Alan Stewart, Kickbike in hand and dressed in Skins – the brand of the specialists in compression garments – wore long sleeves in the hope of saving his arms from the punishing Australian sun that would soon rise.

Adam Connelly – not only a great bloke, good cyclist and an exceptionally talented musician, with torch in hand did a once over of the track to check for glass and discarded bottles from any party-goers the night before.

After some fiddling with Alan’s front carbon wheel, brake adjusting and slapping of blood-thirsty mosquitos, Alan set off on his 12 hour adventure – looping over 168 turns of the 1.44km track.

Due to heavy rain and flooding the day before, the cycle track featured large puddles of water and mud which eventually gave Alan’s white Skins top the ‘camoflage’ look.

As day broke the mozzie population retired – much to the relief of the Australian Footbike Association Officials who were present to regulate and witness the event.

Food intake for Alan during the morning hours consisted of figs and water. Then moved on to more substantial nutrition in the way of Cadel Evan’s Long Distance Bars, bananas, Powerade, a tomato sandwich on multigrain bread, and lots and lots of water.

Just after lunch the wind picked up cruelly, dropping Alan’s average and throwing Jacaranda leaves all over the place – mostly into the areas where you don’t need them – the eyes and mouth!

Alan was encouraged throughout the day by cyclists from the Balmoral Cycle Club, including Adam Connelly, Mark Van Horssen of Redlands Kitchens, Tamara Harrison of the Balmoral Women’s Cycling Team, Kevin Menz from Park Bikes, Peter Dick from the much sought-after Dolan Bikes, Bruce Cook from Kickbike Australia, Brad Cassidy and Michael Keogh from Queensland Rail, old-time footbiker Graham Jenner (who took much delight in splashing water over everyone when they came near him on his Hybrid Bicycle), Pam Jenner, Deb Stewart, Lyn Armstrong (official glasses cleaner!), Bob and Rosslyn Nipperess (Rosslyn, thank you for massaging Alan’s calves during his short break), Barry and Christine Walden from BinCare Australia, James Thompson, and all of the members of the public who stopped to watch and cheer. Your support and encouragement were much appreciated – and helped to stop Alan going stir-crazy after over 168 loops of the cycle track.

Alan set the following new Australian records:

Century (100km) – 4hrs 9mins (previous record 4hrs 15mins)
Imperial Century (160.9km) – 7hrs 15mins 19secs (previous record 7hrs 58mins 4secs)
Double Century (200km) – 9hrs 28mins
10 hour Record – 210km
12 hour Record – 241.33km (previous record 210km)
Longest distance of an Australian Footbiker in a day – 241.33km (previous record 210km)

Alan says he took his inspiration to try the 12 hour odyssey from Kickbike legends Alpo Kuusisto and Mario Reijne’s 24hour rides. Alan has a new-found respect for their mental and physical stamina, and is awe-struck that they were able to maintain such fast paces over a full 24 hours.

A shower of rain greeted the start, leaving puddles on the track, and a stiff breeze kept the day cool for riders. Despite these conditions records still fell.

Due to course restraints and in anticipation of the World Championships in August this year, a 400m sprint was chosen over the regular 1km time trial. Records for the 10km race were broken by reigning champions in the men and women’s divisions – Alan Stewart bettered his time by 37 seconds and Sharon Simmons improved her performance by 24. And young Ali Hassan blasted his previous 5km record by almost 2 minutes.

The day’s results:

Female 400m sprint – Open
Sharon Simmons – 53.48secs
Karen Toll – 1min 09.43secs

Female 400m Sprint – Vet
Lyn Armstrong – 1min 03.72secs

Male 400m Sprint – Cadet
Ali Hassan – 1min 02.97secs

Male 400m Sprint – Open
Alan Stewart – 47.07secs (also 1st place in Vet Division)
Bruce Cook – 52.66secs

Male 5km – Cadet
Ali Hassan – 14min 0.63secs

Female 10km – Open
Sharon Simmons – 25min 35.36secs
Karen Toll – 33min 56.14secs

Male 10km – Open
Alan Stewart – 22min 54.14secs (also 1st place in Vet Division)
Bruce Cook – 24min 51.97secs

Thanks to family and friends for their support on the day.

