Seasons Greetings

Seasons greetings to you all. I hope you have a relaxing and safe
Christmas and New Years break :-)....

Bring on 2009

P

SSS so far....

SSS12 - Balmoral Beach - Mosman

Seasons greetings, I always knew that were going to be hills and
stairs on this run. Just before the run there was a brief down pour,
but it wasn't that bad. Penalties were always going to come into play
for this run, it was just a matter of how many. The temptation of
heading out to control 30 (out on a coast rock shelf) was too great,
and worth the view and points lost. :-) ...

But like all good things I did pay! 70 points in fact... so after
collecting 450 it was adjusted and i recorded 380. Slightly in my
defence though, I was a bit stiff after a couple of days of heavy
exercise. :-)

Next Week: Roseville Chase.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410 (69)
SSS6: 320 (67)
SSS7: 410 (73)
SSS8: 420 (67)
SSS9: 400 (74)
SSS10: 270 (58)
SSS11: 430 (84)
SSS12: 380

SSS11 Brush Farm - Eastwood

After my forgettable result last week a measure of redemption was
required, and some was achieved. On a sunny and hot evening, the hilly
course of Lambert Park (Eastwood) delivered 430 points (20 points penalty included)
to yours truly. The course was well laid out and made for a smooth
run. Next week we're off to Balmoral, lets hope my form still holds,
we're entering the interesting part of the contest now where, it's a case
of improving on the efforts of the first half. Only the best 12
results are counted out of the 26 events.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410 (69)
SSS6: 320 (67)
SSS7: 410 (73)
SSS8: 420 (67)
SSS9: 400 (74)
SSS10: 270 (54)
SSS11: 430

Next Week: Balmoral Beach - Mosman

SSS10 - Morrisons Bay - Putney

The event last night would have the be the least enjoyable this
year... it rained.. the control locations were questionale and the
clue descriptions?! So I'm hoping everyone else struggled as much as
I. I only managed 280 (20 point penalty). I don't think I'll be
counting this one to my total.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410 (69)
SSS6: 320 (67)
SSS7: 410 (73)
SSS8: 420 (67)
SSS9: 400 (74)
SSS10: 270

Happy Trails.

P

Next Week: Eastwood

Urban Polaris 08 - Canberra

Back in Canberra for the 2008 Urban Polaris. This year there wasn't a solo category so I had to rope in a mate (and fellow Polaris rider) Mark. We were very thankful that we had a 8:10 start and with 7hours to collect as many controls as possible we were due back by 15:10.

It was a hot and windy day, but a great day to be riding.

We managed to collect 330 points, mark and I were very happy with that result. Bring on 2009!

SSS9 - Majors Bay - Concord West

It was a hot and windy run yesterday and very close to work which was
nice. In fact I would end up run past my office. Once again I was a
tad over 5mins late, so it was a 60 point penalty,but still stayed in
the 400's. It was a pretty long run, unfortunately there wasn't too
many course options available. I've seemed to plateau, I'm hoping I'll
get the kick up to the next level soon.

Happy trails.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410 (69)
SSS6: 320 (67)
SSS7: 410 (73)
SSS8: 420 (67)
SSS9: 400

Next week: Putney

SSS8 - Hunts Creek - Carlingford

While the clouds threatend, it remainded dry. It was a mix of hill and
bush running, neither too bad, but deceptive in the amount of time it
took. My plan was cut short, and still returned 5+mins late but still
managed 420 points.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410 (69)
SSS6: 320 (67)
SSS7: 410 (73)
SSS8: 420

Next Week: Majors Bay - Concord

SSS7 - Mosman

Little Sirius Cove was the starting point for last nights run. The map
wasn't that big, but there were plenty of contour line to make it a up
and down affair and with the rain we had, it could be a bit slippery
under foot.

My expectations weren't that great as I was still feeling the effects
of my boxing class on Monday, and I was still far from pain free. So
slow and steady was the call, and i just plodded along. To my
surprise I was only 5 seconds late, but still that was a 10 point
penalty. My total for the round was 410.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410 (69)
SSS6: 320 (67)
SSS7: 410

Next Week: Carlingford

SSS6 Manns Point - Greenwich

A perfect Sydney spring evening, down at Manns Point. The controls
weren't that far apart, unfortunately, the contour lines told a
different story. The plan this week was to try an head to the highest
point on the map first and then hopefully pick up the rest of the
points on the downhill run. I think the plan worked pretty well, but
the undulating nature of the course took a toll on my ever wearying
legs. I made it back with 410 points, but late 7+ mins (80 points). My
only consolation was that no one had cleared the course.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410 (69)
SSS6: 320



Next week: Little Sirius Cove - Mosman

Black Dog Mountain

Saturday morning saw a very early start to be at Blackheath by 7AM. The objective today was Splendor Rock on Mount Dingo. The start point was down in the Megalong Valley. It was an overcast day, cool if you stood still, but warmed up quickly when you were walking.

I was out with a work mate Danny. From our planning it was going to be
a 22~25km walk.

