Czech 5 day - the wrap

Monday, 9 July 2007

The final day of the Czech 5 day proved to be one of the toughest.  The first check point was about 100 metres vertical above the start on top of one of the highest hills in the area, Clum.  After 4 days of hard racing it was a tough way to start the day, but the chasing start gave legs and lungs the incentive needed.

Many riders recorded very long times.  Once again the course was just under 70 minutes for the winner, around 20 km.

The biggest difference for Day 5 was relatively easy navigation but tracks which were much rougher than previous days.  The forest was being worked and I had to dodge a tractor at one stage.  This meant many tracks were newly rutted and muddy.  It was a bit of luck if even a long dash track was smooth or rough and short dash tracks were sometimes better than long dash tracks.

My race started strongly and I reeled in a number of riders in front of me.  Then, about half way, I fell foul of some very indistinct tracks, which my brain couldn't make sense of.  It ended in tears, with a very scratchy cross country jaunt and finally capitulation.  I rode slowly back to the finish for the last half of the course, tail between my legs.  Overall I ended up 28th of the 75 odd starters.

The Pilsen organisers did an exceptional job with the event.  Not only did they have great courses and great areas for each day, the organised bands and talks each night.  MBO in Pilsen is perhaps the most fun one can do.