Convict 100 (ex Dirtworks) @ St Albans

[lindsay]

Entries opened today

http://www.maxadventure.com.au/convict100/entry.html

I've signed up for the 100km...

Date of event is 4/5/2013 which is a Saturday

[Richard]

I'm going to give the 50km a go

Never done a MTB race before but sounds like fun

Simone and I got married outside the timber slab barn across the road from the pub at St Albans. Great area and hopefully there will be time for an ale in the pub after the race.

I have a box trailer with 5 bike racks on it if people want to take camping gear / bikes there on the day.

[lindsay]

Ahhh... the Pub.

[Tam]

Just registered for the 50k version. Looks like fun. The kayak bridge will be a challenge!

[AliG]

I've (possibly optimistically) registered for the 100.

Richard, I don't have a car. If my stuff could go in your trailer, that'd be great.
Alison

[Richard]

Ali

Should be ok.

[Richard]

Just entered the 50km version

Alison PM me closer to the date to arrange getting your bike and gear to the race

Richard

[Camilla]

I'm seriously tempted. Did the 100 a few years back and really enjoyed it.

[orphic]

Do it Camilla!! I am tempted but doubt I could make it up that weekend. I would like to just come and drink beer at the pub really!

[Richard]

I can take 6 bikes and 7 people in the car+trailer

So far I have

Curtis
Adrian
Me (dhbc)
Lindsay (dhbc)
Alison (dhbc) bike and gear. Not sure if she needs a lift as well

Room for 2 people. (I am sure I can fit one more bike in trailer to make 7)

Car leaving from Ashfield

I have had an offer from a friend with a farm nearby that we might be able to camp there the night before

[AliG]

I see that registration for the 100km closes at 6.30am, so I'm hoping to camp the night before... From the website, it looks like there are a few camping options in the area, as well as the farm.

Richard, if you do go the night before, it'd be great if you could take my stuff. If there's also room for a lift, that'd be even better!
Alison

[Richard]

I just realized that the race is a Saturday not Sunday

If we went up Friday what time could people get to Ashfield to leave?

We would be setting up camp after dark but with enough beer anything is possible.

Also David Os is in as well

[mikesbytes]

mmm... now that I have a mountain bike...

[AliG]

Hi Richard,
I could be in Ashfield anytime after 4.30. Also, Tam didn't make it onto your list, but is riding. Big group!
Alison

[Tam]

Yep I am in too and my hubby for the 50k and a friend Chris who was in our Mont team. Went MTB riding there last weekend and it was gorgeous - hope the weather is similar. Looks like the 50k is quite simple and not so technical - no single track at all.

[JoTheBuilder]

I did the 50km a couple of years ago. Pretty easy, I was surprised as I'm not much of a technical MTB rider. Mostly fire trail and the last 10km was on the road.

[Richard]

Lindsay and Alison

I have sent a PM to you both regarding lift and accommodation.

Richard

[Richard]

Great day in St Albans

Weather was crisp and overcast for the start then perfect low to mid 20's after that.

David Os and I did the 50km, Lindsay and Alison did the 100km. There was another DHBC'er I spotted across the crowd at the start but I didn't recognise who she was.

We finished somewhere between 2 1/2 and 3 hours. Didn't see either Lindsay or Alison afterwards.

Hopefully they arrived home safely. We saw a few riders on the course a tad worse for wear. David spent a fair amount of time on the side of the trail with a guy who, putting it mildly, now needs to go and buy a new helmet.

At the finish they handed each rider a bottle of water and a cold bottle of beer.

Highly recommended

[AliG]

Yeah, I managed to miss most people from DHBC as well. I only saw David. I even managed to miss Lindsay, who was reserving a camping spot for us, because we took a wrong turn, arrived after dark, then couldn't ring him to find out which tent was his, because of the lack of mobile reception. But we had a nice night, next to a paddock with a very curious and chatty camel, who was cantering around with excitement.

The ride was stunning, though I became less interested in the view after about the 1000th rock. My arms were much more sore than my legs by the end, with all the rocks on the single track, which had a few sections which were quite technical. After about 50km, I kept seeing the same riders, so it became a pretty chatty ride and a nice atmosphere. I wasn't game enough to ride across the canoe bridge. I watched a couple of people wobble over and decided to walk it... A downhiller I rode some of the way with, rode hands free for the last section of the bridge, which looked impressive.

It's a beautiful ride and the rural fire service did a great job marshalling and manning the food and drink stations. Definitely worth doing!

[Eleri]

Sounds great! Must get on a mountain bike one day.

[Tam]

Perfect race - loved the 50k version, weather perfect, views amazing, all good! Definitely do this one again. 50k version hardly any technical bits at all, couple of fun descents.