Racing Transalp was a race all the time, not just between the start gun and the finish line. We had a saying, the race isn’t over until you’re in the shower, and it’s fair to say that some of our most gruelling moments came when we tried to find hotels, or negotiate with Italian receptionists, […]
Remembering Australia at the Mackay Mountain Marathon
The first thing anyone said to me in Mackay was ‘which bag is your’s, ma’am?’, It came from the guy in thongs, boardies, and a hat who’d been sitting in the aisle opposite me on the plane, and pretty much set the tone for my weekend at the Mackay Mountain Marathon. While I waited for […]
Racing to the Line in Transalp: “Never Panic”
When I wrote my last blog post for MarathonMTB.com about racing in Europe, I was looking at it as an outsider, it was all a bit of a novelty, all a bit of fun. When Mike and I started Transalp eight days ago it wasn’t much fun. I felt like I had in most marathons […]
Transalp: Push yourself and you push your team
The first day of Transalp, Mike pushed me. The second day, we pushed each other. Today, I pushed myself. Day three had some of the most intense climbing of the race. It was only a short stage, 58km, but brutal, starting with a 25km climb from 500m to 2400m, and chased by technical descending and […]
Transalp mixed: Be careful what you wish for
The first stage of Transalp had a simple enough profile. Two big climbs then a 40km false flat section. But simple profile graphics, these things you use to get your head around the coming day, to prepare, they don’t mean much in the dust and the gravel and when you’re surrounded by 40 or 50 […]
10 things you need to know about Euro racing
If you’re an antipodean coming to Europe to race for the first time like Imogen Smith, you’re probably prepared for big hills, dramatic landscapes, and hard racing. But here’s a few things Imo picked up that you can’t prepare for… 1. Eurobombing The way Euros descend on gravel is so distinctive there’s actually a special […]
A return to Awaba
At briefing a lovely young guy sidled up to me. ‘You’re a great rider’. He said. ‘Who me? Thanks!’ Still got it. ‘Yeah, I really liked your blog.’ Oh. Writer. Never mind. All that stuff I said in my previous post about the Rocky Trail Enduro was wrong. Different location, different sort of track, and […]
Imogen Smith’s Diary: Support in the pits
This entry has been provided by Imogen Smith, an accomplished MTB racer, who is sneaking some more racing back into her full time academia. The first thing I need to say is that, as exciting as it is, the upcoming Rocky Trail Shimano MTB Grand Prix Enduro at Mt Annan is NOT the main reason […]