As most people say. New Year, New Goals blah blah blah… Well in this case it’s true for me. It’s been a long road for me to get focused and my body working as I would like to really focus on getting back to a strong base so I could be more diversified across all two-wheel sectors without suffering and not happy with myself because I wasn’t prepared but expecting a good result or experience. In the last 8 weeks I have really focused on making sure I was doing everything I can to be more prepared for the upcoming race season. I will dive into what I have been doing for training later because the first XC race of the year is done and mudded “not dusted”

The Gold Coast Mountain Bike club is the local club to me and although I’m not a member and “probably should be” I was excited to hear they were having the XCO National at my local trail network Nerang Forest. To those around the Gold Coast Nerang can be old news, rocky and not so fun because I’m new and everything is different, I’m enjoying “the process” as some may call it. Like many things for me it takes accountability to get me rolling so my riding crew of Stu, Aden, Bobby, and Cameron, all held me accountable to go race. Leading up to the race the certain parts of the trails were getting some love, so it was shaping up to be a great race weekend. A few of my friends decided to not race the event once the club released the course and it was due the difficulty of the course. With it being a National Cup race the Gold Coast MTB Club used most of the old Commonwealth Games racecourse that is World Cup level in technicality and demanding when it comes to fitness with punchy climbs and technical descents.

Race Day: It was race, and I was joined by my 10-year-old son Mason for him to open the day of racing in the 11 under class. There was rain on and off the entire week, so the lower part of the forest was really wet. I was anxious to see how wet Mason was going to be the end of the 1st lap of his two-lap race. The whistle blew and 11 and under group were off! Mason headed out of sight in 3rd, but by the time he came back into sight for the end of the first lap he had moved into first. He led the entire next lap and took the lead and Mum, and Dad were proud to say the least. Mason was riding all new 951 series XC model by Intense and clearly it worked out well for him. It was also great having his neighbourhood buddy Dominic finishing behind him also on a 951 series.

Now it was my turn to get out on the track and see how I would handle the 5 lap race. The whistle blew for the master’s group as we rounded the Velodrome and into the dirt and first climb, I went into 3rd, so I had a clear run at the first single track. Shortly after the first single track was the first technical climb where your heart rate would spike to max HR and you just might get lucky to make it. Well, I wasn’t lucky, and I was running my bike up the hill with the front two guys. The short 20ft climb was followed by another similar one that I remounted and cleared before heading out of the forest for the first fire road climb that would start to separate people. I was passed by a stronger rider up that climb before we would head down the decent that had a KOM section. This section was rad, and I was excited to have my descending skills pay off, but as you know when it’s tight it’s hard to pass. The rider and I in 3rd closed the gap on 1st and 2nd and I was getting frustrated to make some moves feeling good on the bike and wanting to open a gap on that area but my excitement bit me as I took a line to go around and tipped over in the rocks. After that my heart rate spiked, and I was frustrated before another technical short sprint. I’m back in 4th place now and ready to move forward on the newly re-built flow section. I ended up making a pass and moving into 3rd and was in touch of the top 2. I made it through the lower mud section clean and finished off the first lap of chaos in 3rd and started to settle in. The next few laps were much better as I had a groove, but I wasn’t confident on the technical climbs and was slow to get remounted, so the top 2 guys slipped away, and I started to find myself in no mans land. No Man’s land was great until lap 4 when I started to see a rider closing the gap. Starting Lap 4 I grabbed a bottle and Gel from Sarah and stayed steady but the rider coming just had more in the tank and he passed me on the fire road climb to the top. I didn’t try to hang I just tried stay steady and not blow up with just a lap and a half to go. I looked over my shoulder and nobody was there, so I managed the rest of the race to come across the line 4thin 40-45 and 5th overall out of all master’s divisions.

I was stoked to say the lease the 8 weeks of consistent activity and training paid off and I rode “my best” on the day. The course was the most technical XC course that I have ever raced, and I love it. Demanding, Fun, and rewarding if done right. Hats off to the Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club and Aus Cycling they did a great job. The race gave me even more motivation to keep the ball rolling with consistent activity, a balanced diet, and good rest. Bring on Cannonball festival with me back in some baggie shorts.

Race Stats: See Strava

Bikes Raced

Me: Intense Sniper T “medium”

Mason: 951 Series XC “small”

Tires

Me: Maxxis Agressor 2.30

Mason: Standard

Gear

Me: Ride 100 Percent Lycra, Bell Helmet, 100 percent Glasses

Mason: Ride 100 Percent short and Jersey, 100 Percent helmet, 100 percent glasses

Shoes

Me: Sidi

Mason: Leatt “no clips”

Nutrition

Pre Race: Ryno Power Gladiaton, Motivation and Endurance Pills

Hydration: Ryno Power Hydration Fuel

Carbs: Ryno Power Carbfuel

During Race: two bottles, and one gel pack

Post: Ryno Power Protein, and Amino recovery

USE Sleeter15 for 15% off RynoPower.com

Photos: Element Photos and Video Production

2022 XCO National Cup Nerang