La Dolce Vita and the Passion for Life
Life is Beautiful. Every now and again, a few days roll around and the wonder of life comes erupting to the surface, its unbridled form morphing into everyday life. Invariably, it is not until days later that the beauty of these moments are fully realised and subsequently cherished. The weekend of the 17th and 18th of May was undoubtedly, one of those all too rare moments.
The 315 km road trip from Sydney to Taree passed in a blink of the eye as James Lamb 'Chops' and I swapped stories with a sprinkling of wisdom and a generous dollop of humour. On arriving at the race venue, the extended mountain bike family, who gather five times annually for a Chocolate Foot biking extravaganza, were quick to greet us and to welcome Chops back to the racing fold, from which he has been absent for far too long. Aware of last year's nocturnal sojourn among drop bears and vampire bats the previous time I was in these wild parts, I pulled myself away from the throngs of biking friends and onto the track for a rapid practice lap. Chops carved perfect lines through Kiwarrak State Forest and I clung to the hole in the air he left behind. The lap over, we met Mike Israel at the Crescent Motel, before driving all over town in search of decent food, finally settling on a eating establishment, approximately 50 metres from our starting point! A few competitive games of pool, with race partner Mike and I pairing up to obliterate the impressive Chops and Timmy 'Trick-shot' Stubenrauch, were followed by a quality Taree 'chicken parmigiana' straight from a 'Big W' microwave. The local rock band was about to stir up the natives and so we made a hasty retreat past the drunken female forms, who were starting to sniff out fresh, foreign blood, the facial hair beginning to sprout across their cold, rabid, staring eyes.
The 315 km road trip from Sydney to Taree passed in a blink of the eye as James Lamb 'Chops' and I swapped stories with a sprinkling of wisdom and a generous dollop of humour. On arriving at the race venue, the extended mountain bike family, who gather five times annually for a Chocolate Foot biking extravaganza, were quick to greet us and to welcome Chops back to the racing fold, from which he has been absent for far too long. Aware of last year's nocturnal sojourn among drop bears and vampire bats the previous time I was in these wild parts, I pulled myself away from the throngs of biking friends and onto the track for a rapid practice lap. Chops carved perfect lines through Kiwarrak State Forest and I clung to the hole in the air he left behind. The lap over, we met Mike Israel at the Crescent Motel, before driving all over town in search of decent food, finally settling on a eating establishment, approximately 50 metres from our starting point! A few competitive games of pool, with race partner Mike and I pairing up to obliterate the impressive Chops and Timmy 'Trick-shot' Stubenrauch, were followed by a quality Taree 'chicken parmigiana' straight from a 'Big W' microwave. The local rock band was about to stir up the natives and so we made a hasty retreat past the drunken female forms, who were starting to sniff out fresh, foreign blood, the facial hair beginning to sprout across their cold, rabid, staring eyes.
Arsenal 3 2 Hull City - FA Cup Final (Getty Images, 2014) I had booked a hotel room alone so I could engage in one of my greatest solo night time passions. I didn't want to disturb others with my screaming, knowing I would feel pain and ecstasy in equal measure, but unaware that my frustration would turn to such joy at its climax.
Arsenal were striving to end nine years of suffering without a trophy by taking on Hull City in the FA Cup Final, the world's oldest Football Cup Competition. Having watched Arsenal for nearly 45 years, I knew that being massive favourites made absolutely no difference. After eight minutes, it was 2-0 to Hull and it could have been worse if Gibbs hadn't headed off the line after twelve minutes. Arsenal hadn't really touched the ball. However, Arsenal eventually stirred into action and nine minutes later Santi Cazorla scored a fantastic free-kick to make it 2-1 With just 19 minutes left, Koscielny swivelled in the box to equalise for Arsenal. In the second period of extra time, our talisman, Aaron Ramsey slotted home a wonderful goal from a Giroud backflick and Arsenal were FA Cup Champions. A magic moment that will live long in the memory.
