Canberra's Mountain Biking community network
Wicked Wombat a Winner
Race Report
Haven't been at this for long but twelve months and eight races later I'm an expert, but still slow!
The Wicked Wombat 8hr was a great ride 10.8k laps with 185m of climbing per lap, throw in 30+ degree heat and I knew I had reached my use by date! Doing it solo was a tough call, after three hours I had to back off, R & R, cool down and break up the laps into shorter segments.
Bungarra at Jindabyne is a great track. Nice thoughtful gradient climbs, fast flowing downhill, nobly little natural rockeries, A & B options on any tricky bits and a few big ring faster tracks to open out on. And, hardly 100m of fire road all up. These boys [Rolling Ground Jindabyne] have it figured out and have made a super track. You CAN have a challenging, interesting, technical flowing track without a series of gratuitous [read Mt Annan] man made 'technical' encounters that contribute nothing to the enjoyment of the trail/ride.
I hope the other Bermers who made the trip down also enjoyed the day. I'll be back next year and so should anyone who enjoys a challenge and needs to work off the Christmas kilos.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Giuliano on -
I agree with everything you say. This was the best event I've been to, including that rave twenty years ago where I made friends with a laser beam.
Some enduros charge so much but give so little singletrack, but now we have an event with 99.9% of it! Even on my last lap I got my drift on. Wonderful dirt, wonderful corners. With the mown verges overtaking was a breeze.
Cheap event, cheap accommodation, cheap camping, great atmosphere (a local vibe matched only by the Tathra Doolarghal 100). The fruit salad was better than any dish any other event has given me - I wish I stayed for the dinner.
I was at the limit of cramping in the heat, but there was plenty of rest in the loopy trails and no super-tough pinches that would have driven me into cramps. I am stoked with fourth (though results show me in fifth). I did 11 laps and my computer shows 124km - that's the most I've done on dirt. My Trance was probably a bit too much bike but my Switch adjustable seatpost was the standout component - at the top of either hill I could drop it down for the humps and jumps on the descent, funner and safer. I doubt I'll solo next year as I think with such wonderful singletrack I'd prefer to smash a lap and rest, especially if it is as hot. Up until that day Jindabyne had only seen mid-twenties warmth. We were unlucky.
I spoke to Rob and Paul the next day and they are talking about an Easter event as well. I will be there, and if you are reading this then you should be too. I'll stay a few days and ride the other trails in the area too (they are building more and more all the time - the plan is to circumnavigate the lake!).
Between CORC and Rolling Ground events, I'm covered. They are simply cheaper, closer, and frankly, far better.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Wells on -
It was a fantastic event, and I must so it was very nice to have a couple of cold showers through the race to freshen up, I felt like I was in the hot box till then. Great to do a 1/2 lap with Chris, plus be able to ride with my team mate, and others it worked great for a social ride/race. Track was a huge amount of fun and a good mix of everything, flowy, pedally berms, off cambers it had it all. The dinner option was a good one, but unfortunately I was to early for the brekky and decided not to wait around. Only 1 thing I thought was a little funny was the extra lap/s thing for the SS'ers, I did not think they needed to have that (it is there weapon of choice), but know this race is all about the smiles so really it does not bother me, so much fun.
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Giuliano on
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Ha ha, Kevin, that was funny when I was slowly slowly pulling away from you and then you are behind me saying "I just had an adrenalin rush - I just saw a black snake!"
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Wells on
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And screamed like a girl ;). Lucky I did, otherwise he would have had tyre marks. I had allot of salt on the black jersey after the race, you definately had the the right idea going something lighter, but that shower was gold got me going again.
Christopher Giuliano said:Ha ha, Kevin, that was funny when I was slowly slowly pulling away from you and then you are behind me saying "I just had an adrenalin rush - I just saw a black snake!"
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Giuliano on
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Kevin, there is a photo of you and me on the photos page, plus a few more photos of you at different times.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Wells on
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They are good photo's, I should have pulled the camera out during the party. Next year the plan in a bonfire near the dorm and dinner building instead of having to go to the lake should be good.
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