Prior to the start of the race, some of us decided to go for a
warm-up lap so that we’ll be able to better familiarize with the trail conditions. It
wasn’t too bad until we reach the end of the trail where we had to ride down 2
awfully steep slopes. And because it was so slippery, my bike literally just washed out
under me and I saw that Beef and the rest had the same experience as well. It was pretty
comical but rather fun though, sliding with the mud and all….
The veteran’s category came first and OM, Pianoman &
Farizul (being the only qualifiers) gave it all they had. OM did very well and actually
finished as one of the top few, despite 2 spectacular crashes at you-know-where (the
mud-pool slides) and with that ancient bike (c’mon, who still uses thumb-shifters
nowadays?) of his too, real kudos to him! Pianoman finished the race while poor Farizul
ended with a puncture (again!) and had to drop out.
The ladies category was next. This time round, the response was a
teeny-weeny bit better than that of the Bukit Timah race. There were 5 of us (instead of
4) and looking at the competition around me, I was hoping to probably get a 3rd
placing. With hopes running up high, I gave it all I could at the start. Unfortunately,
just at about 2/3 of the first lap, disaster struck! I heard the dreaded sound coming from
the back of my bike and when I looked down, I saw that my back tire is indeed as flat as a
pancake. With a heavy heart, I had to make the decision to drop out of the race and
pitifully push my bike back. Unfortunately for Linda, she too came down with a flat at the
end of her second lap. And it was such a shame cos she was leading the race by quite a
distance. However, the flat tire failed to deter her and she went on to finish the race on
a flat tire to come in 3rd!!! Pure sportswomanship or plain foolhardiness (to
risk damaging her rims and bike)???
Then, came the much awaited moment…..the Men’s Open
& the Experts! There were probably a total of over 100 of them. Man, you should have
seen the mass orgy at the start of the technical single-track climb! It actually got
pretty S&M…….
While our heroes were busy pumping away, we (ala
moi, OM & Pianoman) were relegated to our ‘pom-pom’ cheerleader cum water/100Plus feeder
roles. At the end of the second lap, we saw Skin going strong and Max just right behind
Beef before Max suddenly shouted, "Beef, I’m coming for you, man!" in front
of all the public to hear…ahem, too much information here!
At the 4th lap, Doc passed us by with a big grimace on
his face, claiming that his knees are cramping up (another usual Absolut excuse) but
nonetheless, still decided to go on to finish in the true Absolut spirit. And as for our
Wanker, what’re you doing trying to push your bike down those 2 mud slides with those
baby steps of yours??? J Should have tried to ride down and if can’t, at least slide
down in style…… remember, more mud = more gungho?
Unfortunately, some of them also have to their fair share of
punctures. Max (after coming on Beef???) ended with a flat at the end of his 3rd
lap and had to withdraw from the race. Cocopops was even more unlucky. He had a flat
during the race but being fully equipped with spares, pump and all, he actually bothered
to change his tire and went on but alas, barely 10 mins later, that too, failed him again
and with no spares left, decided to give up. Tom, who was leading 4th in the
Expert category, had to abandon race too at the 5th lap after his chain broke
on him. Poor guy!
As for the results , can’t say that I’m too informed but
I think Stefan came in 7th in the Expert category & Adli (14th),
Skin (10th?), Doc (51st) in the Open.
The whole event only ended at about 2pm and though some of us left
with disappointment and others, satisfaction, we must admit that overall, it had been a
good and challenging ride in any case and definitely a good way for us Absolut to get
together. Let’s continue to keep the competitive Absolut spirit burning in us!!!
(eeeee….. so cliché!)
