[voice over guy] A little catch up for those who haven’t heard. Blah blah blah – injured at last N-Duro – blah blah blah - complete renal failure - blah blah blah – days in the dialysis ward – blah blah blah pretty pills and slow recovery – blah blah blah things now getting better [/end voice over guy]
Now you’re all up to date, on with the latest instalment of N-Duro glory 
Having only gotten back onto the bike in the last week, and even then only at ‘commuting’ levels, you might say I was not at my physical or mental peak for this race. But as I don’t race (see report 1 for clarification) that is not important. What is important is the weather was sunny after 3 days of rain, I was there, and my bike was there. This was the first outing of my newly purchased Jeffson Single Speed, and what an outing it was.
All geared up and ready to go, I realised that I had an hour to wait till the blue platers got to leave (the long course red platers get a 1 hour head start), oh well, better sift around then. More chatting in the sun, munch a few nut bars, admire a few bikes – pretty much like any given Sunday really. Then it was off up the hill. I started at the back, as always, but just the same as always, as the derailleur symphony crashes on around me and people slow down, the SS just keeps on going at the same speed. By Gunna Gotta I had made some good ground up, but not enough  It was quicker to walk than to get on get off get on get off behind all the people stopping and crashing.
Enter the single track, A trail and Tickler flowed as usual, and were surprisingly grippy given the amount of traffic they had endured already. My progress was only slowed by my complete muppet skills and the occasional slower rider, the field seemed to have thinned out nicely since I dropped all the riders on Gunna  Popping out of Tickler I was just in time to see Team Marin DH (Ekmanrider) boosting the final jump of HxB and power sliding across the intersection – very stlyie 
Then the climb, broken by Lentil Link. I don’t really mind the climb, as long as I am wearing my comfortable walking shoes, and LL is a loverly bit of track. Apparently some people got it a bit off track through this section (not looking at anyone in particular Pete) but I was travelling slow enough to not miss the signs. Hot x Buns was the same as ever, clogged with people not carrying speed. Had one rather unfortunate testicle/back of seat unplanned interaction which cause a tear to the eye and blurred vision for a spell. . . . . but I managed to not fall off (no photo’s of bruising were available at time of printing).
From here the course went into the single track section of the ‘inner’ tracks – starting with Be Rude Not To. I sifted through, grabbing a place here and there when I could. But basically cruising along and chatting to the other riders as I went. A few red platers blasted past me along these tracks, but not too many – and I always stopped early and moved off the track for them. After all, they had done the hard K’s and were suffering by then, whereas I was out for a Sunday ride.
Caught a group of 4 or so riders on the entry to exit trail, and had fun giving them space then catching them again. Allowing them to go ahead, then blasting over the doubles etc, couldn’t really see the point in overtaking this close to the finish, so just had fun throwing the bike around on one of the best trails Roto has to offer (imo). Rolled over the line completely unbroken, and feeling pretty good about the day, not unlike my first N-Duro. Sunshine, bikes, good trails and good friends – finished off with a beer and B-Sh!t session. The only thing that would have made the day better was having the bling arrive in time to be on my bike by this race – but now you will all have to wait till the final N-Duro to see it 
You may have gathered by the tone of this that I enjoyed the ride – well I did. And on checking the results I was the slowest SS rider on the day but in perspective – I would have been top 20 in Masters Men had I have entered that grade, and what do numbers mean anyway (see report 2 for clarification). Knowing my time has not made the day any brighter, the trails smoother, or my smile wider. I was riding my bike – and I loved it.
