The Goss on me…

Why I decided to take up Mountain Biking:

The year before last I went up to Alice Springs for work. I arrived as a pure Road/Track cyclist and was soon racing and training with the Alice crowd who told me that I’d be riding mountain bikes before I left. I was initially sceptical. However, anyone who as ever been to Alice Springs would agree, the scenery is amazing and strangely beautiful. To not get amongst it, would be to miss a great part of it. Besides that, all the local bike riders rode mountain bikes and were adamant that the trails there were the best in Australia. They were sure I’d love it – I was addicted to peddling, so it was only a matter of time that my habit would develop into the harder form, so to speak. They were right. I was soon riding out of the bike shop on knobbly tires and off on what was the start of another great cycling passion. I got hooked.

What I love most about Mountain Biking:

Everything! The environment we ride in…the air, the trees, the wildlife…it is so not city and road and cars. The attitude of the other riders is wonderful...roadies have a lot to learn. The ride…the flow of a great bit of single track…the rush of a bit of air and a sweeeet landing.

What scares me the most:

A lot of things! I get scared pretty easily – that is why I need help to improve my skills. Sticks mostly (those that have seen my scars will know what I mean)…other than those  devil’s pokers, anything that is high and without a lot of room for error – there was this skinny little track in Canada on the edge of this sheer drop (eeek!)… skinny duckboard that is high or tricky evokes a similar emotion (but thankfully not as severe!).

Races I’ve Done:

The Gut Full, Chase the sun, a few dirt crits, club races in Alice Springs and …

TransRockies 2007 - I had only been mountain bike riding for a few weeks when I decided to join some friends in entering this mammoth race. It has to be done in teams of two, and my gun (or should I say Gunn) mountain bike rider friend Nicole, was searching for a team mate as her husband and his best mate were entering. In the process of trying to ‘turn into’ a mountain bike rider, I spent more time in hospital than out on the trails in Alice Springs! Anyway, we went and did Transrockies last year – and I still had the skills of a wombat. It was a terrific experience and rates amongst the hardest physical slogs of my life. I would love to do it again.

Otway Odyssey 2007 and 2008 - At the end of last year’s 100+km, I did not want to ride a mountain bike again. This year, I approached it as a fast cruise rather than a race, and with improved skills, I had an absolute blast! The trails at Forrest are fantastic J

Wildside 2008 - It was excellent! Four days of Tasmanian trails. Better than Transrockies by a million stars.

What’s next …

The BMC 100km is on for this weekend, and after that, the Chase the Sun Series and some club racing in between. At the moment, I am aiming at continual improvement while having a great time. I fully intend to be an eighty something year old cyclist one day J

Off the bike …

For me, cycling is an obsession. When I am not riding my terrific little Yeti or other fine steeds, I am mostly working or doing training/study related to my work (the next three months are particularly hectic). I also enjoy listening to music and going to music festivals.

Happy and safe riding to all.