  It's the GRUDGE match of the century. Pat v's Poncho. Pat Howard, sales guy extraordinaire and Ellsworth Brand manager at Dirt Works, has thrown out the challenge to his employer, Richard "Poncho" Powell. (that's Poncho on the left riding the BMC, and Pat on his faithfull Ellsworth Moment) The field of battle: the solo men's class at this season's 8 hour series. Results so far: Pat - Rnd1/11th, Rnd2/10th, Rnd3/14th, Rnd4/14th
Poncho - Rnd1/12th, Rnd2/17th, Rnd3/12th, Rnd4/11th
** NEWS FLASH ** PONCHO TAKES ROUNDS THREE & FOUR! There's life in the old man yet!
Can Pat come back from two defeats in a row? with the series now deadlocked at 2-all... who will take out the decider in the nations capitol in round 5? (Poncho's quote... "it's time.." ) (photos courtesy of Pixelpics)
Grudge report 1 (Pat's view)
I got to the Lidsdale track just in time for a nice warm up and relaxed start to the day. I happened to pass Richard on my way to rego. He was looking relaxed too, and about as good as he could hope to at his ripe old age. Chuckling away with his cronies by the car, he had no idea of the world of hurt he was about to be put through. A quick chat with one of my moles at the rego tent confirmed that Poncho had indeed been ‘talking it up’, and that he thought he could take me. Bwahhhh!
The race used a standard grid start instead of the traditional Le Mans enduro start, and being relaxed I rolled to the back and let the big guns fight at the front. What’s a few grid positions when the race is 8 hours long? Richard looked pumped and was mid pack, looking for every advantage he could squeeze out of the start. And we were off…..
The course was great fun, but also quite punishing. Rooty and rutted singletrack ensured that the dualie was the smart choice, and with over 240m of vertical climbing per lap, the 8 hours was going to be long. I didn’t see Richard again until lap 3, when he passed me in transition, yelling out ‘lapped you already!’ . As the day wore on, my trusty mole let me know where we stood head to head. He’s 5 minutes in front, you’re 5 in front, you’re 7 in front, and so on it went. We both had a few spills, and mechanicals along the way, and by the time we realized we were on our final laps we were thoroughly buggered. I vowed that the only person that I would try and keep up with if they passed me was Richard, otherwise the care factor was totally gone!
The final results showed a 20 minute victory over Poncho, but it seemed like more. I’d already cleaned and rebuilt my bike, cooked a full pasta dinner and had a rub down from the team masseuse by the time ol’ Poncho rolled up. Better luck next race mate……
Regards,
Pat
Grudge report 2 (Poncho's view)
There's little doubt that approaching Penrose (round two) any psychological bluff I threw at Pat prior to and during Lisdale (round one) is going to be ineffective this time. Still nobody in the pit area is quite prepared for the smug Pat that rolls through. Initially, I think to wave but he sneers and offers the finger. Bystanders young and old are sickened and appalled at the swagger of this cocky young racer taking pride in his previous great victory.
Surprise! I discovered the race has begun by the comments of spectators as dozens of us mosey along the trail expecting to reach a starting area.
So off we go but I'm now a little panicked by the thought that Pat is somewhere well ahead enjoying wide open trail whilst I am exploding internally in a tranquil queue to enter the singletrack. Once in, the track is fast and smooth - a little sandy in places, just one technical section with a "chicken run" that actually is safer and does take a few seconds longer!
It turns out that Pat does not have to wait long to claim his second scalp. He was actually behind me the whole time! Midway through lap four he approaches. He looks fresh and untroubled and I concede it is not likely to be my day. A drastic miscalculation of my energy drink mix and running out of this foul sweet treacle during my second lap has surely limited my chances.
Once again the lazy diesel farm-boy tractor will out do the race tuned classic Aston Martin! With the goal of trouncing the young buck now but a fantasy I set my sights on finishing in the top twenty (at one stage I saw myself on the progress charts at twenty-sixth) I manage to struggle in just ahead of a much stronger singlespeed soloist for a respectable seventeenth.
Overall it was a great day, a great course and a great event. I have to say I've learnt a lot from Pat. His advice has allowed me to complete the last three enduro events I've entered in. Before this season I had always pushed too hard, crashing often and in effect taking myself out. His mellow approach means that anytime you make a mistake he will be there and able to take the advantage.
