Need an excuse to eat all your easter eggs?

…. time to start training and get your legs to the start of some up and coming races!

 

If you are tired of attending the same races year after year then there are a few I would like to suggest you pencil into your 2013 agenda. The easter break is the perfect time to assess your training (or lack of ) so far this year and set some real target races for later in the year. With a belly full of chocolate for motivation and beer in hand check out the following races that are a little off the beaten track….

Three races looming in the next few weeks are the sister races of Wombat 100 and Convict 100 and the National XCM Championships. Last year Wombat 100 and Convict 100 formed part of the Real Insurance XCM series but this year they appear on the calendar as the flanking events for the National XCM Championships in Atherton, QLD. If you are bold, or crazy, I would encourage you to enlist for all three as I have. I am not really sure the benefit of racing all three but it is a perfect excuse to apply for a weekend off work and, in exchange, visit Victoria, Nth QLD and NSW all in the space of 4 weeks.

 

Wombat 100: I raced this race in its infancy and was in awe of the groomed single track that constitutes more than 50% of the course (no tarmac guarantee). The race is based in Woodend, a relatively ‘hip’ commuter town just outside Melbourne. Woodend is located at the base of Mt Macedon and as such it does attract the foodies and winos from the big smoke who use their culinary appreciation as an excuse to escape and indulge. I know this because I lived very close to here as a child and was fortunate enough to be a private school nerd at Braemar College (nee. Clyde Girls Grammar … Picnic at Hanging Rock), a prefect in fact. All childhood memories aside there are some fantastic trails to be had in and around Woodend so if you are free  in a fortnight (14th April 2013) lock in the Wombat 100. Woodend is less than 2 hours (60km NW) from Melbourne and a very scenic drive which may encourage spouses to tag along. Food, wine, scenery, mountain bike racing I think there is something here for the whole family plus you will be able to find a day spa for your female spouse and a voucher at such may go a long way in your plea to get to Woodend.

Atherton XCM Championships: I really have nothing much to say on this race but it is a lap race in north Queensland. Wikipedia tells me the average temperature in Autumn is 15-25C and the population in 2006 was 7,068 people. The race is perfectly timed as you southerners start to feel the chill of Autumn and see the leaves fading and falling I see no more perfect an opportunity to pack up and head north. The course appear to go up (1100hm per lap) so dont indulge too much over easter (or pack the super light wheels to make up for the extra weight). As a veterinary student I did do work experience at Atherton and there are lots of cows (dairy) and crops, that is all the information I can provide on this area, entries are open and it is the National Champs so get your legs up there! PLUS if you enter you go in the draw to win an entry to the infamous Crocodile Trophy 2013, incentive or not!?

 

Convict 100: In all honesty, I had no idea that the Dirtworks 100 had been renamed the Convict 100 until after I entered, do not be fooled they are the same race. I have a love-hate relationship with St Albans and the course previously known as Dirtworks 100. The last time I toed the startline of this race I remember starting in the fog, not ideal for a Queenslander, with what seemed a sociable bunch warm up that went all pear shaped when we were sent uphill. My heart exploded at 190bpm on this, the first climb, I was a dead woman pedalling and right then and there I ditched my heart rate monitor and have refused to ever wear one again. That said, the race course is actually worth the climb as it traverses the ridge line undulating and rocky with some amazing views. St Albans is a mere 105km from Sydney and there is a camping option for those competitors that are completely insane.

Honestly, I vowed never again to attend this race but when Mike asked me to do Convict 100 I said “sure thing” … damn you Blewitt!

So it with is with much enthusiasm that I am approaching the next three races in my race calendar and I would encourage you to look them up, buy your spouse a day spa voucher and get your arse north or south or which ever way you need to levitate or gravitate to the start line. If you are not sure you are upto the challenge of the 100km course there is a half course option for all these events, a race equal in competition to the full course but I think the beers are at the end of the full course only? Incentive?