Last weekend I raced the BMC 100km Classic. Up at Woodend. “Raced” is perhaps the wrong word. First ever race, and it is 100ks. What can I say? 100ks on a mountain bike is a bloody long way, make no mistake. No idea where to start describing what it was like and what I learnt. First off, the race started some time around 7am so it was a more or less 4am beginning, arriving in the dark, collecting a race number (ah, that made things feel rather fair dinkum) then standing around a fire with some others chewing the fat with that bravado and bluff that comes before a test. Then the coffee cart opened which really just set the scene, dawn glow, the lake, country almost mountain air and bikes.
So, gulped a croissant as breakfast, kitted up, got some help figuring out how to get the number on (oversize bars, three cable ties don’t cut it) then got into one of the three start groups. Turns out that while the instructions wanted groups of different speeds on the day this didn’t really happen, any group was OK. I was in the second, which was where I wanted to be, and then it was off. First two kilometres, bumper to bumper and I was thinking was going to be a procession. But some fire road, things opened up and then the first single track. Here I was not that far off my limit, let some riders past, passed a few, nice to be in bush and on really nice tracks. Got to the 20k or so stop and though felt fine had decided I would stop everytime. Bit to drink, something to eat then more single track. Some tricky bits, a rider off, but got to the 43k stop fine.
Beginning to feel it, so my original plan of riding to 70k within my self then trying to lift for the last was looking dodgy. Plenty to eat and drink here, and out again. This was when I was learning that my technical skills were better than I’d realised, so that on the single track I could have gone faster. Instead I tended to stay behind slower riders, realising I needed to not blow up, but getting slowed down as they walked over stuff I could ride, or got off on climbs in front of me that I could get up no problems. (So filed that one away for next time.) Then somewhere in there seemed to be a lot of climbing, finishing with some road that seemed to go forever, up. Drinks, lube, and out again. Here was my favourite single track of the day. Fantastic stuff. Got past some riders who I’d been riding with but they all got stuck on a climb so I sped up, and then the last little bit was a really wonderful climb with a couple of switchbacks. Cramp. Beginning and very tight, but right on a switchback so I just decided there and then I was getting up this climb and that was that. Hurt, nearly locked my legs up, but actually got through it. Two cups of the GU drink on offer, and out again.
This was when things really went bad. Into the pine forest for the last third. I was on a hard tail and this was just rough. Lumpy, bumpy, scruffy and just rough. Hated it, had aching arms and shoulders and was just getting really ragged on the single track. Out of the first pine forest then a long stretch of fire road, and then just seemingly endless pine forest single track taking us down, all the while knowing that we’d have to climb up somewhere again. Another climb up some road, and at the top another arrow taking us off into the pine forest. Needed more food, needed more electrolytes but only had water. Here I passed more than I got passed, and up the climbs I never had to walk (unlike quite a few around me), but it was the small ring, large cogs, and each climb was just a vague ache to the top. Finally, after what was just probably the slowest leg of the race for me, I got to the last stop and while it was only 6k to the end I stopped, had a snack, said thanks to the crew, then powered off. This was more bush single track and I really lifted. Cramp remained just nearby, but I really started to let some flow happen and though about 5 past me at the last stop (I gave them about 4 minutes I reckon) I caught all of them by the end.
So, the finish. Pulled up better than expected which I think means that I really didn’t do it hard enough, though the nearly cramping for the last third meant I just wanted to make sure I finished my first mtb race. Came in around 7 hours 35. 281st of 400 odd finishers in the 100k, and somewhere similar in my age group. I reckon I clocked at least 30 minutes at the stops, and I reckon I can find half an hour doing the single track faster, and climbing more strongly – too often I ended up on tiny gears on climbs I’d do middle ring if it was a 2 hour training ride. Remember this, towards the end I was out climbing everyone around me which I think tells me that I was probably stronger than I actually felt.
Overall impressions:
- It really is a long way and you need a very very good base to survive.
- The culture of the races are fantastic.
- It is much closer to running a marathon or fun run than road racing (which I did 25 years ago), most are up for a chat, and it is just so long and hard that a bond forms through the shared effort.
- Take advantage of the single track, enjoy it, and ride to the speed that your fitness and skills allow.
- The trail warnings about hazards, a skull and cross bones sign either side of the track, just the sight of the signs put the wind up me!
- It isn’t just about the legs, core strength turns out to be as important, that’s what lets you keep the speed up down the track.
- Electrolytes, make them your best friend.
- Personally the track in the bush was all just wonderful, very narrow (no passing), but great trails.
- You can keep the pine forest trails (oh for a duallie) till next year.
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