Team Blog From Checkpoint 21 Dennison Camping Ground Team 35 - Little Miss Sunshine Arrived into the final paddle stage at 2200hrs last night after 24 hours of riding and a rogaine. Sal is as strong as an ox, whilst Brett and Keith kept u[ their solid pace throughout the day and Richie maintaining race pace. The final 50 km last night took us through the high country through snow and some amazing scenery. We're staring down the barrel of a 30 hour finish including a 50 k paddle, 60 k ride and a final 22 k trek to the finish line. ITB issues will be managed and we're all keen for beers at the finish line. Happy Days. Area51 - 0735 - all good. Had a good nights sleep after a very hilly ride. Had to push pur bikes up a hill for 2 hrs. Lots of snow, great photo's. Heading off on a paddle for the day followed by another ride. We are all healthy and in good spirits. Very cold but eating lots of food. I think we have put on weight. Bye Area51. Team 22 - More Training Required Tuesday 7:05am. We arrived at the start of the paddle Monday night at 12 midnight after a 7 hour ride from the orienteering. It was an amazing ride however we got really tired toward the end. It started with a drop to the Tumut River from around 1,100m down to 500m. Of course if you drop down in a race like this then you also have to be punished by a climb back up. We climbed all the way up to around 1,490 metres crossing three or so mountain passes along the way. When the sun went down it got cold - really cold. At the top of the passes there was at least half a metre of snow on the ground and combined with a cutting breeze it was well below zero. We had every piece of clothing on. Charlie struggled with the urge to sleep on his bike for the final 20kms. We made pointless conversation, sang songs and generally urged him along - knowing that we could get our sleeping bags out at the end of the ride and get a few hours sleep. We woke at 5am and have dismantled our bikes, put together our kayaks and will have some food before leaving on the 30km paddle. See you at the other end! Love from the team. Tuesday 0650h Team 6 - Box Jellyfish (and Rudolph remainders !!) ... We rode from the orienteering down to the river ... the down was brilliant, the river crossing was interesting - three people, three bikes and no paddles - talk about being up the creek without a paddle !! we made it over (greg made it in !!) and then the 6 of us trudged up, and up and up and up and up (got the gist ??) til we hit the plateaue - awesome this is what the alps is about - snowgums, snow, awesome scenary, muddy tracks - ok lets leave out the muddy bits !! very very cool but the scenary made it refreshing rather than downright freezing ! We tended to waste a bit of time by taking way too many photos, then more ups and downs on the bike past the old TA and right into Dennison. we camped the night at Dennison - we thought that only those on drugs would be crazy enought to go out on the lake at night (bring in the drug testers cos there are a few craziers soles out there !!) - its freezing enough here now at 0700h let alone at midnight ! Anyway the injuries are all coming home right now - Linda's knee is shot, Mark has blown his achillies, Kirky has a cold from hell, saying that Greg and Troll-doll Sharmy are doing well and Adrian is being the normal machine that he is !! Hope all are well ... hello to Tsv, Bne and Cns ... we're on our way home !!!! 32 - Expedition 36' South. Tuesday 25 November: 6:20am. What an incredibly long day yesterday was! The mountain bike leg from the end of the orienteering leg had it all. Stonkin' up hills, ferrying of our bikes across the river on a raft, snow on top of the mountains, amazing and beautiful views and icy/freezing down hill sections. The last 10km felt like a lifetime as we headed for the transition area, and all I could think about was my sleeping bag (which has now become my favourite piece of race gear) and warming up a tin of soup! We all had a fantastic sleep last night and plan to push on now right through to the finish line. This morning we are preparing for our first (& last) kayak leg across Lake Eucembene, which we think will take us around 6 hours, followed by a 9hr mountain bike and a final walk over Kosi to the finish. If all goes according to plan we should be walking down Kosciusko at day break tomorrow (Wednesday)! THe Wombat Warrior aka Adso just keeps getting stronger and stronger and yesterday's hill climb saw him earn a new nick name... "Lance'. The boys took my pack for most of the uphill sections as the weight on my back is really starting to take its toll. My feet arent so bad when we are on the bike; and I am also glad for the kayak leg..a chance to sit on my butt and be off my feet. Mike & Matt have been cranking in their navigation and haven't skipped a beat (Pa you would be very proud of Matty). All in good spirits as the finish line is within sight.. what a feeling it will be to be heading down the hill into Thredbo! Especially considering my feet saw us considering to pull out after Leg 3! Love to everyone.. you are all in our thoughts and our trail chats. Ma please give Bissey a vigorous rub behind the ear for me and a massive hug. Chat soon Sah, Matt, Mike