So what is the point in life when the end result is always the same - death. Indeed, from the moment we are born, we are dying. For those lucky enough to be living in the Western World, with its cutting edge technology and modern medicine, life expectancy is, on average, 75-80 years. For those in poorer countries such as Sierra Leone it is reported to be as low as 43 (United Nations, 2007). The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a new indicator, Disability Adjusted Life Expectancy (DALE), which determines healthy life expectancy. This involves subtracting the years of ill health, weighted according to severity, from the overall life expectancy to give a figure for years of healthy, quality living. In other words, after a certain age an individual is no longer able to experience the pleasures of life, may have lost some of their mental faculties and is merely 'hanging on' or, worse still, just waiting to die. In Australia, this figure is 73 years old while in Sierra Leone it is only 26 (WHO, 2000).

But, for some, this final phase of life appears to arrive far too early and life is invariably a struggle. Many people are depressed and unhappy and just go through the motions of waking, working, eating and sleeping, to the point that they are simply 'existing' and not 'living'. For some, even this is too much, and there seems 'little point in living'; this phase can eventuate in an attempt to escape reality, often through alcohol or hard drugs and even suicide. 

Returning once more to 'War of the Roses', and I guess many of you will be wondering how some superficial American comedy could even come remotely close to providing an answer to the one question that has evaded the greatest philosophers and thinkers of our time. Well, the fact was that proceeding this movie, my mind was jolted into a period of reflection, a rare moment for a young man who was always rushing around searching for new ways to dispense his boundless energy. Kathleen Turner's character, Barbara, had a dream to have a family, a large mansion and the most lavish of furnishings. Over the next few years she indulges this passion and her life is consumed with the joy of achieving this dream. With this passion and interest comes fulfillment. Nevertheless, Barbara fulfills her ultimate goals and, later, when her two children leave for college she is left empty and bored and her life begins to unravel. She halts the decline temporarily, by beginning a pate business and this gives reason once again to her existence. However, once this new passion is satiated the downward spiral of discontent reconvenes and the ensuing 'war' with her husband finally results in both protagonists falling to an untimely death from one of their mansion's chandeliers. 

We are only given one life and so we need to make the most of it while we can. Perhaps this is the true meaning of life. Barbara was happy and content until she had accomplished her dream; she was able to find a new passion through cooking but her mistake was not to find another when this passion had burnt out. For some, their passion is their children, their family, their home; for others it may be religion, education, a career or a hobby. For me, and many of my friends, it has always been sport, and although the nature of this has morphed from football to rugby, to jui jitsu, boxing and climbing it has now settled on cycling. An interest or 'passion' like this gives a reason to each passing day, week or year. As a result, pleasure and enjoyment follows and the mind is filled with satisfaction and a sense of progression and personal improvement. Most importantly, the passion is one very personal to the recipient and, at no time, needs to involve being the best but being the best that person can be. So long as individual goals are realised, that person will continue to bond with their personal interest.

To say that I have a love for cycling would be an understatement. I reap great joy from riding in all its forms. I garner extreme pleasure from commuting to work every morning, regardless of the weather. I love the fact that I can start the day expending energy purposefully and have almost complete control over my journey and the speed I propel myself to my final destination. After a stressful day, returning home on the bike is extremely cathartic and a great way to forget the troubles and stresses of earlier. Training and racing bring further pleasures, and winning races and gracing the podium bring obvious satisfaction but, regardless of this, my life has purpose and direction. 

But not everybody races at the 'pointy end' and, indeed, it is the majority who race without lofty expectations but purely for the love of it. It is often asked why some would continually enter races, particularly those endurance events ranging from 100 km to 24 hours where pain and suffering is guaranteed and there is no financial reward or prize at the end. The answer is not 42...the answer is the passion, the occasion, the challenge and the love of what they do and what they achieve for themselves. This fact alone make racing worthwhile and consequently individual lives are enriched. For this reason, the hoards of 'weekend warriors' clearly outnumber those racing for podium glory.

