Cross Dressing Cyclists Arrested in Central Tablelands
Well perhaps not quite but it’s safe to say that never before and probably never again will Australian mountain biking see so many men and women in lingerie on bikes. Lipstick was everywhere, cleats found a home on stilettos and visits to the Transylvanian Tarts at Checkpoint 15, ensured liberal applications of make up for all who stayed long enough. Once again the Polaris raised (or lowered) the bar whichever way you looked at it.
Despite the fun and frivolity, the Polaris, now in its 11th year, remains one of Australia’s most challenging mountain biking events, pitting pairs of riders against each other over two days in rugged bush and mountain country, carrying all the gear for an overnight camp.
The Rocky Horror theme for the 2007 Berghaus Polaris Challenge, held last weekend, was very apt. There was the ‘time warp’ experience of returning to an overnight camp that was used four years ago. The area was certainly possessed of plenty of rocky trails and each competitor had to carry a rock as part of their compulsory equipment.
Some 450 riders from across Australia took on the unknown out in the huge event area which ran south from the village of Black Springs in the Central Tablelands of NSW.
After Saturday’s 7 hours of effort, a total of five teams were level on 240 points. Defending champions Gwyn Taverner-Smith/Ken Wilyman from Wollongong were the official leaders on time.
A mild night gave most a good nights sleep at the secret overnight camp, a farm paddock near Isabella. The camp offered plenty of Rocky Horror style entertainment: Best Dressed Legs, the Best Rock, Rock Boules whilst the PA played songs with Rock in their lyrics. Some of the more audacious riders got together and put on their own bike related performances of the Time Warp—‘The Tube Warp’. All in all a day of MTB madness!
On Day 2 the Canberra and Melbourne pairing of Shaun Lewis/Adrian Jackson stamped their authority. Reigning 2006 Urban Polaris champions, the 5 hours of riding on the Sunday garnered them 230 points and a total of 470points, to put them 30 points ahead of the Wollongong/Cairns pairing of John Hardwick/David Wood. Hardwick/Wood were renewing a partnership that delivered them two Polaris wins in the late 90’s.
Taverner-Smith/Wilyman (410pts) lost their overall title but held onto the Veterans crown whilst Susan Sprague/Selina Stoute (320pts) took the Womens. The Mixed Pairs was won by Helen Jeffs/Chris Schulz (280pts) whilst Kay Haarsma/Ian Richman won the Mixed Vets but would have also taken overtaken the youngsters with their 290pts. Paul Haynes/Rod Clark took first place in the Super Vets with an impressive 350pts. Full results can be found on www.wildhorizons.com.au
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