Working Week Series 8 Hour - 21st June 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009 19:30 | 
Author: Craig Baylis | 
The Working Week Series returned to Appin on Sunday 21st July with 200 riders keen to take on the Appin track for 8 hours.
With an usually mild start to the day the field quickly spread over the course and by the second creek crossing two Yeti team riders had a minutes gap on a spreading chasing bunch. After rounding a high speed singletrack corner riders were forced to make a quick line choice over the rock shelf creek crossing, left and commit to bunnyhop a metre gap or right and pick your way over a narrower gap.
One rider in about 10th place had his race cut short after just missing the narrower right line and burying his front wheel hub deep in the higher than usual creek. The high speed crash sent the unlucky teams rider flying over the bars and ending with the unpleasant feeling of face meeting rock. I'm sure the rider is thanking his helmet (take notice kids) and was left with a sore head and a lonely checkup trip to hospital. We hope he's feeling better today and it's not all that bad, at least his nice carbon bike seemed to escape unscathed!.
After the crossing riders were met with a technical singletrack section beside the creek before popping out onto a steep fireroad pinch climb. After another short single track climb it was only a big ring firetrail and a snaking singletrack section before flowing onto the greasy home straight. Back to transition the solo's keep the pedals turning and teams riders gladly tagged their partners for a well earned break.
The rain held off for most of the day and feedback on the day was that the sandy based track had as usual drained well from the heavy rain during the week.
Thanks to all the riders and we hope you enjoyed the track. The next race at Appin is a club round on the 5th July starting at 9:00am. Visitors are welcome to come along and ride the track in the usual club format with a great downhill to bridge crossing not included in the 8 hour.
We took plenty of photos on the weekend (you may have see me hiding beside rocks and climbing trees for the angle) and they will be posted on the website in the coming days.
Craig Baylis
WMBC Committee Member
