The Briars Highland Fling, now in its 7th year, is always a well run, competitive and difficult race. This year was no exception, in fact with the inclusion of the Real Insurance XCM series, this years edition was seemingly super fast. In the elite category there was big money on the line.
After having not thrown a leg over the horse for 2 weeks since the Crocodile Trophy, personally I was hoping for a leisurely start on the road section like in previous years. This was not to be the case, it was flat stick from the gun with the likes of Blair, Mather, Cooper keen on shedding the field early. The first 30km to Wingello seemed to fly by, I found myself in the 2nd group with some solid company in Glenn ‘pops’ Stojanow, Swell-Redshift’s Nick Both and others. I am a big fan of the Flings 5 minute feed zone rule. Being able to hop off, stuff my face with food, refill and have a lounge around at the feed is much appreciated. Hopping back on the machine after Wingello, the race took to the now famous ‘red’ trail which is super fun. These trails were in tip top condition; dry and fast.
Having hopped onto a group of Flemming, Glennan and Downing with Mark Griffin this was a solid group to hang through the singletrack with. Downing was shelving out some solid speed through the flowy singletrack whittling the group to 3 with myself and Glennan. I was not to last much longer with these rockets, getting pumelled by James’ furious pace. The class mountain biker that is Matt Flemming was not far back, hanging with Matt for a short time was helpful before it was lights out for me on the KOM about halfway through the race.
At the pointy end of the race an intriguing battle was eventuating between Cooper, Mather and Blair whom had seemingly distanced themselves from the rest of the field. For myself, this 50km point was giving me flashbacks of Crocodile Trophy pain- corrugated roads, heat and furious pain in every corner of the body. I spent the rest of the distance to Wingello in no mans land finding some helpful Open riders to work with on the way. Another lounge around and chit chat at the feed zone before getting the final 32km underway. I thought I had recharged the batteries at Wingello and went out all guns blazing until about 10km later when I recalled what was in store for this final section.
Coming through the farmyard section and up the horrid grassy knoll was demoralising to say the least, the lights had been dimmed to parkers. Some fun singletrack was there but could not be enjoyed as the locker had sealed itself shut around me at the 100km mark. Some oddly placed mirrors and odd puns and jokes about bread written all over the trail did not ease the pain, suffice to say I was not in the mood. 10km of more simple riding remained and by this point the lights were off parkers and were in need of jumper leads… Then the return of the ‘Bothinator’. Nick Both had recovered from an earlier flat and seemed to have a full wick to burn as he came up to me, I thought it would be good to stay with this workhorse to the finish. But no, I couldn’t hold the Both as he danced away just before the final 1km singletrack section. Coming across the line was a relief. A super hard race, awesome course, super well run and organised event.
My hat goes off to Dylan Cooper taking out the series and line honours today, also to Ben Mather and Andy Blair who held a phenomenal pace for the entire 112km. Thanks to Wild Horizons and the plethora of super legendary Marshalls and volunteers on the day, top stuff as always!
Bye Bye MTB for me now, hello road again and a much more friendly riding surface… This will be my last race with Subaru/MarathonMTB.com for at least the next 12 months. It has been a memorable year travelling to MTB marathons across the country and can faithfully say I will never forget it, particuarly the Crocodile Trophy. Big thanks to team directors Rich and Mike, team helper Pete Figg and legendary team mates Graeme Arnott, Mike Blewitt and Sam Moorhouse and a big hello to new team member Tate Dogan!
Hooroo, Justin.