Willett and Klein earn Flinders Ranges Outback Epic Titles
This article has been provided by Kay Haarsma, images by Martie De Villiers
This article has been provided by Kay Haarsma, images by Martie De Villiers
The Flinders Ranges Outback Epic is one of the most remote races and arguably the longest point to point race in Australia. It follows the 205km Flinders Ranges by Bike signposted tourist ride which most people traverse over 3 to 5 days and stay at the track hosts, Wilpena Resort, Rawnsley Park, Willow Springs and Gum Creek stations. Race headquarters at Wilpena has motel rooms, luxury tent accommodation, camping, a restaurant, bar / bistro and general store. Non riding family and friends are easily occupied with numerous bushwalks, the historical old Wilpena station building complex and plenty of scenic drives.
In this race there are three possible distances, the whole 205 km loop, or the 109 and 64 km races that start remotely so all finish at Wilpena resort. A relay option is also available. The 100 riders entered in this 2nd edition were very worried the night before as gale force winds and rain hit the resort. Luckily this change resulted in a low maximum temperature of 24 degrees and 15-30 kph tailwinds for the more exposed sections. While the single track is minimal and the climbing on the low side, the distance is huge, the scenery spectacular and the personal challenge massive. It’s so remote that normally you’d be lucky to see any other people. On the positive side there is plenty of wildlife for photo opportunities.
The premier race is the 205km unsupported option, with only water available on course, everything else must be carried. Many questions abound – such as how much food and spares to carry and whether to start hard or stay within the company of others? It was designed as both a race and a challenge. Those taking it more casually had to keep ahead of ‘the grim reaper” with cutoff times necessitating a 13 kmh riding average to finish under 16 hours and before 10.30pm. Race organizers kindly provided a spreadsheet so riders could estimate their expected average speed to work out when and where they should be at any given time.
Here are post-race comments from one of Australia’s top mountain bikers, Queenslander Jodie Willett.
What motivated you to race the Flinders Outback Epic?
I needed to address the fact that I have raced in many countries but never even seen the authentic Aussie outback of the Flinders Ranges. Now when overseas riders ask whether they can see kangaroos and emus whilst racing in Australia I can say yes!
Although it is only a one day race, albeit a long and hard one, we made it into a mini holiday, stopping overnight to ride the renowned Melrose trails on the way back to Adelaide.
The other positive was that there was good accommodation and food available at the Wilpena Resort, so we just had to roll out of bed to the start.
Did the Flinders Ranges impress?
Certainly did – the different colours and the views of the mountain ranges and the Pound were stunning. There were abundant wildflowers too. Best of all were the numerous emu’s (and their chicks) and kangaroos, both along the course and in the campsite. Lots more to explore in the area too.
How did you find the riding?
The variety of the riding conditions and the rawness of the natural trails kept me alert, constantly adjusting to the conditions. This “grass roots” biking, with not a groomed trail to be seen, was a nice change. (There was some peloton riding on the small section of bitumen exiting Wilpena; some rocky gullies and wash-outs leaving Willow Springs; a sandy 500 metre creek section; through sheep yards and even the shearing shed at Gum Creek station; a steep climb with tremendous views up Red Hill; the exhilarating descent of Razorback ridge and finally the last fun 5 km single track of a walking track.)
I noticed that you led a pack of 5 guys off the bitumen and into the dirt tracks of Rawnsley station.
That was probably a bit misleading. As is often usual the guys bolted at the start like it was a 40 km race, so I mainly “sat on” maintaining a steady heart rate over the initial kilometres into the wind. Not knowing the other riders technical abilities I didn’t want to get caught behind them in the dirt, so led off the bitumen and then worked with anyone that was around from then on.
Any problems?
The challenge of what to carry to fuel a 205km race unsupported was one of the differences of the event. I opted for brownies and dates but that didn’t suffice so I’ll have to work out a better plan for next time. Also I put this food in my camelback but had to stop several times between water points to get more out – not efficient. All up a great experience though.
