Lucky it wasn't too hot this year, It was about 85F and about 80% humidity, Think Queensland. The first section was approx 9 miles, I got really bad arm pump in my right arm. Which slowed me a lot, due to taking my hand off the throttle too often to shake some feeling into it.. At the end of the first section I drank some fluids and massaged my forearm furiously. It did the trick as my right forearm was ok for the rest of the day. My right hand will still go numb because of carpel tunnel but I get used to that.
Lots of bikes waitng to start
Got to the gas (petrol) stop after 40 miles, had a bout 15 minutes to drink, eat a banana, top of the fuel and then head onto the next section. Thats me in the middle with the fresh haircut.
Another twenty or so miles to the finish. The trails were excellent, a mix of sand, clay, and black dirt and lots of roots. It was dusty when you caught someone or you got passed. I rode most of the event on my own. I passed four people ahead of me each section and I got passed by about five people from rows behind me each section. Only had one crash nothing bad just lost the front end in a tight uphill turn.
Was glad to see the finish. I did ok considering my lack of training.