Brisbane’s South Bank was a sea of moving billboards as brightly lycra-ed cyclists shuffled too and fro… scooting along just like footbikers…

The sport of Footbiking was represented by Alan Stewart, Bruce Cook, Lyn Armstrong, Alex ‘Jack Rabbit’ Heta and Deb Stewart in the 100km route, and Karen Toll aka ‘Tingles’ decided to go it alone by completing the 60km ride from Beenleigh to the Gold Coast.

Despite headwinds and rain, the temperature and humidity was pleasant. The course was fast coming out from the city as the bike route weaved through underground bus terminals to eventually meet up with bike paths and finally the road. With no road closures and close to 10,000 riders it was nice to see human powered vehicles dominate the road.

Even though this wasn’t a race, Alan Stewart broke another Australian record for the 100km at a time of 4hrs 15mins. Excellent work Alan! Wish the rest of us could finish with such decorum and look as fresh during the following television interview at the end of the race.

Bruce Cook flew along averaging over 21km/hr, passing many cyclists along the way. Thank you Bruce, you’re a great advocate for the sport.

Despite a bout of food poisoning in the morning – sending her to the toilet rather than the starting line! – Deb Stewart still managed to average 19.9km/hr over the 100km route. Deb has also discovered a new technique for fitting her Kickbike in the toilet cubicle with her… no one else was going to deny her the opportunity to ride that Kickbike to the Gold Coast!

Lyn Armstrong and the Jack Rabbit managed to finish the 100km course in a respectable time even though work committments and other sporting activities kept them from training and preparing for the longer ride. Sheer guts and determination kept them going and allowed Lyn to set the official record of the first Australian Female Veteran to kick more than 100km straight. Congratulations Lyn!!!

Karen Toll, who only started footbiking a few months ago completed her longest ride ever – 60km. Great work, Tingles! Looks like those hill rides are working for you! Good to hear you’ve entered into the Mt Tamborine ride coming up shortly.

There were many cheers of encouragement to the footbikers from cyclists and bystanders, and the quote of the day from one cyclist to another:

“I’m drafting behind her so that I can stare at her butt”. Fellow cyclist replied, “And that’s the reason God made scooters!”

Cheers to all – and we’ll see you again next year!

Applause!  Applause!  Cheer!  Cheer!

After an infinite amount of replacement tyres and tubes, and 6 pairs of shoes, today Alan celebrates his 1000th consecutive ride in a row. As a celebration he completed a 100km ride this morning (gee! I can think of lots of other celebration alternatives!)

In between a crazy work schedule Alan managed to complete each day of riding anywhere from 10km to 100miles by getting up at 3am on some days or scooting along at 11.30pm on some nights just to meet his quota.

Alan obviously needed to be strategic in his schedule to avoid overtraining, by incorporating ‘easy’ days after hard workouts.

Congratulations Alan – and here’s to a further 1000 consecutive days of riding!

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!

The fog was so thick at Victoria Point that the ride was delayed by 17 minutes.

After a message from the organisers and a short welcoming speech from the Mayor of The Redlands, the 75km ride began. And 10 minues later the 45km riders took off.

The 75km and 45km courses featured more up hill than down hill terrain, with a few heart breakers through the Alexander Hills section… which we’ve decided to rename Alexander Mountains. 

With cut off times on the course, Footbiking was represented by Lyn Armstrong on the 45km route, and Bruce Cook, Alan Stewart and Deb Stewart on the 75km course.

The Footbikers went out at a more than respectable pace, covering the first 10kms in 23 mins. Unfortunately, the course was determined not to allow them to continue this pace with its constant barrage of challenging ascents, wind, open roads with traffic, no road closures and a fair share of traffic lights.

Despite the course’s challenges, the footbikers were content with their times.

Alan Stewart came through with 3hrs 9mins, Bruce Cook around 3hrs 20mins and Deb Stewart in 3hrs 33mins for the 75km course.

The SES who worked as marshalls on the day were a complete delight, cheering and clapping the riders on. The event was a success, raising monies for the Leukemia Foundation and the Matthew Stanley Foundation to stop violence.

The Redlands Classic Ride is the only official bike ride of The Redlands and attracted riders from as far away as Western Australia. This was the second year of the ride and the participating numbers doubled from last year. There would have been more riders but the event clashed with the Brisbane Marathon which was also held on the same day.

Thank you to the Rotary Club for organising the event, and all of the volunteers who made the day possible.

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

Footbiking was represented by Alan, Bruce, Phil, Steve and Deb in the 50km ride, Lyn and Annie in the 25km ride and newbie footbiker, Karen, tackled the 10km route.

Good times (both ride time and just plain good fun) were had by all. And there was much chatter and smiles at the finish line.

Phil was heralded as ’super footbiker’ for completing the 50km road ride on the Cross Max Kickbike – the equivalence of a mountain bike scooter! Great work, Phil!!!

As usual, Alan and Bruce took off and plowed through the ride, setting times that us mere mortal footbikers are avid to match, while Deb set a new Australian 50km Record for women.

Karen, a new footbiking junkie, surprised herself with a fast time – and now that the footbiking bug has it’s hold we’re sure to see Karen at future events. Fantastic ride Karen!

Organisation of the day was well done with plenty of signage, Marshalls on every major corner, good Police presence, and well stocked break sites. Thank you to the organisers for that.

Thank you to the sponsors: Byrne Ford, Bike Force Australia, Go See Touring, Be Natural, Gatorade, Netti, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Australian Bananas, Channel Ten, 4BH 882 and City News. And special thank you to the Marshalls, First Aiders, stall holders and Police for their dedication, friendly cheers of support and for just making the day safer.

I’m sure next year will raise even more funds and awareness for MS and be an even greater success!

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.

“Oh dear! I forgot to shave my legs. I can’t believe I actually met with the Mayor of Ipswich with hairy legs!”

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.