Poncho
Grudge report 2 (Pat's view) Well what can I say??? Great track and great day, thanks to Stu and SHCC. Having watched a new DH vid the night before, I was ready to ride like a Hill or Cavalier, and until the fatigue set in 2/3 of the way through I was having a ball on the flowing corners. On the fire trail I even whipped out some roadie style, drafting behind some unknowingly obliging riders for a nice rest. After the first round’s excuses of ‘I had no support crew, my bike was too small, I wasn’t used to rapid rise,……..’ I was relishing the opportunity to take on Poncho with his new support crew, and on almost the identical bike to myself. The playing field would never be more even. Both Poncho and I missed the race start, along with many others (don’t know what happened there?). I could see him ahead of me along the first km or so of firetrail, and then queuing for the first ST. I didn’t see him for another 4 laps, but my mole informed me that he was out front chasing me! Perfect I thought, let him blow up and then just ride past. It didn’t quite happen like that, but when I caught him it only took a few minutes to pull away. I thought Pohcho’s admission that I was going to be too strong for him was a major turning point in his life, perhaps the most humble and honest thing I’ve heard the man say. Congratulations on this big step mate, I’m glad I was there to share your special moment. In the end, we were both shagged, and looked more like coal miners than cyclists, covered in thick black dust (much of Poncho’s coming from my rear tire). Unfortunately this ‘Grudge Match’ is becoming somewhat predictable, and much of Poncho’s pre season swagger is notably absent in the office. He started out as Mundine, but has now retreated to Sally Robbins status. If he keeps humble and continues to learn from my wise approach he may just give me a fright, the man’s technical skills and bike handling are far superior to my own. Come on Poncho, fire up!!
Grudge Report 3 - The worst laid plan (or “How I got my swagger back”) (Poncho's view)
Leading up to the Killy weekend is one well hydrated week with temperatures plunging. Stop training & avoid sick children. Tell yourself you have a good base, have trained enough and that you are tapering.
I’m thinking all week about the weapon of choice. My dream enduro race bike is still weeks from completion. The Pugsley is ready for anything and beckons me to trust her “roll over anything” appeal, but can four inch wide tyres work in a quagmire? On a mud lark course the singlespeed can be king – light, precise and unfettered by transmission troubles – and I am blessed with a fine “blinglespeed” and an appetite for the suffering that she demands. During the week both Pat and I reach the conclusion that singlespeed 32/18 and the open treaded Syncros FLT 2.35 tyres will be de rigueur for the day.
I can’t choose so I take the Salsa Juan Solo Singlespeed AND the Pugsley! It’s 4:20 AM and I get ready to drive to Killy, on the way I pick up Pat. After a quick stop at McD’s (Pat’s fuel up station) we’re onto the F3. We arrive to a gloomy, cold wet scene with the promise of 8 hours of chill soaked pain ahead.
The start gets away clean and briskly into the first kilometre of this slippery 14.5k course. In a fit of stupidity, I’ve chosen the Pugsley. Barrelling along the track – I’m a terrible show-off by nature and can’t resist the gap jump near the transition area. I speed up and launch. The Pug shines and sails above the inflatable Kiddy pool with blow up crocodile easily clearing it to a smooth landing. Moments later my enthusiasm is calmed with the sobering drudgery of hill climbing through slick and sticky mud. I reassess the logic of bringing the Pug.
A dreary hard lap on the Pug draws to a close. I’ve spent a great deal of energy and it occurs to me that I’ve foolishly blown my chance to prevent Pat from winning the Grudge series and I’m now in real danger of a clean sweep loss. Visions of workplace ridicule and Pat’s vile smugness fill my mind’s eye. Rage, anguish, torment & distress – unleash the singlespeed……
The first 500 metres blast by on the Salsa and my tyre choice is rewarded as the bike slices though mud with conceit as if unchallenged. My confidence is lifted and I start to think not of victory but of a close race leading to an honourable defeat. Five laps completed and a miracle happens! There is Pat in the pit lane, punch-drunk with lactic threshold overload he mumbles something about me being more experienced with a singlespeed and him being blown.
At this point I stop for some food and take a moment to relax. As I head off for another lap I’m daydreaming of victory in the Grudge match, I round the corner to see my old friend the lazy crocodile in the kiddie pool. What the hell? I hit the jump and launch above him only to drop short and hook up the landing. Slammed head first into the ground my thoughts quickly change to – “well that was stupid!” “you had this sewn up til 10 seconds ago” I scramble back up ignoring the pleas of concern from a trackside volunteer.
As I stop to empty dirt from my helmet vents Pat passes! Back on again and I soon catch him. Now I start to suffer the psychological torment of “what ifs?” Maybe he will get a second wind and fly past me or my bruised knee from the fall will slow me down…
For the next three laps I am riding for the Grudge match round 3 win. I finally have my head straight. Keep the pedalling solid, the cornering conservative and the showboating for the post race bluster! Through the last lap I am expecting a challenge from Pat, I’m counting down the last kilometres until only 500 metres to go. Someone yells “you’ve made it!” but I don’t relax. I’ve already fooled around too much – can’t give in to over confidence. Finally I cross the line and Pat is nowhere to be seen. At last, I said to myself, a point on the board. Thirty three long minutes later a beaten, not-so cocky Pat arrives…..
For those first two rounds Pat has talked the talk and delivered. Now Pat, you know that bitter taste of defeat with a follow up serve of sweet humble pie! Chow down boy you’ve still got something to learn from this old man yet. Just think how slow you will be in 13 years when you’re too slow now! Suck it up and see you at Yarramundi.
Poncho
|
