I can only echo most of what the others have said apart from the day at Queenstown. The only reason for that was my destroyed crank stopped me on stage 2 so I missed Natural Selection but mostly everyone I spoke to loved that trail although it could have been from relief as it was supposed to be damn steep. Steeper than Maydena some reckoned so it must have been a cliff
Quite a well organised event, just lacking a little in food quantity and decent coffee. Miguel the catering dude at Derby was not happy at all when
@Jpez asked for a second slice of meat! The funniest part was when Miguel looked overcome with guilt after almost throwing an extra piece on his plate in disgust then realising he was taking out his failed portion control out on us
The weather was something we nailed perfectly I reckon. Maydena in the dry! I think that helped minimise the carnage somewhat. Rain overnight helped Queenstown grip up and we didn't freeze our balls off. Derby was low 20's with a light breeze and picture perfect. Couldn't really ask for more.
Bruises I ignored during the race have now turned some good shades of black and blue. Each one I can recall exactly when and where I crashed....good times. Left hip/buttock is the best one but you'll have to take my word for that as I'm not challenging Moorey....
My little bike survived well. The smashpot with its HBO was a godsend on the longer stages, really took the sting out of the front end as I was ever so slightly undersprung and the steeps were eager to eat into the travel. The shock did well for 4 days racing but on the 5th it had had enough and the damper was aerated. I thought I had too much rear psi and that's why I kept sliding the rear but it was the shock.
220mm front rotors rock!
Loved it all. Some of the riding was challenging for sure, even more so trying to go fast on blind trails. Dropping into a Pro line at Maydena.....never would have thought that would have happened but we all made it eventually lol. Great to put a face to the names we see here, good to meet you all. Apparently I was a 20 something year old chubby Asian nerdy bloke who liked buying things
that was a cracker lol.
Until next year.