About 4 weeks ago when I was riding with some mates in Canberra, Amy asked if I wanted to go race the Red Centre Enduro I said no as I felt I had a) would be nowhere fit enough and b) had already done that race. However I soon began thinking more and more about it because a)I really wanted to do another stage race b) I hadn’t been back to Alice since we moved from there in 2010 and c) I would get to ride my bike for a week and hang out with people I hadn’t seen for ages.
Thankfully my work said I could have a week off and my coach gave me the all clear to do a race! Sweet, Alice Springs here I come!! The week leading up to the race was crazy busy, we had athletics day at school, family down to visit, a bus license to study for and pass, pack the bike and get training in. All I wanted to do was get to the airport and get to Alice. Friday I had to get up at 4 and spent the whole day learning how to drive a bus, and luckily passed, look out kids!! I was convinced I was flying out at 11am so Ali and I had planned to sleep in and head out for coffee in the morning. At 11 that night I decided to check when my flight next weekend would be landing back in Melbourne. Then I discovered my flight actually left at 8.30am the next morning. That would have been interesting had I turned up at 10. I was standing at the gate waiting to board when a girl who looked strangely like Amy started walking towards me and waving. What the heck I thought, am I in Canberra??? Nope, apparently there’s no direct flight so Amy had flown from Canberra to Melbourne that morning and confused the hell out of me. I was planning to catch up on some much needed sleep on the plane, however because QANTAS are the only ones who fly to Alice I had to make the most of the in flight entertainment as they had a heap of Modern Family and Glee episodes I had not seen and they are my two favourite shows!!
Arrived to a sunny Alice Springs and found a few other mtb’ers to chat to, Sam from Rapid Ascent picked us up and drove us into town. Got the groceries then had a nap to try to recharge. Reassembling the bikes was not much fun, however Amy made it much more entertaining by putting her forks on back to front. This morning we headed out for a ride behind the Scout Hall and rode much of tomorrow’s stage. I had forgotten how totally radical and fun the trails are around here. As my navigation is terrible I was disappointed when Amy informed me her navigation skills were also very ordinary. Dam, we tried to make our way back home via a 4WD track but soon found ourselves in the company of a camp dog and on route into a town camp. We made a hasty return to the single track and popped out right in front of the Jude’s house where we are lucky enough to be staying. Big relief as the last thing we wanted was to be baking out lost in the sun for hours. I can’t wait for the race and no doubt it’ll have me wanting to return to Alice, the cycling here is AMAZING!! Tomorrow we get a police escort start through the town which will be awesome, but now we are off to register!!! Will update during the week as it unfolds!!! Follow the race at www.rapidascent.com.au
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| amy having a blast |
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| ready to rock n roll |
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| intense concentration |
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