December 9th, 2010
Australian Racing Scene...

The end of one summer means the beginning of another. That’s what I thought but since being back in Australia there has been more rainy days than sunny ones. None the less I have been trying to get out on the bike as much as possible. Working for trailmix.com.au has been amazing, we are a specialized and s-works dealer so that cross over was smooth. The crew is so passionate about riding it’s hard not to be happy at work. We have social rides and dirt crits threw out the week to keep you racing fit along with skills clinics. One week after landing in Australia I was put into a 4 man team adventurebrands.com.au for the jeep 24hr enduro. Not sure what a 24 hr enduro is? Well the name says it all you pretty much race in one of the categories from solo to 6 man and you race around a track for24hrs most laps wins.

After having one month off the bike due to injury I was un sure of how I would hold up but had to get it done. I was due to be out 1st but miss the start so I was out next for the team. I had my lung almost fall out in my 1st lap but still posed a good time considering. Waiting for another 3 hrs till I went out again was a relief, I checked over my bike and realise that I had no front or rear pads left. I switched bikes to the hard tail and just got it done. Was a funny felling being back on a hard tail again but it was a fun lap. Another 3 hrs passed and the rain kept falling. I went out for my 3rd lap at around 12 fastest lap for the team I was stoked to hit some form. Bike was fast and I was feeling great then 1 hour before I was due to go out for the 4th Iap I had a turn for the worst and threw up.

I tried to get on the bike and make a come back but it wasn’t going to happen. I had to pull the pin due to the lack of energy; this wasn’t all that bad as I moved into support roll for other teams. I lasted till 3 in the morning then had to go to bed till 7 once I woke it was still raining and hadn’t stopped all night. The rest of my team went to bed due to injuries and being cold. It wasn’t till the last 30min of the race that it stopped raining. We finished 2nd last in a group but the main thing was that we were out there giving it a go and it was awesome to be out there with the mates. Pack up went smooth and we were pub bound buy 5pm then back in bed at 10 for some much needed rest.

It's now time to save some money and get a road bike to get the fitness back up to Australian standards. Till next time happy riding or skiing where ever you might be.

Luke Garside (Wobbles)

(not a racing shot, but a classic shot of riding in OZ!)

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