I am not going to pretend I like the Illanbah Nationals XC race course, located a wee bit inland from the Gold Coast.
However, when Illanbah was announced as the host of the first round of the 2010/2011 MTBA National Series I was quite excited—having ridden the course this year at the Sunshine Series (with no success, may I add. In my defence it was sloppy wet and the first ride on a geared 26" bike in 5 or so months...) I knew I wouldn't have the problems I encountered with my first exploration at Illanbah.
One of my first XC races was in the pissing rain at Illanbah. I decided to race sport at the National Series due to my complete and absolute fear and dread of the course. The gun went off and I was ahead of the other Sporties and Vet/Masters women. Up the climb...and down the first descent I slid out on a root and landed on my head.
Not impressed, and perhaps a little concussed, I have never really taken to the course since.
But I was looking forward to a good hitout, to see where I was at, to test myself this year. Now the first national series is at You Yangs, Geelong. And this is a rad course...but there's almost something comforting about travelling an hour in the car and coming home to your own bed. The You Yangs is a flight to Melbs and an hour trip to the course...build the bikes, worry about feet up etc. It makes it logistcially more difficult!
And while I love the XC course at You Yangs, it's probably a course that local knowledge favours. While there's nothing hugely scary-technical there, it's relentlessly technical—not many places to open it up. Many tricky rock gardens and a concentration zapper for sure!
Here's an example of the trails there—awesome for trail riding. I just have to believe that I can ride them fast enough to have a good race there! (PS: sorry about the music...it's not my video!)