AND THE REST…
Pre-race favorite for the 205km race was Adelaide based marathon master Ollie Klein, who has raced the famed Cape Epic in South Africa. His strategy was to go out hard for the first half of the race, as this was the easier half and then to hang on. Kevin Pullen, SA 24 hour solo champ and Nigel Willoughby kept on Ollie’s wheel during the 26 kilometres from Wilpena to Rawnsley. Shortly after Ollie took off solo, aided by a South/Southeast tailwind that started at 30kmh, weakening later to 15kph. After 70 kms he had a 3 minute lead over Nigel and at Willow Creek (96kms) he had extended this to 10 minutes.
At Gum Creek station, with 141kms down and 64 to go, little known Adam Smith, who had been resident overseas for the last 15 years, had moved through the field into 2nd place just 6 minutes behind. However Adam took a wrong turn on the next section, costing some minutes, so he never got within sight of Ollie who was rampaging home. So victory went to Ollie Klein by some 17 minutes in an amazing time of 8 hours and 40 minutes, which was almost an hour better than his winning time in 2013. Kevin Pullen survived for 3rd place stating: “that was my hardest 9 hours ever on a bike.” Just 3 minutes later Queensland international Jodie Willett finished 4th overall, having maintained her pace well in the latter stages. Gympie’s Amanda Reddy successfully made it home to make it a 100% finish rate for the women.
The 109 & 64 km races had their own battles for victory or just finishing. On entering Gum Creek riders were diverted into an elevated shearing shed that was filled with people cheering. Andrew Field, the 109 km eventual winner, mono’ed the length of the shearing shed! His wife, Michelle excelled in the 64km, placing 3rd overall and first woman. Former international road rider and now SA state cyclocross champ Terri Rhodes moved through the large 109km field to be first woman and 6th overall, just 2 minutes behind 2nd outright. Peter Mueller & Jan De Villiers, training mates from the Victor Harbor area, rode strongly to share first place in the 64km.
However the real stories tend to be found amongst the mid and back of the pack. Undoubtedly the most excited to finish was Sydney sider Janice Marshall, accompanied by her husband Peter. They had journeyed over to support a friend doing the 205km and “perhaps” to ride the 64km. Peter has been struggling with Parkinson’s disease and although they aim to ride 3 or 4 times weekly, there is no logic to what days he will be well enough to do so. Remarkably Nov 1st was a good day and they were able to finish much to Janice’s delight. Celebrations were a bit muted for a while when they subsequently discovered that their hire car keys had been lost en route. Radio calls to various officials eventually located them on the ground atop Red Hill, where they had stopped for a snack!
There were eight “Peninsula Peddlers” from Pt Lincoln competing, with many winning age group prizes. Amongst these was 60+ Sylvia Dansie, who cut 2 hours off her 109 kms time from last year. Brazilian Rafael Petry De Almeida said: “this was my first race in 15 years after moving to Lincoln 3 years ago. I’ve enjoyed training with the others and this race was certainly hard but good.” His partner Jessica Lacorte enjoyed her first race ever in the 64km.
Father and son Brian (60+) & Brendon Scarborough (35 years) did a bit of family bonding riding the 109km together. Damien Brombal & Simon Young took their fat bikes out for 109kilometres. Erwin Klocker, from Cronulla, raced the 205km and found it “was an awesome adventure.” A former Crocodile Trophy participant Erwin “likes to do the longer races as it’s safer as one doesn’t have to go so fast.” Graeme Naismith, who rode the 64km tweeted, “A very worthwhile experience. Planning to upgrade to the 109 next year. (Did you hear that legs?)”
The race organisers, Event Strategies, and their volunteers did fantastically in setting up this race and making it safe – imagine marking out 205km! It wasn’t just the logistics of distance but also liaising with various landowners that including the South Australian Government, Sheep stations, private enterprise and the local Aboriginal Communities. This certainly is an iconic event to put in your bucket list!