Well I'd like to say day 1 of 2012 passed without incident, but if that were the case then I'd hardly earn the title of "Messy".
However, unlike the previous year, I arrived at the start line with no major mechanical issues and a full hydration pack. My traveling partner Juliet even appeared to have a seat post that remained at one height.
With swapping of stages from the previous year I was grateful that this morning I could ease my way into the race with a 39km stage, then the b#stards go and add another 1.5km single track at the end, just what I needed.
Nevertheless I was comforted by the words of the race director that the police escort through town had been asked not to break all the speed limits this year in his lead out. I'm not sure he took much notice. He may have decided to on occasions, as it was a stop start affair through the centre of Alice until the turn off onto fire trail and the race was on.
As the fast guys headed off I settled into a steady rhythm, the words of Juliet from 2011 ringing in my ears "pace yourself". This I did with Juliet disappearing into the distance, and myself continuing on at a brisk (for me) but comfortable pace.
All was going well until about the 20km mark at which point I realised a full Camelbak bladder and jersey full of gels is only good if you can manage to take your hands off to drink and eat. That tight feeling in my quads was to progress to full blown cramp in another 10km or so.
As I progressed through the water station I had a feeling I have never had before in a race, I passed some of the fast guys. Billy Sewell (4th in last years event) eat my dust, oh and good luck fixing your 4th flat; it would only be a matter of time before he passed me again.
I also managed to pass Juliet, later I was to learn that her bulging quads were to prove too much for a meager gear cable, as it snapped under her sheer power (which she would later prove on the Anzac Hill sprint) and was forced to single speed a majority of the morning.
With about 5km to go the familiar feeling of bones on ground was to greet me. I believe in an attempt to navigate my 25th switchback in a row, the lack of forward momentum sent me sprawling. No major damage done, just cramp now setting in with 5km to go. In fact there isn't even any blood and I'm not sure anyone witnessed that, maybe I'll get away with it.
Well quite possibly I could have, but gumby fall number two, when a hole appeared from nowhere 500m from the finish line, wasn't quite so forgiving. A few cuts, scratches and bruises had me feeling more at home.
Thankfully across the line in about 2:11, a significant improvement on last year and no broken bones. Juliet followed a matter of seconds later, now aware of the dangers of single speeding, but still in second place in her category.
After a dip in the ice bath (also known as the pool) it was back into riding kit and up Anzac Hill. Again I demonstrated wisdom beyond my mtb'ing years, and as opposed to 2011 decided that maybe the big ring wasn't the way to go. Whilst a few seconds slower, it was pleasant being able to breathe at the end. As I reached the top I spotted a comfy couch, unfortunately this was the hot seat, reserved for fastest male and female, and there was Juliet snuggly seated. Whilst she didn't hold that position for the whole evening she did claim back to back titles in the veteran's category, and in doing so putting her traveling partner to shame, guess that single speeding has got something going for it.
Now rest and recovery, before we take it all on again, and trust me, my memories of this stage from last year, are not good.
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