Craig’s big challenge

Albion Park’s Craig Baylis is preparing for a 24-hour non-stop mountain bike race at Del Rio Resort, Wisemans Ferry on February 6 and 7.

Starting at midday on the Saturday, an expected field of up to 600 riders will be riding either solo or in teams all afternoon before turning on their bike and helmet lights and riding through the night until midday on Sunday.

With the winner determined by completing as many laps of the 9.3 kilometre course within 24 hours as possible, the elite riders, including the current World and Australian Solo 24 Hour Champion Jason English will complete around 350-380 kilometres.

The ‘Jet Black Sydney 24 Hour’ by Rocky Trail Entertainment is an official qualifying event for the 2010 World Solo 24 Hour Championships being held in Canberra on October 10 and 11, 2010, the first time the event will be held outside of North America.

Racing in the open men’s category, Craig’s determined personality will be put to the test, having never raced for longer than 12 hours and ridden more than 160km’s before, where he finished seventh from around 40 riders.

Baylis has been racing mountain bikes for six years and is a member of the Wollongong Mountain Bike Club.

“This will be the ultimate test for me as I haven’t ridden in this type of event before and will give me an idea of where I stand in the sport,” Baylis said.

While he will be riding solo, Baylis will be supported by wife Claire who will be handing over enough food and drinks to make up for the expected 16,000 calories burnt during the race.

Thirty-one year-old Craig, currently trains around 10 hours of riding a week, is the editor and founder of an Australian endurance mountain bike website www.enduropulse.com.au and works full-time as a Strata Manager for Body Corporate Services in Wollongong.