and Adam. Tuesday 0535 Adrenamen. What a day yesterday. The first half was summarised in Mick's previous blog - the withdrawal of Ads due to ongoing knee dramas and the race organisers allowing us to carry on as a team of three (Kerry thank you for your phone!). We then commenced an approx 50-60km bike ride through (eventually) some of the nost beautiful riding country we have seen. After a mamoth climb - mostly on foot for Mick and I (sime powering on) - we winded our way through some spectacalur forest. Snow fall had been considerable all through this area - meaning we enjoyed some riding none of us have ever done before - tracks lined on both sides with beautiful white snow. In the spirit of our adventure so far we managed to fit in numerous snow fights as well as ambushing a team close behind us. Serious fun after some consixderable energy expendutire and no sleep since Saturday night. we got in a fitful freezing sleep last night at Dennison - about to embark now on a 35km paddle. Thanks to the race organisers - Ads has been allowed to join us for the paddle. So despite it expected to be a very long very flat paddle leg it willbe our first time on the water (we missed the first two paddkles) and a much needed rest off our legs (Mick has numurous complaints, Sime's ankle is b attling, and my knee is unhappy). So long day yexpected today before setting off on another bike ride, followed by a final 22km trek over Kosci and down to the finish line! The snow on the final trek will be beautiful, just need to get up and over it before expected bad weather hits. The three of us are in fantastic spirits. Love to everyone. mon 2157 team 10 starfactor, all well but tired and feet are sad to say the least.we are due to paddle 30km next, then horrendous mtb and last leg is walk through kosciosko down to thredbo,should finish around midnight tues/wed. we seem to be getting strongerand more competitive everyday but the next team is a few hours ahead but we are 7th overall at the moment.... we think, so for old fellas we are doing okay. we are all thinking of everyone at home so stay tuned for the finish. neil monday 2100 team 19 - outdoor australia seans bike was sounding like a screaming baby today and has now been given some love while we are at the transition into the kayak leg, so it should make it home ok. i'm very scared about the paddle that is coming up for us now. approx 30km in frezzing waters and conditions. there is not much we can do except layer up and dont stop! we think it will take us 9hrs. we plan to sleep for 2hrs now and do the long portage down to the lake and start off. then itson the home straight and no more sleep... just try and get to the finish line. We were doing really well with our postioning until this mornings rogaine..... knees that had walked over 100km earlier in the race could not keep up with those that hadnt and we are now at the back of the pack.. just teat be great ! byeeee Monday 19.50 team 9 - Yogi bears The extended bike leg into the TA for the paddle nearly killed us. The descents were heaps of fun, but the ascents were a long, long slog. I (Jude) managed to ride it all (win for me), but had to take more and more breaks to rest from the effort. We are all feeling quite sleep deprived already, but are determined to give it a good go to finish without any sleep... We'll keep you posted on that one! Hiking and riding through the snow was an amazing experience. More snow in stock for us tomorrow apparently. We're almost ready to go on the paddle and will (hopefully) just have some light left to start it. Apparently the water is moving in the right direction so we're hopeful we'll be able to finish around daybreak... Weather is great, had some hot chocolate and all happy (albeit a bit dopey...) Have to go!! Big hug to everybody following our progress!! and lots of kisses for Jon - miss you! Simon - Well it's been a long day(?) since the restart at midcamp, and I think we all felt it today. But refuelled before the kayak and hopefully not too long before we stroll into race HQ at Thredbo! Really looking forward to Mt. Kosciusko, should be a blast with all the snow around. Hi to everyone at home :-) and lots of hugs and kisses for Kaylee - miss you babe! Hope you enjoy all the snow at Thredbo before we hit the finish line ;-) Team GuRus 1930 Hi everyone quick note just before going into the chilly waters for our final paddle taking us thorugh the night. We had a great day rogaining and riding through the snow. The scenery was spectacular to say the least. Dingo is being a brave boy with a dicky knee and soildering on.Not looking forward to tonight as we have not slept since 7pm last night so I am sure we will have a visit from the sleepmonsters tonight. can't wait to see you at the end hoping for a Tuesday late arvo finish. Please be there with beers please Bye for now Sue Monday 24 November, 2008 19:20 Team securify.co.nz Just a quick one before we head off onto the paddle. Plan is paddle for a few hours then have a few hours sleep. Had a mare on the rogaine last night and lost a couple of hours hence us moving backwards through the (small) field that are still full coursing. Had a really tough day today, got out of the rogaine