PNP MTB Spring Series: Round 3 - Mt Vic

After each winning one and coming second in one Caitlin Pilcher and I were even on points. After being in bed sick for a week I only had one week to get back up to speed. I went to the pre-ride and was surprised to see that about sixty people had turned up, compared to the usual pre-ride groups of about 20max. Obviously everyone was scared that they would get lost in the wild maze of tracks that run willy-nilly all over Mt Vic. The ride went quite well the course seemed much easier than last year (that’s a good thing by the way). I turbo trained on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then I took Marti (my sister) out on Thursday. On Friday, despite the wind, hail, and mud Jony (my brother) and I set out and went along that Skyline Track and then did sprints up Varleys (aaaah!).



Race day came and the sun shone. We arrived and registered, got our gear sorted and all the other pre-race stuff. The start horn sounded and we were off, the tiny gate out of the velodrome was hectic and the trails were all slushy with mud. On my first lap I had a few crashes, because my wheels just slid over everything. When I got to the big dipper I charged and got to the top, only to slide all the way back down again! I completed my first lap and started my second lap. After much sliding, slipping and getting muddy I made my way to the finish line. Although Caitlin and I had been riding very closely for most of the race, passing each other then getting passed, Caitlin ended up with nearly a two minute win, so well done to her. So its race on at Belmont, if she wins this one she wins the series, and I’m not going down without a fight.

Thanks to Stephen Massey of Soul Focus for some awesome photography, and also to the other (unknown) sources.