The Scott 24 HOUR – Why?
Trav - I’d heard so much about this event and everything about it appealed to me, the hurt, the anguish, the atmosphere, and the fun!
After a year or so away from any serious sort of training or racing I wanted a new challenge so I set about trying to recruit a partner, this proved harder than one would imagine but who should put their hand up, one Pete Young. I knew Pete was in pretty good shape and would hold up to the riggers of a 24hr but where was I in comparison.
Pete and I basically did our own thing training wise, I’d managed to get about 150-200k combined road/mtb miles a week for 4-8weeks prior but would this be enough. We did manage a Wednesday evening twilight ride most weeks and this took in various parts of the Triple Tri mtb leg, it also enabled us to familiarise us with night riding.
We both knew a good support crew would be crucial so we lined up Jude who pretty much covered everything and anything, Rich a mate of mine from Perth for his mechanical repairs and driveway building skills and a late inclusion Rads for his massage skills. Deb provided no end of goodies for us all.
We set up camp on Friday and let me tell you we had the doozy of campsites. It wasn’t quite 5star but it was as close to it as you’d get out there.
Pete had put his hand up for the first lap (I might tell a little lie here).
Pre – race Crew report
Pre-race glory was awarded to Rich ‘the constant gardener’ Yeo, for building, THE BEST (and only) Scott 24 hour tent site garden from here on to be known as ‘the palace of loove’
Having built the “I’m standing here/immunity pole” signal from an old curtain rod and some Christmas decorations, I walked to the start line and bagsed myself, the bike, shoes and the immunity stick a good spot and waited… as the sun grew hotter and hotter…..
Crew report
Jude - The starter’s gun went, and immediately someone stole the immunity stick and kicked Pete’s shoes down the track. Luckily, Row came past and held the bike while I chased the shoes and the stick down the road…. phew… traded Pete the bike for some smelly runners and happily vacated while the hordes came in…..
With Pete out smacking up the first lap, we all headed over to see some carnage on the switchbacks… and weren’t disappointed. Trav tried hard to look cool, but clearly needed to clean out his knicks….. With no idea how long their laps would take we headed up to the transition way too early…….
12pm – Race Start
Pete - The race started with some pimply faced teenager and his mates scoffing at those people (like me) who were wearing running shoes instead of bike shoes for the run. "…don't they know that they will lose more places than they gain by having to swap shoes…" But I noted that there were no pimply faced teenagers with me at the end of the run, just Jeremy Ross out in front leading hundreds of competitors into the bike transition (wearing his run shoes)..
The run smashed me but I was in front of the crowds and had a smooth run through the bottleneck above the switchbacks. I was constantly reminding myself to take it easy given that the heat was already taking its toll. I just didn't want to let Trav down on the first lap, and knew he was keen to match my lap times. The track was difficult but smooth, and only a handful of people passed me. First lap completed in 1:02.
Crew report
Jude - With the adrenaline still pumping Riche and I chauffeured an adrenaline pumped Pete who could be heard muttering ‘we’ve gone out too hard .. ’ back down to the ‘loove tent’ where we began the routine of filling up the bladders, fixing the bike, cleaning the layer of crap off the sunglasses and stuffing the boys with food.
1:02pm
Trav - Funny things race plans and how quickly they can change. I clearly remember us both having one and it was not to tax ourselves too early in the race, when Pete came in at 1:02 I knew our race plan had changed, well Pete’s had! Heading out onto my first lap I thought to myself there’s no way I’m going to blow myself apart but after the first 10k I knew I’d gone too hard and wondered how on earth we were going to last the 24hrs. In hindsight it was a good thing for Pete to have done a quick first lap as the track was clear of traffic. Second lap completed 1:04.
Crew report
Jude - This time it was Trav – pumped after a strong lap… but also worried that there’ll be tears flowing later if they keep going at this pace.
2:06pm
Pete - First lap done, phew! Must get food down quickly, drink more electrolyte, is it too early for Red Bull? So hot out there. What, is it really time for another lap? Alright I'm pumped up lets go! There's Trav, what a fast lap - he must be feeling good. The track is getting dusty and the ruts are starting to form. It’s hotter than ever and I'm not drinking enough. Wish I hadn't done that damn run. Third lap down in 1:05.
3:10pm
Trav - As Pete was out on his 2nd lap I had hoped our race plan of 1:10 – 1:15 laps would start to come into play but as he rolled trough transition I glanced down at my watch to see 1:05…oh great I thought to myself you know what this means I better do something similar otherwise I’ll feel like I’m letting him down, geez he must be feeling good.
