World 24 Solo Course and Rider Preview
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REBECCA RUSCH INTERVIEW
ULTRA-ENDURO HALL OF FAME
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fter the marathon effort of putting out Enduro 16 which featured the Jimi tribute, it was always going to be tough to back up for this issue. Thankfully, a few things appeared on the horizon to keep us motivated: the arrival of spring and the sniff of summer around the corner, the XTR 2011 groupset launch, various 2011 bike launches, a heap of new-season bikes and bits and the promise of the 24 hour solo world champs right here on our doorstep. Things were looking up. With the worlds looming we decided to post a sneak peek preview of the Stromlo course: ridden and reviewed by Brad Davies along with the rider profiles by Steve Partridge.
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This online ISSUU preview of issue #17 of Enduro is but a sample of a great new issue of Enduro Magazine. If you enjoy the taster go to your local newsagents and pick up a copy of the full magazine.
Crew Issue 17 publisher Freewheel Media Adam Macleod editor Mikkeli Godfree mikk@freewheel.com.au SUB Editor kath bicknell kath@freewheel.com.au art director | designer Niki fisher Niki@designbypeppi.com.au www.designbypeppi.com.au Editorial assistants Kath Bicknell, Lachlan McMurtrie contributors Mikkeli Godfree, Kath Bicknell, Brad Davies, Steve Partridge, Travis Deane, Brett Kennedy, Shane Taylor, Darren Eckford, Peter Hatton, Mark Fenner, Nic Eccles, Jason English, Jarrad Needham, Anna Beck, Caleb Smith, Paula Sutton snaparazzi Dan de Witte, Shane Ford, Emily Dimozantos, Tristan Cardew, Damian Breach, Travis Deane, James Rankin (MarathonPhotos), Reflexphotography.com, Shane Taylor, Jai Cooper, Brent Delaney, Steven Rowe, Jacqui Lewis, Peter Gostelow, Brad Davies, Russ Baker, Peter Creagh, Ben richards, Adam macleod
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post correspondence to 29 loch st, kew, vic 3101 Articles printed in this publication are the opinion of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editors or publishers of enduro.
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When Mt Stromlo was revealed as the location for the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 hour Mountain Bike Championships, there were a few discernable reactions. The first was, “of course – where else could it be?” The second, followed by a gulp, was “that’s a lot of climbing…” Words by Brad Davies | photos: Dan De Witte
here is no doubt that Mount Stromlo is the natural Australian home for the Solo Worlds. It has a track record of successfully hosting big events including the downhill, cross country and 4X worlds in 2009 and the annual Scott 24 Hour. The key to Stromlo’s success in this regard is, aside of course from the quality trails, is the mountain’s impressive infrastructure including amenities, parking, proximity to a major airport and, of course, proximity to a major city. Perhaps most importantly, the Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC), who are inextricably linked with Mt Stromlo, can take credit for helping to put the Solo Worlds on the international map. It was arguably their initiative back in 2004, when they started awarding air tickets to Canada and big prize money to the solo winners from the Mont (now Scott), that internationalised what had up to that point been a very North American centric event. Once the ‘where’ question was answered, people’s focus moved to specifics and onto the course. Would the Stromlo signature Skyline, Luge and Berm Track descents be included? Would the gnarly side of Stromlo – Pork Barrel and Slick Rock – be avoided to
make it more technically manageable? Would the climb from transition up to the observatory be via singletrack or fireroad? The course The details of the course are: Lap length: could be as much as 20km but will more likely be 16-18km. Vertical climbing per lap: approximately 500m. Percentage singletrack: 85% Trails used: Holden’s Creek, Cockatoo, Emu, Bobby Pin, ABC Switchback, Red Rock, RollerCoaster, Pork Barrel, Slick Rock, Skyline, Luge and Berm Track What it means For those who rode the Scott teams event two years ago, the solo circuit is more Red Lap than Blue Lap. For those of you who did not, or who have erased it from your memory, the course can best be described as follows: Climbing – 500 vertical metres per lap. Given that a lap will take about an hour, this is a lot of climbing. With these sorts of numbers, the Stromlo circuit is into the realm of some of Australia’s most mountainous enduros. It has as much climbing per hour as the Otway Odyssey which is feared for its climbs. The winner of the 2010 Solo Worlds at Stromlo can expect to do around 12,000 metres of
climbing in total. Mount Everest is 8,800m… Grinding – for those who haven’t been to Stromlo, the trails are flowy but rocky. The most menacing corners at Stromlo are characterised by rocky exits to uphill corners. The toll of lifting the bike over rocks will be significant as the hours tick by, and concentration will be tested. On the downhill sections, the g-forces on the body through the Berm Track will leave shoulders and triceps screaming, and will have riders wishing they’d done many more push-ups in the lead up to the event. Concentration – the rocks at Stromlo pose issues both up and down hill. A mistake on Rollercoaster, Pork Barrel or Slick Rock could be big and race-ending crashes are always a possibility at Stromlo. Fatigue (see points 1 and 2: climbing and grinding) will have real consequences if it gets the better of a rider in the wrong part of the course. The decision to include the technical trails on the backside of Stromlo means that the race will showcase some of the most challenging trails on the mountain, but their inclusion is not without risk. A lap of the World Solo Course Sector 1: Holden’s Creek (3.95km) The 20km loop of the course starts at
11
Don’t bother turning up unless you have your climbing legs on..