Where:
Criterion Bike track
Murarrie Recreational Reserve
Wynnum Road
Murarrie
(500 metres up from Cannon Hill Shopping plaza on opposite side of road towards Gateway Motorway)

When:
Sunday 21st February 2010

Cost:
Early Bird Entry Fee:
$20 per non-members
Australian Footbike Association members $10 (not a member? Please visit the Members Page).
Late Entry: $5 extra if registering on the Day

Registration:
On the day from 6am till 6.30am (No registrations accepted after 6.30am)
Pre-register with bruce@kickbike.com.au by Friday 19th February 2010. Download your AFA Registration Form.

Racing:
Commences at 7am

Competitors Briefing:
6.30am – all entrants must attend.

Warm-up:
The Bike track is available for warm-up after briefing.

* Actual race times will be dependant on registration numbers, so pre-registration will help to determine these. Download your AFA Registration Form.

* Prize giving commences 20 minutes after the last race – planned to finish 11am latest.

* Some rules have changed, please refresh yourself by checking them out.

* Kickbikes and Helmets available for hire at $10 each.

* Bring your own food and refreshments (sorry no Alcohol), and enjoy the day.

* Open Category racing is available for all ages, and the fastest male and female will be deemed the winner of the open category as well as the category they first entered.

Where:
Criterion Bike track
Murarrie Recreational Reserve
Wynnum Road
Murarrie
(500 metres up from Cannon Hill Shopping plaza on opposite side of road towards Gateway Motorway)

When:
Sunday 21st February 2010

Cost:
Early Bird Entry Fee:
$20 per non-members
Australian Footbike Association members $10 (not a member? Please visit the Members Page)
Late Entry: $5 extra if registering on the Day

Registration:
On the day from 6am till 6.30am (No registrations accepted after 6.30am)
Pre-register with bruce@kickbike.com.au by Friday 19th February 2010. Download your AFA Registration Form.

Racing:
Commences at 7am

Competitors Briefing:
6.30am – all entrants must attend.

For more details download your Registration Form or visit 1st Footbike Races for 2010.

A very hot and windy day greeted the footbike competitors on the latest Short Course Footbiking Races in Queensland, Australia.

Despite this, several PB’s and records were set on the day.

The racing distances included:

1km Time Trial
10km Time Trial
200m Sprint

After a 141km training ride the day before Alan Stewart cruised around the 10km course to set a new Australian Record. We’re not sure if it was the heat or the ride that brought about the single bead of perspiration on his cheek. Don’t you just hate the guy!

Sharon Simmons set new Australian Records for the 10km Time Trials, and bettered her 1km time, setting yet another record for Australian Women. She would have broken yet another record on the 200m if Sharon had learned that ‘Ready, set, Go’ means to actually go. Not turn and say to the starting official, “Are you serious?”

Ali Hassan set new records for the Juniors in the 5km Time Trial, 1km Time Trial and 200m Sprint! Excellent work, Ali!

And our newest and youngest member of Footbiking madness from the South East, Reegan Lumley set a new Australian Record for the 1km and 200m races for juniors in the 7 – 9 y.o. category. Major applause to you Reegan for such a good effort and we are looking forward to seeing more of you at future races.

Another face that shined on the day was Karen Toll, who put in a great effort for her first meet in the Novice Section. And, yes Karen, when you start to get that tingling sensation throughout your body it is not wise to ask Alan if you should stop. He’ll just tell you: If you’re still kicking, then you can keep kicking!

We also wanted to say thank you to Brendan Purcell for demonstrating his unique style of ‘chin biking’ on the day. After sprinting around a particularly tricky corner of the circuit Brendan opted for a more aerodynamic position by hitting the ground with his chin rather than his foot. Ouch… Fortunately, there was no permanent damage… after scraping Brendan back off the bitumen and getting him some much needed First Aid Treatment, he emerged with a bandaged chin, hands, knee and shoulder. Brendan has warned all footbikers to not try chin biking at home – and stressed that it is only for the extreme sport junkies.

The results were as follows:

1km Time Trial

Mens Open 1km
1st Bruce Cook – 2min 21.11secs
2nd David McKinnon – 2min 22.58secs
3rd Brenden Purcell DNF

Ladies Open 1km
1st – Sharon Simmons – 2min 28.59secs
2nd – Kerrie Lathopolous – 2min 32.03secs
3rd – Deb Stewart – 2min 40.89secs
 
Ladies Vet 1km
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 2min 54.94secs
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 3min 18.22secs
 
Ladies Novice 1km
1st – Karen Toll – 3min 13.44secs
 
Juniors – age 7-9 category 1km
1st Reegan Lumley – 3min 45.09secs
 
Juniors – age 10-12 category 1km
1st Ali Hassan – 3min 12.37secs
 
10km Time Trial

Mens Open 10km
1st Alan Stewart – 23min 31.60secs
2nd David McKinnon – 26min 47.1secs

