2014 Jack Ridge XXX 100

Photography courtesy of Bax. COPYRIGHT BAXOGRAPHY 2013

After destroying my bike and not getting to truly appreciate the Nambucca trails in 2013 I was keen to come back this year. To make the trip a family affair the North Coast Holiday Park at Nambucca Heads came to the party. I was able to host a skills clinic on the Saturday afternoon whilst the family relaxed by the beach. With beautiful weather on the north coast, it was no surprise that so many riders traveled from Newcastle and further south as other races were cancelled on the same weekend. Andrew Lloyd and Stu Adams were two such riders who made for a challenging race.

Race day started with the whole family heading out to the race track. Archie jumped on his balance bike and Grandma looked after Sylvie. A big bonus of staying at the holiday park was at bed time for bubs, Jen had the luxury of taking the kids back to our cabin for a nap.

Looking back I would have to say this seemed like a hard race. From the start I took off fairly quick wanting to get into the single track first, too often I get caught behind fast starters. The Jack Ridge XXX course was made up of 10 laps of a 10km loop with around 90% single track so getting a good start was important. I managed to sneak in first ahead of Andrew and Stu. I tried to set a fairly strong pace but Andrew and Stu seemed to easily hold my wheel. In fact Stu was doing it so easily he has the energy to sledge my ability to negotiate tight trees with my new 710mm wide Mt Zoom bars! I only hit two trees, honest! While I was setting the pace for the first two laps, on the third and fourth I gave Andrew a turn. He chose a similar pace to my own and was enjoying the flowy trails as he seemed to expend no energy as he charged around. The fifth lap Stu was still hanging on the back so we gave him the chance to set the pace. I think he deliberately slowed the pace down so I jumped back on the front for the next couple of laps. I thought I was setting a competitive pace however on the seventh lap Andrew questioned how I was feeling and why I wasn't having a go! The next two laps he set the pace as I struggled to keep my chain tracking through my rear derailleur. Heading out on the last lap I hit the first and one of the only climbs in the lap fairly hard hoping to get a head start just in case I needed to stop and re-tweak my chain. I did ask Andrew nicely for a head start and he gave it to me! I rode my fastest and last lap with a chain hiding off the side of the lower jockey wheel to be the first across the line in a sub 4hr marathon event. I'm so glad I got to appreciate the awesome trails that the Nambucca Club get to ride. Nambucca also turned on beautiful weather, I forgot it was winter!

A big thanks goes to Andrew and Stu for making it a tough race. It was great to have company and to be pushed to the finish line. 

My parents were great looking after kids and my mum for passing bottles.

Thanks Jen for making this trip a holiday with the help of North Coast Holiday Parks.

Refusenix Racing and the Nambucca Mountain Bike Club did a great job of hosting such a fun event. 

Thanks Kath and Kedan from Bike Bag Dude for your support at this event.

Mt Zoom for the new bars. I think I like big bars now!

As always, Gordon Street Cycles for looking after my bikes. I just hope they can restore my rear mech :(

I'll be back again next year!