course length: 16–18KM, NO MORE THAN
vertical ascent:
transition at the bottom of the mountain, in front of the pavilion. From here the solo field will head into the relatively flat area known as the Holden’s Creek network. The trails are reasonably fast and flowing, and reasonably flat. The Holden’s Creek network will be decommissioned next year so it may be the last time you will get to race these old school trails. Enjoy the lack of elevation-change on this section because after this point the riders won’t see flat track until they get back to their pit about an hour later. Sector 2: Singletrack Climb to the Observatory (5.3km) After a short transit on the fireroad, this next sector is complicated for a number of reasons: passing will be difficult, the rocky exits to corners will pose issues as fatigue sets in and the climbing is relentless. The combination of trails that snake their way up to the observatory climb up about 150 vertical metres. At the top, riders will have great views of the nearby mountains, which they probably won’t be in a position to enjoy. Expect this to be the segment where the main challengers make up lots of time. Sector 3: Gravity Fed (1.9km) At the top riders will cross the return trail to arrive at a short and steep fire road pinch up from Echidna Gap to Western Wedgetail.
At this point, riders will exhale deeply and will switch their focus from physical effort to concentration mode. Once on Western Wedgetail the trail descends a fast and furious section toward Pork Barrel. It’s hard to imagine a more challenging set of trails for a 24 hour solo event than those assembled for the Stromlo event, and this is no more apparent than on this section of the course. At the entrance to Pork Barrel, riders will be confronted with more rock, more berms and some white-knuckle chutes. Slick Rock is manageable in the day but when night falls, line selection will be critical. Riders will need to define and refine their path during the daylight hours and stick to those lines when trail features start to blur during the night. A-lines on some sections will be time-saving during the day but could potentially be race-ending at night or in the morning. Line decisions will need to be made constantly through this sector all the way to the bottom of Pork Barrel and this will add to the fatigue. Sector 4: Up and down again: the Skyline Plummet The inclusion of Skyline means one thing: riders will head back uphill. Riders will have to negotiate a steep fireroad out towards the western perimeter of Stromlo. This fire road
ENDURO 17
is little used and much more overgrown and eroded than the better known and more frequently used roads on the eastern face. The climb back to Echidna Gap is 3.25km long and reclaims 100m vertically, demanding careful gear selection for both singlespeeders and geared folk alike. Once at the top the reward is significant. From the sweeping vistas of Magpie Rock, Skyline is the Stromlo signature trail and it hugs the front of the mountain as you cash in all those hard earned gravity credits in 2.5km of descending. If you can take your eye off the trail for a few seconds – at 40kph it’s not advised – the Canberra skyline and transition are laid out in front of you. Skyline is pure indulgence and braking will be minimal as you sweep between rock and mountainsides before crossing over the bridge to the Luge Track – and it gets even better at night with the lights of hundreds of riders snaking about below you. There are some great A-lines on offer here but the penalty of failure is significant, particularly over the gap jump - not one for the faint-hearted at 3am. The Luge and Berm tracks are pedal-free zones and gravityfed. From the bottom competitors have a grin from ear to ear as they cross the road to Homeview Junction, down the Old Duffy Descent and behind the 4X Track and then turn on to the Crit Track for transition…and it’s then time to do it all again. Method to the madness Enduro spoke to the sadists who put the course together – MTBA President Russ Baker and Brendon Mulloy – and asked, “why?” “This is a world championship