum up to the top of the black bermed/rock garden descent and finally down to the fence track. The highlight for me was the descent, each lap the speed increased until on the final lap I had to unblock my ears at the bottom.

Just over an hour and it was back to the tents to laugh and joke, some quick bike maintenance and refuel the body. Ryan 9th, Jim 12th, Me 14th and David 18th.

During the break the 2008 Baum Mont 24 hour team was discussed. 6 man or 4 man? Geared or Single Speed? Suspension or Rigid? Roadies allowed? The jury is still out, I'll let you guess who was suggesting all the hard man options.

The criterion was short, 15 minutes + 1 lap, with each lap taking a couple of minutes. Pre race everyone discussed a gentleman's agreement for at least the first lap, after all these years I still thought it might happen so lined up near the back. 3, 2, 1, GO and go they did! With my forks locked out it was time to take 'The Dog' for a run and see who could be chased down. Me 9th, Ryan 14th, Jimmy and David got lapped.



That’s a 2-1 win to Ryan, who invited him anyway?

Fun day, good turn up of great people and awesome trails. Sounds like a recipe for grins, now if only my legs would stop hurting.