24 Hour Pedal People
30 October 2007
A team of thirteen HMAS Albatross personnel recently competed in the SCOTT 24hr Australian Defence Mountainbike (MTB) Endurance Championships with some great results. The event tests riders' skills and endurance over a very demanding course. It was the third year an Albatross team has participated in this event and this experience held them in good stead.
This year Albatross had a winning formula of two Navy Solo teams, two riders in the Navy Mixed Six and two in the Mixed Four and their own Mixed Six team. The Albatross Mixed Six team placed 19th completing 25 laps in the 24hrs.
Albatross' Most Consistent Rider with only 2 minutes between all his laps was LEUT Bill Miles and Fastest Night Lap was from LS Tricia Muller who averaged just over 16km/h.
Asked about the biggest challenges Tricia identified "The tactical sections on the tracks, having to weave between the small sharp rocks - and blowing your nose whilst going down hill in the dark with no hands on the bike. I didn't finish that evolution still standing. Ouch!"
However, the pluses more than compensated for the occasional spill "The down hill experience was wicked", Tricia said when asked about the highlights "Great rush! And like any event the atmosphere was just fantastic - and eating, I always loved it when it was time to do that!"
ASLT Chelsea Gale, an impressive member of the Navy's Mixed Six, also considered the sportsmanship and camaraderie definite highlights "Not only between myself and my team but the encouragement given by competitors of all levels was exceptional and something I have seldom experienced at previous sporting events. The view during the ride down Mt Stromlo was also amazing."
Chelsea's motivation for entering the event was the challenge it offered, both physically and mentally. "That combined with the adrenalin and excitement of MTB riding was pretty alluring! I think some people find it hard to understand why you would want to set yourself that kind of challenge," she said "It's just one of those things that you have to do yourself to understand completely. By the last lap, muscles I never knew I had were screaming at me! But then you remember that you are part of a team, and that gives you that little bit extra strength to finish it off and give it the last bit of energy that you have."
AB Jaime Warren took out Second Place in the Female ADF Rider Category and First Place for Navy in her Mixed Four team. CPO Kevin Bristow placed fourth in the Solo Male 40+ category and in Navy with thirteen laps. LS Michael Crummy, one of the Albatross Soloists, placed sixth outright and second ADF rider.
Bill Miles said of this achievement "Crummy was on a bike for 24 hrs, his only break was for a 40 minute power nap and yet he still had enough energy to raise his bike in triumph. Coming 6th out of 121 Soloists, many of whom were Olympic level athletes says a lot about his dedication and ability."
Both solo riders mentioned the huge efforts of their support crew, LS Kelvin Hockey, AB Joseph Lucas and AB Nicholas Simmons.
All up, Albatross personnel covered an impressive 996 kilometres in 24 hours. Asked to sum up the appeal of pushing your body to such limits, Bill Miles said" It was dusty, dirty, rocky, hot, cold, windy and full of blackberry bushes but what fun!"
