Multi-lap endurance MTB events were somewhat of a revolution in the mid 2000s as the advent of 24 hour racing, 12 hour and many 8 hour events popped up on the calendar and quickly became very popular. In the years following the marathon discipline grew offering a more invigorating experience for multiple hours on the […]
5 takeaways from a 500km day in the saddle
As a former road racer I have always been a fan of big miles on the bike for training. As a cycling coach now (Mind Matters Athlete Coaching) I still endorse the benefits of a solid endurance base that can only be strengthened through extended duration in the saddle. But how far is too far […]
Hellfire Cup Sprint Stage Race Wraps up in Tasmania
Related Event: Hellfire Cup
The final two days of the Hellfire Cup have wrapped up on the stunning Tasman Peninsula outside Hobart, Tasmania. Friday evening brought with it a rather catastrophic forecast with sever weather warnings given to the race area of catastrophic winds of over 110km/h. Subsequently the race organisers ‘Storm Bay Productions’ headed by Tasmanian MTB personality […]
Action underway at Tasmania’s premier stage race.
Related Event: Hellfire Cup
The Hellfire Cup now in it’s 5th year has quickly become a staple in the Australian MTB stage race calendar. Always attracting a high quality field of racers from across the country. The race is located an easy 45minute drive from the island’s growing major city Hobart meaning logistics and access is very straightforward. The […]
Masters Racing at Australian XCM Championships
Related Event: Australian XCM Championships
With the Australian XCM Championships arriving in Derby, Tasmania for the second year running, it was another time when racing would run over both days of the weekend. As such, Masters racing and other non-elite categories races today on the Saturday. Given the dry summer season the trails in Derby were dusty and in prime […]
Australian XCM Championship schedule announced
Last week, Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), announced the schedule for the upcoming 2016 Australian XCM Championships in Derby, Tasmania. In 2014, MTBA committed to holding the race in Derby for two consecutive years. Last year, the rugged course on the Blue Derby trail crowned Brendan Johnston and Jenny Blair as Australian National Champions. In 2016, […]
Hellfire Cup Stage 2: All For One And One For All
Related Event: Hellfire Cup
Hmm. “So what you’re saying is that I have to do the four laps on my own? I can’t just do 2?” That was the question I had to pose during the downtime between Stage 1 and 2 this afternoon. After having a fantastic ride this morning on the opening 25km stage of the 2015 […]
Hellfire Cup Stage 1: And The Racing Is Tight
Related Event: Hellfire Cup
Designed to attract mountain bikers from all over the country, the Hellfire Cup enters into its 3rd year for 2015. It’s a stage race, but it’s a little different to your average mountain bike stage race. And after you meet event organiser Duncan Giblin, you’ll understand why. First and foremost, the Hellfire Cup is primarily […]
Australian XCM Championships preview: Blue Derby
Related Event: Australian XCM Championships
All photos by Oliver King. The launch of the Blue Derby trails in North East Tasmania have received a lot of attention, and that is completely justified. The development of the trail network there has been made in the hope of rejuvenating the town and surrounding communities that have shrunk since mining stopped and forestry […]
Anthony Shippard: Dissecting the Hellfire Cup
It’s very hard to write-up a stage race – so much happens within each stage that putting it all together makes for such a huge long list of events that it’s impossible to get the ‘feel’ for the event. Instead of writing up a blow-by-blow account of who won what, and who punctured when, let’s leave […]