With the last day of an extended Easter long weekend already underway, I have to look back and review what was, and what could have been. A five day weekend is a gift at any time of the year. When it falls about five weeks before an overseas racing jaunt – it is even better.
The plan was to start the mile up early. For a true Monstor Block, you really want a solid week of riding. Two weeks is better. So on Wednesday morning I rolled south with PT Brock, for road miles south of Sydney. Following the main roads out of town, the adage of ‘Fast or Death’ was never more appropriate. Trucks don’t get affected by school holiday traffic. Riding through the Royal National Park until Stanwell was a struggle. but the goal was reached, and I U-turned around to Sydney (and work) again. PT ventured onwards.
Thursday reared it’s head, and my legs said no. But surely standing on your feet for about twelve hours has some sort of strength-endurance benefit? Working in retail is far from the ideal scenario for any amateur athlete!
Friday, and we rolled south with a slightly larger crew: PT, Hard Kor, Biscuit, Maddog and myself. Biscuit and I had an afternoon Mountain Bike Session planned for Mt Stromlo, so our ride turned halfway through the National Park. This was just after Hard Kor, PT and Maddog started swapping off- something they continued down to Bulli and back. The second session at Stromlo was proof again why any keen cyclist should move to Canberra. Our tired legs were dragged around trails by Liam O’Dea, whose finesse and fitness on his singlespeed were untouchable.
Saturday dawned cold, and things started to get hard. Driving to Tharwa, we had a series of hard climbs lined up: Honeysuckle, Fitz’s, and Corrin Dam. Andy Blair (Swell-Redshift) got wind of the plan and joined Liam, Biscuit and myself on his new ‘cross bike as we were descending Honeysuckle. Things started to get harder. Unfamiliar roads, steep pinches, and wind were starting to sink their teeth into our legs. Perhaps not Andy’s, as he practiced his ‘cross dismounts and remounts as we climbed back up Fitz’s.
Sunday was time for some Mountain Bike specificity. More than that, it was time to pre-ride some of the Dirt Works 100km Classic course, with Nick Both and Justin Maddog Morris. Wekept each other honest. Or more accurately, they took it in turns putting me in the hurt box.
Monday, things went south. The rain has been incessant. The Dirt Works course will be eroded if this volume of water has fallen out towards St Albans and Wisemans Ferry. Sydney drowned. PT Brock and I rolled out for coffee and late Easter Hot Cross Buns. The Maddog Mystery tour had been cancelled due to heavy rain.
So here comes Tuesday – and with the Beaumont Road World Championships cancelled due to rain, the monstor block has been cut short. Work is back on the agenda, and the Dirt Works 100km Classic is getting closer.