It was starting to get a bit crowded out there but I wasn’t too worried as getting caught behind someone meant a little respite, however it didn’t last long as you’d hit a fire trail and be off like a bullet out of the gun again. It was hot, dusty and I was taking in as much fluid as possible and then ¾ of the way through the lap on a descent I started to cramp…..I must have looked like a right goose clutching my hammies and descending at the same time. Oh yeah this is lap 2 and there’s 20hours left….I’m in BIG trouble! Fourth lap 1:08.
4:17pm
Pete - I knew I should slow down but Trav pulled out another scorching lap time, and I didn't want to be the weak link in the team. The huge ruts were now only masked by the bulldust, but familiarity with the course enabled me to take good lines at speed. The heat intensified and I felt sick, a headache was starting and near the end of a long climb on open trail I got the dreaded cramp that forced me off the bike in a spasm of agony. I had to put up with comments like "keep going mate.." and "nearly there, not long to go.." from some old blokes with their guts resting on the top tube. I knew I hadn't drunk enough but limped into transition. Fifth lap down in a 1:08.
Crew report
Jude - At some point around here, Rads and Kris turned up and entertained us with a re-enactment of a magpie drawing blood on Kris’s head earlier in the day.
Rads – However Jude, you failed to recall that at 4.35pm on Saturday arvo you proclaimed...."Rads, I'm fu*king over it already". It was beautiful.
5:25pm
Trav - As I grovelled back to camp I thought of a million excuses why I should pull the pin but there were too many reasons to continue the biggest of which was not letting Pete down, after all it was my suggestion to do this silly bloody race, secondly and anyone with a youngster would agree...leave passes for a 24hr mtb should be utilised to the max. I asked Jude how Pete was going and she said he was hurting just as much as me, I remember words to the effect "toughen up buttercup" and numerous others coming from the support crew. I think my first massage for the day was had, you are the man Rads.
It was getting late in the afternoon and a big possibility it would be dark by laps completion so I put the lights on. I sucked it up like Jude had told me to do and headed out, much to my amazement I felt pretty good. I think a combination of cooler temperatures, massage, re-hydration and some substantial food had done me the world of good and with that a renewed frame of mind. I found I had company for the last 3rd of the lap as people who hadn't taken out lights dubbed off me home. Sixth lap and 1/4 of the way through the race 1:13.
Crew report
Jude - A million excuses is right….. I had to get away from these pansy girls… so I bailed on Rich (sorry…) and headed down to the ACT fire brigade tents… where Jeff was doing it tough in the solo category….. Jeff wasn’t there… but I did get entertained by some other random fireys for a good 30mins…not sure I’ll be buying the calendar though… J
6:38pm
Pete - During my lap off I felt like crap. I knew I had over cooked it and didn't think I would finish the race. Remembered the race plan and felt like I blew it - Sorry Trav. Jude told me that Trav was feeling great and this depressed me even more (I knew how much this meant to him). I was dying for more rest but had to go out again after what seemed like only a few minutes, and this time on the first of the dreaded double laps. Although Trav pulled into transition off another fast lap, I told Rich that this was the one that I would take easy, ".. No really Rich you don't understand that I am really, really going to take this one slow..". The darkness helped. It was cooler, and the humming of the HID blinded the spectators on the switchbacks. Was finally getting more fluid down and got stronger as time went by. Flew into transition earlier than expected and thought the support crew hadn't seen me. Hoped like hell that Trav would be there waiting at the end of the next lap. Laps 7 & 8 in 1:17 & 1:16 respectively.
Crew report
Jude - At some point here Rich and I independently realised that the only communications that the boys had with each other was through us……. Let the mind games begin…. Oooh… and the stealing of yummy food from the boxes….
9.11pm
Trav - After getting some yummy warm soup and a bread roll in me I feel like a million dollars, I can’t wait for Pete to come in so I can do the first of my two night laps. Geez that was perfect timing I didn’t realise he would get around so quick at night as we get to transition with a minute to spare. I think to myself how he would have spewed if I hadn’t been waiting!! The first lap was great and I’m thinking this race ain’t too hard after all. I stop for a coke and head out for the 2nd, ahhh this is going to be hard! Laps 9 & 10 in 1:17 & 1:20, thank god that’s over, all yours Pete J
Crew report
Jude - Don’t know what the boys are doing but Rads, Rich and I are hooking into some beers…. thanks Rads! What’s that? Fill up your own stinking drink bottle….
