West in mountain bike triumph

Toowoomba cyclist shines in ‘crazy’ 24-hour event.

Trent West on the path to victory in the national solo 24-hour mountain bike championships in Armidale.

MOUNTAIN BIKES : Toowoomba rider Trent West thought he had taken on just about every test going in endurance cycling.

Then he tackled this year’s national solo 24-hour mountain bike championships in Armidale.

Like he has done many times before, West triumphed with victory in his Masters 3 age division.

But this win proved extra special for West in one of cycling’s most unique tests of physical and mental stamina.

West claimed victory after spending 22 hours on his bike while clocking up 33 laps and more than 300 kilometres on the New England region course.

“I’m pretty proud of this one,” West said this week.

“It’s easily the toughest thing I’ve done in cycling.

“A lot of crazy stuff goes on in a 24-hour ride.”

Toowoomba's Trent West celebrates his national mountain bike success.

West’s road cycling days include a 2015 Tour Of Toowoomba ride for the former Toowoomba-based TLD team but mountain biking is now becoming a priority as he aims towards next year’s world 24-hour championships in Armidale.

“I’ve done team 24-hour rides but the nationals was only my second solo ride,” West said.

“I’m still learning the craft including things like nutrition.

“I paid the price for loading up with sugary stuff in my first ride which left me feeling a bit off.

“But I turned to more savoury stuff this time like fried rice and mince which helped get me get through.

“It’s a real mental challenge and the people who turn up are really fair dinkum about it.

“My body bounced back pretty well from the ride but it took a good week to catch up on sleep and refresh mentally.

“We had other Toowoomba riders there as well.

“Darren Rolph finished second in his age group.

“So too did Mike Hawley who’s son Mitch also competed.

“The New England Mountain Bike Club is hosting the world championships next year which I’m going to prepare for.

“I plan to put in the hard yards to be ready for them which means having to spend a lot of hours on the bike.”