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. 

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.

I glanced up at the airport clock as it flicked to 13.55 on Sunday the 13th May 2012. Armed with my Turner Flux and the scantest of essentials, I was awaiting the final boarding call for the 24 hour flight to Milan where I would rendezvous with my wife and drive south to Finale Ligure, on the Italian Riviera. My intention was to become the World Champion for the 40-44 age group in the inaugural WEMBO World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championship. Nobody could have possibly envisaged such an audacious objective two and a half years earlier. 

In November 2009, a friend had asked me to ride in a team of two at the Fat Tyre Festival at Ourimbah and I readily accepted the invitation. Although I had never even considered racing before, I had just started to commute the ten kilometres to work and even managed to squeeze in a few hours of social mountain biking on weekends. How hard could approximately four hours of racing be? 

The night before the race I received a call. My team mate was out - his daughter was sick and he needed to be at the hospital. I was now thrust into a team of one. Okay, this would be a lot tougher but I had built up a reputation as an endurance athlete from my younger years playing semi-professional rugby league. And I had the mental toughness and tenacity to just persevere when situations became more difficult. Still no problem. I was actually looking forward to the increased challenge.

On the day of the race the sun had decided to fire up early and as I heaved out the bulky Diamondback Mission 3 all-mountain bike the mercury had already nudged to sweltering levels. I had no idea of how to set up so I planned on coming off track to the boot of my car for water and food supplies. I insanely left a peanut butter sandwich beside the track on a low tree stump and headed for the start line.

Ourimbah is still one of my favourite mountain bike trails but today it was unleashing unrestrained devastation on a great many riders. Ambulances were appearing far too frequently as riders succumbed to the sizzling temperatures. It was announced that the race would be cut short for safety reasons. On the last lap my chain snapped but with help I was able to limp back to transition. Unbelievably, I finished 3rd in the Masters category and would podium in my first ever race. The seeds to the next few years’ obsession had been sown!

Shortly after, I joined the Western Sydney Mountain Bike Club and my next three races were part of the club’s Stan’s No-Tubes 4 hour enduro series; my lights cut out in the Twilight race and my chain broke again in the third. I entered the club’s ‘B’ grade race in March and set off too fast, was swamped by the majority of the riders and was soon to have a spectacular crash launching myself into a double somersault over the the handlebars. This rather inauspicious start to my racing career did little to dampen my spirits.

Scouring the internet for upcoming races I came across the CORC 24 hour National Solo event. Now at this time it was prudent to sign up for races in the first few hours because the popular races had a tendency to sell out extremely quickly. I typed in my details and without thinking I submitted my payment. When I told Greer, my wife, she was slightly taken aback not quite believing what I had let myself in for.

That night I had a restless sleep. What had I done? Was it too late to get my money back? Firstly, I had only raced five times the longest being of six hours duration. I would have to ride eighteen hours more. Secondly, I was poorly equipped with a single bike that was more suitable for social riding, lights that lasted a mere hour last time out and, probably the most pertinent point, there were only two weeks’ before the actual race. As I struggled to sleep I resolved to dramatically increase my training to 24 hours in the first week and then taper the week before the race. I slept a few nervous, uneasy hours.

Incredibly, I found the time to train as I had planned and so I went to Majura Pines in Canberra fairly confident I could survive the ordeal. Greer insisted I sleep for a few hours during the night and with this I lined my bike up at the start. In honour of James Williamson there would be a parade lap, a fitting tribute to the recently passed solo World Champion. 

During this slower first lap and about three kilometres in, my chain snapped once again. With so much practice I was now extremely adept at fixing this issue and I was able to rejoin at the back of the race. At the end of the lap I came into transition, found my tent deep within the camping paddock and replaced the ridiculously short chain with a new one. The next few hours involved overtaking the slower riders. I gradually clawed my way back into contention in the Masters category moving from 25th and last to 9th as the sun fell beyond the horizon.

