In the first year the race was held at the local Tele Point Trails with just over 60 riders competing & I was one of the main organizers before & during the event along with Rotary Sunrise so I rode casually in a team of three giving myself a break from timing the race & other duties in the event center.
This year we managed to get my local mountain bike club "HVMBR" more involved so I was able to ride in the event solo & concentrate on raising more funds as well as getting in some quality racing in my local area.
Leading up to the event everything ran smooth with all members of the race committee pulling together to make the day a very memorable one. The race was to be held on a brand new track in a brand new location at the Bago Vineyard & I had only been out helping build trail for a short period of time in the middle of a training ride around 6 months before hand, so I was keen to ride the end result feeling a tad guilty for not giving much of a hand building the trails.
There was over $1500 worth of prizes for the event, over 100 riders entered, a brass band "Having Dinner With Milton", a dress up human chariot race, a BBQ & stalls, A hedge maze for the non riders as well as coffee & wine sales.
I had been out to the vineyard during another training ride earlier in the week for a leisure report interview but chose not to have a look at the track, keeping it a surprise during race day, adding to the excitement.
Shortly after arriving & making sure everything was under control I quickly fitted an inner tube into my rear tyre so I was able to race taking the risk on not having a spare tube in case of a puncture.
Race start had us lining up on a slippery gravel fire road where the race was started by the Mayer of Port Macquarie using the Australian Flag.
Around a third of the way into the 6 hrs I was sitting in second position when I was caught by Jason English now with one lap up on me in first position. I rode hard to keep in touch so that I was not to be lapped a second time by the world 24hr champ. Toying with me he managed to ride off in front every now & then to stop for a coffee & a bite to eat in the feed zone while I went past before he caught me back up again with ease at the top of the first climb.
Coming into my final laps in the 6 hrs I was starting to enjoy the track now that there was clear lines to ride on the trail as I was pushing to make the 100km before the finish.
I would like to thank everyone that entered the race & helped make the day such a success. I would also like to thank all the sponsors that donated prizes, such as
*Seers Cyclery
*Gordon Street Cycles
*Laurieton Cycles
*TRS Cycles
*Harvey Norman
*Kenny Little Fruit & Veg
*Port Macquarie Fishing Charters
*Port Macquarie Cruise Terminal
I would also like to especially mention & thank
*Port Macquarie Rotary Sunrise
*Hastings Valley Mountain Bike Riders
*Bago Vineyard & Maze
Photo's by Fab Photos