It was just another night out riding in the dark. Out in the freezing cold, getting dirty in preparation for this 24 hour solo world champs in California.
I couldn’t believe what had just happened and everything was going so well up to that point. You know when the trail is really sticky, every corner feels like your bike is on rails & your speed just keeps building & building & you feel you can do nothing wrong?
I’m sure we’ve all been there, total mtb euphoria, the stuff you write home about.
Well, around the last corner down in the valley, the bike starts a much larger than usual two wheel drift. This time the new rear tyre decided to bite. The bike straightens up & proceeds to b-line it, shotgun style, into the scrub on the side of the trail. In amongst my efforts to correct this, the front spokes get caught in a rotted log & I high side it, face first, in the foot deep creek a couple of metres away. Trust me when I say it was a very pathetic scream type noise that followed.
The fruits of my mtb bliss were instantly spoiled & my enthusiasm dripped away with every icy cold drop of water off my gloves, jersey, knicks, arm, leg & foot warmers.
I was over an hour from home. An hour I will not forget.
Despite my mediocre attempt at some creative writing my training has well & truly ramped up for the 24. With about six weeks to go, things are progressing well even though I still can’t do a one handed wheelie. With the unwanted distraction of too much work, some recent results have been quite surprising to me too. Especially considering my aim is to be raring to go for the first weekend in September.
I am already looking forward to the celebration straight after the event with my #1 support crew. Ratty & my sister Kaz. And of course any of you lot who are interested upon my return. As just getting to the finish line will be more than enough of a reason for a couple.
See you all on the trails sometime…Hopefully when I see you I will be dry.
