You are hereWill you be racing the National Round at the Goat Farm in November?
Will you be racing the National Round at the Goat Farm in November?
Yes, I usually attend races and I won't be missing this.
33% (15 votes)
Yes. I don't usually race, but this is a big event.
4% (2 votes)
No. I usually race, but I'm choosing not to this time.
22% (10 votes)
No - I would like to but have other commitments.
28% (13 votes)
No, I have no interest in racing.
13% (6 votes)
Total votes: 46
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If you usually race but are choosing not to hit up this National Round, drop a note to say why!
How about:
I might give it a shot but I'm one of the forty or so people who put my hand up to be a volunteer/commissar.
Yarg
I like the occasional race but I'm not really into the Goat farm circuit. I don't like to admit it but I always feel really beaten up & crap when I ride there. I guess that it's all of those rocks & steep climbs although Kalamunda"s no breeze & I love it up there.
Must be all of those miles on the clock!
I can ride the Blue cruiser and went out two weeks ago and followed the arrows to find myself out the back on the Cannon Ball run pushing my bike up the hills and then on the knarly rocky descent went uummm maybe not and walked down that to then be shown the massive descent type drop off, and with no downhill protection I bailed and took the short cut, I did however stand and gape in awe of the to two guys that were hammering around the track with ease and threw themselves down that descent with no hesitation. Maybe when I am not so green. I am not up to this tracks standards and would be in the way for anyone racing it.
cheers Kyra
I know how you feel Kyra, I have registered and have been up there the last two weeks for practice and still am shady on the chute, im seriously hoping they have a B line as I just cant mentally hit that one yet, so it will be take the short cut and hope that does not disqualify me, just not ready for that this year.
I also binned it in the rock garden out the back on Saturday and went down quite hard, bruised ribs and sore in a few spots but not feeling too bad today so will be in for the weekend but will definately be taking it easy.
I like Tony above feel its probably 15% above my current ability & fitness level but will give it a go to support the club and the WA MTB scene even if it means probably coming last and walking up some of the climbs lol.
See you all there
Chris
Good on you Kyra for getting out there and checking it out.
I'm sure that you would have noticed some improvement in your riding over the course of the year. I think it's great that you get involved in as many of the activities
that you can.
The Goat Farm is not an easy place to ride, and it is far from forgiving if you make a mistake. I still have the scars to remind me not to go down the hills too fast, or more importantly, not to launch off a crazy jump after zipping down a hill too fast.
As you improve, you will eventually work up the courage to do some of the descents and drop off's. Some of them you will not want to do again, and some you will wonder why you haven't done it sooner. More importantly, you'll learn to listen to what your bike is telling you. Experience will tell you that your bike has a big say in whether you will make it around a corner, or down a big descent in one piece. You may have already found this on loose gravel tracks. Going down a descent is a little different. There are some other smaller, shallower slopes around the goat farm that you could try to help improve your skills. Just don't forget to listen to the little voice in your head that will tell you might get hurt doing something silly.
As for me, I bit the bullet and I've entered the Super D. I can't do the XC as I've signed myself up for the 100 km road ride on Sunday morning.
Keen to race again, but the above confirms that it was a wise choice to avoid this one. I well remember the last time I raced in a national round (that was pre 2000), it was much harder than the hit out at the local club...
So see you on easy street, next year.
The Super D format sounds interesting.
YAY I am not alone in quitely cr*pping myself with the National Round.
I had registered BEFORE I helped out at the track maintenance day at the Goat Farm.
Lets just say I would have had 2nd thoughts about entering afterwards if I hadnt already pre registered.
I balked at the drop off too! Im hoping (praying, pleading) there will be a b line (the smaller descent that was used in the Club Round) because I am not ready to do the "Big One".
The Goat Farm is my nemisis and I still have the scars to show how unforgiving it can be... so I have never been 100% confident at riding there.
But I will be giving it a go too and supporting the club and WA MTB scene with the aim to stay upright! ha ha
Good luck to all those that are racing.
Cheers Peta
just to confirm there will be a B line at this part of the course, so please do not panic just enjoy!
Don't bauk at the drop, it's easy! Just aim just left of the rock in the middle (at least that is what I did).
Besides there might be a photographer all set up there...
by the way, how gnarly is this drop? The first time I'll get to see it is on the practise run sat arvo.
It looks worse than it is. Good run out the scary stuff is right at the top so once you pick your line through that it is smooth sailing (mind you I haven't done it at race speed).
I am in awe of the many fine riders young and old. Inspirational. Think i know the line I'd take now for the A cline but will put protection on first and try it after the 12 hour.