Arsenal were striving to end nine years of suffering without a trophy by taking on Hull City in the FA Cup Final, the world's oldest Football Cup Competition. Having watched Arsenal for nearly 45 years, I knew that being massive favourites made absolutely no difference. After eight minutes, it was 2-0 to Hull and it could have been worse if Gibbs hadn't headed off the line after twelve minutes. Arsenal hadn't really touched the ball. However, Arsenal eventually stirred into action and nine minutes later Santi Cazorla scored a fantastic free-kick to make it 2-1 With just 19 minutes left, Koscielny swivelled in the box to equalise for Arsenal. In the second period of extra time, our talisman, Aaron Ramsey slotted home a wonderful goal from a Giroud backflick and Arsenal were FA Cup Champions. A magic moment that will live long in the memory.
A frantic start to the race With just three hours sleep, I dragged my physical form to the race track and was relieved to know I wasn't required to ride 7 straight hours against the likes of Jason McAvoy, Stu Adams, Dave Langley, Ian Bridgland and even Garry James, who was now riding in the newly formed Super Masters Category, much to everyone else's relief. Furthermore, Mike was keen to set the early pace and this meant I could relax for the first half an hour.
I stood at the top of the first fireroad climb, and was amazed at the sheer number of riders who were competing. The pace at the front was frenetic, but both Mike and Chops had positioned themselves among the leading riders, vindicating the decision to let Mike start first for our newly formed 'Turner and Hooch' team.
I stood at the top of the first fireroad climb, and was amazed at the sheer number of riders who were competing. The pace at the front was frenetic, but both Mike and Chops had positioned themselves among the leading riders, vindicating the decision to let Mike start first for our newly formed 'Turner and Hooch' team.
 |  |  Mike, Dave, Chops, Fi, Kylie Mac & 'Gooner' Roland Rat |
It wasn't long before Mike came charging into transition, and as I quickly hit top speed, I spotted Chops ahead and in my cross-hairs. On the microphone, Joe was quick to notice this and announce that I would be hunting him down over the next lap. Like a dog to a bone, I managed to close on his wheel, with a solitary rider in between. For four kilometres, this was an absolute thrill of a roller coaster ride. The track was insanely fast and I was 'swooping' like a peregrine falcon through the incredibly groomed trails. Apparently, some diligent soul had spent over six hours walking the 10 km trail network with an industrial leaf blower in order to clear the track of sticks and leaves. The result was an unbelievably fast track that was an absolute dream to ride. With half the course complete, I suddenly realised I had pushed myself into the dreaded 'red zone'. As a solo rider, I am not used to this ferocious pace among the very quickest riders. The lactate had flooded my body and I had to back off and let Chops go. I tried to limit the damage and recover the heart rate by maintaining a less frantic pace.
Another lap of 'swooping' Taree Trails Mike and I had marked the 'Benny and the Jet' pairing of Mark Hardy and Ben Edols as the team to beat. We were soon to build a slender lead over them, which opened up more significantly when Ben twice dropped his chain and then suffered a slow puncture. However, we were getting our asses kicked by 'Trek Racing Australia' featuring Masters National Champion, Darren Smith, and the all-powerful Richard Piel. Like Hull had succumbed to Arsenal pressure hours earlier, I was hoping 'Trek Racing' would suffer the same fate. After establishing an early lead, the similarities and parallels would end right there. Not even Arsenal super coach Arsene Wenger could have roused us to an unlikey victory in this particular contest. The Trek boys remained formidably strong and consistent throughout and finished victorious in Masters Pairs and fourth overall.
'Turner and Hooch' finished the race second in category and 11th overall, with Ben and Mark rounding out the podium. Jason English, Ed McDonald and Andrew Lloyd made up the solo elite podium, with Chops a creditable 5th (and 25th overall) in his comeback race.
It was, without doubt, a remarkable weekend combining great racing on sensational trails, wonderful times with brilliant mountain bike friends and an Arsenal win that will live long in the memory. Mogo, and the infamous 'Snake Track' awaits on the 15th June, in what is sure to be another breath-taking race, in all categories.
'Turner and Hooch' finished the race second in category and 11th overall, with Ben and Mark rounding out the podium. Jason English, Ed McDonald and Andrew Lloyd made up the solo elite podium, with Chops a creditable 5th (and 25th overall) in his comeback race.
It was, without doubt, a remarkable weekend combining great racing on sensational trails, wonderful times with brilliant mountain bike friends and an Arsenal win that will live long in the memory. Mogo, and the infamous 'Snake Track' awaits on the 15th June, in what is sure to be another breath-taking race, in all categories.
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