Presented by Rocky Trail Entertainment

It’s been over 6 months since I have climbed into that hurt locker and had a nudge at XC racing and I have not been training for anything as of lately, but my friend Stu Cali who has been showing me the way around the South East Queensland mountain bike scene, thought it would be a good idea for me and him to suffer for a 4hr team race. A week before the Rocky Trail Logan 4-6 hr XC race I was notified by the Australian homeland security that my belongings from the States had showed up and that meant my Intense Cycles Sniper T was waiting for me so there was no excuse to not join Stu for a day of suffering.

It is never a good thing to come into a race not knowing the course or what to expect but years ago I rode the Daisy Hill trail network and knew that it was very rider friendly with flowy single track and not a ton of climbing. My son Mason and I arrived at the race where we would load up two Thule bags and make our way on our bikes to the site of the race. We were greeted with a great presentation from the Rocky Trail team with a large Red Bull activation canopy, and enough food/beverage vendors to cater the crowd. Sign up couldn’t have been easier with great organization and smiling faces greeting you.

I did a quick warm up with my son Mason who is 10 years old, and while riding I knew it was going to be a great day. My yet to be ridden bike was working great, an overnight shower gave us perfect soil and streams were running to give us some fun water crossings. It was time to race and I decided to go first for Stu and I. Our plan was to get out front before the single track started so I didn’t get balled up on the single track. The race was off and I sprinted to entrance of the single track where my heart was maxed out. That first lap hurt! I struggled to get the heart rate down after that opening sprint so I was stoked to hand off the next lap to Stu. My first lap was around 25 minutes, so I made sure I checked my watch to make sure I was ready for Stu when he came around.

While I was recovering from lap one some side bets were brought to my attention with our little crew. Stu isn’t one to keep it simple and easy so he bet our friends Catherine and Michelle we would lap them and the other group Bobby and Cameron, they wouldn’t lap us. Lap 2 and 3 went better for knowing where to go but on the last two laps my times slowed about a minute. Stu was much the same, but he slowed his times about 2 minutes the last two laps. We came close to lapping Catherine and Michelle, but the strong team of Bobby and Cameron got us. I don’t know what Stu owes them other than a high five for accountability during the race because that made for some great banter throughout the day.

I was exhausted, my muscles were broken down, but my experience from the event was great! Stu and I finished third in our respective 4hr two man team. The Logan city council was on site asking questions to riders to support the promoter and making sure all of the riders and spectators had a great experience. Having a representative on site from Logan was a big deal in my opinion. They want to grow the sport and make sure riders are getting what they need to enjoy there times at the Logan City Daisy Hill trail network.

More about the Event and Venue

When it comes to the Dasiy Hill trail network, I have nothing but great things to say. It has something for everyone. It’s a very family oriented trail network and you can ride almost any bike there. I like this for the simple reason it will allow new riders to come into mtb racing. The course marking’s were well placed, trail support was in the right locations, and timing was perfect through out the day so what more could you ask for? I’ll be attending another Rocky Trail entertainment event when my schedule allows. . If I could change a few things, I would have liked the kids race to race before the main race so I wouldn’t have to come back the next day. If you are attending the venue for a race make sure you give yourself time to get your tent, pump and bags to your location because you can’t park near the start/finish. The race director had plenty of restrooms, and food on site for racers and spectators. The best thing of all, riders got free images after the event.

Daisy Hill Mountain Bike Information click HERE

Logan City Mtb Information click HERE

Strava Stats

My Gear

Bike- INTENSE Sniper T Use code Sleeter_10 for 10% off Intense Cycles

Gear- 100% Celium Short, 100% Altec helmet, 100% Hypercraft clear glasses, 100% socks, 100% Revenant bibs, 100% Airmatic jersey, and 100% Sling Gloves

Nutrition- Ryno Power electrolytes, Protein, Gladiator, Motivation and Hydration use code SLEETER15 for 15% off Ryno power products

Tires- Maxxis

Lubricant - Maxima Racing Oils

Shoes- Shimano XC 100