MTB - O race (Protea Ridge) 1:04:31 [5] 21.11 km (19.6 kph) +600m
shoes: Specialized Epic FSR Mthn 2014
Body felt pretty dead before the start but a short warm-up ride helped. Started last of the field.
Very poor to #1. No problems but couldn't get into the map. Stopped twice to double check detail and then had trouble negotiating some technical terrain. Lost about 60s? Managed to settle down a bit en route to #2. Got there but no control (hung in wrong place apparently). Left after about a 30s search up and down the track. Took the R-hand route choice to #3, then again to #4. Got into a rhythm and picked up good speed at this point.
Under the powerlines to #5, then right to #6. Lots of erosion on the tracks. Generally stayed on main tracks to 8, 9, coming into 9 and exiting from south. Into 10 from the exit angle. On long leg from 16-17 went south, with 1 quick stop to read detail along the way.
In general, read the map well after a poor start. No real mistakes and route choices were all okay or neutral. Got 1st place Had been worried about my slow start but in the end had a good lead with all the competition still recovering from Exp Africa.
Av 18.3
Mx 38.0