Mens Vet 10km
1st Alan Stewart – 23min 31.60secs
2nd Bruce Cook – 25min 10.00secs

Ladies Open 10km
1st Sharon Simmons – 25min 59.10secs
2nd Deb Stewart – 27min 51.43secs
3rd Karen Toll (and 1st Novice) – 34min 45.65secs
 
Ladies Vet 10km
1st Lyn Armstrong – 32min 01.71secs
 
Juniors 5km Time Trial

Juniors – age 10-12 category 5km
1st Ali Hassan – 16min 12.79secs
 
200m Sprints

Mens Open 200m
1st – David McKinnon – 25.66secs

Mens Vet 200m
1st – Bruce Cook – 26.47secs
 
Ladies Open 200m
1st – Sharon Simmons – 27.45secs
2nd – Kerrie Lathopolous – 27.85secs
3rd – Karen Toll – 34.87secs
 
Ladies Vet 200m
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 31.02secs
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 34.06secs

Juniors – age 7-9 category 200m
1st Reegan Lumley – 37.94secs
 
Juniors – age 10-12 category
1st Ali Hassan – 32.69secs

Thanks to all who attended – see you at the next ride! Keep kicking!

When: 20th September 2009

Where: Criterion Bike Track, Albert Bishop Park, Hedley Avenue, Nundah.

Races:

Children (male and female)
6 – 9 years 500m
10 – 11 years 1km

Cadets 12 – 15 years (male and female)
1km
5km

Juniors 16 – 17 years (male and female)
1km
5km

Open 18 – 44 years (male and female)
1km
10km
200m sprint

Veterans 45+ years (male and female)
1km
10km
200m

Novices (first timer footbike racers)
1km

Times:
On-the-day registration from 12.00pm to 12.30pm – no registrations accepted after 12.30pm
Competitors Briefing at 12-40pm – all entrants must attend.
Bike Track available for warm-up after briefing.
Actual race times will be dependant on registration numbers, so pre-registration will help.
Prize giving commences 20 minutes after the last race – planned to finish 5pm latest

Pre-registration:
Pre-register with bruce [at] kickbike [dot] com [dot] au by Wednesday 16th Sept 2009.

Please note some rules have changed. Please refresh yourself by checking them out.

Download the AFA Race Sept 2009 Registration Form

Despite gusts which buffeted riders on the winding criterium track, a number of new records were set. Sharon Simmons, in the open women’s division, broke two of her previous records – the 1km Sprint and the 5km race. Ali Hassan blasted all three of his records in the 1km Sprint, 200m Sprint and 5km race for Juniors. Lyn Armstrong also set a new record for the Women’s Veteran Division for 5km. And Patricia Simmons, only recently a footbiking convert, set three records in the Novice Division.

Great work!!!

It’s great to see the number of footbike competitors growing. The number of female athletes has doubled, and Ali Hassan had some competition this race with the arrival of a ‘new kid on the footbike kicking around the block’, Alex Garrahy-Hodgkiss. Alex did well in his first races, and even after taking a fall, jumped back on his Kickbike to finish the race. Hope the knees are okay today, Alex – you’re a champ – not a complaint from the lips of our newest Junior athelete. After a quick patch up from the First Aid area, Alex was seen later riding around the track, working on his technique.

We did miss a few of our regular competitors. Alex “the Rabbit” Heta was out of circulation with an injury from playing League… we wish you a speedy recovery Alex! We missed your cheeky grin and quick wit. And we do need you present to calm down Megan and Alan’s congratulatory exhibits!!! Brendan Purcell was also out of action with the flu… Brendan, get better soon and join us back on the track. Graham Jenner sadly was unable to attend… and we hope to catch up Graham soon. And David McKinnon – unable to race on the day – still attended to cheer fellow footbikers on.