11.48pm
Pete - Finally my first long rest, Ahhhh, I feel like shit but just to be able to lie down what bliss. Jude makes me a sausage and cheese sandwich, I know its one of Trav’s sausages but the thought of stealing his food doesn't enter my mind. It was just what I wanted and the first real food since the start. Plenty of Coke and Red Bull, and a massage from Rads really hit the mark. My accumulated sleep so far: 0 hours. Trav hands over and I'm off again. The easy fire trail turns quickly into rutted and dusty single track, but it’s so familiar by now that I glide through each corner. The dust lingers so much that visibility is down to a few metres in places, but the HID light is so strong that people pull over to let me through even though I'm 50m behind... I notice that there are fewer riders out on the track than earlier. I feel better than at any time so far and crank out what feels like super laps. There’s nothing like a bit of consistency though. Laps 11 & 12 over in 1:16 & 1:17.
Crew report
Jude - Ok… who’s ready for a snooze??? I am!!! Trav tucks himself in … and Rich, Rads and I entertain ourselves, briefly interrupted by Pete rudely coming through transition….
2.21am
Trav - These long breaks are the BIZ but the body is starting to struggle with the simple things like lying down. Here I am thinking I’d get off to sleep, I’m exhausted but for the life of me I can’t nod off, I suppose it’s like any long distance race with adrenalin still flowing from the excitement of a lap and the heart still racing at a rapid, even lying down it’s still in the 140-150 range. My support crew has the bike running the best it has all weekend, made sure I’ve eaten well and checked where Pete and I are in the standings….and for the first time we are now in the top 3 and chasing 2nd.
I head out in a positive frame of mind, it’s dropped a few more degrees since my last ride and there are very few people on the trails or what seems to be (the smart one’s are in bed waiting for first light). The trails are now fairly cut up and I’m finding it difficult to find a good line. It’s about now I wonder why on earth I didn’t buy myself a soft tail mtb – that’s right Deb would have killed me!! My back is aching and once again I’m over this 24hr bullshit. I’d been looking forward to seeing the guys at the end of the first lap but then remember I’ve asked them not to worry about me and to have a good rest, what was I thinking! I’m constantly repeating never again – never again for all but the first 15mins of my 3hr stint and I’m worried I may have blown our position. How’s on earth Pete’s feeling? Laps 13 & 14 so slow in 1:23 & 1:27
Crew report
Jude - What time do we need to get up? 4.30? Agreed. Rich and Rads head off for quick ‘spoon’ on the double bed, and Pete and I suck up the camping mats…..
For some reason Pete has set his alarm for 4am… but we’re (everyone else) not having a bar of it and all stay in bed until 4.30 and 59 seconds. Pete seems convinced that he needs an hour to get ready and I can’t be bothered talking about it…. Zzzzz
5.11am
Pete - Another double rest and another massage, and I finally get some sleep (1hr of unconsciousness). I wake up to find Rads, Rich and Jude asleep so I have a little chuckle as I sneakily get ready all by myself. The copious amounts of GU have finally taken their toll on my guts (I was eating 2 GU every lap and 3 GU every double lap) and I feel like an explosive sewerage works ready to blow a main pipe. A change into the final set of race kit and I wait for Trav. Jude checks the race tent on the way up and tells me we have made huge progress during the night and are now in 3rd place. I have no feelings one way or another on this news, just thoughts of stopping the pain. I realise that it’s almost dawn the following morning and I have not been anywhere but our tent and the track. No trips to the food stalls, no visits to the race tent, and certainly no social calls on any other mates racing. Dawn hits fast and I feel like crap. The euphoria of the night laps is gone and the murky half light makes seeing the track harder than ever. The solo riders parked out on the course with that vacant stare have cleared out with the dawn (presumably finding their own strength to go on), but I get worse. I plead for Trav to switch to single laps again, but he whimpers some excuse for staring death in the face and that he'll see me after another double. I curse him and his damn race but press on. I'm starting to slow. Laps 15 and 16 completed in 1:17 and 1:21.
Crew report
As Pete heads back and rich wipes up Trav’s tears, I evacuate to find that the results tent is free, 2 hours behind the action but interesting none the less. Then head out to find Jeffy Jeff, who is smiling, but exhausted in solo alley. Davey is trying to feed him a nutritious and tasty meal of … wait for it… cold… canned … beans… mmmm…..
7:49am
Trav - After my last double lap effort I plead with Pete that he do another two lap stint as I’m cooked and feel that with an hours rest I most certainly won’t be able to head out again – the look on Pete’s face is priceless, you know that what the F#$& look. I head back to camp uncertain if Pete will do the two laps and plead with Jude to encourage Pete to stay out.