and riders are coming here from everywhere so we want to make sure they go home happy, having ridden the best that Stromlo, and Australia, have to offer,” according to Baker. “We also wanted to make sure it was a fair and un-impeded world champs. So the solo riders have their own course for the whole race, with the exception of a couple of hundred metres either side of the start/finish arch. That will allow for good rider/track spacing so there will be no conga-lines on the mountain. “One major difference that the Australians will notice is the Dyna-Sys World Solo Pit row where every solo rider gets their own space fronting onto the course. With over 400 solo riders, this will take up the whole Stromlo pavilion car park.” Mulloy, who designed the course for the event, said it was a difficult task to select trails given Stromlo has everything from blue trunk trails to double-black diamond sections. ”The result of the Worlds course is a set of tracks that not only gives solos and teams access to some of Stromlo’s iconic trails but also puts them into the lesser seen and rid-
ing sC ros s
rra
Co ppi n
Ur ia
Rd
ish Start/Fin
Mt Strom
ta Cot
lo
Despite being a typically dry place, Canberra can turn on the waterworks so pack some mud tyres just in case
Rd
780
Elevation (m)
740 700 660 620 580 0
5
10 Distance (km)
15
20
the surface at Stromlo is hard and fast in many sections but stay on the lookout for a thin covering of fine gravel and sand
den areas,” Mullloy said. ”For a 24 hour the idea of using Cardiac Arrest, Hammer Head and the Slickrock black trail is out of the question (but yes, I did ask!), but I think we have achieved a balance that will challenge everyone!” Choices The course poses many questions of competitors: what to work on in the lead-up, what tyres to run, how to set up the bike? Having personally ridden the course six weeks out from race day, and being entered to race myself, I reached a number of conclusions: lose weight (fast), work on upper body strength (without compromising the first conclusion) and for rubber, choose something fast with a robust sidewall. Stromlo is not traditionally wet (though it was when I rode
the course) and therefore mud tyres should be on reserve but are unlikely to be called upon. The other choice which riders will have to grapple with is race strategy and how hard to go in the first few hours. It is easy to see why the solo national championships often has a high attrition rate at the front of the race when you see how fast the lead guys go out. The likelihood that Gordo, English, Fellows, Hogg, Blankenstein, and Chancellor will go out hard and battle head-to-head for the first six hours will no doubt result in some debts that cannot be repaid either in that pack, or close behind. The thought of limping through the next 18 hours after going deep into the red in the first six does not bear contemplation. But the real question, having offered all those names, is who hasn’t been mentioned.
This Solo Worlds has over 400 riders attending, including National Champions, coming from all over the world and many have never raced each other before. How will the favoured riders react when a relative unknown jumps ahead and forges a break on the field? Do they chase? Do they wait? This scenario is just as likely as any other if you look at the history of the event. When Craig Gordon went to the USA in 2006 he was an unknown and James Williamson went into to the 2008 world titles on a wild card entry - both went on to win the event. Could 2010 throw up a similar surprise from the skirmish of locals and internationals fighting it out on the dirt? Only time will tell. One thing is certain: Stromlo will deliver a deserving World Champion. And upwards of 400 battered and bruised bodies and minds.
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ENDURO 17
20
It will be, in endurance mountain biking terms, the biggest race ever seen. Not just here in Australia, but worldwide. And you can bet, when the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Championships roll into Canberra, the Aussies will be ready to tear it up.
