Nothing could faze 麻豆社国产cyclist Kelly Servinski at the 2010 World Solo 24-hour championships in Canberra, Australia - not even staring a kangaroo in the face.
Servinski finished 33rd in the race's Male Pro Elite category, which took place Saturday (Oct. 9) and Sunday (Oct. 10) and saw 2,500 competitors from over 15 different countries bike over 300 kilometres for 24 hours.
Servinski said his close encounter with Australia's national symbol was a moment he will never forget.
"The highlight for me was for sure coming head-to-head with a large kangaroo somewhere around 4 a.m.," he said.
"Then it fully hit me how special this experience really was. I'm on the other side of the world riding my bike and having fun and instead of seeing black bears on my local trails, I'm staring at this kangaroo."
It was the first time Servinski has ever competed in a 24-hour race and he found it challenging but also a lot of fun.
"This was by far the hardest race I've ever done," he said.
"The course was really fun, not technical but super dry, fast and flowy. The physical torture is way higher than other races I've competed in, but it's the mental side that can really work you over.
"Somewhere around 2 a.m., about halfway through, you're like 'What the hell am I doing?' My body is crying out for me to stop, I'm cold and tired and I'm in the dark all alone."
But he said that despite all the arduousness, the thrill of completing it was well worth the effort.
"I have never seen so much carnage out there on a race course," he said.
"People absolutely trashed. But when you see the sun come up and the dawn of the new day, all of that fades away when you can see the finish and realize you've made it. I rode over 300 kilometres and have never felt that level of satisfaction in simply finishing a race before."
Servinski rode 16 laps, staying in the top 20 for about 10 of those laps until stomach issues slowed him down and he was forced to take a break for a few hours. He nonetheless came back strong for his last few laps.
"I learnt a lot about pacing, nutrition and strategy, and definitely am intrigued by the 24-hour format and will do another one for sure," he said.
Servinski pointed out that the opportunity to continue to do new things in the sport of mountain biking has strengthened his love of the sport.
"I've been riding and racing for about 20 years," he said.
"It fires me up to be able to still be seeing new things, riding new trails and traveling. I never thought I'd have done such things when I took up this sport and I can't imagine ever stopping this journey I'm on.
"I couldn't help but think how rad of a 24-hour world's we could put on in Squamish. With all of our awesome trails - now that would rock."
Servinski also wanted to send thanks to Republic Bikes for getting his bike ready for the race and his friends for all their support.
For more information on Servinski, visit his blog at www.thesquamishdude.blogspot.com.