Now I was racing alongside Dave Eccles the eventual winner of the Super Masters and also a first timer in 24 hour solo’s albeit with far greater experience and wisdom in racing strategy. We had met the day before as we set up our camp and we immediately struck a friendship that is still strong today. We swapped positions on the track but we would invariably roll in together and this was helping both of us to maintain a steady tempo during the lonely night hours.

Then disaster struck. I had brought several vista halogen light batteries but their charge level had dropped with age and soon the final battery’s rapidly fading light flickered into oblivion. It was only 2.30 am and I panicked believing my race was almost certainly over. I had been feeling quite strong so this was a mighty body blow. However, Jason Dreggs was alongside me in transition and he came to my rescue lending me a spare light and battery and his pit crew swiftly went to work to fit my newly acquired night guide. I rolled away into the forest with enough illumination to ensure I made the dawn.

With the rising sun, I was invigorated in a way only a 24 hour soloist would understand. Six hours to go and we were almost there. At ten past eleven I was eighth. I figured I could punch out two more laps and I felt a sudden surge of energy. On the drive down to Canberra, Greer had predicted I would finish 5th and I remember laughing at such a ludicrous and ill-informed suggestion and at the misplaced faith she had in my ability.

I started to stand at every opportunity in order to squeeze the last of the strength from my race-wearied legs. I was passing several people on track but I had no idea which category they were in. My last two laps were as fast as my initial day times and as I crossed the line to start my penultimate lap I glanced at the large Castech timing board and I was 5th. I was elated and I held up five fingers shouting in stunned disbelief to Greer, my own personal soothsayer. Brett Bellchambers calls the last lap of a 24 hour race the ‘Glory Lap’ and this was certainly how it felt as I bid farewell to every hill climb, pine tree and mushroom that adorned that course.

I had qualified for the World’s in Canberra and as I crossed the line I was asked by the event compere if I would race at Mt. Stromlo. I remember saying ‘I’ll have to now’ and this was affectionately repeated for the other competitors and support crews to chuckle about.

I now had a ‘race goal’ and I trained and raced to this end, my passion for riding undeterred. I continued to make mistakes in races which included going to the wrong start line in Capital Punishment (which I didn’t realise until the 45k to go sign appeared 50k too early). As many might remember this turned out to be, as Beyonce would say, a ‘beautiful nightmare’ because the race took place in torrential rain, mud and freezing temperatures and as a result I was able to complete this particular race with only minimal damage to body and bike.

In April 2010, I bought my first genuine cross country bike for the Worlds, a Scott Spark 20, and managed to place 12th in Masters and 74th overall. In February 2011, I won for the first time at Rocky Trail’s 6+6 at a blistering hot Del Rio Resort at Wiseman’s Ferry. Further success in races followed and the highlight of 2011 was winning the Chocolate Foot Singletrack Mind Series.

So it was in Finale Ligure, Italy that I would attempt to win the Solo 40-44 category. Riders from all over Europe, North and South America, New Zealand and twelve from Australia would all participate in a truly international event. The course was spectacular with the riders greeted with sweeping views over the Ligurian Sea from steep cliff vantage points. After a hectic Le Mans running start, I settled into my race rhythm and was soon up to 3rd. During the night I had gained a place but not without some drama. During one night lap I started to micro-nap which became quite frightening on the second loop which involved some dizzying descents along the precipitous cliff side. Fortunately, the Aussies in transition heard my cries for instant caffeine and after a red bull and a no-doze I completed the next lap not only revitilised but at break-neck speed.

As I crossed the line for the last time I had placed second in the world for my age and 14th overall. I had come such a long way in a relatively short period of time. Reflecting back, I had started racing solo only because of a little girl’s sickness, and participating in 24 hour events due primarily to my fear of missing out on registration. But this tough and unforgiving race had somehow started to consume me with a undeniable passion.

I am currently ranked by Cycle Nation as the number one masters rider and fifth overall. My goal in 2013 is to become Solo World Champion at Mt. Stromlo in October but I will have to overcome some exceptional competitors in the 40-44 age category who are bound to push me to the very limits of my abilities. Without question, the sport of endurance mountain biking has never been stronger, particularly in Australia, and I intend to savour this amazing period in my life for a long, long time to come.