December 11th & 12th 2005
Felt MTB National XC Championship – Round 3, Lysterfield VIC

Andy & Col entered into Round 3 of the Fat Tyre Flyers/Felt MTB Cross Country (XC) Championship on the weekend of December 11th & 12th held at Lysterfield. Lysterfield Park is a purpose built circuit which will host the 2006 Commonwealth Games MTB event. At 7.5km long, it’s not as big as the Kona 24 Hour Circuit (18.5 km) but is still characterised by different terrain/obstacles like logs, rock gardens, firetrails, fast flowing downhills and blazingly quick single track.

The weekend was highlighted by the fact that the winners of the Elite Mens & Womens classes were automatically selected to be in the Australian Commonwealth Games teams, so as you can imagine the competition was at the absolutely elite level.

We knew we were fighting above our weight when we lined up next to a bunch of factory riders, all kitted up with their $5,000 – $6,000 MTB’s…. But we had a great time. Competition riders were circulating the 5 laps of the 7.5km course in 18+ or so minutes per lap. Andy circulated in an average lap time of 26 minutes (4 laps total) and Col bought up a more sedate 33 minutes per lap (3 laps total). Whilst Andy & Col got the dreaded DNC, because it was a 5 lap race, the learning curve and the sense of achievement of even getting out there was fantastic.

Watching and riding with these elite level riders and rubbing shoulders with them certainly bought a sense of reality to how fast you can potentially go, and overall it was totally inspiring that we were a part of the event and its something we’re keen to try again, given the opportunity in the next few months.

Regards,
Colin – Tali Karng Trackers
‘Stay Strong, stay on target’

December 11th & 12th 2005
Felt MTB National XC Championship – Round 3, Lysterfield VIC
Andy & Col entered into Round 3 of the Fat Tyre Flyers/Felt MTB Cross Country (XC) Championship on the weekend of December 11th & 12th held at Lysterfield. Lysterfield Park is a purpose built circuit which will host the 2006 Commonwealth Games MTB event. At 7.5km long, it’s not as big as the Kona 24 Hour Circuit (18.5 km) but is still characterised by different terrain/obstacles like logs, rock gardens, firetrails, fast flowing downhills and blazingly quick single track.

The weekend was highlighted by the fact that the winners of the Elite Mens & Womens classes were automatically selected to be in the Australian Commonwealth Games teams, so as you can imagine the competition was at the absolutely elite level.

We knew we were fighting above our weight when we lined up next to a bunch of factory riders, all kitted up with their $5,000 – $6,000 MTB’s…. But we had a great time. Competition riders were circulating the 5 laps of the 7.5km course in 18+ or so minutes per lap. Andy circulated in an average lap time of 26 minutes (4 laps total) and Col bought up a more sedate 33 minutes per lap (3 laps total). Whilst Andy & Col got the dreaded DNC, because it was a 5 lap race, the learning curve and the sense of achievement of even getting out there was fantastic.

Watching and riding with these elite level riders and rubbing shoulders with them certainly bought a sense of reality to how fast you can potentially go, and overall it was totally inspiring that we were a part of the event and its something we’re keen to try again, given the opportunity in the next few months.

Regards,
Colin – Tali Karng Trackers
‘Stay Strong, stay on target’