Held every 2 years, Wildside is one of Australia’s premier stage races. The fact that entries are sold out so quickly, shows just how popular this event is. The race certainly shows off some of Tasmania’s most stunning landscape and the diversity of terrain is evident from one stage to the next. I think it’s this diversity that sets this stage race apart from many of the other stage races on offer. With each stage being so different, a variety of riders can do well here and ultimately the best all-rounder will come out on top.
For anyone thinking about signing up for this one in 2 years time, I can highly recommend it!
Stage 1. Cradle Mountain
After a nice cruise stage to warm up along the main road from cradle mountain, the main competition started with a fast 16km course across the top of Cradle Mountain. This stage proved to be one of my toughest, with the pace on from the start. The terrain was quite rough and bumpy in sections but also had some fast open gravel roads. I found it hard to get any sort of rhythm going but did my best to hold some of the guys’ wheels along the open sections. Quite possibly I had opted for the wrong tyre pressures as i was feeling every bump out there! However I made it to the finish in reasonable time and found out later I was lucky enough to get the stage win by just 2 seconds from an in form Jess Douglas!
Stage 2. Que River
This stage I found more to my liking, with plenty more climbing and even a few sweet bits of single track at the start. I was able to make a good 6min gap on my nearest competitors in this stage, allowing me to go into day 2 with more confidence. I very nearly had an embarrassing finish to the day though when I totally miss-judged the last left hand corner!
Stage 3. Sterling Valley
This one was most definitely my favorite! With a fast start along a flatter 4WD section, the track suddenly narrowed and climbed upwards into some nice flowy single track through the rainforest. This was a steady climb all the way up with a nasty gravel pinch at the top, then we were rewarded with an an awesome descent! This track was super-gnarly and I’ll admit that I did walk one small section. There were some scary drop-offs and wet roots everywhere. Choosing the best line and having your wits about you was the key here. I certainly had a smile on my face for this stage and was able to build on my lead giving me some more confidence leading into stage 4.
Stage 4. Montezuma Falls
Quite a lot of time could be gained or lost on this “queen” stage. My aim was to go out quite conservatively and try to put the gas on a little from halfway through. The stage started with a long road climb out of Roseberry before turning onto some gravel road and then into 4WD track. I was able to form part of a 3-man break-away off the front of my group and we worked really well together throughout the next 10km or so. There was a compulsory dismount as we had to walk the bikes across the cable bridge over the falls. I think I must have slowed quite a few of the guys behind as I tentatively made my way across without looking down. Apparently though,there were some spectacular views! From then on, it was a hard slog of gradual uphill and then gradual downhill tracks. One of the downhill sections seemed to go on forever and I found my mind wandering a little. In a lapsed loss of concentration I landed a jump totally wrong with my seat forced into my stomach…ouch! Not sure if many people can say that they have buckled a rear wheel with their stomach! I took a few moments to regather and then climbed back on to finish the stage. I was a bit of a “nuffy” for the remainder and managed to disappear into many of the many mud holes on offer. Afterwards I found out my wheel was buckled beyond repair and I would be forced to nurse the bike through the remaining stages.
Stage 5. Spray Tunnel TT
After 2 days of warm sunshine, the weather had turned in true Tassie style. We took off in pairs for this km TT, which started with some nice bits of single-track then finished with a gravel incline that seemed to go on forever! My partner and I worked well together in the early stages and then through the muddy single track I managed to gain a gap. I knew the mud tyres I had been running would come in handy on one of the days! I finished off fairly strong and was happy to find out later that i had won the stage and was so far undefeated in this year’s race.
Stage 6. Granville Harbour
Each stage of the Wildside has some totally different terrain. This stage was another of my favorite’s with some fast downhill sections as well as some technical uphill riding. It proved to be an advantage if you could really chose your line well and stay on the bike for these uphill sections. I was able to gain some more valuable time on this stage which was reassuring as I was certainly being tentative with my rear wheel well and truly buckled.
Stage 7. Hell’s Gates
Due to such strong winds, this year’s final stage was to be held in reverse. I think we were all glad of this as it meant a nice tail wind along the beach section rather than a horrible head-wind! I think that this stage was my toughest as I certainly struggle on the flat terrain as my “chicken legs” don’t really produce the power required. I found myself dropping back amongst the riders in my group and tried desperately to hold any of the wheels in front. Eventually we turned off the beach to make our way back along some dirt roads. Amazingly I was able to grab the final stage win by a mere 2 seconds.
Final Wrap-Up
So I was able to take all 7 stages and the overall 2012 Wildside victory. I was certainly very honoured to have my name along side some of the previous years’ winners! Well done to Jess Douglas and Amity McSwan for their 2nd and 3rd placings. I was fortunate to have plenty of TORQ nutrition on-tap throughout and a big thanks to SRAM for all there help in keeping the bike finely tuned!
