The hub for marathon mountain biking
‘What if’ – A worded construct that, if allowed, can taunt and tease a person. The phrase has remained omnipresent throughout history to play on the minds of those who could smell victory but instead tasted defeat. At times a bike race can be a metaphor for history, or even life in general. A compression […]
This weekend the forests of the Southern Highlands will once again play host to the Camelbak Highland Fling. Having already cemented itself as a classic among Australian marathon races, the ‘Fling’ has continued to grow and for 2015 it serves as the thrilling finale to the Maverick Marathon Series. For some, the Fling serves as […]
Although I would like to say I’m a self-sufficient and could go into the wilderness on a six-hour epic and return having survived by squeezing water from rocks and eating snake meat, I must admit that I do require a few more ‘cushy’ survival necessities when I go for a ride. A couple of bottles […]
The off-season can be paradoxical at times. One minute you’re glad to have some time off the bike to pursue other activities, like eating chocolate cake, and the next all you want to do is get back on the bike! After a long season skipping along to the, at times, monotonous beat of wake up […]
There isn’t much that hasn’t been written or said about the altitude training haven of Livigno. Sitting high in the Italian Alps, Livigno has become one of the most desired high altitude training locations in Europe. A desire built upon high alpine passes, flowing backcountry and bike park singletrack and, of course, Italian coffee! After […]
Euphoria; a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness. A feeling of euphoria swept through the event village when the Swiss rider led the race. The dictionary people didn’t use that example, but they probably should have. Although ‘the Swiss rider’ could be easily replaced by the name Nino, and still be fitting! The […]
The small alpine community of Courmayeur is situated beneath the monolithic Monte Bianco peak on the Italian side of the French-Italian border. Towering at some 4810m Monte Bianco, or otherwise known by its less melodic name Mont Blanc, is Europe’s tallest mountain. A suitable location to hold a mountain bike race! Being a ski town, […]
After last years successful trip to the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena I thought I would base my first European training camp for this year around the area again. With a large variety of climbs and roads to choose from and ideal weather it was the best choice. I was looking forward to getting some quality training in after […]
After five weeks, Chapter 1 of my European racing trip has come to an end. And just like a good book it went exceedingly fast. From Germany to Austria to the Czech Republic and back to Germany, each country and race has thrown up its fair share of challenges. Four back-to-back top level XC races […]
For the last two years the Nove Mesto World Cup has been voted as riders favourite and with one lap around the course it’s easy to see why. The course is exciting with technical rock gardens and climbs with multiple lines that provide epic wheel-to-wheel battles that are sure to excite the crowd. Speaking of […]
