New SPR members Chris Browne, Peter Gill and yours truly Nigel Nosering set off on QF 1335 Peth / Alice Springs for 5 days and 285 km of desert racing, having never been to the red centre we weren’t had no preconceived expectations of what trails were like. I had a new ride strategy and opted for a light hardtail Giant that would later prove to be a very painful experience.
Airlines and excess baggage combined to give me broken spokes, a buckled rim and slightly bent brake rotor and a quick trip to Ultimate Ride bike shop had the hardtail in race condition again. Ultimate Ride was a lifesaver for many competitors, quick service and a no BS assessment of damage/parts for your bike, all at very reasonable cost for the captive market.
Alice springs had seen over 800mm of rain since January, making the already rough terrain even rougher. John Jacoby (Race director) warned competitors that this year would be harder, the fast sections of the course would be cut by washouts and gullies and concentration would be needed to get through each stage of racing. “ Fade out for a second and you will pay the price!” was a sober warning, even for experienced Enduro riders.
Stage 1-40km.
Rapid Ascent wanted to raise visibility of the Enduro to residents so a 6km controlled start had competitors riding under police escort through a circuit of town. Traffic lights were turned off and with all of us feeling like a pro peloton the primary school kids held out for “hi fives” to passing riders. Riding on the peloton geared up to 35km/h out of town surging onto 4×4 track and the race started in earnest.
Highlights of stage 1 included a very fast railway road section and the aptly named “hell line”, 8 km of technical rock gardens. While the lowlights saw fast riding straight into sandy riverbeds and the walk thereafter and late in the stage, 2km from finish, a sharp unrideable hill of loose fist size rocks sapping energy from already tired legs. The finish included 1 lap of Alice Springs velodrome; knobby wheels and smooth concrete aren’t a good mix, so an easy and low wall lap had us over the line with a 3hr 33min finish time (all of us riding as a group). Start conservative and finish the week strong was our aim.
Even for the pro riders times were down by 40min, this year was going to be hard! Slowest rider picked up by sweeper rider at 4:30pm.
Damage toll from day 1 = 3 broken carbon frames including a Specialized S Works hard tail ($6600USD), 1 broken wrist (2 hour walk out to medical help) and 4 broken ribs.
Stage 2- Individual Hill climb
In reverse order, at 30-second intervals, competitors lined up for a 300m climb of Anzac Hill, located in the centre of town. The hill was deceptive, one pinch at the first corner and another close to the summit, the masses waiting for their call up. Race Manager Sam had the goods 50 seconds =superman ride, 1 min= Hellman ride. Step up for glory!
- Nigel 1 min flat
- Chris 1.03
- Peter 1.12
Stage 3-48 km
A 5km commute to the old Telegraph station. Day 1 had taken its toll with only 190 of the 240 registered competitors at the start line; many had opted to only ride key stages through the week. Starting with lots of sand giving way to some of the best single track west Alice springs had to offer, long and fast flow sections leading to switch back climbs and technical descents.
The technical single track saw walking at times to be the safe option. Chris, Peter and I as veterans of John Forrest single track bombed the downhill and spun the climbs, for Chris especially walking was not an option when a little balance, some finesse and, at times, fearless bravery on step downs/roll ins got you through.
This was pure MTB fun. Riding as a group again 3hr 27min maintaining our overall standing. Peter finished fatigued, probably as a result of the ½ Ironman he raced the week before.
Stage finished we rode to the Chifley Hotel event central for bike transport to Stage 4, pedals off, bubble wrap on road train stacked with alloy and carbon out to Trephina Gorge.
On a side story- The road train went past the start turn off and over a river crossing. Unable to turn around it was unhitched manoeuvred over the river crossing and back to the start area finally unloaded by crew at 11:30pm.
Stage 4-93km.
A very early 5:15am bus ride from the Chifley Hotel for the longest stage of the Enduro. The bottom of Trephina gorge pre dawn was only 3 degrees and 172 riders set out on new single track through the western end of the gorge.
Twice riders were forced to cross 6ft deep gullies cut by the recent rain and long riverbeds of sand including lots of walking. Very early water at 15 km had us recalculating our hydration; it was 48 km to water point 2 so a refill was in order, and a replacement bottle for me (lost one in a gully).
The track turned more flowing in open terrain for km after km, then at the 65 km mark turned into a sand slog like walking Bondi beach in summer. Different but not really fun.
