Candy Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 This was probably the toughest day I have ever had in the saddle - but the most rewarding once I crossed the finished line. 77km of real MTB riding! Race organisers were amazing and the route was fantastic (although at the time I was dying).The views were out of this world breath taking! My little bit of advice for people who want to do it next year for the first time... don't think the race ends after the 'monster' - there is still a good 40km to go, so save a little gas. You also need to be mentally strong - I was playing a lot of mind games with myself during the second half of the race - you need to learn to DIG VERY DEEP- I promise its worth not giving up and actually finishing the race. I'll be back again for sure!
rouxtjie Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 Of course i am. New back tire, a plant and a small chocolate and the points are piling up. Ok so i guess i better replace the bearings on the suspension on her bike this week and build the SS bike for her. If I don't i will be in the dog box for the rest of the year Good man
jcza Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 I thought the first climb & descent was tougher than the monster? arendoog and divernick 2
Swift01 Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 It was a good test for the new bike. Only damage was a bent gear leaver (hit my knee on it when someone stopped in front of me up a hill and I nearly hit them) and then a bottle cage bolt came loose.... Not too bad for it's 2nd off road ride. I reckon if nothing else fell off then it's good to go after those rocks.... Till next year........... I think i have missed one Monster race since the very first one.
Swift01 Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 I thought the first climb & descent was tougher than the monster?The actual monster climb is quite nice actually. Once you get to the climb you just grind away and it is one of the smoother parts of the race so you get t rest your hands and teeth a bit..... jcza and dirtrider 2
Pieterg Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 That last few short climb nearly got me lost my sense of MTB'ing on them
Peewee1 Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 I need to start training proper for this next year. My heart rate was staying around 160-170 from the start, not sure exactly what that meant for me but after the actual monster I decided that 5hrs of that would probably do more harm than good. Not sure if it was the altitude or my asthma acting up. Could be both. Having people behind you down the hills over all those rocks made me do stuff I would never do if I was riding solo. I was waiting for something to snap on my bike, the noises coming from down there were insane. Definitely keen to try to kill this one next year. And yes, you SS guys are cray.
Swift01 Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 The one thing I loved about this race is the people. For once no one was moaning that there was too many rocks, sand, leaves on the track. They all knew what it was going to be about, accepted it and got on with the job. Just like it was back in the old days before duel sus bikes 29ers etc. You grabbed a bike and rode.... (ooops showing my age).. Oh and the back markers were very good at moving over. I even had one guy telling a few people that were walking out a ditch near the end that there was a Red board coming, move out the way... Big up to everyone that rode it... Stefan Cremer, Mackie, RocknRolla and 2 others 5
RocknRolla Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 The one thing I loved about this race is the people. For once no one was moaning that there was too many rocks, sand, leaves on the track. They all knew what it was going to be about, accepted it and got on with the job. Just like it was back in the old days before duel sus bikes 29ers etc. You grabbed a bike and rode.... (ooops showing my age).. Oh and the back markers were very good at moving over. I even had one guy telling a few people that were walking out a ditch near the end that there was a Red board coming, move out the way... Big up to everyone that rode it... EXACTLY what the wife and i was discussing on the way back. This race will stick in my mind for a very long time. Organisers also put on a proper show.Massages at the end was magical, the ice bath not so much, but sorted out the cramps chop-chop
Candy Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 I thought the first climb & descent was tougher than the monster? I agree 100% and then the few right at the end were also rather challenging when you are that exhausted! - It was heart breaking to hear the microphone in the distance and knowing there are only 2km to go until the end and you turn to face a crazy technical uphill and downhill.... Waynehans 1
kosmonooit Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 (edited) I thought the first climb & descent was tougher than the monster? The climb up in MSP was very technical and tricky to try ride that with everyone walking. The descent to the river was fun but milder than last year, but the section after that to the 75 turnoff was hard work as well, a race in itself. The monsta was just long and certainly nothing like the Mamba! Ed: typos Edited May 27, 2013 by kosmonooit
kosmonooit Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 I agree 100% and then the few right at the end were also rather challenging when you are that exhausted! - It was heart breaking to hear the microphone in the distance and knowing there are only 2km to go until the end and you turn to face a crazy technical uphill and downhill.... And then thereafter the too-and-froying in the orchids ... Candy 1
Vinnydabutcher Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 Sure is a proper race - I do agree that the first real climb and following downhill is really hard on the body with nowhere to hide. The Monster itself is not that bad but the previous climb ha set in the hurt already which then just compounds. Then you just have to bite down and get to the finish. Had some bad luck with punctures and a chain but good tester anyway. ZTR and Geax is not a good combination take off and refit on your ace! Now that tyre knows exactly how I feel about its mother! Have set my goal time for next your - need to work a bit. Thanx to all the 40km km rides that gave us space to ride whenever we asked - really appreciate you guys making way for us. Quote of the day :"That race was so hard it made me turn to Religion" ShowDem and jcza 2
Swift01 Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 Sure is a proper race - I do agree that the first real climb and following downhill is really hard on the body with nowhere to hide. The Monster itself is not that bad but the previous climb ha set in the hurt already which then just compounds. Then you just have to bite down and get to the finish. Had some bad luck with punctures and a chain but good tester anyway. ZTR and Geax is not a good combination take off and refit on your ace! Now that tyre knows exactly how I feel about its mother! Have set my goal time for next your - need to work a bit. Thanx to all the 40km km rides that gave us space to ride whenever we asked - really appreciate you guys making way for us. Quote of the day :"That race was so hard it made me turn to Religion"I think your heading for a Quote of the day : Now that tyre knows exactly how I feel about its mother!
divernick Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 Another thing I am eternally thankful for is my wheelset. ZTR Flows and Nobby Nics saved my ass on numerous occassions, especially when I was too knackered to pick a line.
Richard29 Posted May 27, 2013 Posted May 27, 2013 I agree 100% and then the few right at the end were also rather challenging when you are that exhausted! - It was heart breaking to hear the microphone in the distance and knowing there are only 2km to go until the end and you turn to face a crazy technical uphill and downhill.... i could not believe it, i just shook my head and pushed till the top, and there were a couple of *** climbs in the end
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