So what should Barbara have done once she had lost her interest in the pate business? To address this question, I can delve once more into the cavern of sport. In 1985, Boris Becker won Wimbledon at the age of seventeen. He started playing tennis aged just eight and by twelve years old he was focussed almost totally on the game. On achieving the ultimate goal for a grass court player he could have been excused for a loss of focus. Once his career was over, I recall watching an interview in which he was asked how he had managed to keep training at such a high intensity whilst retaining the same appetite for the game. Boris answered that after a period of 'emptiness' he managed to reset his goals and set out with renewed enthusiasm and vigour to win as many Grand Slam titles as possible. So for Barbara, she needed to reassess her situation and rekindle her passion in a new interest in order to give her life continued fulfillment. As the bible states 'Man cannot live by bread alone'. In other words, physical nourishment and basic survival is not sufficient for a healthy life and although the original context referred to 'God' and spiritual fulfillment, the adage can certainly be interpreted to mean that in order to live a full and happy life we need love, companionship, happiness, friendship and excitement.

Living in the Western World, with all its advancement, technology and opportunities is a blessing we should all make the most of. No matter how esoteric the ultimate goal, the fact is that later in life the time devoted to a person's individual passion will enable that individual to look back on their existence with a sense of pride and satisfaction, safe in the knowledge that they did as much as they could in the relatively short time they were given to inhabit this wonderful planet. 

The 4th race in the popular Rocky Trail Enduro series attracted over 300 riders and the year's strongest solo field to date. Ed McDonald, Andrew Hall and Andrew Lloyd were the three most prominent names in the elite field, while Benjy Morris and Brett Bellchambers were the favourites in their respective categories. Throw in ex 24 hour World Champion Craig Gordon, James Boland and Aaron Bashford who were racing in the elite pairs, and the pace was sure to sizzle from the very start.

Last week, I reported on the preparation and training necessary for success in Endurance Mountain Bike racing and pre-race talk centred on the commitment and sacrifices several of my rivals were making for the upcoming World 24 hour championship. My biggest rival at today's race was Benjy Morris and he has incorporated the services of a coach and has recently curtailed his enjoyment of the veritable delights of alcohol. I was informed that Jason McAvoy is training like a man possessed while Ian Bridgland has also employed renowned coach Mark Fenner to improve his overall prospects. Races, like today, would provide a decent measure reflecting the progress the solo riders are making in their quest for World Championship success.

The start of these races is always crucial and this was to prove the case once again. Self seeding at the start is like a bad joke without a punchline. As usual the start was fast and furious but the mass of riders were to come to a grinding halt at the start of the singletrack. With few opportunities to overtake, a certain level of composure was required before the track opened up and the slower riders, who had shot off far too fast for their ability, could be passed. After only three laps, I had lost six minutes on Benjy Morris , who had made an excellent getaway and who had crucially avoided the mayhem of the start.  

I concentrated on tapping out a consistent rhythm on the pedals and less than 40 seconds separated my first 8 laps. However, I was unaware that Benjy was also lapping consistently and the gap between us was actually opening. 

Almost five hours had elapsed and the GP4 riders had finished, leaving the track fairly free of traffic. The legs had barely complained up to this point and I was enjoying the excellent flow Mt. Annan has to offer. For the uninitiated, Mt. Annan is located in South-West Sydney and is a purpose-built track in the picturesque Botanical Gardens. Each lap is eight kilometres in length, contains just 124 metres of climbing with approximately 85% of singletrack consisting of rollovers, steep pinch climbs and fast, twisty descents. I was beginning to utter sounds of elation to myself on the multitude of gratifying sections, which would have appeared strange and disturbing to those who have yet to climb into the complex mind of a enduro solo mountain biker. Nevertheless, the fact was, I couldn't help but relish the vibe of this track.

With less than two hours of racing, I was informed I was only six minutes behind Benjy. I started the next lap with renewed vigour, but it was not long before I knew that, despite commendable on-bike fuelling, the legs were about to revolt against any overtime in effort. I had cut almost a minute from Benjy's lead but he had responded by stepping up his own pace and was beginning to extend his lead once again. 

I rolled over the line just under 14 minutes behind, to claim second place, with Rohan Essex in third place a further two laps adrift. The previous race in the series I had finished almost double this time behind my rival and so this performance was definitely a step in the right direction.

Rocky Trail had once again put on a great event and it was a pleasure to race on a excellent track in mild 16 degree temperatures under an azure sky. Mention needs to go to Ed McDonald, who looked incredible, clocking up 17 laps and crushing the solo field and beating all the seven hour teams for good measure - Jason English, take notice. 


After the race I was able to enjoy a delicious Budweiser Budvar, a Czech beer which was one of the prizes for all those riders who graced the podium. I just hope that this beer could break Benji's new resolve and preface his downfall!


