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A 24hr Story from Brad Tom - Bike 66
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Ride how long? you're joking right.
This was the common response most people gave me in New South Wales on the idea of this event. The 24 hour race is like a mystery to everyone except South Australians'. Being from New South Wales, all I had ever heard of this race is the occasional quarter page reference that was made to it in one of the magazines each year and little else. I saw the small article during 2007 in ADB and thought it sounded interesting, I then saw the video of the 2006 event which I bought and was hooked with the idea of competing. I started to ask some of the local riders of around my home town of Orange if they had heard of the race and no one knew more than I did before seeing the video. I started to talk the wife around to the idea of having a go at it and in the end( three Months) she agreed it was a challenge that needed to be tried. Getting lights sorted in New South was a bit of an issue because no event requires lights stronger than a candle here. I ended talking to Steve at Betta Bikes and he quoted the system for the job.$$$$$$$ Hell!, was I lighting a football stadium? needless to say I thought my race was over before it had started. I rang him back and told him the experience and ride was what I was chasing, not the top result. He sent me over a $70 SL 7 inch light that could be mounted and plugged into the existing wiring on my KTM250F. Perfect! Next was the fuel issue to get there. Grovel, the usual story, but with fantastic support of the local businesses I had the funds to get there. Funny thing is, of all the businesses I asked for support to cover fuel cost the only one to turn me down was a fuel distributor. Figure! Next was getting ready to ride 24 hours, not knowing the terrain and what would most likely be needed. I watched the video and saw the frozen riders on lap 3 and knew the cold would be an issue and flat tyres seemed to be the fashion. With new thermals in the bag and enough tubes to stock KTM's whole range, I thought I was ready. The trip over was uneventful and before Truro I thought it was a desert race with the land being so flat. But the hills seem to just appear and the green paddocks were a welcome sight. I called into the Kapunda trotting track on Friday and met Brett from the committee and had a good talk about the event and the scoring. Race day looked wet to start with but by the start it was perfect conditions.
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66 - Brad Tom about to start the 2008 Yamaha 24hr Trial
The crowd surprised me with so many people watching the riders off. The transport to the first test was good to get out of the way. I met the riders around my number at the first control and after the first special, worked out Brett Haydon would be passing me in the night. Everyone was so friendly and happy to see someone from interstate. The report that I was a journo from a bike mag may have helped this but I don't know were that came from being a school principal of a small school. The first lap was great fun with the big crowds along the trail and the special tests. The tracks were flowing and an absolute blast to ride on. The second lap saw every wattage of my 55/60w globe burning and Brett passing me in more than one test.
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66 - Brad Tom at Keyneton Control 3 - Long Hill on Lap 3
But still what great fun. I really thought the crowd would be gone in the night, but to my amazement it grew and grew. It seemed most of the spectators were having their own 24 hour challenge and looked to have the motivation and supplies to handle the hours. In the third lap I followed the arrows out of the control for a quick time and followed the fence line going fast. I turned to the left and saw a bonfire and crowd at the top of the ridge and charged towards them. I turned near them and headed down to the creek and thought they were yelling encouragement. It was only when I had a headlight coming at me that I realise they had yelled 'WRONG WAY'. I doubled back, found the arrow I had missed and did the lap from there. The cold didn't worry me ( it snows in Orange) and I really enjoyed the ride but the bum was getting sore. The fourth lap was a pearler and how great were the tracks? Just perfect. I loved the crowd again at each control, in the middle of nowhere and along the special tests, just encouraging the riders. Fantastic! I finished with a smile and had met a heap of great blokes during the ride, their families and mates. South Australia should be very proud of such an event and of the 24 hour committee and race support group. Having competed in several 4 Days(6) and a 6 Day, I can honestly say that the atmosphere at the 24 Hour not only rivals but surpasses these national events. I will be quick to tell anyone who will listen how great the ride and event is and that they should give it a go. You dont need to spend huge money on lights to ride and the enjoyment of the finish far outways conditions faced. I am keen to get back future years.
Thanks.
Regards Brad Tom Number 66