Weekends Away
THE SCOTT 24 HOUR
These are the lessons I learnt on my recent trip to Canberra for the Scott 24 Hr Mountain Bike race.
1. If your fuel light comes on just after Goulburn, you can make it to the outskirts of Canberra provided you clutch coast downhill.
2. If you are perilously close to running out of fuel, act calm as if nothing is wrong or you may incur the wrath of your passenger who will rightly point out your problem could have been easily avoided.
3. Motels expect you to steal their spoons.
4. If, at the start of a bike race, you realise you are the only person not wearing a sponsors latex jersey, you may be out of your league.
5. When experienced mountain bikers describe the course you are about to ride on as "hardcore", you may be out of your league.
6. When an 8 year old girl burns past you on her bike, you may be out of your league.
7. If you spend more time recovering than competing, you may be out of your league.
8. Although similar in appearance, paintball gloves are not the same as mountain biking gloves, and will not offer the same level of protection, if any.
9. Bike riding and antibiotics do not mix.
10. 'Gu' energy gel is the best shit ever.
11. Canberra is a biatch of a place at night when sleeping outside.
12. Rugs that look like warm blankets may not nessecarily provide warmth.
13. Pine forests do not smell like Mr Sheen.
14. If you pack two bikes and many bags into a tiny car successfully once, you may not be able to repeat the performance.
15. Tent covers do not fold easy, if at all.
16. Do not pretend to know your way around Goulburn.
17. In the right light the Big Merino has eerie green eyes that follow you.
...and most importantly
18. Spending time chillaxing with good company makes for a top weekend. All agreed.