Hi, this is Carrie Edwards, calling from the Crocodile Trophy. I'm just calling in to send you some final thoughts on my experience on being the first woman to finish this race. I finally got my energy back, coming in to Port Douglas. It was a beautiful, hilly, challenging ride.

I finished in the middle of the pack and surpassed my nemesis, Sabine Greibl, who had come in to do the light categories. So she had been fresh, with only half of the race in her legs. Towards the end was a bit of a challenge for me, but I made a bit of a comeback and really put the hurt on her on many big climbs. It was refreshing to see the Great Barrier Reef peeking through the trees and have some beautiful descents down in to Port Douglas.

Our finish-off in Kuranda was an 80 mile parade, or an 80 kilometer parade-race with a three lap circuit in town to much hoopla and cheers. Which was good, to do a bit of sprinting before finishing off with a grand celebration and trophy gathering and all.

Would I do it again? Probably not. I'm still licking my wounds and recovering from my scrapes and bruises and looking forward to riding my bike on more trails and rocky, hilly territory later on.

Crocodile Trophy was a challenge, mentally. A lot of obstacles, non-biking related. Whether it be flies on your face or bad food at night, or miles and miles and miles of rolling corrugation, 100° heat with no shade in sight.

I'm looking forward to having a little bit of down time, relaxing on the beach, but I'm glad to be the first woman to finish this grueling race.

Thanks a lot!

— Carrie Edwards, MountainZone.com Correspondent