Being ANZAC day the race was started with The Last Post which was a nice touch and the silence with just the clicking of the pedals prior to the start siren was an eerie reminder of how lucky we are.

The track is set on a private property 26km outside Warwick and in its second year drew just over 100 competitors. The track consisted of mainly single track carved through the bush with a variety of elements including granite rock gardens and twisting switch back climbs.

While the number of competitors was initially disappointing the quality was strong with the standout being Aaron Benson who set the track alight in running away with the solo category win and in doing so wrestling the overall lead off the two man teams in the final lap.

99 Bikes Team entered two categories:

Solo Single Speed- Steve Archer (3rd)
Two Man Team – Shane Bruce & Tony Hancock. (2nd)

Steve rolled out his trusty rigid single speed bike for the event a decision that ensured his body was fully extended pushing up the initial 2km up hill section of the track and then also bounced everywhere over the granite rocky sections. Steve produced a steady pace which ensured he was able to hold everything together continuing to ride for the full six hours and completing 11 laps.

Shane lead out for the two man team and with a fast lap under 20 minutes was sitting fourth at the end of the first lap. With a lap time just over the 20 minutes Tony was able to hold this position a trend which continued for the team over the first half of the race.

In front two teams “Hotshots” and one of the many “For The Riders Teams” competing at the event had built a handy lead of around 5-6mins on the rest of the field.

Almost on the 3 hour mark 99 Bikes caught the 3rd placed “Bloodbath and Beyond” while both teams began eating into the 1st and 2nd teams lead. Eventually physical and mechanical stress on the two front runners saw the 99 Bikes team take the lead at about the 4 hr mark and then continue dicing with “Bloodbath and Beyond” for the last 2 hours with only the last 4 laps seeing a few minutes gap emerge with Tony starting to fatigue but managing to hold on enough for 2nd place in the 2 man teams ahead of another of the “For the riders” teams.

Overall both riders had a strong race with Shane able to match times with the top riders and Tony’s times not far behind and included one lap with a flat tyre and a consequent chase to reign in the lead team again before the change over.