Bring on the 50km – see you there  |
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| | July 2008 | * Simon Kennett - Sat, 05th
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 05th
* Simon Kennett - Fri, 04th
* Simon Kennett - Fri, 04th
* Simon Kennett - Fri, 04th
* Simon Kennett - Fri, 04th
* Simon Kennett - Thu, 03rd
* Simon Kennett - Thu, 03rd
* Simon Kennett - Thu, 03rd
* Simon Kennett - Thu, 03rd
* Simon Kennett - Wed, 02nd
* Simon Kennett - Wed, 02nd
* Simon Kennett - Wed, 02nd
* Simon Kennett - Tue, 01st
* Simon Kennett - Tue, 01st
* Simon Kennett - Tue, 01st
| | June 2008 | * Lisa Morgan - Mon, 30th
* Simon Kennett - Mon, 30th
* Kieran Bennett - Mon, 30th
* Simon Kennett - Mon, 30th
* Simon Kennett - Mon, 30th
* Lisa Morgan - Sun, 29th
* Simon Kennett - Sun, 29th
* Simon Kennett - Sun, 29th
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 28th
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 28th
* Lisa Morgan - Fri, 27th
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Fri, 27th
* Simon Kennett - Fri, 27th
* Simon Kennett - Fri, 27th
* Simon Kennett - Thu, 26th
* Simon Kennett - Wed, 25th
* Simon Kennett - Wed, 25th
* Simon Kennett - Wed, 25th
* Simon Kennett - Tue, 24th
* Simon Kennett - Tue, 24th
* Lisa Morgan - Tue, 24th
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Mon, 23rd
* Simon Kennett - Mon, 23rd
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Mon, 23rd
* Simon Kennett - Mon, 23rd
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Mon, 23rd
* Lisa Morgan - Mon, 23rd
* Lisa Morgan - Mon, 23rd
* Lisa Morgan - Mon, 23rd
* Simon Kennett - Mon, 23rd
* Samara Sheppard - Sun, 22nd
* Simon Kennett - Sun, 22nd
* Samara Sheppard - Sun, 22nd
* Simon Kennett - Sun, 22nd
* Kieran Bennett - Sun, 22nd
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Samara Sheppard - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Sat, 21st
* Simon Kennett - Sat, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Tue, 17th
* Kieran Bennett - Sun, 15th
| | May 2008 | * Kieran Bennett - Wed, 28th
* Kieran Bennett - Mon, 26th
* J Dog - Mon, 19th
* J Dog - Mon, 12th
| | April 2008 | * Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Thu, 10th
| | March 2008 | * Samara Sheppard - Fri, 07th
| | December 2007 | * Lisa Morgan - Wed, 26th
| | November 2007 | * Daniel Carruthers - Thu, 08th
| | October 2007 | * Geoff Acethorp - Tue, 09th
| | September 2007 | * Kieran Bennett - Wed, 19th
* Geoff Acethorp - Mon, 17th
* Holly Kernonhan-Smith - Thu, 13th
* Kieran Bennett - Wed, 12th
* Olivia Johnston - Mon, 10th
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Mon, 10th
* J Dog - Sun, 09th
* Olivia Johnston - Sun, 09th
* Mark "Punter" Johnston - Sat, 08th
* J Dog - Sat, 08th
* J Dog - Sat, 08th
* J Dog - Fri, 07th
* Holly Kernonhan-Smith - Fri, 07th
* J Dog - Fri, 07th
* J Dog - Fri, 07th
* J Dog - Fri, 07th
* J Dog - Fri, 07th
* J Dog - Fri, 07th
* Holly Kernonhan-Smith - Thu, 06th
* J Dog - Thu, 06th
* J Dog - Thu, 06th
* J Dog - Wed, 05th
* Holly Kernonhan-Smith - Tue, 04th
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Mon, 03rd
| | August 2007 | * Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Mon, 27th
* Geoff Acethorp - Tue, 21st
* Kieran Bennett - Wed, 15th
