Croc Trophy - Day Eight

A brutal day!  Maytown to Laura seemed like a short stage, but the while only 80km in length - a relatively short day for the croc - the terrain more than made up for it.
Technical climbs.  Technical descents.  And sand - so much sand!  Nick estimates walking approximately 6km in deep sand during the course of today's arduous stage.

The slow going also introduces extra problems for racers - as the longer they are out there, the more chance it is that they have burned through their water and run low.  Nick reported feeling stressed with a bit of dehydration - but has got it all riding on tomorrow - the last stage!

We are still waiting on timing - but looks like Nick was again in around 15th.
One more day!

Croc Trophy - Day Seven

Image: Regina Stanger

Nick reported a fast, uneventful day, with 90km covered from Maitland Downs to Maytown.  The heat should not be underestimated - with reports of up to 54'C in the sun!  Keep drinking!


Again taking his slot of 15th in M2, Nick rolled in at 4.25.

Croc Trophy - Day Six

Mt Mulligan to  Maitland Downs - a 127km hurtfest!

Nick wrote in to report tough conditions adding to the riders challenges! A massive head wind for the first 65k made it tough going.  Open roads on a mostly flat trail with its fair share of corrugations gave the riders no where to hide.

At the 65k mark the climbing started, topping out at around the 90 k mark.

The last 37 k was marked by lots of rolling hills with tough climbs at around 10 to 20% usually starting at the bottom of rough creek crossings so no chance to get a good run up before the climbs.

 Finishing in 6.02, Nick once again slotted in a 15th in M2.

Croc Trophy - Day Five

Todays stage from Irvinebank to Mt.Mulligan covers 120km of rough track and 'only' around 1200m of climbing.

A quick day for Nick saw him moving a spot up in the results as he took 14th in M2 today in 5.08. 
Hopefully a sign of things to come as his endurance background helps him climb the ladder?

Tomorrow is a tough day as they head for Maitland Downs.  Legs up and recover Westwood!

Croc Trophy - Day Four

Stage four was a multilap course starting and finishing in Irvinebank.  A technical 26km course around the old mining town punished riders in the FNQ heat as they rode to cover a total of 106km.  Creek crossings and boulders were the feature of the day catching many riders out.

Information is getting hard to get a hold of with limited communications in the remote areas.
Proving to be Mr. Consistent, Nick finished well in 16th again in M2 in 5:23.

Croc Trophy - Day Three

Today's stage was Atheron to Irvinebank - 111km.


Nick pulled an awesome 15th in M2 today in 5.33!  Gary has arrived to help with the support and having done 24hr crewing for Nick he will offer a boost.

A reasonably quick day, highlights with some great technical descents and climbing early on to separate the pack.  Fast fire roads followed with plenty of corrugations to rip the legs!
 

Croc Trophy - Day Two

Day Two was the first of the typical Croc stages - 96km with the first of the big climbing days.  The first hour was under neutral getting riders from Cairns out to the real race start.  After a long wait in the sun, the riders were then set off.

With 2500m of climbing including brutal ascents Nick estimates at between 30 and 40% the day delivered a fair share of hike a bike.

Lake Tinaroo finish - Day Two in the bag.

Rolling in at 5.5hours and 16th in M2 Category Nick was tired but happy with his ride!  Focus then swapped to recovery and preparation for the next day - another 100+km day with plenty of climbing!

Tired legs must recover to do it all again!

Croc Trophy - Day One

The first stage of the Croc Trophy is a 30km pure single track attack, around the fantastic new trails shaped by one of our best - Glen Jacobs. Having visited midyear to scope out the area and scoring a ride with Glen on the freshly laid trail, Nick rounded out his prep with a couple of days of pre-riding the course.  Dialled with lines and the knowledge he had the course down Nick had a solid day.




Ringing in  his report, he says was happy with his ride and glad to be underway - though bottles were a bad choice - camelbak is a must.  Keeping it upright was key, happy to have done this.  Riding a 2.03, and 22mins of the leaders for M2 Nick pulled in at 19th.  He was satisfied and also felt he was keeping something in reserve - a big race plan must for the 9 day punishfest.




Tomorrow - 92km and the first of the big climbing days with 2500m.  Rest, hydrate, recover!!!

Training and Exciting things!

With the Croc trophy fast approaching 18 days, 9 hours and 48 seconds. Shannon from Koiled Imports http://www.koiled.com.au/ my sponsor and close friend has prepared my bike so now it is just up to me to finishing preparing myself for 9 days of racing ahead.

Finalizing this has been made a little easier Coach Cupcake (aka Tim) returning just at the right time from an extended overseas holiday to make some fine adjustments to my training.

Meaning more of this type of riding

and a bit of this















And a little bit of climbing too

The last few months have included lots of riding and climbing in preparation for the challenges, which this race will provide, once I reach the start line on the 20th of October in Cairns and onto the start lines in the unknown...

These last few months of training and fitting in work has been a busy time.

Though during this time I have been fortunate with the assistance of a close friend Gary to facilitate an introduction with Mark and Miriam Pearce from Cleanskin Coffee.

The outcome from this introduction?

Securing an ongoing sponsorship with Cleanskin Coffee to support me in traveling to North Queensland for the Croc and other MTB and Road events into the future.

Securing a sponsorship / partnership with a business such as Cleanskin Coffee is very complementary to Koiled Imports and what we enjoy doing… Cycling and enjoying good coffee!

Shortly Cleanskin Coffee will be releasing a custom blend, branded to support me and Koiled Imports into the future, so keep an eye on their site for more information…

To find out more about Cleanskin Coffee including where you can get your hands on this AWESOME coffee check out these links...



Online shop

http://cleanskincoffeeco.com.au/order-your-coffee-here


Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/CleanskinCoffeeCo?ref=ts&fref=ts