Well now that we have all recovered from the lack of sleep and intimate relations with trees and the ground, it’s time to share the fun with everyone who missed out.
Saturday saw a stalwart group of individuals band together to conquer the almost 17km, Jarrahdale 12hr enduro course… in the dark. Given how difficult some people find riding in the day, someone thought lets just up it a notch and do it at night.
The SPR conglomerate consisted of 2 duo teams: Chocolat Canards – Nigel & Grant and Frog Stompers – Andrew & Gregor and a trio: Night Sliders – Jeremy, Ashlee & myself. As the teams started to arrive the campsite took shape and became the biggest ‘taj ma hoochie’ onsite although not the most extravocant. That was taken by the Airport team whom had a 42″plasma, 5.1 surround and the xmas light kitchen with a close 2nd going to the Cape crew with there projector setup to distract you while riding past the camp. But none of them had the Venga boys and disco central.
After we had setup and settled in the boys talked tactics, who would go first etc and doing some last minute prep, this was a good idea cos I found a broken spoke that was quickly fixed with a bit of leccy tape. Before we knew it the start was rolling around and time to get ready.
The start was a Le Mans style, sprint to your bike and get yourself going. Lets just say this is organised kaos and makes for an entertaining view as a spectator, not as fun if your the 1st rider up. Those who were quick got a nice clean start, Andrew got in on this and capitalised as did Grant. This was to set them up for a good race.
As the field thinned out and riders came thru transition a nice rhythm was found. I was lucky enough to have some relax time as the 3rd rider in our team. This allowed for the field to spread out and give a bit of breathing room to settle into my 1st lap. Breathing room was good as the course was very dusty due to the lack of rain of late, and if you were following someone you would spend most of the time eating dirt.
The night idled along with the campsite entertainment keeping riders going as well as the on course entertainment with 1 team taking things to a whole new level. The Wembley Cyles Motastics decided fancy dress was in order, bringing out an array of outfits thru the night including, full suit, girls school uniform and PJs complete with slippers. Other entertianment included the track stand and tyre change competition, as well as random prizes for stacks and other interesting anecdotes from out on the trails. Although the prize for the best stack went to the poor bugger who left in an ambo with a broken hand, cracked ribs and bleeding kidney. Hopefully he pulls up alright and makes it back next year.
The night wore on riders started to show fatigue with times slowing and the campsite getting quite as some had a quick nap. Others took this time to capitalise and put their lead out of reach of the competition. The SPR teams were still going strong and making an impression.
As the sun broke and I completed my last lap the 2 SPR Duo teams had an uncatchable lead (short of mechanical or other disaster) and my team had confirmed their spot in the top 10 trios.
In the end the Chocolat Canards took out 1st in the duos closely followed by the Frog Stompers, making it 1,2 for the SPR camp. Night Sliders finished with a respectable 10th in the Trios and 28th over all in a field of 160+ starters. Once the podiums had finished & prizes received, it was time to pack up and head home for a well earned shower and sleep.
A mention must go to Matt Upton who was talked into this, his 3rd MTB event without ever riding the course and never having ridden off road at night. Goes to show anyone can give this fun a go.
We’d also like to thank Greg Murison for putting this great event together. Without his time and effort this event would not have come together. Also a big thanks to his helpers and volunteers who were out there making things run smoothly and making sure the riders had a fun and safe night. You’ll see Greg and some of his helpers out on our rides so don’t be a stranger say hi and step up for the next event.
My stats for the night.
Nigel Photos.
My gallery.
Video of a lap to follow when its edited.
fantastic effort gentlemen!
Awesome effort guys, was an awesome event dont no if it was just me but the 12hr seemed to fly by
you guys rock!
sounds like a bit of fun, I wish I had known about Venga boys pumping, I would have come out for a bit of a disco!!
Sweet work guys. I was camping up at Mundaring on the weekend and Saturday night would have been a great night to be out riding. Friday night was crazy windy: the tent almost ended up in Kansas.
First off, much kudos to Scott, who pretty much self handedly set-up the SPR tents. When I rocked up with my teammate Andrew and some other friends, we had our own pop-ups, but there was no need for us to use them, as Scott had more than enough room for us all under the SPR tents. All we had to do was set-up our bikes, start stuffing our faces and hydrating.
As Scott said, Andrew wasn’t messing around at the Le Mans start, nor his first lap, and he finished his first lap in the top 10, and 1st in Mens Duo’s. Andrew and I were on a 1-lap strategy (Nigel and Grant were on a 2-lap strategy, so whilst we were in transition at the end of the first lap, the Chocolot Canards, took 1st place in the Mens Duo’s), and that put me up lapping with guys I don’t normally see in races, cos they are usually way up the track ahead of me. My plan was just to go as hard as I could and try not to let too many riders by, and try to sit on a fast wheel if ever given the opportunity. I find it quicker at night to follow a fast wheel, than trail-blaze by myself.
Toward the end of my first lap, I was passed by a couple of guys that I know are a good bit quicker than me, and I tried sitting on their wheel for a bit. This was working quite nicely, right up until I clipped a handlebar on a tree, which sent me flying over the bars. I dusted myself off, seemingly no damage done, and finished off my lap, never did see those fast blokes again.
By the end of our third lap, I believe a flying Andrew overtook Nigel, and we briefly re-established ourselves as leaders in the Mens Duos. This was a short lived moment of glory as Nigel caught back up to my wheel (nursing himself from a stack incurred chasing Andrew), and we had a pleasant part of a lap riding together. I thought I was going pretty well, till Nigel decided to get in front of me and promptly disappear down the trail ahead of me. A few back markers allowed me to close the gap a few times, but I was unable to keep him in my sights.
That was pretty much it for the story of the first two placings in the Mens Duos. The Chocolat Canards kept the pace on all night, mostly taking time out of me as Andrew was still motoring around the course putting in sub 1hr laps all night.
At one point about mid-race we actually had the first three placings in Mens Duos sharing the SPR rest tent. Our friends Woop Woop were riding strongly in third place, but unfortunately for them, a couple of punctures saw them drop down to fourth.
All said and done I was most happy with our podium placing, 2nd to the flying Chocolat Canards. Though, if this was a UCI event I’d probably be requesting a sample of Nigels stew be tested for PEDS. I wonder where the Beef came from… Spain, perhaps?
Ditto Scott’s remarks thanking the organisers, sponsors and volunteers and in particular Greg and our own Lorraine (though I didn’t get any power brownies all night?). Oh and thanks to Nigels son Theo for his duties as chief soigneur.
cheers,
gregor
Team Frog Stompers