about 11 then was on the bike hard for 6 hours to here. Haven;t slept at all since mid-camp so we're starting to really suffer in various ways. Col has tendonitis in both ankles now so is really looking forward to the last hobble down to Thredbo, he hopes the chairlift is running when they arrive ! Into the last 3 legs and we think with a good long sleep tonight we'll get back to feeling better - we just spanked ourselves today and last night. LOve to all, can't wait to catch up with everybody. I think we think that you should think our ETA will be early hours Wed AM - oh, no chairlift then Slater. Just another Voltaren and Panadol breakfast then. 19.00 Team Still Thinking About it - Swire Shipping Before we start we forgot to mention that we had to walk through heaps of snow during the orienteering leg. Even took some photos of a snow man that one of the teams took the time to build. Anyway on to the last leg, it was shattering. started fun with a very fast decent to the Tumut river followed by a short transfer of us and the bikes across the river, it was a balancing act thats for sure. Fortunately we all stayed dry, and the bikes didn't visit the depths of the river. The next section included 7km of 'vertical' accent up the other side. it was a complete contrast to the snow of the morning, with heat, humidity and flies for company. Once at the top of that we continued to climb into the mountains but with a little less gradient to find the mountains completely cover in snow. Can't believe its November. Any by then we were doing okay but due to the change in program we were asked to continue cycling to Denison from the Ghost town of Kiandra, but we had no idea how long it was and every hill was a killer, during this section Serge seems to have developed a flu with temperature, Yosh has some tendon problems with his shins, Nic still has huge blisters, but Grant is just struggling on. As to our position, we are not really sure where we are due the the new nature of the race: ranked, unranked, short course, long course. All we know is we are still ranked and in the long course, so we will see how it goes. Now on to the las kayak leg tonight which will be cold, and hard. but we want to give it a go before we sleep. Be off now. Monday 19.30 Team 25 - Muppets Finished a very grueling 55km bike ride and Just about to head out on a 30km paddle and should take around 8 hours, havent slept yet since race restarted so a rythmic paddle during the night should be interesting!!!!! We are all in good spirts and battling our own aches and pains. AB did a great navigation job on the orienteering leg last night. There is 3 legs left including the paddle so we hope to in wednesday some time - NO PROMISES THOUGH!!!! Hopefully it will be in daylight hours so we can see Thredbo under snow - would be an awesome sight. Still on the full course - which is a bloody awesome effort from the muppets. Will be very interesting to see the final wash up as teams have dropped out,become unranked so no one knows positions - other than the freaks at the front. Probably have one more blog before the end so bye for know. Hi Jo, nick an cam hope you are well! 18.12 Team More Invincible with girls on top Wow what a bike ride we had everyone was on fire and the scenery was to die for lots of gnarly uphills but some wicked descents as well. Cycled through snow covered eucalyptus trees absolutely amazing.We have pushed hard today but wait there is more. we are now off for some paddling fun through the night. Hopefully we have more success on the lake than we did on the river. Ciao for now. Catch you next time. :) 18.01 Team Goldfish Cycling has never been our leg, and the only thing getting us through the last tortuous kilometres was the thought of relaxing on the canoes next leg. First few km were fantastic as we glided at over 60 down to the Tumut river. What a Buzz. We even managed to get all three of us and the solo and tandem bikes on one canoe ride across the river. Then the torture began, and we pushed and pushed and pushed. Hot and sweaty and being overtaken by all those super athletes riding by. Lunch was our reward at the top, ryvita and tuna plus magical tin of pineapple. Shared with millions of flies. If only it ended then, but there was another neverending uphill, at least on bitumen to the top of the world. We rode this, urged on by three other teams in company. Snow everywhere, so it really was very pretty. Snackman wwas working overtime. Cherry ripes, Sanitarium nut mix and choc-coated coffee beans were most popular. The next downhill did bring out huge grins, especially Mardi piloting the tandem. Speed attained she described as exhilarating. Then there were more hills, and more hills and more hills. We were down to pushing and walking anything with a 1 degree gradient. Numb backsides all round. But now all is good and we're off for some paddling fun. 17:37 Team Cyclepath Wow, what a ride today after that trek in the high country! Lots of snow and vistas as we biked into and then out of a 3000' canyon. Then up into the high country where it was beautiful and cold. Finishing with a road leg into the final lake kayak. Spirits are good, David is in and out of coherence depending on