Chase the Sun 2

Round 2 of Chase the Sun was a sensational day at Lysterfield. It was a little cold and foggy in the morning, but as the day went on, the fog cleared, the sun came out and conditions were prime!

This round was a sellout, which meant there was about 85 entries in the Mens Solo category. Even though I podium'd in round 1, I knew with more competition, I would need to reset my expectations. I aimed for a top 10.

The transition area was on the Lake side of the course around the Trailmix shop. We were directed to start below the dam wall on one of the access roads. This was a bit of a tricky start as it wasn't that easy to find a position near the front like at the Comm Games transition area. Once the gun went, we took off for a quick loop over and across the dam wall before hitting the first bit of single track. I tried to move up as many positions as possible here, while there was space. Once hitting the start of the course, it was a matter of being patient while heading up the first climb. In some ways it is good to be held back (from going too fast) while doing a solo, so I pace myself better, but I still like to have a clear track in front of me if I think the pace is a bit too slow, so I am looking to pass most of the time.

The course was mostly the reverse of the normal direction you would travel at Lysterfield, it had a few fire trail parts to link up different sections, and also a new section of trail I had never ridden on that was very tight and twisty. A friend of mine calls this section the 'Kitchen', because it is like trying to ride your bike around the kitchen! Overall, the reverse direction and new sections meant the course was interesting enough to not be too boring for the 5 hrs.

I had no idea where I was position wise for most of the day. I kept forgetting to ask at transition. I never passed any solo cat riders, and none passed me. It might seem it was a boring day, but I had my own fun chasing down riders ahead of me, or just racing other riders in team categories over different sections, and backing it off when I thought I better take it easy. The sun and fast trails made it enjoyable riding.

Towards the end of lap 7, 2 of the Van der Ploeg boys came flying past. They were in the Pro Pairs category. As the lead riders overall, I was expecting a swag of other guns to start streaming past. This didn't happen. At 4h55m into the race, 5 mins remaining, I went through transition to start my last lap. I found out at this point I was 7th. Although I was happy to be 7th, I still had no idea if I was close enough to anyone ahead, or if someone was close behind.

Shortly into the first part of the course, I noticed a solo number behind me. OK, no taking it easy on the last lap! I kept up my speed and tried to maintain smooth riding, trying to ride as I had most of the day. About a third of the way around, my right quad cramped badly, with no warning. I couldn't pedal. I had to stop and get off and stretch, but that was difficult as it seemed every muscle in my leg was cramping. While attempting to stretch, I was taking note of the numbers as they went past, none were solo numbers, although one went past with the number obscured.

I managed to get back on and started riding - tentatively. I downed most of the electrolyte drink I had left, even though it was too late. I was mainly concerned with any rises in the trail for the rest of the lap, and didn't want to get out of the saddle as I still had that feeling that I was about to cramp at any moment. The more I kept getting through different parts, the more I thought I was going to make it. I got up the steep rise about 3k's from the finish and knew I was going to make it then. Down through the kitchen and the last part of singletrack, and I was finished!

It was 5h 40min of riding for me. Unfortunately, I did end up losing a position on the last lap and finished 8th, but overall, I had come inside top 10, so I met my goal. It was certainly a memorable day with the winter sun out and great track conditions, so I am keen to enter the next round which is a 6Hr race in July.

Thanks to Jo and the girls for being my support for the day, without which, I wouldn't have had such a good ride. Special thanks to Ez as it was her birthday and she decided to incorporate a fun day at Lysterfield with her friends with helping her Dad as well.