In 2011 I googled MTB races in NSW and it came up with the Highland Fling. I convinced Ray to come and race with me not knowing how popular this event was. We both raced the half marathon and that was our first experience with MTB races in Australia, we absolutely loved it, there is just nothing like it. Therefore it was a no brainer to enter this race again even if it was a short 2 weeks after our Xterra World Championship in Maui.
The excitement started when we got onto the highway driving down from Sydney and seeing all the other cars packed with Mountain Bikes, camping gear and happy faces. Let’s have some fun!
The little village of Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands gets invaded with bike mad adrenaline junkies for the weekend and it reminded me of the little mountain villages in Europe getting invaded by mad winter sporters during the ski season. A passion shared by all gives a great feeling of camaraderie.
Music was playing, smiling people were everywhere and on every corner of the street there were multiple bikes stacked ranging from old fashioned fixies to super light dual suspension Mountain Bikes. The village was buzzing. We set up camp at the local pony club with hundreds of fellow competitors and decided to take the bikes out for a spin to avoid the long line for registration, what a beautiful afternoon it was in the Southern Highlands.
Everything was so well organized and the ambiance was just amazing, I almost forgot we came here to race.
What did this race mean for me? I had raced the Husky 50 and the Wollimbi 50 coming 3rd and 2nd overall respectively putting me in contention to win the Real Insurance XCM series in the 50km category. But I had to win the Half Fling in order to get enough points to take over the lead. The Briars Highland Fling was the finals of the series and have the unsanctioned Australian Marathon Championships title to their name. Double points were up for grab. I wanted to be able to win the half marathon distance before chasing my dream to make the jump and race the 100km in the elite category next season. I tend to be good at putting myself under a lot of pressure. I must admit part of me just wanted to enjoy the fun of this race and the thought of hurting for another 2-3hrs made me feel sick. Why am I doing this to myself? I started to doubt if I was mentally recovered enough from the Xterra World Champs campaign.
This lack of confidence manifested itself in a short lasting moment of insanity whilst putting Ray through hell when I thought I wasn’t able to eat my regular pre race dinner (I have been having the same pre race meal for 6 months now) of spaghetti bol… thank God Bundanoon supplied us with a lovely little Italian restaurant with one of the best spag Bol I have ever eaten! ”I must take a break after this race” I thought slightly embarrassed to myself after I had my little hissy fit… Behaving like this is just not cool… And mountain bikers are cool!
Race morning we got woken by the sound of bag pipes at dawn, which is a Highland Fling tradition, a great way to start the day. While I was preparing my bike I soaked up the athmosphere around me, gosh I love this event I thought to myself, it just felt electric.
Racing gets underway in Bundanoon. Photo: Richie Tyler
I was already looking forward to all the stories that were going to be told at the end of this race, the corners that were missed, the mechanicals that were fixed with friendly help, the lines which were ridden to perfection, and it didn’t matter wether you were competing for a podium spot or wanting to beat last years time, everyone had a tale to tell. People on the course are all so supportive, never in any triathlon have i been complimented by fellow competitors for my riding style or strength on the hills, but during this race people were cheering each other on. Like Tim the commentator repeatedly said “ the Highland Fling is all about give give give…”
So my race, the only mistake I made was starting at the back of the first wave but it could have been a blessing in disguise, I had to weave through the field and by the time the track narrowed I had my race face on… I listened to Hans Dielcher advice “ never stay behind someone longer than 5sec if they are holding you up” (I was litteraly counting the seconds) and also used his nutrition plan which worked as a treat. I have never met Hans but he has become buddies with Ray and I believe he is a MTB legend in his own right with lots of tips and riding wisdoms, thanks so much Hans!!
I felt great and just concentrated on my own race whilst taking in the awesome environment. The course came with a good dose of humor adding little surprises here and there, including a catholic church confession box for drug cheats… Awesome! I knew I was riding well as I was moving forward in the field and holding my pace without any problems, I was loving it!
With roughly 18 Kms left to go I passed a girl after haven’t passed any girls for a long time, as I overtook her I wondered if that meant I was in the lead. I turned it up a gear worried she would stick with me. With 10 Kms to go I was told I was the first girl by one of the volunteers, she was so exited for me, jumping up and down, it was awesome. I really wanted this win and with the fear of losing the lead in the final km’s I started to ride as hard as I possibly could, my hands were cramping from holding on to the handle bars so hard, my legs were burning and I kept on repeating to myself “you can do this, have faith, this race has your name on it” in the voices of the people who told me this. It hugely motivated me.
The last 5 Kms were just awesome, to my surprise I had another gear, I was hurting but there was no slowing down, volunteers yelling “you are going to win this” the thought entered my head “I am winning this, I am really winning this” smiling, Ray’s face popped in my vision with 500m to go “I am winning!” I yelled at him in disbelief… and then I won… The Briars Highland Fling 50 (59)km…
I am realist with a scientific brain, so I am very quick to rationalize my own performance by thinking that it was the half marathon I won and the more prestigious marathon was left for the real pro’s to fight over. But I do believe that they had to start somewhere also, and may be reading this, reminds them of the first big race they won, and what it meant for them at the time. For me it was the best feeling in the world, first female and coming 53rd overall out of close to a 1000 competitors, has put a smile on my face I haven’t been able to wipe of just yet, especially after a slightly disappointing Xterra World Champs.
I have discovered this sport on a competitive level slightly late in life but it doesn’t stop me from dreaming, winning at the Briars Highland Fling, a highly regarded MTB race has brought me a step closer to fulfilling that dream. Thanks to all the organizers, sponsors, volunteers and fellow competitors for making this a race I will fondly remember.