Phew Pete just did another two lap stint – he’s the man, what better training for going solo at Triple Tri? I got about 15mins kip, had another masterful massage and am re-fuelled and ready to go. I head out on my 8th lap and our 17th combined, I’ve gone and checked the results and we are in 2nd and lead third by 20mins but 4th, 5th and 6th are close behind. As I head out I’m certain that we can get a podium position, I feel pretty good but my back is shot and the single track (if it can be called that any more!!) isn’t doing it any favours. I start to calculate when we might finish and how many laps left we each have, in the back of my mind I know Pete’s got one up on me but based on these time he’ll be doing the last one, hmmm hope he’s feeling better than me. I finish lap 17 in 1:14
Crew report
Jude - Oh my god…Rich and I are still tyring to play mind games with them… but I think both of their minds are fried so it is like playing chess with a 2yo…… Luckily Deb and Callum have come back out for another visit, and Aunty Jude and Uncle Rads learn that little kids and pointy sticks shouldn’t mix… sorry mate….
9:03am
Pete - Last lap, my tenth. Words can't describe the pain. Can't sit on the seat anymore from the saddle sores and back pain and I can't stay out of the saddle from the dead legs. Settle into a pathetic rhythm involving small gears and a slow cadence. The pace is disgraceful. The dreaded ruts at the 10km mark are impossible to ride on a hardtail and I count every km as it passes. The heat is back on and I start going into delirium and wonder why people are asking if I'm ok and I then ride casually off the track into the bush. For some reason this seemed so rational at the time. Manage to scramble home in what turns out to be my slowest lap and threaten Trav with a double lap if he comes in before the midday cut-off. I'm completely done and change into casual clothes (thus ending any doubt about doing another lap). Lap 18 over in 1:25.
Crew report
They both wanted someone to do another lap, as long as that someone wasn’t them… after a quick conference Rich and I decide that the only way is if Trav does a double….
10:28am
Trav - I say to Jude that I will only be doing one more lap. I plead, grovel do what ever it takes to convince her that I’m buggered and that Pete will need to go out again, certainly not ME. I know I’m asking for too much and except the fact this will probably be our last lap.
I head out feeling like death warmed up and glad this bloody event is just about over. I have a very brief thought that I might do two laps but about half way up the first fire trail I realise this won’t be happening, who on earth am I kidding! I take this lap relatively easy or perhaps that’s all I can muster up – who knows I just can’t do anymore and hope that the teams behind are feeling like shit as well. At last in the distance I see the holding pen with my crew and Pete dressed in casual attire waving me in, thank god it’s over I say to myself. We wait in the holding pen with 15mins until official cut-off and watch for teams with a 2*** coming through, still no sign of any of them, then one rolls into the que and I wonder if they had been close enough in the rankings to take away our podium? Lap 19 and the last in 1:32
Crew report
Dear god, it was hilarious… Trav turned to me with his blood shot, puppy dog eyes, put is hand on my shoulder and made me solemnly vow that I would convince Pete to go back out…. Ahhha hhhahaha… my sides are still hurting……one look at Pete and there was no chance of him going anywhere near that bike for some time….
While I’m waiting with Trav, Row waves at me in a panic, she’s left her gloves in the tree and there is no way she’s riding with out them… with directions of, under the tree that looks like a dog on the south-west corner of…. I fang down the road and luckily find Tait and the blo*&^dy gloves…. Love ya Row.
12pm - FINISH
Trav - Wow what a 24 hours, we were pretty excited and figured we had finished 2nd or 3rd in the marathon pairs, turns out we finished 3rd with the 2nd place team heading out for another lap – could we have beat them…NO WAY we were both spent. Turns out the team who finished fourth were in fact the team who entered the holding pen only minutes after us and we are lucky to have held 3rd.
As us triathletes do from time to time, I vowed “never again”, a few hours later as a team of 4, “yes I’d do it” and the next day “yes as a pair”, “but never ever again on a hardtail”.
Would I recommend this event – hell yeah! Be sure you have a great crew like we did it makes a hell of a lot of difference. Thanks for all your help Jude, Rich, Rads & Deb. And thanks to Pete for a great weekend of mountain biking although I only ever saw him for a minute or two.
Heard this before
Trav - Pete’s vowed that he wouldn’t be doing the Triple Tri – yeah right I thought to myself and sure enough he’s been training and will be a contender this time around.
Comments from the Crew
Rads - What more could I say other than at times you looked like complete pieces of shit that couldn't feed yourselves let alone ride another lap. But with some loving encouragement from Jude, Rich and myself in form of "harden the f*ck up would ya" and "don't be a soft cock you bloody poof" you two kept going and snagged a good placing which for one of you was amazing considering the amount of training you had (or hadn't) done.
Other than that Jude, Rich and I enjoyed the evening drinking Corona's and eating most of your food while you were out riding or sleeping.
I hope to be there in a 4 man come October 2007.
Rich - I don't really have anything new to add!
You both know that you are sook's and winged your way through the event. I think
I speak for the rest of the support crew saying that we did it a lot harder than
you two girls and have no problem in backing this up by going solo's next year
on rigid unicycles!
Lot's of love Rich xxx