Mt Baw Baw was the host to round two of the 2010/2011 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Downhill Series over the weekend bringing the country’s best riders together from all around Australia. Over this wet weekend of racing my thoughts continue for those in Queensland who are suffering and continue to suffer great loss of possessions or life itself. My heart goes out to you all.The drive up Mt Baw Baw was amazing, winding up a thin barely two way road surrounded by luscious rainforest covered in floors of dripping leaves and vines tangling themselves throughout the trees. Switch back after switch back we finally arrived at the village on the top of the mountain where the race start was located. The wind was howling by the time we got there and the dark clouds had rolled in covering the mountain in a blanket of rain leaving the race organisers with no option but to cancel race practice till further notice. The decision was made due to the possible danger of falling trees on the track rather than the rain.

After 1pm the wind finally died down and riders were allowed on course! Although the wind was no longer an issue the rain didn’t slow all day which made for an eventful afternoon with riders everywhere hitting the deck after their tyres could not compete with the rivers of water flowing down the track. After a track walk earlier that morning I had a number of lines already worked out and was keen to get on track for a few practise runs. The weather definitely made for some extra challenges on the course with wet corners becoming blown out by the sheer number of riders slamming in them and greasy rock gardens giving the tyres little chance of gripping anything. With goggles too filthy to see through and eyes not being able to blink quick enough to clear the mud being flung into my face from the tyres visibility was very low. After trying a new line and crashing out landing heavily on my back after both wheels slid out from under me on an off camber turn after a drop I was forced to shut it down for the day. I managed to get myself back to the top of the hill with the help of some friends getting my bike onto the shuttle bus and made my way back to my lodge where I got myself cleaned up and fed. My back seemed to be pretty bad so I rested for the rest of the afternoon and got to bed early with the hope of waking up fine in the morning.

Saturday morning came and although my back was not much better I was determined to ride none the less, a few pain killers did the trick and I was able to get on the bike for the day. The clouds had passed overnight leaving nothing but bright blue skies and a nice southerly breeze helping dry the mud-ridden track. I did a few runs in the morning and then took a few hours to rest over lunch – there wasn’t much point in doing many runs in the morning because every run the track was changing. By seeding in the afternoon the track had mostly dried up and changed considerably and a few runs in the afternoon just before seeding meant I could make my few final line choices knowing there wouldn’t be too much change till my seeding run. Seeding is simply a timed run that every rider must do the day before race run to sort the race order from slowest to fastest for the following day. My seeding run was a little loose but all in all I was quite happy considering I got down without crashing and dialled most of my lines. I seeded 23^rd quickest in elite men which meant I was the 23^rd last rider for my race run on Sunday afternoon.

The weather put on another amazing day on Sunday with blue skies and a light breeze, couldn’t ask for anything more. By race run in the afternoon the track was nearly completely dry leaving deep ruts down the whole track from the wet weather the days before. My main aim for practise before race run was to finalise a few lines that had changed since seeding the day before and try to make up time in places I knew needed work. Although not 100% satisfied with my track lines I was as ready as I could be with the time given.

Race run came and I found myself pretty relaxed about it all. I knew there was no use getting too worked up over it considering this was only my second downhill national event and no one was expecting too much of me. Waiting up top I took some time to myself and mentally rode the track hitting every line as I needed to and mentally setting up for every corner as required. From the few races I had done I found this to help a lot with keeping the nerves down and dialling the actual track when it came to my run. My race run was mostly clean minus a few small errors down the track. I crossed the line in 3^rd place with 22 riders still to come down. At the end of the day when all riders had finished I ended up 20^th in Elite, 13 seconds behind first and less than 4 seconds of top 10.

A great weekend in all, great people, another downhill race under the belt and another learning experience completed with many more to come. I know what I need to work on and much training and learning still to come. Thanks to Phantom Cycles in Tahmoor who continuously support me with my bikes and gear. Thanks to Bowral Health Club who have supported me over the last few year with gym and conditioning. Last but not least thanks to Dave Manton and his Dad for the transport, accommodation and as always great company.

Next stop Australian Mountain Bike Series round 3 XC & DH at Mt Buller…