Ross and i decided to hit up the oaks for some dirtworks training. ross has been doing 40km a lot of the mornings before work to train up for the 100km. for me it was a great opportunity to just get out on carbo for once. we met up at the carpark at glenbrook then the plan was to ride up and back.

i had decided to ride to and from as well knowing that would almost clock up 100km for the day. a good effort on any day. i left a little late and pushed hard to be on time. we rode down to the NP to find the weir water up too high for cars to cross – but ok for bikes. after riding through we made our way up to the fire trail.

obviously ross’s form is a fair bit less than mine so the pace was slower than what i would normally attack the oaks with. the firetrail was in good condition and it was one of those really nice cool autumn days that takes riding to a really pleasurable place. with the slower pace i decided to grind it out, running a really high gear and just work the whole time on strength – slow cadence, seated a lot.

after about 7km it was clear ross was struggling. i tried to convince him to eat more but he just responded by saying he would when we stop next. i knew at this point he was going to fade quickly from lack of fuel. we rode for as long as possible but he did do exactly that, fade and we weren’t really able to reach the goal of the top gate.

we turned back and headed for home. ross was really disappointed and felt apprehensive now about the 100km dirtworks and his ability to finish the race. i explained to him it was food and it wasn’t until the next day at work when he confirmed he wasn’t sore that it was definitely a nutrition issue.

for me it was great 88km ride that i really needed to do. it also confirmed i really do have my nutrition sorted as well as my hydration. the ride was much longer than i expected but i still managed to handle the first 4hr on only two bottles. i need to ride the oaks more. the end single track was so good to pin-it along.

i can still remember way back – about 3 years ago – when i first did the oaks with ross and brad from work. i distinctly remember seeing two older guys ride past us on their way up. later, whilst sitting at a cafe in glenbrook they passed us again. i was so envious of their fitness level and promised myself i would one day be at that level being able to ride up and back. on that day, the three of us had only ridden the one way, down the oaks and i was sore from that 25km alone. that goal has now been achieved +