Mike prepares for the onslaught on the first Ferry. And yes, Australians take fines seriously.
With two weeks to go until the Highland Fling in the Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia, local Marathon racers had a split decision. Do you race your State Championship course, or head out training all weekend? The NSW cross country (XC) racing scene has been lackluster of late, so there was certainly a feeling that any event should be well supported. But many other riders, who know they won’t step onto the podium in the short format, the decision is not so clear cut.
Rockstar Racing rider Shaun Lewis admitted in his recent interview with MarathonMTB.com that he would not be contesting the State Championships. Like many racers who excel in the Marathon format, Lewis knows the benefits of a good block ‘the weekend before the weekend before’. Or two weeks before the race, if that is a tongue twister.
So while the NSW State Championships were being run and won on a wonderfully prepared private course south of Sydney, MarathonMTB.com caught up with three other riders who will be challenging within their classes at the Highland Fling.
Sam Moorehouse, Justin Morris and Graeme Arnott decided to tackle a true classic north of their homes in Sydney. The Wiseman’s Ferry area is the start of the Convict Trail – a disused road constructed in the early 19th century as a link towards Somersby. It now provides a good mix of singletrack and fireroad for mountain bikers, and makes up a lot of the Dirtworks Classic Marathon course. Today, with an extra 45km link on the dirt road back via St Albans, it would create a good training opportunity. As a warning, many Sydney cyclists have quite regionally specific vernacular when discussing their sport.
The convict trail starts quite innocuously, and as the trio rolled out of the car park with a MarathonMTB.com representative in tow, the conversation dwindled as the incline made itself apparent. The distance for the day was committing, with little opportunity for resupplying food or water, and certainly a long walk out if there was a serious mechanical. As the ridge was gained, and the firetrail became a mix of doubletrack and wider singletrack, the conversation returned.
“These are wicked trails, but I’m glad I’ve brought the soft-tail out,” remarked Moorehouse, due to the rocky nature of the ridgeline. The constant ledges and power climbs take their toll though, as within the first hour the group suffered their first mechanical as Moorehouse tore the chain off his bike.
Pressing on, the group passed the first of the three oldest stone bridges in Australia. However these cannot be ridden, as all the original timbers have deteriorated. Following the next climb, Morris moved to the front and started to push the pace. When a stagnant pond was negotiated poorly, this did little to dampen his enthusiasm. Instead, it buoyed his determination and the pace through the second hour kept the four riders strung out. Clearly Morris has developed great strength racing with Team Type I in the USA, yet has maintained more than a modicum of his mountain bike abilities.
An untimely puncture followed, however Graeme Arnott’s body language was clear. If this happened in the 100mile Highland Fling, he would not be waiting. Chastised by our second mechanical in a remote region – we pushed on. The sun burnt down, but the group rejoiced in their suffering.
Within 2h30min of riding the dirt road was reached. The next navigation point was clear: St Albans pub. A concerted push followed, with four riders sharing the work on the rough dirt road in the wind. Gaps opened and closed, but the waypoint was reached.
“I’m so thirsty I could even drink VB,” Moorehouse was heard to remark. However the order was for four cokes, neat. With 21km still to ride to complete the loop, there was little time to sitback. The last section passed with four riders mostly riding on caffeine, sugar and courage.
Justin 'Maddog' Morris, having developed his marathon stare.
“That was an awesome loop, I don’t know why I don’t ride my mountain bike more often’ said Morris.
Moorehouse agreed: “That was a sick loop. I was in the box a bit at the end though. I’m loving the mountain bike at the moment”.
Arnott was mostly quiet, contemplating the fact that his race at the Highland Fling will be somewhat longer – as he has elected to race the 100mile version. However his form, style and ease on today’s training bout should see him well placed. MarathonMTB.com conservatively places him in the top 5 in a fortnights time. However check back for an in depth report, results, and a run down on what Australia’s Elite Marathon racers at the Highland Fling in a fortnights time.