88km
2060m climbing

SXC Racing finishing time 04:34:08

Today was supposed to be a fun day. Awesome single track of Oak Valley, with climbs in the race program not as severe as the previous day.

I woke up this morning after the last nights physio feeling good. Legs were not so sore and after a great breakfast and good night sleep I felt energized. As I got down to the start chute, I made my way to where the other Aussie guys were and promoted myself to the 1st group (fast guys). The thing you learn with the Epic, it is a team event. If you are left as an individual you are basically treated as inconsequential to all the proceedings. For me, that worked out well, ask no questions - give no answers. In the start chute people were moaning of tired legs, and the long day before. With that I thought I am going to give the day everything I have got - and I did.

Things started off fast as usual, but so did I. Sure I was blowing loudly, but I was close to guys with single and double digits on their jersey aka top 30. I was with the top girls and top mixed teams, and thought I am going to try and stay here. I did - at least for the first 40km. The good news was after some climbing there was fast flowing single track, which took the advantage away from the strong road guys and girls. I managed to enter first, sometimes build up to a 500m lead, which was just enough for me to hold on up the next climb or open firetrail.

The climbs were still big. The biggest being over 300m on rough track, but I kept thinking - there must be a lot of down and recovery for this much up - and there was.

The single track was awesome. On top of the mountain was pine forest - with purpose built track similar to Kowen and the Mont style tracks. The lower forest was damper and had rich soil, purpose built bridges, technical obstacles, some steep chutes and switchbacks - very similar to Rotorua. I was in my element. Certainly my best day on the bike this week.

At about the 4hr mark we were hit with another 200m plus of climbing, and the XC pace of the day took its toll, and I lost maybe around 10 places overall, and 2 or 3 masters places.

All I can remember of today is there WAS some fun, but a lot of pain. I was basically in the box for 4½ hrs, racing like a 1½ hr cross country race. The result a top 10 place in the masters category, and 69th overall. I now have the self belief to know I can race and race hard. It also gives you an idea about the calibre of the field at the epic. These guys / girls in the top 50 are athletes - world class.

Looking forward to the final day tomorrow. We are almost there - just one day to go.

Brian and family will be at the finish line to bring SXC Racing home. 69km / 1800m to go!