The Tortoise's Race report on the Maximum Adventure Race
Blue Mountains - Sunday 14th January ’07
Steve & Matt

This was my second adventure race and my partners first - so our plan was to go slow and steady - hence the name "the tortoises".

Well, the race siren started and that plan went out the window as we tore off down to street as fast as our legs would carry us! We took the first running checkpoints in a counter-clockwise direction and found the only queue for stamping our card was at the third checkpoint (CP 2), when we were crossing over the people coming the other way.

We made it back to the start and grabbed our next map and headed into the water. After confirming the direction we were to take we headed down to checkpoint 7 and basically held our position in the field on the paddle down.

At the checkpoint we headed directly south through about 5m of bush and hit the creek bed, which we then followed up to the checkpoint in the gorge (8) jumping in and out of the water and scrambling over the rocks - which was great fun - best part of the course I think! I also think we made a little time on some other teams sticking the creek and then really had no problems finding checkpoint 8. We found 9 without too much issues, again sticking to the creek bed with a little bit of time on the right hand side bank and then walked up the stairs to get the CP on the stop sign. Almost took the wrong track down to Jelly Bean Pond but luckily got our bearings straight before plunging down the wrong hill. By the time we hit the pool I needed a swim and we both swam across and found an easy way out about 3m to the right of the CP.

We then headed down the right hand side bank to the river/road crossing but with hind-sight should have stayed on the left hand bank and gone straight up through the bush to the road I think. We missed the track leading up to CP 12 and ended up following the road up and then coming back down the stairs from the car park about 20m above the checkpoint. We then returned up the stairs, back down the first section of road and onto the path tacking us towards the second kayak transition. Didn't have too many dramas finding the checkpoints along this section using the turns in the path to keep our location on the map. There was also an all female team just in front of us who we tried to stay with who were obviously good navigators. We saw the photographer on this stretch and were completely surprised to hear that we were in 7th spot!

Had no problems with the transition and then tailed in behind the two girls all the way back along the river - thanks girls! After the kayaks we noticed a path running along the bank and it took us all the way back to the road that leads back the the bike transition. One team overtook us on the run back so by the time we jumped on the bikes we were still in 8th spot, but after planning to be tortoises we were actually acting more like the hare and had gone way too fast too early and were pretty much done for as we hit the saddles.

We rode back to the start of the track we had just run down beside the river and then pushed the bikes up the hill to the train station, crossed over and then rode up to CP22 (after missing CP21 and having to ride back and get it). We then rode past the tape marker leading onto the MB course and so again rode down this section of pathway (for the 3rd time now) and got onto the track. Had some difficulties working out the distance between the turn off to the MB track and the point where the checkpoints started and lost a few positions with regular stops to look at the map (and catch our breath going up that track PHEW). At the top we started with CP A, then basically went in a clockwise direction collecting the other checkpoints. We found ourselves missing a number of the tracks marked on our map as they were very narrow single file ones, but with regular stops to check on our map we eventually made it around without losing too much time. One shortcut we did find was to cut across the oval from CP L which cut out going down and up a track and also found us a bubbler on the edge of the park. We then travelled along the road back to the main track and jumped on it back to CP I. After I we continued along the main track and then turned down to CP D, continued on this track (loved the jumps down the bottom here near CP H). We got a flat front tyre coming down the rocky track back the road, which could have ended a lot worse than it did as we were really moving - in fact I broke my wrist getting a pinch flat in my front tyre half way down a big hill about a year ago - anyway that is a different story and during the race the flat only cost us a few minutes to change the tube out for a new one.

We made our way down the hill via the road to get our CP23 and found we had lost quite a few places (hare factor coming in to play) and then set off for the mystery CP via CP24 determined not to let anyone else pass us. Coming up the hill to the mystery CP another team did catch us but they continued south along that road back around the to train station while we turned around and went down the other way, which must have been quicker as were arrived at the crossing before they were in site. We then flew down the fire trail almost sliding off a few times in our rush to not let the other team catch us and then somehow mustered up just enough energy to be able to get our bitterly complaining legs to push us back along the road to the finish line were we promptly passed out - managing 23rd.

We met lots of friendly people along the course and had a few chats (when there was enough breath to) and got and gave a few tips which I think made race a really fun event rather than being overly competitive. Track selected was really good with some great scenery and fun trails - thanks Henry & Co. All in all a very good day although I am paying for it today. My lack of paddling experience has resulted in my arms only just able to type this out today!!

Thanks again, and will see you again next time.

Steve