* Olivia Johnston - Tue, 14th
* Olivia Johnston - Fri, 10th
* J Dog - Mon, 06th
| | July 2007 | * Kieran Bennett - Tue, 31st
* J Dog - Mon, 30th
* J Dog - Mon, 30th
* J Dog - Mon, 23rd
* Daniel Carruthers - Sun, 22nd
* Daniel Carruthers - Wed, 18th
* Geoff Acethorp - Tue, 17th
* Olivia Johnston - Thu, 12th
* Cameron Cole - Wed, 11th
* Daniel Carruthers - Tue, 10th
* Jazz Apple Cycling Team - Tue, 10th
* J Dog - Mon, 09th
* J Dog - Sun, 08th
* J Dog - Sun, 08th
* J Dog - Sun, 08th
* J Dog - Sun, 08th
* J Dog - Sat, 07th
* Jazz Apple Cycling Team - Fri, 06th
* Mickey Fan - Wed, 04th
* Jazz Apple Cycling Team - Wed, 04th
* J Dog - Wed, 04th
* Olivia Johnston - Tue, 03rd
| | June 2007 | * Grant Herbert - Thu, 28th
* Kieran Bennett - Thu, 28th
* Olivia Johnston - Tue, 26th
* J Dog - Mon, 25th
* Harriet Harper - Thu, 21st
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Tue, 19th
* Geoff Acethorp - Tue, 19th
* Jazz Apple Cycling Team - Tue, 12th
* Mark "Cabin" Leishman - Tue, 12th
* Olivia Johnston - Tue, 12th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* J Dog - Mon, 11th
* Olivia Johnston - Sun, 10th
* J Dog - Sat, 09th
* Jazz Apple Cycling Team - Sat, 09th
* J Dog - Sat, 09th
* J Dog - Sat, 09th
* Olivia Johnston - Fri, 08th
* J Dog - Fri, 08th
* J Dog - Fri, 08th
* J Dog - Thu, 07th
* Cameron Cole - Tue, 05th
* News - Mon, 04th
* J Dog - Mon, 04th
* News - Sun, 03rd
| | May 2007 | * Mark "Punter" Johnston - Thu, 31st
* Kieran Bennett - Wed, 30th
* Geoff Acethorp - Tue, 29th
* J Dog - Mon, 21st
* Geoff Acethorp - Mon, 21st
* J Dog - Mon, 14th
* J Dog - Sun, 13th
* J Dog - Sat, 12th
* Grant Herbert - Fri, 11th
* Geoff Acethorp - Fri, 11th
* J Dog - Thu, 10th
* Kieran Bennett - Tue, 08th
| | April 2007 | * Mark "Punter" Johnston - Fri, 27th
* Tim Wilding - Tue, 17th
* Tim Wilding - Fri, 06th
| | March 2007 | * J Dog - Tue, 20th
* Cameron Cole - Mon, 05th
| | February 2007 | * Cameron Cole - Tue, 06th
| | January 2007 | * Cameron Cole - Thu, 18th
| | August 2006 | * Robyn Wong - Fri, 25th
* Robyn Wong - Thu, 24th
* Robyn Wong - Wed, 23rd
* Robyn Wong - Wed, 23rd
* JohnnyC's OE Race Reports - Thu, 17th
* JohnnyC's OE Race Reports - Tue, 08th
* Tom Holland + Craig Pattle - Tue, 08th
* Lahar Racing - Thu, 03rd
* Cameron Cole - Thu, 03rd
| | July 2006 | * Tom Holland + Craig Pattle - Mon, 31st
* JohnnyC's OE Race Reports - Fri, 21st
* News - Tue, 18th
* Kieran Bennett - Tue, 18th
* JohnnyC's OE Race Reports - Tue, 11th
* Cameron Cole - Wed, 05th
* Kieran Bennett - Tue, 04th
* JohnnyC's OE Race Reports - Mon, 03rd
* Junior DH Development Squad - Sun, 02nd
| | June 2006 | * Kieran Bennett - Thu, 29th
* Junior DH Development Squad - Mon, 26th
* Bob + Chris - Sat, 24th
* JohnnyC's OE Race Reports - Thu, 22nd
* Cameron Cole - Thu, 15th
* Bob + Chris - Thu, 15th
* JohnnyC's OE Race Reports - Tue, 13th
* Kieran Bennett - Tue, 13th
* News - Tue, 13th
* Bob + Chris - Fri, 09th
* Tom Holland + Craig Pattle - Thu, 08th
* Lahar Racing - Tue, 06th
* Bob + Chris - Fri, 02nd
| | May 2006 | * J Dog - Wed, 24th
* Tom Holland + Craig Pattle - Mon, 22nd
| | March 2006 | * Robyn Wong - Wed, 22nd
* Robyn Wong - Sun, 19th
* Robyn Wong - Fri, 17th
* Robyn Wong - Thu, 16th
* Robyn Wong - Tue, 14th
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