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.

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.

The cycle challenge was a huge success with at least a thousand riders taking part. As usual the variation in ages, riding styles, and cycling apparel was wide – not to mention the types of human-powered vehicles… top of the range road bikes, mountain bikes, tandems, recumbents, and of course, footbikes.

Three Kickbikes took up the Brisbane 2 Ipswich Challenge, ridden by Bruce Cook, Alan Stewart and Deborah Stewart, all of whom offer their special thanks to Lyn Armstrong who was the official Kickbike Support Officer for the day, racing around in the Kickbike Van and chatting with people about the benefits and cross-training benefits of footbiking.

The bike ride, titled the Mall 2 Mall Challenge in previous years, sported the new name of the Brisbane 2 Ipswich Challenge as well as a new route.

The ride started at Moorlands Park, Patricks Lane in Toowong, with plenty of parking available in the surrounding side streets. It then turned into Sylvan Road and Milton Road to enable to riders to get onto the the Bikeway which was followed for a good part of the course.

The route was continuously undulating with a few challenging hills around Riverview. The signage was excellent, and even though there were a good number of road crossings and turns, every single one was manned by at least two volunteers. Police presence was exceptional, with Police Officers directing traffic on a few of the major road crossings, a police vehicle and several roaming Police Motorbikes.

Head winds were fairly strong and the day warmed up nicely. Fortunately, there were three rest stops for cyclists who found the course that little bit challenging – one at Jindalee, another at Goodna and one more at Bundamba.

Alan Stewart completed the course in just over 2 hours with Bruce Cook coming in about ten minutes later. Deb Stewart finished in just under 2 and a half hours.

AFA would like to congratulate Bruce, Alan and Deb for their performances on the day, as well as thank Bernie Ripoll, the Patron for the Brisbane 2 Ipswich Bike Challenge for putting together yet another successful cycling event.

Special thanks also to the event organisers, volunteers, Police and St John Ambulance Officers for their help and friendly guidance on the day.

Also a huge thank you to the sponsors of the event. Without their support we’d all still be hitting the roads, alone as we drone out our daily training regime. The sponsors make it possible for riders to come together and share a love of the human powered vehicle, the sense of freedom that riding instills in you, and great weather that Ipswich and Brisbane turned on for the day.

Please support the sponsors of the event when you can. They include: Goodna RSL Services Club, Ipswich City Council, Wingate Properties, Brisbane City Council, Springfield Land Corporation, CitiSwich Industrial Estate, Yellow Jersey, Brodies, Truck Cranes Australia Pty Ltd, Ipswich Festival, Stefan, Ipswich Central Motors, Mix Events, JBS Swift and Company.

Thank you to all the riders who participated, and for your encouragement to our Kickbikers – we’re all looking forward to next year’s challenge.

More than 1000 people were involved with the Ipswich 100 this year. The ride included 100km, 50km and 10km courses, and the age of riders ranged from nine to 79 years.

• 749 riders began the 100km course
• 179 riders took to the 50km course
• 33 riders pedalled the 10km course

These included professional and recreational road bikers, a tandem, and a dog…

That’s right – a little maltese terrier sat in the front basket of a pushbike on the 50km course, and from this little dog’s pleasant manners one can only guess she has done a few k’s on the bike in the past.

The organisers raised around $60,000 for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, children’s hospice Zoe’s Place, Epilepsy Queensland, Scouts Australia, the State Emergency Service, Lions Youth Emergency Service and the Victorian bushfire appeal.

Our Kickbikers must have been a photogenic lot on the day, because there were a number of photos taken. Here are a few, and you can see the rest at the Ipswich 100 website.

Next year the organisers are considering a 150km ride to coincide with the Ipswich 150 year celebrations. Excellent! I can see some Footbikers training up for that.

The 100km course wove through Ipswich, Mt Walker, Limestone Ridges, Peak Crossing and Yamanto with a plethora of relentless inclines and open roads which did little to stop the continuous headwind that buffered the cyclists and kickbikers. A good number of cyclists pulled out as the day heated up, humidity was high, and a strong headwind took its toll.

The 50km course meandered through Ipswich, Rosewood and Walloon, with many steady inclines and one particularly challenging hill.

The boys on the 100km course left at 7.30am, while the 50km began at 8am.

While waiting for the 50km to start, Lyn was approached by some men who were fascinated by the Kickbike. After a good chat, lots of laughter and one of the men, Paul who had a quick spin around on Lyn’s kickbike, Lyn and Deb soon discovered that Paul was actually Paul Pisasale, Mayor of the City of Ipswich.

When it came time for the Mayor (or ‘my new Mayor friend, Paul’ as Lyn was now able to refer to him as) to make a short speech before the take off on the 50km, he called Lyn out the front of the other cyclists to show them what a kickbike was. He also informed the rest of the riders not to think they were doing it hard on the ride – they atleast had pedals and a seat!

Both Bruce and Alan entered this race injured due to some freaky non-kickbiking incidents in the previous week. As a result Alan was unable to bend one leg effectively or drop down to make the most of any downhill which meant that he had to change his kicking style resulting in bonking (hitting the wall) at 75km, and Bruce’s back gave out at the 30km mark!

Alan managed to finish the course, but understandably was disappointed with his time. Bruce, unable to bend and in terrible pain still continued up to the 70km mark, and then had to admit defeat… his first ever time pulling out of a race in all of his years of kickbiking. Mind you – any other mortal would have died at 31km. Respectful effort guys – you gave Kickbikers (and the sport of footbiking) a good name on the day with your ‘do or die attitudes’ and determination.

Deb finished the course at a time of 2hrs 38mins, and cursed that the finish line lay at the top of a steep incline. But the enthusiastic welcome from organisers and spectators made that last effort all worth it.

Lyn completed the 50km in just over 3 hours, stopping to make new friends at Rosewood, and kicked up to the finish line to chat with the organisers… and no doubt, her ‘new Mayor friend’ again!

Overall, the day was a success. The organisers did a brilliant job at choosing a route that avoided heavy traffic and detailed lovely scenery. The council had also been busy all week before filling pot holes that had appeared with the unusually heavy rain experienced over the last two weeks. Thank you, from the riders!

The courses were well-marked, and the Marshalls – volunteers and the SES were all delightful, supportive and very helpful. The drink stops and the finish line spoiled riders with chilled water, sports drinks, soft drinks, a sausage sizzle, buns, watermelon, bananas… and much more.

There were physios and massages available at the end of the ride, as well as great music, and many smiling faces.

A big thank you to the organisers and sponsors of the event from the Australian Footbike Association – we’ll definitely be there again next year!

Occupation: Branch Manager for a Banking Corporation

Age: hmmmm… isn’t it impolite to ask a lady’s age???

Records:
Former holder of the:
1km Australian Sprint Distance
2.5km Australian Sprint Distance

Rides:
Kickbike’s Sport G4 – red (because Lyn tells us that red goes faster)

Training Regime:
1 hard kickbike per week
2 cross training sessions per week.

Lyn juggles her training around a busy worklife, waking early to train with friend and footbiking athlete, Megan Heta. She is currently training for the Great Brisbane Bike Ride – cruising through another 50km.

Lyn has gained much recognition for her efficient kicking style, and often receives compliments about how easy she makes footbiking appear. She has also been recognized for her supportive and welcoming nature, and the comradery she builds with other footbike athletes.

Thanks Lyn, you’re a great ambassador for the sport of Footbiking!