Water point 3 at the 82km mark and the track improved into a 2wd station road. The SPR boys formed up and the tempo increased, our 3 man train rode on, people asked to jump on then hold on and then blown off the back. Congratulations go to Pete pulling hard at the front for long stretches having recovered from day 2. A late left turn 4km out of town and we rode single track into the Chifley Hotel for a 6hr 4min. I’m not sure I fully appreciated the trail due to jolting back pain and saddle sores. The hardtail was a big mistake!
The afternoon was spent recovering legs in the Chifley Hotel pool with liquid carbs, watching riders cross the line, 8hr 55min for the last rider.
Mid event dinner/presentation/pasta party, ravenous riders queue for 20 min to get at the substantial buffet dinner. Pasta, salads, fish, steak and 3 deserts to choose from, replacing the 3000 calories expended earlier in the day.
Sam and John gave the stage presentation and also stories from the trail: Numerous gas bulbs given, pumps given freely.
One rider stopping to help another by giving a spare chain and derailleur.
A Junior (16 yrs) riding by himself was found singing Lady Ga Ga, a little dehydrated and was given a full water bladder to finish.
And a confession from John Jacoby that the water point 1 Toyota 4×4 bogged in a riverbed up to both diffs for over an hour so the water point had to be moved.
Stage 5-22km Individual Time Trial.
Reverse order 30 second intervals. Slept in for Gentleman’s start time 10 o clock at the golf course. Chris during his pre race check found he had no back brake; an air bubble and no bleed kit meant Chris would have an interesting TT. We lined up Peter, Nigel, and Chris. Very fast golf path start on to 35km/h flow single track, I tried to stay in touch with Pete, but with screaming back pain had trouble pushing big ring.
The track changed to steep winding uphill through the middle of the course and a monster climb at half way then down fast switch back to the valley. Chris later said he could hold his rear brake lever to handle bar with no effect on the downhill.
A rocky finish on single track cut a 1inch hole in my front tyre and with a fountain of tyre sealant spilling from it I watched Pete race away. Cursing rotten luck I begged the tyre to hold pressure, a 2 km run on rim/rubber along the golf path and overtaken by one rider I had passed earlier completed the TT.
- Peter 1hr 9min, passing 4
- Nigel 1hr 12min, passing 3
- Chris 1hr 15min, passing 2
Back to bike shop for tyre/sealant replacement and a brake bleed.
Stage 6-22km Night ride.
Same course as day TT but with a mass start. Self-seeding was stressed for this stage and the Golf club PA blasted ACDC “Thunderstruck” to get everyone pumped up. SPR boys riding as a group we weaved through the masses on the golf path. On to the dirt Chris jumps a gully calling the obstacle in the dark, I plough in unaware and Pete runs over the top of me, 5 riders scream past, we sort it out and get back on track. I lead some fast sections into the hills calling turns, rocks, steps and soft sections. Later Pete climbs away and on the steepest hill while I watched Chris nail the climb spurred on by torch wielding crowd. So many walking and we manage to tame the beast. Close riding in the dark into the rock section I drop my chain, along the track SPR boys waited for me, thanks! We crossed the line together in 1hr 21min, dropping a couple of places in category.
Highlights from the pro end of the field included a new course record 55min 11sec and one lead pack rider hitting a kangaroo that jumped off un injured.
Stage 7-45km.
Saving the best till last. The peloton blasted off for a lap of the Chifley Hotel grounds; onto 4×4 trail East of Alice Springs. Today we would reverse some of day 2 trails linking up with some new development trails made by the Alice MTB crew. Technical slab drops and rises, fast single track and switch back turns again, whether it was our familiarity with the trails or their natural flow, we quickly raced on passing riders on the down hills and steady climbing the rises. The water point came quickly and we were still high on awesome single track riding. Soon we were back out onto fast 4wd track and then rocky hills. 15km from the finish we looked out to the left across a dry riverbed, John Jacoby the sadist giving us a glimpse of the end, I am almost home. Pete and Chris relish the terrain, ride the rocks and excel in the rough stuff, I on the other hand have two pairs of knicks on and wince at each rock, surviving to finish, 3hr 9min.
Alice MTB Enduro is a well organized and smooth running established event, the rapid ascent team run a tight ship and in spite of the course conditions this year it left everyone with the satisfaction that they had really been challenged by the trails.
Temperature overall was mild, 22-26 degrees making for fast racing and the fresh 9am starts gave way to glorious days. Water points were well stocked with endura or torq electrolyte as well as watermelon, bananas and huge cookies (plain or chocolate). I was overwhelmed by the amount of single track Alice had to offer; their trail builders are active and dedicated to promoting it as a MTB destination.
Signing off Nigel Nosering