Jet Black 24hr Wrap up Report from the Blackmans / MIA Team
M.I.A
Blackman Base Camp
M.I.A
M.I.A Home Base
Waiting to watch passing riders
Excited to cook dinner
Where's the rest of the bike?
Deserted camp
Presentation
Finish Line
Finish line parade
Hot and Happy
Yo Adrian , I did it.
Camping area
Carnt wait to do another lap
Ready to go.
I am handsome
Looking keen Troy
Lets EAT.....
Cooling down, Not
Start
What chew lookin at...
It all started Friday morning when it was time to head down and set-up the
Blackmans / MIA camp site for the weekends 24hr race at Del Rio. There had
been numerous emails to the team in the weeks leading up reminding everyone
what to bring, what was required, times, formats and team line ups. (Someone
forgot to tell me as I forgot to look after myself in all the rush). Dags,
Troy and I made the trek down towards Wiseman�s Ferry. It was an interesting
car ride down with all the A team and B team banter commencing on picking up
a B team member (Dags). It didn�t stop there with the local female ferry
technician giving her reasoning behind why the boys hoped out of the WRX
fully loaded with the trailer so that the car could get onto the ferry.
Once we checking in and found our tent site we commenced operation set-up.
Bill was meeting us later in the day with his tent and gear. After around an
hour with everything set-up it was refreshment time prior to our
contemplated recky ride over the weekends track. Everything in camp was
set-up ready for the arrival of the teams. We all headed off around 4.30pm
for a ride on the infamous Del Rio Jet Black track including Bill on a rigid
bike and no helmet. As we started the climb some walked, some rode and some
swore my name in vein as would many over the course of the weekend. We
reached the top eagerly ready for the single track and some well deserved
minimal pedalling time. It was here after 50m that Bill was diverted back
down the fire trail. It was a comment like this wasn�t in the brochure that
sticks to mind. The single track was quite steep and very technical. Troy,
Dags and I made it thru and wondered how we would turn out laps without
coming to grief over the weekend. Troy�s comments after this lap were �I not
having any fun Browny�. This was to change over the weekend as he tackled it
with style.
As we settled in to camp for the night Tim arrived in the plush off road
camper. Dinner was served and a few beers shared then off to try and get
some sleep which was made difficult by Dags and Troy farting and constantly
talking!!!!
Saturday morning upon us the first to arrive was the old man of the team �
Ron. He got to wake most of us up. Bill leaped into action and started
cooking breakfast. The tension was in the air with the race approaching at
12pm. A few of the boys took the opportunity to get a look at the downhill
section with Bill offering a free ride up hill. Wish we had that all race!
As the time rolled on the remainder of the teams arrived. Not mentioning any
names but some team members had 3 goes at changing tyres to get the rotation
in the right direction, adding new brake pads only to find 2 strands of wire
holding the rear brake cable just prior to the start of the race. The team
orders had been set:
*A Team*
Troy
Darryl
Ron
Michael
*Team B*
Dags
Doogie
Mark
Dunners
Everyone headed down for the start of the race. All our transitions were
done along the main road outside the campsite which made it a lot easier.
Troy and Dags pumped out their first lap for the day in some massive heat.
The data from the Garmin registered no lower then 42�c and all the way up to
48�c. There were many stacks from all team members but some of the more
memorable were Dunners explanation after ruining Dougo�s Carbon GT that he
went over the handlebars straight into the push up position prior to seeking
help from a female rider to fix the chain that had come off. Another funny
story was that Dags mentioned the UNICYLCIST had overtaken him on the hill
on 1 wheel!!!! Most people had had an incident with a tree or a rock during
their downhill sections. With the completion of Saturday approaching the A
team took a 1 lap lead into Sunday over the B team. The race was on!!!!
Funniest comment was that hill is ridiculous, that downhill is ridiculous,
this whole thing is ridiculous (one AKA Dunners)
By mid afternoon Clint had arrived and was starting the cooking of the spit
roast which was too feasted on for Saturday night dinner. Everyone was glad
to get Saturday out of the way and sit down and relax and enjoy some more
banter, great conversation and a few fireworks (don�t know where they come
from). With everyone settled in bed and trying to sleep in the +30�c heat at
night there was a scream from the campsite by a late comer � Who else but
Dougo at 9.30pm. Everyone got up and decided to have a few more beers and
laughs prior to re-hitting the sleep !!!! Dougo managed to give us some more
inspiration at 2.30am prior to leaving Del Rio (Love your work mate)
Sunday saw Ron and Dags start Sunday in the dark at 6am. Big thanks to Brad
for filling the vacant spot of Dunners on Sunday and giving the B team some
much needed fresh legs for the day. The laps put in by all were improving in
time with the day not being anywhere as hot as Saturday and having some nice
cloud cover. Most riders completed 3 laps each on Sunday and I know I was
and sure everyone was happy to see 12pm roll on. The whole team rode thru
with the final two MIA team riders (Darryl and Brad). With the results going
our way the MIA teams picked up 1st and 2nd in the category � no need to
mention that we were the only one�s in that category.
- Massive thanks to Bill who took the time out to come down and be the
there to support the team. You always had a cold drink for the riders,
grabbing their bikes and gear and feeding us all weekend. We couldn�t have
got thru this event without your enthusiasm and support. Thanks for the big
bang display as well. As you and I have discussed post race � bigger and
better next year for this event.
- Thanks to Tim who come down also and supported the guys on the weekend
� much appreciated
- Clint the magic chef � What an awesome feast on Saturday night. Clint
has confirmed he will be in the whole weekend next year � cant wait.
- Blackmans � Can�t say enough about this bike shop � nothing is ever too
much trouble, the guys are always available for support, repairs and great
laughs. Chris, Ben and Roger you are legends. A couple of boys required
bikes, repairs and it was all sorted.
- Dougo � Don�t know where to start with Dougo. I have never met a bloke
who is always putting me and all the guys 1st. Going over and above the
cause for all of us. Nothing is ever a hassle and he is always there for
support, friendship and great laughs. Thankyou very much. You have given us
all a great introduction to XC racing and I know everyone loved it and now
wants to do some more.
- All the boys � Thanks for coming out and trying something new that most
people had not done. I know there was some blood shed and pain felt with
those big hills and hard technical sections but it was all worthwhile. A
memorable weekend that will never be forgotten and always be told to future
generations on how 2 Blackmans / MIA teams went and conquered the JET BLACK
Del Rio track and come out on top.
- I must also thank Bill and myself for supplying all the meat for the
weekend. It was awesome. Big thanks to Rob at the Cranebrook Butchers for
giving it to us at a great price as well.
A lot went into organising this weekend but it all turned out great and was
thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Looking forward to our next event. We are entering the Rockytrail 6 / 8hr
enduro in March if anyone is keen. Check out there website for more details.
Signing off
*Browny*
