With the hardest of the riding under my belt, it's on to the final stage of the Port to Port. Although I’ve found this race a lot tougher than I expected, this last stage is not too daunting and I enjoy being able to gun it off the start line at Belmont Golf Course, knowing that the end is within reach.
This stage has a lot of singletrack, similar to yesterday, except without the massive climbs involved. The route basically follows the Fernleigh Track, a disused rail line which was converted into a multi-use cycling and walking path. I’ve ridden the track before on a road bike, but had no idea there was so much single track off to the sides!
Once that plethora of singletrack is complete we spend a short stint on the fernleigh track itself before heading into the Glenrock State Conservation Area, which contains another one of my favourite singletrack XC loops. This doesn’t disappoint and even the infamous “Snakes and Ladders” climbing trail doesn’t slow me down as we hurtle towards the finish line at Dixon Park, Newcastle.
The final run down the road is fast and I’m pretty sure I exceeded the road speed limit… oops! We head on past the beach and hit Dixon Park, a beautiful spot to finish the 4 day Port to Port MTB race. Unfortunately for me I’ve got a musical rehearsal to be at so I forgo my swim at the beach and jump straight back on the bike for another 22km back to the start point via road and the Fernleigh Track.
By the time I get back to the car I’m extremely sore just from sheer time spent on the bike, but I’m satisfied. Although my total race time of 13:38:35 is a fair bit more than my goal of 12 hours, it has been a fun race and I’m already keen for the next one, the Cape to Cape in WA, however for that one… I plan to do some training!
This stage has a lot of singletrack, similar to yesterday, except without the massive climbs involved. The route basically follows the Fernleigh Track, a disused rail line which was converted into a multi-use cycling and walking path. I’ve ridden the track before on a road bike, but had no idea there was so much single track off to the sides!
Once that plethora of singletrack is complete we spend a short stint on the fernleigh track itself before heading into the Glenrock State Conservation Area, which contains another one of my favourite singletrack XC loops. This doesn’t disappoint and even the infamous “Snakes and Ladders” climbing trail doesn’t slow me down as we hurtle towards the finish line at Dixon Park, Newcastle.
The final run down the road is fast and I’m pretty sure I exceeded the road speed limit… oops! We head on past the beach and hit Dixon Park, a beautiful spot to finish the 4 day Port to Port MTB race. Unfortunately for me I’ve got a musical rehearsal to be at so I forgo my swim at the beach and jump straight back on the bike for another 22km back to the start point via road and the Fernleigh Track.
By the time I get back to the car I’m extremely sore just from sheer time spent on the bike, but I’m satisfied. Although my total race time of 13:38:35 is a fair bit more than my goal of 12 hours, it has been a fun race and I’m already keen for the next one, the Cape to Cape in WA, however for that one… I plan to do some training!
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