Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Andy's Race


The Otway Odyssey has been referred to as the hard 100ker going around, boasting some killer climbs. It starts in Apollo Bay on the great ocean road and finishes up at the mountain bike mecca of Forrest. For me I find the 100ker format very challenging, it’s kind of like making a marathon runner do a 5km run. My body seems to respond better to the longer 24hr type events. All the same I still do enjoy smashing myself in a marathon race!

The race started at 7am with over 1000 riders nestling for a good start. The first section of the race was up hill, around 1hr give or take, by the time we had reached the middle of the climb I was sitting around 20th place, riding my own race, trying to keep some fuel in the tank for later. The first feed station was at Forrest and 67km away, so 2 bidons on the bike and 1 rocket in the jersey made sure I made it to Forrest hydrated. From Forrest we headed out on a 20km single track loop, this was where I started to feel good, knowing that I would pay for it later I kicked it up a gear and started to hammer the trail. Picking up a few more places and notable names. Feed station 2 was at 87km and there we headed out on the Ay-Up Loop. This is where I started to fade, it was a long gradual dirt road climb, maybe 6 km long and in the direct midday sun. Not even my bidon of coke could pick me up, eventually making it to the top, we descended a super gnarly single track that followed an exposed ridgeline, popping back out on the dirt road and eventually the finish. 5:09, was the time and 14th was the place. Very happy.

Highlights were the steep, long, steep climbs. The sweet technical single track, the wide open fast descents and the cold beer at the finish line.

Next up, DT SWISS Mtns to Beach.

Andy



Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Results are In

Well from all accounts the race was hard and challenging and Andy did a fanastic job..... Andy placed 14th coming home in 5hr 9mins . The race itself was probably a little short for Andy as he likes anything that's 12- 24 hours, so coming in 25 minutes behind the winner was great achievement... Congratulations Andy!

The full results were:
1st Adrian Jackson, 4hrs 44mins, he had been seeded 8th and came 4th last year. Adrian is a seasoned XC and multi day racer.
2nd Lachlan Norris, 4hrs 46mins is a road specialist.
3rd Craig Gordon, 4hrs, 48mins is a former World 24hr champion and Noosa Enduro winner.

The women's results were:
1st Judith Arndt, 5hrs 49mins who is a road racer and Pursuit Olympic medalist.
2nd Katherine O'Shea, 5hrn 54mins, a national series race winner who is aiming for the Australian team for 2012 Olympics.
3rd Peta Mullens, 6hrs 1min.
and local Sunshine Coast rider Naomi Hansen coming home in 4th place with a time of 6hrs 3 minutes- Well done Naomi!
For all the juicy details and pictures go to www.rapidascent.com.au/OtwayOdyssey/

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Andy Fellows, Our Sponsored Rider


Andy has a very busy racing calendar this year and he has started brilliantly. His results have been outstanding with a 1st place at the Lunar 8hr and a 1st overall in a team of 2 for the Sydney 24hr, Andy partnered with Sean Bekkers also a Tomac sponsored rider.
Andy's next race is this weekend, the Otway Odyssey 100km with 15% bitumen, 14% unsealed road, 36% fire road or double track and 35% single track. It starts on the Victorian coast at Apollo Bay and finishes at Forrest, the town known for mountain biking. There will be some tough competition with the likes of Craig Gordon, Murray Spink (Australian Marathon Champion) and Jason English ( Australia's reigning 24 hr solo MTB world champion) however this is nothing new to Andy as he came 3rd behind Jason in the worlds last year.
We know Andy will give it his best shot and the team here at Cognition wish him the best of luck and are confident of a great result this weekend.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Noosa OOO Mountain Bike Challenge


This is an MTB bike race with a difference.... you get to have lots of fun with your mates while the money goes to a great charity, Working Wonders for sick kids. The race is on Saturday April 17th from 8am to 8pm in Pomona on the Sunshine Coast, the very same town that is home to the Noosa Enduro 100km MTB race. The Sunshine Coast District Police will be co-ordinating the race from the Pomona State School with plenty of room for camping on Friday and Saturday nights with amenities available. The site is close to town giving access to a supermarket, bakery, pub, takeaways and cafes. There will be limited catering so it is highly recommended to bring your own sustenance for the challenge.
The event will be open to solo riders and teams of 2, 3, 4 and 6 with each rider or team completing as many laps of the 12km circuit as possible within the 12 hours. All this for only $60 per rider.
Cognition will be there with on site mechanics and supplies to keep you in the race, we are proud to support such a great cause and look forward to seeing you on the day.
Rider numbers will be capped. Don' t wait, register now! For more information please go to www.workingwonders.com.au/events/

Monday, February 8, 2010

Blast from the Past - Vintage BMX Show














What a show it was!. Local Eumundi collector and Sunshine Coast BMX club member,Troy Phillips put on a great vintage BMX Show and swap meet last Sunday, a lot hard work, love and sweat went into putting this show together. Even the heavy rain and thunder could not dampen spirits or the buzz from the crowd. Check out the pictures below for some amazing models that have been restored. The mega raffle was popular with there being lots of prizes for the guys that showed off their restored beauties. The major giveaway,a brand new Retro Haro BMX donated by Cognition was won by a father and son team. The club did a great supporting the event, congratulations and well done to everyone involved.

Followers