The 2010 Mont 24 Hour saw over 2600 riders flock to one of Canberra’s most popular mountain bike venues, Sparrow Hill. With its gentle flowing single track and wide open spaces Sparrow easily accommodated the masses as they got together for the challenge and the celebration that is 24 hour team racing.
Le Man's start
While the official racing kicked off at 12 noon on Saturday, Friday night saw ‘Rawhide Roller Racing’ with up to four riders facing off against each other in a battle of power. Mounted on a brightly illuminated stage on stationary bikes, riders gave it everything in front of cheering onlookers. The battles took place in the centre of the race village with riders efforts displayed on large screens for viewers to watch as the sprint races unfolded. The event was not just for the pro’s, with riders of all abilities and all ages getting involved, eager to gain bragging rights against their mates.
With the death of former 24 Hour Solo National and World Champion James Williamson, riders took part in a ‘ride with Willo’ at 12 noon to remember a champion cyclist and well known good guy of Australian mountain biking. As a gesture to James’s memory, the start was moved to 1pm.
The renowned Le Mans style start saw 535 representatives of each team begin with a 600 metre run to their waiting bikes. In a cloud of organised chaos the race was underway. This is what the 1000 locals and 1600 interstate competitors had been waiting 12 months for.
Competitors faced a 19 kilometre lap consisting of over 80% single track, full of fun corners, thrilling downhill sections and challenging but always achievable climbs. Winding through the forest the trails took riders on a tour of some of Sparrows Hill’s best tracks including ‘Wonderland’ and ‘Spaghetti Western’. Riders returned happy and with a sense of achievement after completing a demanding but rewarding lap for those with a small base of fitness.
Riders undertook the 24 hours in teams ranging from serious teams of four looking to win the event and prestige of Mont Champions to ‘Cruiser’ teams of up to 10 riders looking for a more laid back approach, perhaps devoting more of their energy to ‘celebrating’ all that is 24 hour racing. Teams were generally classified into mixed, male and female categories and each one would see some fierce but friendly competition. Junior teams were also a big show at the event with some impressive talent showcased, perhaps by the future winners of the event. Separate kids races were also held for those who weren’t quite ‘big’ enough to take on the full lap.
While the racing was underway the action was not restricted to the trails with constant competitions and prize giveaways. A massage tent could also be found with riders making use of the services to aid their tiring muscles.
Special treatment
‘Track stand’ competitions were held in transition as the atmosphere in the village never swayed. With the constant hustle and bustle of competitors and onlookers alike making their way between tents, transition, food and drink outlets and product displays the event was buzzing.
The ‘MTB Film Festival’ was also held during the race with people submitting various films showcasing a wide range of bike related action. With plenty of the latest gear for devotee’s to drool over and bikes to test ride, the Mont was a place to check out what’s new in the scene but at the same time get down to the grass roots of what makes mountain biking enjoyable.
Transition at night
As teams rode through the night (some chose not to, enjoying the comfort of their campsites) the weather remained kind as the clouds rolled over to keep the warmth in. This made it much easier to be woken by your team mate, informing you of your imminent 3am night lap. Despite the hours of darkness deep into the night the village was always alive with riders coming in and going out for laps and transition was always busy with fellow riders willing to discuss the lunacy of riding in the forest at those hours.
As the sun rose so did the energy levels as riders completed their last one or two laps to finish off an enjoyable weekend on the trails. As the clocked ticked over to 12 noon riders added to a total of 9937 laps, equating to a distance of 4.8 times around the planet. In the highly competitive four’s ‘Giant 4’s’ and ‘Onya Mal Adjusted Chicks’ took out the Male and Female categories respectively while ‘Team Anytime Fitness’ and ‘Erina Bikeworx’ won the six’s.
With tens of thousands of dollars worth of products given away at the presentation, random prize draws and a massive raffle for the ‘Brendan Johnston Fundraiser’ everyone left with a smile on their face, a great sense of satisfaction and eager to return next year to one of the countries greatest endurance events.
Zoe Binder from team 'Odd one out'
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Canberra: 12°
2010 MONT 24 Hour Report
The 2010 Mont 24 Hour saw over 2600 riders flock to one of Canberra’s most popular mountain bike venues, Sparrow Hill. With its gentle flowing single track and wide open spaces Sparrow easily accommodated the masses as they got together for the challenge and the celebration that is 24 hour team racing.
Le Man's start
While the official racing kicked off at 12 noon on Saturday, Friday night saw ‘Rawhide Roller Racing’ with up to four riders facing off against each other in a battle of power. Mounted on a brightly illuminated stage on stationary bikes, riders gave it everything in front of cheering onlookers. The battles took place in the centre of the race village with riders efforts displayed on large screens for viewers to watch as the sprint races unfolded. The event was not just for the pro’s, with riders of all abilities and all ages getting involved, eager to gain bragging rights against their mates.
With the death of former 24 Hour Solo National and World Champion James Williamson, riders took part in a ‘ride with Willo’ at 12 noon to remember a champion cyclist and well known good guy of Australian mountain biking. As a gesture to James’s memory, the start was moved to 1pm.
The renowned Le Mans style start saw 535 representatives of each team begin with a 600 metre run to their waiting bikes. In a cloud of organised chaos the race was underway. This is what the 1000 locals and 1600 interstate competitors had been waiting 12 months for.
Competitors faced a 19 kilometre lap consisting of over 80% single track, full of fun corners, thrilling downhill sections and challenging but always achievable climbs. Winding through the forest the trails took riders on a tour of some of Sparrows Hill’s best tracks including ‘Wonderland’ and ‘Spaghetti Western’. Riders returned happy and with a sense of achievement after completing a demanding but rewarding lap for those with a small base of fitness.
While the racing was underway the action was not restricted to the trails with constant competitions and prize giveaways. A massage tent could also be found with riders making use of the services to aid their tiring muscles.
Special treatment
‘Track stand’ competitions were held in transition as the atmosphere in the village never swayed. With the constant hustle and bustle of competitors and onlookers alike making their way between tents, transition, food and drink outlets and product displays the event was buzzing.
The ‘MTB Film Festival’ was also held during the race with people submitting various films showcasing a wide range of bike related action. With plenty of the latest gear for devotee’s to drool over and bikes to test ride, the Mont was a place to check out what’s new in the scene but at the same time get down to the grass roots of what makes mountain biking enjoyable.
Transition at night
As teams rode through the night (some chose not to, enjoying the comfort of their campsites) the weather remained kind as the clouds rolled over to keep the warmth in. This made it much easier to be woken by your team mate, informing you of your imminent 3am night lap. Despite the hours of darkness deep into the night the village was always alive with riders coming in and going out for laps and transition was always busy with fellow riders willing to discuss the lunacy of riding in the forest at those hours.
As the sun rose so did the energy levels as riders completed their last one or two laps to finish off an enjoyable weekend on the trails. As the clocked ticked over to 12 noon riders added to a total of 9937 laps, equating to a distance of 4.8 times around the planet. In the highly competitive four’s ‘Giant 4’s’ and ‘Onya Mal Adjusted Chicks’ took out the Male and Female categories respectively while ‘Team Anytime Fitness’ and ‘Erina Bikeworx’ won the six’s.
With tens of thousands of dollars worth of products given away at the presentation, random prize draws and a massive raffle for the ‘Brendan Johnston Fundraiser’ everyone left with a smile on their face, a great sense of satisfaction and eager to return next year to one of the countries greatest endurance events.
Zoe Binder from team 'Odd one out'