MTB 1:19:15 [3] 16.38 km (4:50 / km) +302m 4:26 / km
Long champs - well set course and the right length for me. Nice mix of fast riding on fire trails, some nice single tracks, some mud and plenty of route choices. Redeemed myself with a podium finish but still a while behind the winner. Route choice to 6 was too conservative as tried to minimise the single track by approaching it from the east (i.e. from behind). Plus gearing means having to push the bike still up really steep tracks such as near to 7 - other seem to be able to ride these tracks, albeit slowly. Did drop a minute or two to help a friend who is a newcomer to MTBO. He was off course a bit as going to 3 he took a turn too early - I was riding 4 to 5 that way at the time. Importantly he is keen to come back again to MTBO and is both a good M60 rider and reasonable navigator and an Aranda resident.