Words by Steve Partridge photos: Dan De Witte & adam macleod
F
or over a decade, Aussies and Kiwis have been dreaming of an opportunity to compete in (and to see) a world championship without having to fork out squillions to get over to North America for the privilege. So when it was announced that the unofficial world championships (there is no UCI affiliation, but as there is no alternative race, this is considered the de-facto world championship…pretty much because they put it in the title) were heading down under in 2010, enduro dreamers flocked from far and wide. According to official Event Director Russ Baker there is unprecedented interest in this race. Australian entries were closed months ago, even though every single rider has had to qualify for the event. And while there are quite a few people waiting anxiously to hear if they can get into the race after the European and North American qualifiers have been run and won, Russ estimates that around 420 solo riders will participate in this year’s race. As Russ puts it, “It’s the biggest world championships to date numerically, the largest previous world solo champs was a hundred and ninety one riders, so we’ve doubled that already.” Don’t be fooled into thinking this a purely an Aussie race. Although something like four out of five riders are Aussies (which is similar to the number of North Americans at previous world champs), there is still a very healthy international contingent signed up to ride. At
least fifteen countries will be represented, easily the most ever seen at a 24 hour solo race. And according to Russ Baker, that makes this race the most anticipated championships ever, because with the European racers participating en masse for the first time, we will be seeing a truly international event. With over 380 Aussies entered into the 2010 World Champs, it is clear the race has captured the imagination of the endurance scene here in Australia. Current world champion Jason English has signed up and is reportedly training hard to defend his title. Former world champ Craig Gordon will also be out there with his usual do or die attitude, hoping to become the first Australian to win the title for a second time. Craig Gordon will be racing the solo format for the first time since his last world championship victory in 2007, and will give English a run for his money. Jason English will start the race as the deserved favourite, but Gordo is not far behind. Despite only racing the 24 hour format twice, Gordo has never lost. Who could forget his sensational world championship win in 2007, beating Eatough in his last 24 hour world champs? Despite not quite being the epic battle of former Aussie champions that Willo would have brought to this race, the questions Gordo will be asking English with his legs will be very interesting indeed. Throw into the mix the challenge that will be launched by the
rest of the world and this is building towards a very impressive encounter. Forgive me for sounding like big Kev, but I’m excited. It is English that is going to be the man to beat and there are plenty who will try and put a lead into him on Saturday afternoon. Gordo will try and put enough laps into him to break him early. Andy Fellows, Jeff Toohey and Enduro’s own Q&A king Mark Fenner will be in the mix - any one of these guys can challenge if one of them is having a great day. In addition, Johnny Waddell, True Swain and Joel Donney all have previous form and could challenge if they have a good run through the night, but they might have to grow another leg to remain with the leaders once dawn breaks. Add in the mix international champions like Thomas Lindup, Kelly Servinski and Mathew Page and it’s clear that any one of a dozen guys could win this race. You want a real dark horse? Keep your eye on a guy called Steve Fitchett, if he has been training anywhere near as hard as he used to before he became a dad, he has every chance of holding off the big boys. My sentimental favourite for the men’s race though has to be Andrew ‘Bellie’ Bell. Just like Leyton Hewitt had the wood on Federer for so long, so too did the veteran Bellie have the wood on English, yet he just can’t seem to beat him anymore. The father of three survived a massive crash with a motor vehicle in the middle of this year and this may well be one of his last chances to claim the world
21
Craig Gordon
ENDURO 17
ENDURO 17
22
championship crown. Bellie has taken on a personal coach for the first time for this race though, signalling his intention to give it everything he has got. Despite being forced to do much of his training on the wind trainer, he is motivated and ready to give it his all. Three times World Champion Rebecca Rusch of the USA is remaining tight lipped about defending her title, however Australians Jessica Douglas and Katrin Van der Spiegel are all highly motivated to become the first Australian woman to be crowned 24 hour World Champion. Tory Thomas is not much of a chance to start this year’s on account of her entering another race recently, that of impending motherhood - congratulations Tory and Tim! Van der Spiegel is on the comeback trail after managing to somehow convince herself that multi-day adventure races were not tough enough. In her words she was getting ‘a little soft’ in retirement, and was missing our muddy little world. So when the impressive Van der Spiegel fan club (her family) encouraged their mum to have one more crack at the title, she got back on the bike and began the long road back to potential glory. This is one lady that is not coming to Canberra in October to mess around. She wants to win. Not that she will be having it all her own way. The women’s race is harder to pick than a broken nose. Jess Douglas is brimming with confidence and is enjoying a fantastic build up
