Insider's View
Mt Roland StageMTB = 11km
Walk/Run = 19km
MTB = 14km
Kayak = 6.7km
The Tasmanian rains came down over night and made for a very cold and cloudy morning. Race directors were up early and our Host briefing over breakfast informed us that the race was going to change today. The proposed 19km run up and over Mt Roland could not go ahead as the chopper would not be able to rescue if someone had an accident. Instead, a very long and uphill bike ride was scheduled. Getting this information across to 50 people, in 15 mins, who are scattered throughout a 300m radius proved to be a bit of a challenge. Needless to say, there was a bit of confusion, but all worked out in the end.
As some Hosts drove to the transition at the top of the mountain, a couple of us went to the next transition at Cethana Bridge, while one Host had to drive back to the campground to pick up a shoe that one of her athletes left behind!
Transition was at the base of a steep hill and my job was to wear a lovely bright yellow vest and warn people what was ahead. This was the one time I could actually tell Mark Webber to slow down and he had to listen to me!As the bike ride proved to split the field, we found ourselves waiting for quite a while between teams arriving for their transition from bike to kayak.....so the transition goodie tub was raided by us for most of the day.
It was funny to watch as athletes dropped their bikes and ran across the road, some still in their bike shoes and helmet, and ran down the embankment and into the kayak.
Hours past and we went from rain and thermals, to singlet and sunburn. Waiting for the last team to come in at the end of the day is all part and parcel of being a host.
Drive back to Barrington to another feast and making sure that all athletes new the plan to pack up and leave Camp Barrington at 7am the next morning.
Highlights of Climbing into this Adventure:
- being in a warm dry bus whilst athletes are in the cold rain
- eating lots of chips and lollies
- telling Mark Webber to slow down
