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Fink 2019
Thanks Guys
Myself and Inver made it through the Prologue today and head off tomorrow lunchtime We will let you know how we go once we get there and back :) Finke 2019 Any year that you get to do the Finke you know that you're going to be in for one tough ride. This year's was no exception... with hardly any rain since last year's Finke and the track copping an absolute flogging with bikes pre running, this year the track was certainly rough. Inver might be able to back me up on this one, and I'm sure he has his take on this year's Finke. Generally the first 40kms of the track isn't too bad, not so this year. A lot more square edged bumps and just overall rough. With no rain, and the wind not blowing the dust across the track, the middle section was shocking for dust, on the race day's it was so hard to see and pass and get stuck behind a quad and you start to question yourself why are you doing this race again .... and if it wasn't bad enough dealing with the competitors dust you then had to deal with the 4WD's driving along the service road sending even more dust onto the track. The 160km mark was no different with the biggest whooped sections and they graded a new section in which I thought was pretty good with whoops that you could get through at a descent pace and fast open sections where I could open up the 500. Camping at the Finke was better this year, as the guys that were looking after us, picking a better spot and it had a lot less prickles. The boys did an awesome job of setting up camp, cooking our food and supplying a hot shower and fuelling our bike while us riders sat back resting and having a drink talking about the days ride and who made it in and who didn't. In the group, myself and Inver were with I think out of about 25 riders only about 10 finished with the rest not making it due to broken legs, ribs, smashed teeth, running off the track and hitting trees and bike failure. This year crossing the finishing line for me was more of a sense of relief than accomplishment like last year. With the way the track was and the dust and the risk verses reward thing, I'm pretty much done with the Finke. I'm glad I did it again, and I accomplished what I set out to do and that was to better my times from last year, but will go out and try other desert races and events. Best part about the Finke Desert Race was spending time with the family and friends and travelling to and from Alice Springs and seeing a bit more of this wonderful country we live in. Also being able to do this race with Inver and spend time with his parents and father-in-law, lots of fun to be around and offered a lot of support, hope to catch up with them at the next desert race. Inver did an awesome job as well with finishing the race and collecting another Finke Survivor spike. Lots of riders turn up year after year to ride the Finke and don't finish, so for us to walk away with another Finke spike is awesome. Thanks again to Inver for doing the Finke with me this year and his family Colin, Thelma and Noel and mine, Marisa and Dylan and my mate Glin and wife Vanessa thank you so much for all your support and fantastic 2019 Finke race and holiday. Thanks again, to all the Crusties that posted support and the txt msg and phone calls for us both, Cheers Dazz      |