The final race of the Rocky Trail Shimano MTB Grand Prix Series is on the 7th September and, coming just a month before the World 24 hour, will serve as a telling indicator of form for the most significant enduro event of the year. 

I've heard it several times recently, that the last few weeks have been an absolute dream for a sports lover. Not only do we have sports biggest and greatest annual event The Tour De France, but the British and Irish Lions are currently engaged in some wonderfully competitive games with Australia and The Ashes cricket contest is just around the corner. For the spectators, these events are a thrill, but for the combatants, the athletes, they can potentially become the pinnacle of their career. The importance of these events bring out the best qualities of the athletes participating. The passion is palpable, the commitment mind-blowing.

The World 24 hour Mountain Bike Event to be held at Mt. Stromlo in Canberra this year may not be as grand as the illustrious events already mentioned but for many involved, it offers the highest level of competition imaginable. For elite competitors like multiple World Champion Jason English, Matt Page of the UK, Ed McDonald, Sam and Scott Chancellor and Andrew Hall it will be amongst their most significant events of the year. For those contesting age category podium positions it may be the most important. Personally, WEMBO's 24 hour event represents the culmination of a years training and sacrifice.

I have completed seven solo 24 hour events, won two and podiumed five times in age group and finished in the top 15 overall five times. However, as my experience has grown, my expectations have changed dramatically, thereby altering my preparation and training for subsequent events.



In 2010, barely 4 months after my first ever mountain bike race, I took part in the Australian National Solo 24 hour. I came 5th in age and 25th overall. I was riding a heavy all-mountain bike, had enough lights to last a mere 5 hours of darkness and I was clueless about nutrition and race strategy.

In October 2010, I rode the World 24 hour solo at Mt. Stromlo, Canberra and came 12th in age and 74th overall. I rode a cross-country bike and was better prepared but I was basically just happy to be a part of such a big occasion. 

In 2013, I made it my goal to win the World 24 hour solo in October. My race schedule, my training, my bikes and equipment and my overall preparation is geared purely for this purpose. 

The Players

Benji Morris, Jason McAvoy, Damian Gillard, Dave Langley and Andrew Wells are just a few of the riders I will need to overcome to achieve my race goal. More are sure to emerge as the event draws closer.

The Necessary Attributes

In life, no one can accurately predict the future. Destiny holds her cards close to her chest and twists and turns lurk in the shadows shrouded in mystery. It is therefore important to make the most of what might be a once in a lifetime opportunity provided by a World Championship held in Australia. One event can define you as a person - not for anyone else but for yourself.

The pressure to perform brings out the best in some while others flounder. I believe, this is because there are two kinds of people. Some would say winners and losers but I would more accurately call them survivors and victims. The latter will blame others for their current situation and will direct their attention to past events. The former will accept their predicament and build a survival plan which will eventually lead to success. The riders I lock horns with on the track every week are survivors who have the requisite attributes - regularly racing against 'winners' like Garry James, Peter Selkrig, Jason McAvoy and Mike Israel brings out the best in all of us.

3. Commitment: Short and long term goals need to be set and training dedicated to achieving those goals. This will mean going the extra yard and pushing that extra few percent despite the suffering and pain. At times, it is prudent to remind yourself that discomfort is merely temporary.

4. Preparation: Since returning from England in February I have increased my training to an average of 500 km and over 20 hours a week which should hold me in good stead come October's test of endurance. I have invested in two new, carbon fibre cross-country 29er race bikes (a Turner Czar and a Giant Anthem Advanced 0), consulted a nutritionist and naturpath to hone my nutrition and recovery, have a
regular massage at least once a week, and bought brighter and better Exposure night
lights to help me through the critical hours ridden in the dark.

5. Composure: Setting the standards high leads to additional pressure. The separating factor between success and failure is often the ability to deal with this pressure. For the most successful, pressure brings out the best they have to offer. Composure comes from confidence and confidence is built on solid preparation.



The Result

Only time will tell, but I hope that I have harnassed the necessary skills which will will detemine my success this year. In the lyrics to the 2002 hit record 'Lose Yourself' Eminem rapped:

Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted…one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?
...
You own it, you better never let it go 
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime


Eminem may have been referring to the personal journey of a rapper but his words are pertinent to all those athletes, no matter their level, undertaking a once in a lifetime opportunity to achieve a dream of success that would live with them for the rest of their life.