This would be the first National Marathon Championships I’ve done since 2013 or 2014 where I’ve not seen myself as the favourite to win. After winning in 2015, 2016, and 2019 a lot has changed. I’m married, dad to an amazing toddler, and the coaching business has gone from a small startup to a full […]
Reef to Reef Day Four – just tempo
Words: Imogen Smith Firstly, a clarification. The suggestion that Mike ride the last 17 kilometres to the finish of Stage 3 on our only back wheel after sitting at the feedzone for a couple of hours was mine – not the other mixed racers’, not the R2R people, and definitely, definitely not Mike’s. Also, we […]
Reef to Reef Stage 3 – another banger of a ride
By Imogen Smith Ahhhh good old stage race mass starts. I’ll never learn to love them. Today we rolled out in two big waves on super fast gravel roads around Wetherby Station, host of many Croc Trophy stages (oh the trauma). While I wouldn’t describe the start as hectic, strictly speaking, it was definitely intense. […]
Reef to Reef Stage 2 – mixed racing
Words: Imogen Smith | Photos: Tim Bardsley-Smith It was an early start today, getting up at five am so I had enough time to remove the ‘murder plastic’ from the hotel windows (my DIY blackout solution, which BTW is amazing) and pack two bikes, two bike bags, two gear bags, and somehow, about fourteen other […]
Reef to Reef Stage 1 – Good vibes only
By: Imogen SmithPhotos: Tim Bardsley-Smith Today’s Stage 1 of Reef to Reef in gorgeous Cairns was a 17 kilometre time trial through Smithfield’s world class XC trails. I’m racing with long time partner Mike (and long time husband) in a return to doing what we love together after three years off. So how did it go? […]
Trans-Sylvania Epic 2022 – Life on the Rocks
The 2022 running of the Trans-Sylvania Epic 3 or 5 day stage race saw 260 riders rolling the rough mountains of Central Pennsylvania in style. In its third year after being reinvigorated by the current promotion team the TSE showed that its back and better than ever. The format remains a 3 or 5 day […]
Belgian Mountainbike Challenge: 4 Days of Fireworks
The race takes over the town of La Roche en Ardenne which is overlooked by the medieval castle and surrounding Ardenne hills. The spectacular surroundings add to the drama of the race and buzz around the town during race week.
Roc d’Ardenne: The return of MTB racing to the beautiful Ardenne hills.
After a two-year absence almost 4,000 mountain bike enthusiasts flocked to Houffalize for the seventh edition of Roc d’Ardenne. Great weather and beautiful courses saw participants crossing the finish line with a big smile. For me it had been 24 months without racing at this level I felt ready to step on the gas again. […]
Cape Epic Stage Seven 2022
The Absa Cape Epic 2022 final stage delivered a day that saw the event’s history books rewritten as Speed Company Racing overcame a two minute and 45 second deficit to claim the yellow Men’s category leader jerseys and the overall title at Val de Vie Estate. The CM.com Women’s category saw Candice Lill and Mariske Strauss race to […]
Cape Epic Stage Five 2022
Stage Five of the 2022 Cape Epic took riders to Stellenbosch, one of the homes of mountain biking in South Africa. But it wasn’t without challenge (hey, it’s the Epic) as the iconic Rusty Gate climb was tackled right from the gun! NinetyOne-songo-Specialized strengthen lead Sofia Gómez Villafane and Haley Batten (NinetyOne-songo-Specialized) won Stage 5 […]