to the event. In the absence of Rusch turning up, she is probably the woman to beat. Expect fireworks when the super mums go head to head. Lightning fast Peta Mullens may well be the quickest woman in the competition, though she is yet to answer the tough questions a 24 will pose on Sunday morning although is likely to trade her spot at Canberra for a stint racing overseas from early October onward to prepare for a tough summer season on the raod. Claire Graydon is about as stubborn as a muddy mountain biker can get and is in the mix if the weather plays a part. Any of these or about half a dozen other women have what it takes to step onto the podium. I’ll say it again, it is not an easy race to pick. It has been a pretty wet lead up to the race at Stromlo. As Canberra local Brett Bellchambers puts it, “You could lose Russ Baker’s hat in some of the holes up there”. But, and to be fair it is a big “but”, he does say it is going to be fine. The track will bed down nicely, having just hosted the most recent round of the Chocolate Foot Singletrack Mind Enduro Series. There has been plenty of work done out on the legendary Stromlo singletrack and everyone is expecting the course to be in perfect condition. Despite having had plenty of racing over it in the past months, Stromlo is typically dry, pebbly and fast. Oh, and hilly. The locals say to bring your climbing legs. You’re going to need them. The only thing that is certain in this race
Claire Graydon
Name Craig “SpoonBoy” Armour How many 24s 7 Category Elite. Training on target Is anyone’s training ever on target? Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning We’re not finished yet... Big legs or big heart Big heart, stubborn head. Secret weapon An unmatched level of stupidity. Arch-solo-nemesis Dreggsy.
is that the weather will play a part. It is, after all, Canberra in October. Riders could be sweating through a 30 degree afternoon before having to rug up for a sub zero night. This battle could be fought in blazing heat, or it could snow, or it could do both. It could be a muddy quagmire, or it could blow a gale, or it could be both. The weather in Canberra is a power unto itself and it can change the course of a race faster than a speck of dust in Tinker’s eye. One thing is certain, you can expect the unexpected. The weather seems to do something different at every race in Canberra. It may even be that it will be balmy, warm weather, but I hope not. That would be altogether too boring for a race of this calibre. The editor of this good magazine was displaying his Machiavellian colours I think, in asking me to preview this race. I was happy to do it, because I too have a stubborn (some may say stupid) streak and will be out there slugging away in what may be the only chance I get to say I have raced in a world championships. Both the Ed and I know that this race is impossible to pick. Sure as mud, there is an unknown bolter that is now absolutely determined to prove all the words I have written above wrong and will smash us all. I estimate (conservatively) that the winner of this race will have to lap me at least six times. So good luck to you all, and please, go easy when you pass and make me eat my words.
Name Katrin Van der Spiegel How many 24s 7 Category Elite. World Champs Goal Winning would be a bonus. Rocket Fuel Bananas. Post race activity A foamy hot bath. Secret weapon It’s only a game. Tea or Cup-a-Soup Coffee. This is not Alice in Wonderland. Tree or Port-a-loo Tree. Choice aplenty. Arch-solo-nemesis Anyone who is out there to beat me.
Name Jason Dreggs How many 24s 1st real serious one. Category 35-39. Rocket Fuel Banana (9 pieces) and honey sandwiches, no crust, cut diagonally please. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning iPod with learn to speak Spanish lesson 9 (this is where you learn to swear). Big legs or big heart No one remembers big legs. Secret weapon Icy Coopers at 1.00am. Tree or Port-a-loo Trees need all the help they can get at Stromlo. Arch-solo-nemesis SpoonBoy .
23
ENDURO 17
Jason English
ENDURO 17
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Brett Bellchambers
Name Brett “The Judas” Bellchambers How many 24s 5 Category Single Speed. Training on target Excuse me? I don’t comprehend the question. World Champs Goal Top 5 overall . Post race activity Applying the pawpaw cream. Big legs or big heart Long thigh bones. Secret weapon Vegemite and banana sangers. Tree or Port-a-loo There are trees on Stromlo? Pain is A dish best served to others? Arch-solo-nemesis 1) Jason “MadDog” McAvoy 2) Ed “Padwan” McDonald.
