My passion for mountain bike riding was ignited by accident – well, not quite by accident but more by injury. Being active and doing energetic sporting activities has always  energised me, pushed my buttons, and for several decades jogging was my way of releasing the endorphins, getting out into the Aussie bush and attaining that exercise high!

Eventually, however, my hip began to complain about the years of pounding in the Brookes Beast joggers. I consulted the best  physiotherapist on the NSW Central Coast who suggested if I did more cycling it would actually help my hip.

And guess what? Leo was right! And I have been cycling ever since – the Beasts are in the garage, the shorts are now lined with lycra (lined because I’m not an exhibitionist, well…) and I now seek longer and longer trails.

That same exercise high and thrill I now enjoy from cycling. The difference is my body doesn’t feel sore and aching from all the pounding and pounding. Sure, I feel weary and most glad of a soak in the swim spa after a 95 km trail ride but its definitely gentler on my 50 plus torso.

Now, any chance I get, I’m off on my 29er, sneaking a quickie up Kincumber Mountain at 530am before work, stretching out on the fire trails of Kariong early on a Saturday morning, spending a full day on the trails that convicts constructed on the Old Great North Road or packing the bike on a plane with my riding buddy “The Doc” and taking it to the fantastic trails of New Zealand.

Yes, indeedo, I have discovered that life’s more fun on a 29er!