This week The Courier concludes its series on the MARS Australian Gran Fondo, a participation event to be held for the first time as part of the Road Nationals Championships in 2016. Matt Keenan, one of Australia’s leading cycling commentators answers the tough question; why?
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There’s just 10 days to go before we’re pinning a number on at the MARS Australian Gran Fondo Championships.
So why ride an event like this when I could just ride the course in my own time.
It’s all Drew Ginn’s fault.
A triple rowing Olympic champion, part of the Oarsome Foursome, and a cycling convert who is inspiring people to challenge themselves.
Recently Drew rode around the Brunswick velodrome, non-stop, for 24 hours and covered 836km.
In an interview with him I asked the obvious question, why, which provides the answer to doing the Gran Fondo.
“Big or small any challenge is worthwhile. Getting off the couch is key,” Drew said.
He spoke extensively about wanting to continue to challenge himself, regardless of age or what others thought of his chosen pursuit.
It’s the perfect message as many of us embark on New Year’s resolutions.
So my New Year’s resolution is to seek more challenges on the bike rather than just commentate about other people doing it.
And although I could ride seven laps of the Mt Buninyong circuit at any time of the year this is my first serious challenge of 2016.
I actually want to push myself and see how hard the Mt Buninyong course really is. Doing it with a number on, amongst others who are also testing their limits, will force me to extend myself.
The bad news, or good given I’m keen to “extend myself”, is that Drew Ginn will also be on the start line on Saturday 9 January.
Drew rode further in 24-hours than I have in four weeks of training. But that doesn’t matter. I’m not racing Drew – I probably can’t keep up anyway – I’m racing against my own ego.
This has kept me motivated, and crucially reasonably disciplined, throughout the Christmas festivities. Get through tonight, in one piece, and I’ll have no excuses.
Follow Matt Keenan on Twitter @mwkeenan
NATIONALS SCHEDULE
Wednesday, January 6: criteriums.
Thursday, Jan 7: time trials. Friday: rest day
Saturday, Jan 9: Gran Fondo and men’s under-23 road race
Sunday, Jan 10: elite men, elite/under-23 women’s road races