The walk started out with steady decline to breakfast creek (we won't mention the stinging nettles... arh) , then it was a sharp rise up the spur to the ridge line (400mtr elavation).
Following the directions Danny found on the internet we took a detour and an addition 30 minutes to climb out. Not to mention the brown snake he nearly stepped on. Once on the ridge the walking was a lot easier. After stopping for aquick bit to eat at "Moody Swamp", we
headed off to Mount Dingo, again there was a significant climb up... but the view at the top was worth the effort. We then head back home this time along the ridge line and traversed under the cliff line. the different types of bush that we encountered was worth the effort. The hardest slog of the day seemed to be the 5-8km walk back to the car along the access road, it seemed to go for ever.

A great day all in all.

P

SSS5 Lennox Bridge - Parramatta

With the Rugby League World Cup match on at Parramatta happening at
the same time as this weeks run, finding a park was added to the usual
issue with navigating around Parramatta's CBD. The course was pretty
much divided up the middle by the Parramatta River. So it was to be a
run up one side and down the other pretty much. A couple of over
shoots saw me loose a couple of minutes here and there, The clock
stopped at 51mins plus a couple of seconds, so there was a 70 point
penalty waiting for me. But even with the penalty I still managed to
sneak over the 400 mark with 410 points.

SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410 (76)
SSS5: 410




Next Week: Manns Point Greenwich

SSS4 Ryde

Again this week it was a wet event. The location was Ryde. All the
training that I've been doing seems to be working. The controls down along the creek made fro some interesting times under foot. :-) A few slips and slides to get the heart rate up a couple of beats.

I was very happy to clock up 410 and come in with 2 minutes to spare. It's started me thinking that I could start pushing towards the mythical "500"... It's early days yet but you've got to have a goal.



SSS1: 370 (71)
SSS2: 430 (73)
SSS3: 350 (67)
SSS4: 410


Next week we're off to Parramatta.

Coming soon.... "The Fling"

Less than 2 weeks before the Higland Fling (9/11/08) is back. After
last years effort, it's time to exorcise the demons. :-) Bring it on.

AROC Cattai NP

After a wet week, it was a sunny and warm Saturday for the first AROC
sprint event for the year at Cattai National Park. Expectations were
high. The Dan, Al and Myself made up Deceptively Slow for this event.

The race started (leg 1) a little late and in a line start for the
kayaks. It was a washing machine start, and the narrow inlet saw a
bottleneck situation. Leg 2 was a rogaine section that required a
points collection of 250 points before the 3rd leg could begin, on our
return to the kayaks it was good to see a good number of kayaks still
there. After running through the bush it was nice to rest the legs for
a bit for the paddle back to TA3. Leg 4 (TA3 to TA4) was line course
collecting 4 controls back to the bikes (TA4). After a bit more bush
bashing the heat of the day could be felt, we arrived at TA4 (the last
leg of the mandatory legs). Buoyed by the news that we were the 25th
team to get on the bikes we were confident on getting to do the bonus
leg. Our confidence was short lived! with in 10 minutes we encountered
our first puncher. First Al, then myself, then Dan! By the end of the
day, we had experience 13 punchers between the 3 of us. and lost at
least and hour in the race. We weren't the only team to experience
some bad luck, the road was littered with teams and upturned bikes
busily working on tyres. It was very frustrating. We eventually, got
going and finished the race (there were a couple of stops to
re-inflate a tyre every couple of kilometers). :-)

It was disappointing and plain bad luck too. But then that's all part
and parcel of racing.

Unfortunately my GPS battery died in the ride section (Nth/West) of the course.

SSS3 Meadowbank

It was a blustery and wet Wednesday evening that greet me for the start of this weeks event. It's a favorite because it's only 5mins away from work. :-)

The weather cleared up enough to be a lovely 45 min run. Unfortunately I ran for 47 and change (30 point penalty). But bagged 350 points, a little disappointed but felt good. this course is a little challenging as there are only 2 points where you can cross the rail line (which splits the course in two). As per usual i went anti clockwise, next time I'll have to try counter clockwise.





Next week: Macquarie Hospital (Ryde)

SSS2 Iron Cove

Round 2 of the Sydney Summer Series was held on my home patch last
night. I think it may have even been my highest score to date. 430
(with a 2 minute penalty... bugger).




Next week: Meadowbank

SSS1 Summer Series 08/09 Season opener - McMahons Point

The first of the series has begun last night. It was a perfect spring evening and
a good start for myself. 370 points gathered, 0 penalites.

Next week: Iron Cove

Le Tour de Rock

The inaugural "Le Tour de Rock" (Nundle to Hanging Rock) was held on the 5/10/08 as a charity fund raiser for the Westpac Careflight Helicopter. A 13 km ride with a elevation of 520mtrs and average gradient of 4% (but effectively 8.3%).

I managed the ride in: 62min:12Sec (6th Place)
Michiel and Phil completed the "King of the Rock" run in 77min:11Sec (9km)
Tanya completed in a time of 82mins.

