Stage 8 proved to be another grueling day as is was long with some very steep climbs as well as so much mud, sooo much mud. I started the day strong and was riding with Adam and Sam, but then after a couple hours Adam really started to push and I decided that the pace wasn't for me. Sam and I rode a bit of a yo yo style race, as I would pull away, and then he would catch up...
I was feeling really good, but was having trouble eating my race food. My stomach has rejected all gels, candy, bars you name it. If I eat one of those it's like putting a vice grip around my guts. I knew I had to eat so I stopped at various cafes and drank coke/sprite/juice. Around the 100 km mark I really started to feel like crap - just really hungry. I didn't suffer like on day 5 but I definitely wasn't riding comfortably. Sam caught up to me and passed me on the second to last climb, he was riding really strong. I made one more cafe stop at 124km and finished the day quite grumpy.
Between the mud, sore stomach, and difficult stage I was ready to quit mountain biking again. But it's 7am, I had a good sleep and I'm feeling alright and it's the last day...
Back on the bike - man I sure love to suffer
Bob took the day off - to prepare his ass for the last day. Dan/Rich battled through the stage and are really excited about beers at the finish line.