Results for 200m Sprints:
 
Open Mens 200m Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 24.40sec
2nd – Rob Darley – 26.97sec
3rd – Graeme Walker – 29.09sec

Veteran Mens 200m Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 24.40sec
2nd – Bruce Cook – 26.14sec

Junior 200m Sprint
1st – Ali Hassan – 31.84sec
2nd – Alex Garrahy-Hodgkiss – 58.08sec

Open Women’s 200m Sprint
1st – Sharon Simmons – 27.79sec
2nd – Kerri Lathopolous – 28.55sec
3rd – Deb Stewart – 31.16sec

Veteran Women’s 200m Sprint
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 32.34sec
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 37.27sec

Novice Women’s 200m Sprint
1st – Patricia Simmons – 39.97sec

Results for 1km Sprints:

Open Men’s 1km Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 2min 9.16sec
2nd – Rob Darley – 2min 25.95sec
3rd – Graeme Walker -  2min 33.14sec

Veteran Men’s 1km Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 2min 9.16sec
2nd – Bruce Cook – 2min 33.50sec

Junior 1km Sprint
1st – Ali Hassan – 3min 22.60sec
2nd – Alex Garraghy-Hodgkiss – 4min 16.35sec

Open Womens 1km Sprint
1st – Sharon Simmons – 2min 34.55sec
2nd – Kerrie Lathopolous – 2min 39.03sec
3rd – Deb Stewart – 2min 42.92sec

Veteran Women’s 1km Sprint
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 2min 54.46sec
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 3min 24.09sec

Novice Women’s 1km Sprint
1st – Patricia Simmons – 3mins 59.08sec

Results for 5km Time Trial:

Open Mens 5km Time Trial
1st – Rob Darley – 12min 43.19sec
2nd – Graeme Walker – 12min 46.63sec
 
Veteran Men’s 5km Time Trial
1st – Alan Stewart – 12min 46.16sec

Junior 5km Time Trial
1st – Ali Hassan – 18min 21.99sec

Open Womens 5km Time Trial
1st – Sharon Simmons – 12min 59.00sec
2nd – Kerrie Lathopolous – 13min 39.08sec
3rd – Deb Stewart – 14min 12.36sec

Veteran Women’s 5km Time Trial
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 15min 30.34sec
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 16min 12.65sec

Novice Women’s 5km Time Trial
1st – Patricia Simmons – 19min 05.51sec

As always, the support from spectators and other footbikers was exceptional. Special thanks to:

• Megan Heta – our intrepid time keeper – with the quickest timing thumb in Australasia. Thanks Megan, you’re a gem! Not only for your accurate time-keeping, also for your support – and especially for putting up with Alan during the awards ceremony!  
• David McKinnon for helping out at the starting lines and making sure no naughty kickbikes poked their noses over the line before he gave us the ‘go’ call.
• Suzanne Moule for reprimanding the Speed Skaters who jumped on the criterium track during a race. Sue’s ‘take no prisoners’ approach has earned her the latest “don’t mess with this Footbiker” award.

And of course, warmest thanks to Bruce Cook and Lyn Armstrong for making the day possible.

Thank you to everyone who competed and we hope to see you at the next short course races in September.

Alan Stewart's Girlfriend stretching before a race

If you’ve ever wanted to join the racing days hosted by the AFA, but haven’t felt confident enough, then why not enter in the new Novice Section on a 1km bike criterium track?

If you think you can kick a scooter for 1000 metres then come and give it a go! You’ll receive lots of crowd support – in fact, no one can ‘hoorah!’ like the crowds attending previous races!!!

Entry fee for the novice race is $10. This includes Kickbike hire, and there will be competitor spot prizes at the prize giving afterwards. The next race is at:

Criterium Track, Albert Bishop Park, Hedley Avenue, Nundah

on the 31st of May, and registrations open at 12.00pm.

For more information please contact Bruce Cook on 07 3359 0869.

Join thousands of other biking enthusiasts on the 19th of July at the MS Brissie to the Bay Bike Ride.

There are three rides to choose from:

The Classic – 50km Brissie to the Bay
Starting at South Brisbane, The Classic heads out to Wynnum and then returns.

The Challenger – 25km Brissie to Balmoral
This ride heads out to Balmoral and then back to Brisbane.

The Cruiser – 10km Brissie Riverside
This ride covers a scenic route along the river and through South Brisbane and West End.

When: Sunday 19th July, 2009

Times:
7.10am to 7.30am – staggered start for the 50km ride.
7.30am to 7.40am – staggered start for the 25km ride.
7.40am to 8.00am – staggered start for the 10km ride.

Where: Start and Finish at Musgrave Park, South Brisbane.

The purpose of the ride is to raise $150,000 for over 18,000 Australians living with multiple sclerosis – so please donate generously.

After the ride, join the rest of the gang – those other crazy Footbiking enthusiasts – at Musgrave Park where you’ll find live entertainment, as well as food and drinks.

You can register for the event at: Brissie to Bay Bike Ride

And if you decide to take part in the ride please let Bruce Cook know by phoning 07 3359 0869.