whether he's eating or not. Karl wants everyone to know that his muscles are ripped. Read what you may out of that statement. As for me, feeling good and ready to kayak, ride, and trek our way into Thredbo! Can't wait to see everyone at home - we love you all and thanks for all the good energy being sent our way. 17.23 team Austrelaps We about to head out on the final kayak and looking forward to hopefully finishing the event soon. The three of us are moving alright and Chris is as strong as ever. It a pity Libby wont be able to finish the event but she has probably made a sensible choice in pulling out. 17;04 team Bull of Africa Right we just finished a 35 km bike leg where we decended the first 10 km and climbed the last 25 km , killer! Heidi is still in a bad way , taking lots of strain but she is still in there. Getting ready for our last paddle leg to be done at night , gonna be COLD. 3 Legs to go to the end , the race is getting looong now , just want to get to the end.Chat to all those at home soon... 16.42 team 31 sutmap BEAN what a night and day for the bean team. The tortise (vs the hare) approach to the bike ride saw us get overtaken heaps of times but supeior nav saw us first to the rogaine. Ongoing superb nav had us roar around the snowy course singing the "time warp' in an amazing time and emerge into 6th place in the 2nd edn XPD. With big heads we set off on the ride and managed to demolish ourselves on the hills that went forever (but were beautiful!!) and are now pumping up kayaks ready to head out but all are pretty stuffed! I think a camp out on the lake may happen.. 16 37: team 8 Caffeinated Mike and Muzz are looking pretty good after a 4 hour hill climb (and the rest!) and Karen and Clayton are pretty stuffed. Muzz kept himself motivated by riding out front, showing awesome hill climbing ability. Mikey was the gentleman with endless energy-pushing Karen whilst she was riding or helping push her bike during the 1000 m climb. Clayton was always positive, and we all LOVED the snow at the top and had a few snowball fights once we got that high. We're mildly gaga at the moment as we head out on the paddle this afternoon, happy that the paddle is actually happening but longing for some moving water! THe orienteering section this morning was uneventful, but trudging through fresh snow in the forest and leaving circling tracks to the controls was great! 16:30 Team 29 MAWSON Finally off the bike, what killer hills. It might be along time before I am friends with my bike again. Unfortinuately its straight after the paddle section we've heading out on. Hopeing to make the most of the remaining daylight. We had a sleep for 20min beside the road, until we woke with hordes of ants swaming over us. Our feet are not looking forward to the final hike but at least it's getting towards the end. Like Tangerine below we are planning to arrive for the chairlift down to Thredbo. 13.23 Team 24 Tangerine Glad to be getting the last paddle out of the road. The last bike ride had a monster hill. The main diversion was dodging Randall's farts. He has been making great progress teaching his bottom to sing. We're all holding together OK. Heather's back has been very painful and we all have our aches and pains but hope to get through to the finish - ideally just as the chairlift opens to save walking down Crackenback. 12.55 Team 36 Nga Rakau In transition for the last kayak at the moment. Fi's knee is hanging in there, Tims feet are patchy but will make it through. Stunning ride through the snow this morning, sweating like hogs on the uphills through the passes, then freezing our respective bits on the downhills. Potentially could be finished by lunchtime tomorrow! Haven't done the maths properly, but will give us something to work on while we do the last 'kayak'. We can't see any water in the lake from transition! Weather is great, we hope to knock off as much of the kayak as we can in the daylight, then think about how to approach the last two legs sleep-wise. 10.27 Team 27 Blackheart Salomon Arrived at transition for the last kayak... We've been working hard since 6pm last night to put some time into Tangerine and secure second place. We got an extra hour on the first ride, and I don't know what the time differences were for the rogaine and this last bike leg. On the bike leg that we just did, we all started to crack abit, but we've all had monster feeds now and are fired up again. The last two legs were nearly pulled from the race due to snow, but it looks like these are right to go, so we'll be racing until about 6am tomorrow morning probably. Looking forward to a few days of R&R in Thredbo. Everyone says hi to their lovedones... and Moozie, give Wrex a big hug for me! Love you! Matt. 10.08 Team 2 Blackheart Just arrived in transition ready for our last paddle of the race (we're not sad about that). I did my best to take Josh out making the turn into the transition area by cutting him off at the turn - some may call it careless. Luckily he only got a couple of minor grazes, and it was all captred on video. We also enjoyed some cool riding through the snow plus one epic ascent. For an update on Rob's butt - it's not improving, but with the right creams he is coping.