Matt Reekie
Vanina Vergoz
Andy Bell
Name James Lamb (Chops) How many 24s 2. Category Elite. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning You gotta fight ‘till you see the sunlight. Dawn thoughts Pain=fuel. Tea or Cup-a Soup Green Tea please. Big legs or big heart Has both. Tree or Port-a-loo Whatever has no line. How much do you love your support crew Lots. (Jemma is my girl, so that’s the answer right?). Arch-solo-nemesis MadDog McAvoy and Reekie.
Name Diane Perry How many 24s 2. Category Female 45 - 49. Training on target Yes World Champs Goal Podium. Rocket Fuel Fruit cake, liquorice and peaches. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning This is as close as I get to the all nighters of my youth. Dawn thoughts Whistle to the magpies. Why do I do it I blame Fenz. Post race activity Walk around in a daze. Secret weapon My (sometimes) bossy husband.
Name Vanina Vergoz How many 24s 1. Category Elite. Training on target Working hard. World Champs Goal To give it all. Rocket Fuel perpetuem works for me. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning These are the conditions I love! Dawn thoughts The dawn lap I love too. Post race activity Talking. Tea or Cup-a-Soup Soup. Secret Weapon Time is irrelevant. Post race Beverage Water. Arch-solo-nemesis Self doubt.
Name Matt Reekie How many 24s 2. Category Elite. Training on target Plenty of time. World Champs Goal Top 10. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning Not gonna give up now. Dawn thoughts Only 6 measly hours to go. Post race activity Telling yarns. Big legs or big heart You can’t have one without the other. Secret weapon Will be there. Arch-solo-nemesis James Lamb (It’s 2 -0 Chops!).
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James Lamb
Jess Douglas
Dan Mackay
Name Jason McAvoy How many 24s 7. Category 35-39 Men. Training on target Going well so far. World Champs Goal Category win, Top 10. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning My wife, Kylie. She has all sorts of ways to keep me going. Post race activity Drill it to the finish. Big legs or big heart Heart. You gotta love it to do it. Secret weapon The best pit manager in the game. How much do you love your support crew There are no words... Arch-solo-nemesis Bellchambers. I’ll be back, Judas.
Name Stevo ‘manowheel’ Partridge How many 24s 8 Category Single Speed. Training on target Absolutely. I set soft targets. World Champs Goal Top 5 Single Speeder. Rocket Fuel Minestrone Soup. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning This is my gold time. Post race activity Trying to drink a beer with old mates. Secret weapon Na. Just two wheels and a sense of humour. How much do you love your support crew Oh I do! Arch-solo-nemesis Sam ‘Whiskey’ Warmington.
ENDURO 17
Name Jess Douglas How many 24s 8. Category Elite. Training on target Yes. World Champs Goal Win. Rocket Fuel Coke. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning I deserve to win, I’ve done the hard yards. Post race activity Sleeping. Why do I do it Best form of ‘me time’ there is. How much do you love your support crew He is my husband of nearly 20 years. Arch-solo-nemesis Katrin Van der Spiegel.
Name Andrew ‘Bellie’ Bell How many 24s 14 Category Elite. Training on target Ha! Goals change when you get hit by a car. World Champs Goal See above. Motivation at 3.00 am on a freezing morning My wife, Robyn. Dawn thoughts Suck it up, big fella. Post race activity Passing out. Big legs or big heart Have you seen my legs? I’ll go heart. Secret weapon Three kids. Training rides are always followed by a soccer game. Pain is something to deal with and move on. How much do you love your support crew Plenty. Solo MTB is a team sport for sure. Arch-solo-nemesis John Claxton and Jason English.
Jason McAvoy Endurance MTB is a solitary sport. It goes with the territory. And most of us ride for ourselves, to achieve our own personal goals, whatever they might be. But there is one mob that will have something else on their minds as they churn out the laps in October. The Team (Anytime Torq) guys will be aiming to raise over $40,000 for charity as part of their official team launch. Believe me when I say you can’t miss these guys, they are the loud, colourful and particularly fit-looking bunch that train with the Fenz (not to be confused with all the other participants training with the Fenz). Richard Peil (also a Torq tiger) alone has pledged to donate fifty bucks for every Team (Anytime Torq) lap recorded at Stromlo. There are six of them, and they can ride a bit too. So that could get expensive. But feel free to throw a note or two their way over the race weekend.
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