My First Mountain Bike Race. – Wombat 100 12/4/14

An early start up at 0400, teeth cleaned, shaved, showered and ready to leave at 0430 for the expected 2 hour trip to Woodend.  The bike and all my gear were pre-packed into the car the night before, leaving nothing to chance.  Spare tubes a full tool kit, pump, full change of clothes and an extra warm shirt just in case. The GoPro and Garmin GPS fully charged up, ice box with flavoured milk and fruit readied and placed in the car.  Kiss the better half goodbye and off we go.

On the Monash Freeway I started to get a little nervous, flashing signs indicating the Domain tunnels were closed, I hoped the signs had been inadvertently left on and basically ignored them.  (poor decision 1)  This strategy was fine until reality set in, and I was forced off the Monash at Punt Road.  Not being a native of Melbourne I have real trouble navigating my way around the city.   Now I was concerned, following the “Detour” sign I found myself in Melbourne somewhere; luckily traffic was non-existent as I made my way around the inner city.  No more detour signs to be sighted except the ones stating the Bolte Bridge and Domain tunnels were closed for a fun run, why today?  I eventually found my way to the West Gate Bridge and headed towards the Calder Freeway.  I estimate I had lost around 30 minutes and started to worry about getting to Woodend in time to register.  Easy solution, I won’t stop for breakfast (poor decision 2) which should make up the lost time.

Arrived at Cammeray Waters a bit before 0700, parked and made my way to Registration, everything was organised and I picked up my bag of goodies and pre-paid tee shirt without any hassles.  At least someone knew what was going on.  Back to the car, wrestle out the bike, and fit the front wheel, cable tie on 50km race number.  So far so good, what had I been worried about?

The race start and brief have been delayed due to vandalism on the course and organisers were making sure all was OK before anyone started.  No problem, I started talking to the guys parked to my right, both looked professional in their racing bibs and sponsored pink lycra tops.  One was entered into the 100km and the other in the 75 km event.  I mentioned it was my first event, I am sure they had noted my baggy shorts and tee shirt which shrieked “newbie”.  I watched one of them change a rear wheel tube and felt better knowing I could do the same in similar time!!!  Maybe I am not as out of my depth as I thought. (poor decision 3)

About 0745 everyone started making their way towards the starting position and as we passed the porta loos I stopped for a nervous pee (poor decision 4), whoever was in there prior, had made a hell of a mess and was obviously more nervous than me!  I started talking to another couple of riders competing in the 100km event, one of them had a single speed bike with no suspension, and people think I’m nuts!!!  I wished them well as they made their way to the start.

The 100km riders started, everyone shuffled forward, after a while the 75km riders started off, we shuffled forward again.  50km riders were called up and I just went along with the crowd, (poor decision5) inadvertently I was in the lead group of 50km riders, those that thought they could win or at least come in the top 10.  I just wanted to make it around and finish. (poor decision 6)

With nowhere else to go I followed the group through the Starting Gate and we were off, so to speak.  The start followed a dual track up and around the lake, and then we started climbing up the first of the never ending hills.  About 4km in I passed a rider fixing a puncture, not last for now I thought.   Soon after we had to stop and wait for the 100km riders to pass, no worries, legs, lungs and bike all good.  The rider with the puncture caught up while we waited.  We set off again and I decided to follow two riders ahead that obviously knew each other as they chatted up the track.

We hit the first single track; I was content to stay just behind the 2 in front and even enjoyed most of the first 15-20 minutes.  I could hear bikes approaching from behind, turned around and saw the track was full of red plated (100km) riders.  I took to the trees, stopped and let what seemed like a hundred riders pass.  I continued this stop, get off the track then re-start a number of times trying to ensure I didn’t become a slow moving road block for other competitors.

At about the 20km mark as I was coming down one of the few downhill single track sections I saw (too late) the way ahead was blocked by a rider standing next to his bike and stopped across the track.  Panic, fear and a distinct lack of skill forced me to leave the track on the left, (poor decision 7) my front wheel slid out from under and I hit the trees/ground/scrub hard on my left hand side.  I’m pretty sure I swore at this point, picked myself up, thanked the rider who had come across to make sure I was OK and gingerly set off again.  More hard uphill riding and I found it hurt to breathe or move my left side.  Only a couple of km to the drink/food stop so I kept going, back on to fire track and the food stop was just ahead, skilfully hidden by the crest of yet another hill.

Made it to the food stop, I must have looked a real mess as I was asked more than once if I was OK, refill the water bottle have a quick banana and a couple of gummy bears and I was ready to continue.  A couple of 50km riders were asking which was the quickest way back to Cammery Waters and were getting direction from event staff showing them the route on a map.  I decided to keep going and set off again. (poor decision 8)

The next 25km or so is a bit of a blur.   I remember deeply rutted single tracks with huge pools of water and washed out track joined by bumpy uphill fire trails.  I had taken to getting off my bike and pushing up a lot of the steeper tracks and trails.  Many riders passed me, they all called out encouragement and asked if I was Ok or if needed help, I always answered that I was OK and to keep going.  Eventually someone that passed me said the finish was just over the hill and encouraged me to keep going.  I was determined to at least finish my first competitive event, even though I was riding at about 8km/h.   Muscles I didn’t know I had started to cramp and I think this is where I found God.  Eventually I crested the final hill and peddled as best as I could for the finish line.  I can’t remember feeling so relieved to have completed anything, I felt God desert me as the “canned” applause activated and I collapsed onto the hill next to my bike.

I hung around for the presentations and genuinely applauded all those that had placed or won their events.  I am amazed at how fit and skilled these riders are, and now know how much I have to improve before I enter next year’s event.

I got back to the car; wiped myself down with “wet ones” put my race clothes into a plastic garbage bag and changed into clean clothes.  The guys next to me were also packing up and asked how I found the ride.  I lied and said I had enjoyed it but couldn’t believe how hard it was.

As I cooled down on the 2hr drive home my left side started to really hurt and by the time I arrived home I couldn’t lift my bike from the back of the car.  The following day I saw my Dr who confirmed 3 broken ribs but no serious internal injuries.  The negative side; no more rides at Lysterfield for 5-6 weeks,  the positive side; great pain killers from Dr Darren and I now have a time to beat next year.

I will be back for next year’s Wombat 100, with a much better understanding on where I need to improve.  I am going to get some proper skills training and train much harder than I did this year.  If you are considering having a go at your first comp event I highly recommend it, even with lots of poor decisions a novice can make it around and live to tell the tale.

Cheers,

Steve Dawson