Hi all,
Our final goal for the 2012 season saw us take part in the Fedgroup Berg & Bush. With Fedgroup being one of our title sponsors, it gave us a platform to announce the new team member for 2013 and 2014. Brandon will be partnering with Neil MacDonald, an experienced ex-roadie with a very impressive CV.
The Descent is where all the racing snakes congregate to have 3 days of magnificent riding. Brandon had teamed up with Neil while Bridgette and I would tackle the mixed category.
Racing in the mixed category brings in a very interesting dynamic. As the stronger partner, you have to think for two people, choose lines that make it harder for yourself in order to help your team mate spend as little energy as possible without killing yourself in the process.
Bridg was on antibiotics and so we knew we were on the back foot but her never say die attitude saw us give it a good go.
Day 1- 3rd Mixed, 10th overall: lots of district roads meant that I could help Bridg along and my roadie knowledge came into play. We lost some time on the two strongest mixed teams but also put valuable time into another.
Day 2- 3rd mixed on the day, moved up to second mixed overall: A tough day saw one of the strongest mixed teams losing considerable time with mechanicals, we also lost 3 minutes of the 7 minute lead we had over Jeanie and Martin Dreyer. By this time Mariske Strauss and Justin Porteous had a comfortable lead in the mixed category and were almost certain to take the title.
Day 3- 4th mixed across the line: Martin and Jeanie got away from us early in the race and having only 4 minutes to play with meant that we had our work cut out. Being stuck further back in the field makes it hard not to lose a lot of time especially when there are sections that many people have to walk. The last 10-15km were on district and tar roads, Bridg gave it everything and dug deep. We pulled back critical time. Martin and Jeanie had finished by the time we got in and it was a nervous wait to hear if we'd held onto our position. The news came that we'd managed to keep 2nd mixed by a minute.
Bridg was fantastic and despite not being at full strength, didn't let the team down. She gave it everything.
A race to put on the calendar for sure. Don't miss it!
For now, time to rest up before we start the training for 2013. Big things to come for us.
Cheers,
Brad