Max 24hr

Based out of Wangi Wangi on the western side of lake macquarie, the Max Adventure 24hr race started at 9AM with a pretty serious paddle section (2hr) into a stiff head wind and 1 metre swell. This lead us into a bike ride (25km) up to Watangan's National Park a relentless hill climb. The heat and climb cause some cramping in my legs which was a bit of a concern so early into the race. We reached the end of the ride at around 14:30 and headed off on the orienteering section at about 15:00. About 3hrs later we reemerged, but had missed a control and lost an hour looking for it. By the time we got back on the bikes it was 18:00 and dark. The next bike section approx 23km saw us get to the rogaine section at 22:00. Because we were late in getting started with the rogaine, we were short coursed passed the mtb rogaine and headed back to the bikes and back to the bus stop pick up (arriving at 03:00). We started the kayak section at 3:15 and hit the last leg (coasteering) at 4:35. Strangely my team mate didn't want to swim the 200 mtrs to the other side of the inlet so we start a 8km detour... not to impressed with that. We eventually crossed the finish line at 9:06.

We did incur 7hours of penalties, but did finish. :-) Woo Hoo.. bring on the next one.

Official Results


P

my next event..

It's time to get some training under my belt. My next event is coming
up in the next couple of weeks.

http://www.maxadventure.com.au/Max24/default.htm

Round 21

It was off to see the Swans go round against the Lions on Saturday night.

A comfortable win by the Swans but less than convincing. :-) There
were some passionate supporters there.

The Fratellis rock the Metro

I've been waiting so long to see "The Fratellis" and I wasn't disappointed. Awesome!

What's Pete been up to?

My blog has been very quiet over the last couple of months... "So what
have I been up to?", I hear you ask... well maybe that's just wishful
thinking on side. :-)

Well after the GEO Quest, it has been a bit quite, but I have manage a
couple of rides up in the Blue Mountains and a bush hike from Govett's
Leap (I've some nice pics from the day). I've also gone a bit new age,
having a crack at some Bikram Yoga
(http://www.bikramyogarozelle.com.au/). After months of
procrastination I finally dragged myself to a class with a friend and
just survived it :-). But not being one to let something beat me, I
went back and have gotten into it. I have a little challenge of my own
going on, so watch this space.

P

GeoQuest 08 - Emerald Beach

The weather looked grim but our spirits were high as we set out for
Emerald Beach (just North of Coff Harbour) the location of this years
GeoQuest (http://www.gar.com.au/). But as we travelled further north the
clounds parted and sunshine appeared. This was great especially after
the last week of wet weather in Sydney.

Friday was all about getting ready for the race, checking our gear,
packing our food and planning our support drops and pickups. All
looked good and we were ready to rock and roll.

Saturday (7/6/08) morning 9:30AM Woolgolga Beach. We're at the start
line and ready to go. Unfortunatley, this is also where the diffences
in our teams fitness levels started to show up. However we percervied
and continued as quickly as possible, but the difference began to also
build a certain level of tension within the team and the team dynamic.
I believe this affected most aspect of our race, and was the cause of
basic errors being made that cost the team even more time.

It all came to a head at 04:30 AM on Sunday morning in the Kayak leg,
where things became too much and I no longer wanted to continue the
race with my team, but I did want to completed it. Unfortunalty this
wasn't possible, so I guess I'll have to wait until next year before I
get my chance again.

Lessons learnt, choose your team mates carefully, ensure they're all
the same fitness levels and expectations. :-)

Pete

http://picasaweb.google.com/peterchan.au/GeoQuest08

GeoQuest 08

MTBO SS 2 & 3

The latest MTBO Super Series was run in Linsdale adn Newnes NSW last weekend.


The 2 events were run over Satureday and Sunday. the course at Linsdale State Forest was a open course, you had to collect all the control in any order. Newnes was a line course where each control was to be collect in order.



Linsdale
image to come


Newnes

An eventful morning on the Oaks.

After the last couple of weeks i was determined that no matter what I was going to get up to the mountains and get a ride in. To make thing interesting i decided to start at Glenbrook and work my way back to Woodford, I came a across a group of riders, not realising on of then had crashes heavily, it became more apparent when a helicopter started circling above and then winching down a couple of paramedics to treat him, it was all very exciting being up close with the with the chopper hovering. 

 

It was also surprising to find out that 2 of the group were actuality cousins of mine.... well that doesn't happen every day. I didn't even know they were into mountain biking.

 

 

6hr MTBO

It was a cracking day at Sunny Corner about 30km west of Lithgow, I had camped out overnight so it was a nice easy start (once i found a team to join, my original teammate couldn't make it this weekend). After a cruisie pace, disaster struck i managed to blow two tyres (in 2 hrs) and my day was done. Now all that was left was to push my bike back to the start/finish line... oh well.. next time i guess.

Edge of Reality Weekend

How else would you want to spend the Australia Day Long Weekend but go racing around the beautiful south coast of New South Wales!

It was the weekend of the AROC 25/50hr races. It was a cracking weekend, and after a solid 34hr:19mins Peter, Sam and I (Team 102 - 25hr) crossed the finish line.

Official Race Report

Check out the official website

Official Photographer Site (Great Pics)


The End (34hrs:19mins)

EOR - Aussie Long Weekend

Happy New Year from the Harbour City.

New Year Fireworks