When I was 16 I got into road cycling and for many years would be doing long weekend rides in Maidstone with the San Fairy Ann Cycling Club based in Maidstone, in Southeast England.
Getting my first mountain bike in 2001, I spent more time on trails than the road. Occasionally I would cycle on the roads as something extra for my fitness for kickboxing.
That first mountain bike made its way to Australia with me when I emigrated and I still have it now.
My love of mountain biking continued taking me all the way to the 24 Hour Solo World Championships in 2010 which was held in Canberra here in Australia, at Mount Stromlo. This would be my third and final 24 hour race. I settled for shorter races and times races after that.
Leading upto 2012, I was doing so much riding that I got involved with Smiling for Smiddy, a cancer fundraising campaign attached to the Mater Foundation, raising money fro cancer research. Smiling for Smiddy was set up after Adam Smiddy, a young competitive triathlete in Brisbane lost his battle with melanoma skin cancer.
In 2012 and 2013 I rode from Brisbane to Townsville with Smiling for Smiddy, which is 1600kms in just 8 days. We averaged 200kms per day. This was a test of not just fitness, but will and determination. Supported by a great team, and top mechanic “Jimmy” who owns Bikeology bike store in Taringa, these two rides are forever etched in my memory.
I slowly stopped cycling so much and kickboxing then running took over. That was until recently when I purchased a gravel bike.
Hopefully I can bring you some more adventures soon. Stay tuned.
https://www.bikeology.com.au