Clarence Spectacular MTB Race

This event was a new one on the calender and being in Hanmer it is always worth driving the distance to ride outside of the usual training ground back home.  The event was supposed to be held on the Saturday but shortly after we had arrived at the venue in torrential rain we were told that the race was postponed until the next day - great another trip to Hanmer!!!  Apart from the travel time and fuel we arrived on Sunday to a fresh start but with the sun out it made for a nice day.

The race went really well, not as many competitors were racing which was a bit of a disappointment but I suppose several people weren't too keen to come back up again unlike myself!  Great to see a few fit and fast local riders from back home battling it out behind me!
The race started down Pawson's Road and then hooked left climbing up onto Jacks Pass Road.  This followed up the rest of the climb to the saddle there at the 7km mark after 5km of climbing gaining 400m vertical height.  Riding onwards I was glad to enjoy a short break and blast down a 3km downhill back onto flat ground.   The course next took a left hand turn and followed up alongside the river for a good 10km.  This then turned onto a four wheel drive track that climbed onwards steadily and onto the beginning of the St James track (which is in the process of being smoothed out) that was rather rough to start with after coming off the gravel roads but all good mountain biking!
Following on it was back the way I came alongside the river for several clicks before hitting the 38km mark and beginning the last steady 4km climb to the top of Jollies Pass.  From here I could smell the finish and what a neat final blat down 4km of fast steep four wheel drive track where my big wheels set up with a set of Maxxis Aspens could hold on to keep up some serious momentum!
Once back on the tarmac is was all Time Trial mode back to the finish for 2km, head down to complete the 50km course in 1 hour 52 minutes!
I was pretty pleased with my ride, a good solid work out and as a new event on the calender I would recommend this one to those who enjoy a good bit of scenery and want a bit of fun at the end!
Thanks!