Meet Janet Curran
You could say retired grandmother Janet Curran has been doing a few kilometres in the saddle of late. Not only does she have the two-day 260km Banish the Black Dog Ride later this month from …
Five-minute breather with… Rod Johnstone
Growing up on a farm and heading straight into the army, when Rod Johnstone returned to civilian life and started his own construction business, his motivation for fitness dropped and the kilos crept on. That …
The Talbots get ready for festive ride
Just a few sleeps to go until the Christmas Lights Ride pedals off from the Riverside Tavern — riders of all ages decked in Santa suits and bikes draped with tinsel — to tour the …
Christmas Lights Ride 2015 set to glow
Thinking about doing the annual drive around the Christmas lights this year to get into the festive spirit? We have a better idea — join the Christmas Lights Ride. Not only will you have the …
The wants and needs of the modern triathlete
With the flood of information, marketing, expert advice and well-meaning peer recommendations surrounding triathlon and cycling equipment and technology, it can be hard to know exactly what is a need and what you can do …
Meet Kyle Bridgwood
Kyle Bridgwood was on an early-morning ride four years ago in Townsville when the Army private was hit by a car, severing the then 22-year-old’s patella tendon, fracturing his kneecap, and resulting in an acquired …
Five-minute breather with… Lizzie Wood
Lizzie Wood moved to Townsville about 18 months ago, teaches Year Six at Townsville Grammar School and recently started cycling after a persistent knee injury stopped her playing touch football. But something that her students, …
Destination Trail: AKA mountain biking heaven…
It’s not often that an event like Destination Trail comes around — pretty much a mountain biker’s version of paradise — so a group of female Townsville riders grabbed the opportunity by the handlebars last …
Five-minute breather with… Rik Cook
Relatively new to Townsville from Brisbane and Central Queensland, Rik Cook and his family are immersing themselves in Townsville’s active lifestyle. With Rik working at Top Brand Cycles on the floor and as a specialist …
Airlie Beach Triathlon 2015 Wrap Up
Thanks to Graham Pemberton from Free Radicals Tri Club for supplying this report. Airlie Beach Triathlon maintained its reputation as one of the best races on the North Queensland calendar when triathletes from Townsville and …
Get active with visiting friends and relatives in Townsville
Have you ever had friends or family due to visit, but — aside from the must-have coffee at Juliette’s, trip up Castle Hill and visit to the Island — you’re stumped for what else to …
Meet Jerry Vella
Local bike addict and qualified prosthetist Jerry Vella is combining his passions to ride 700km from Townsville to Cairns and back — non-stop — and raise funds for Limbs 4 Life — a cause close …
Meet Sam Tully… and his penny
Ranked the second fastest man in Australia on a penny farthing bicycle, Townsville rider Sam Tully will be pedalling his penny — with no gears and no brakes — 90km between Bowen and Collinsville (and …
Global cycle comes to Townsville
Those who’ve done a charity ride may be able to relate to this, but instead of hundreds of kilometres over a weekend, try 19,000km over six years. That’s what Canadian fire department captain and cancer …
Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride 2015 Wrap Up
Well, after much anticipation the 2015 Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride is over (sob). This was my first year doing it and my husband Troy also joined me for the ride. We were in the …
Bike Fit = No more sore bits
No pain, no gain — right? Not when it comes to bike set-up. All those little niggles you experience in the saddle, then forget about after your coffee or dismiss as ‘part of riding’, creep …
Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride a family affair
It’s nearly time for the 250+ riders to make their 358km journey north for the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride (TCBR) — an annual pilgrimage that has been rolling for 17 years to raise funds …
Townsville Triathlon Festival Wrap Up 2015
The Townsville Triathlon Festival’s six events in two days has drawn to a close leaving everyone from children to Goers in their 70s with medals and fond memories. Yesterday (Sunday) marked the biggest day of …
How to prepare for triathlon race day
Preparing for a triathlon takes a little bit more forethought than, say, doing a 5km fun run. Even if you’re doing an Enticer, there is still quite a bit to consider before and on race …
Maximise comfort and reduce injury on your bike
When Mike Prentice was racing in the Ironman World Championships in the 1980s aerodynamic helmets didn’t exist, his Raleigh bike weighed as much as a small child, his wife Wendy had sewn his jersey, and …
Women in Cycling Series: Christy Guinea
Growing up, Christy Guinea was never an active kid and transformed into a self-confessed ‘couch potato’ as an adult until a fitness challenge in 2011 lit a fire in her belly. Since then, she has …
Women in Cycling Series: Kirsteen Masson
Originally hailing from the Scottish Highlands, mother-of-two and registered nurse Kirsteen Masson discovered cycling when her husband John encouraged her to register for the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride six years ago. Since then she’s …
Townsville Tri Festival 2015: What to expect
In its 13th year and expected to attract more than 5000 athletes and spectators while drawing the likes of Ironwoman Courtney Hancock, pro Australian triathlete and two-time Olympian Courtney Atkinson, and former Paralympian John Maclean who has …
Women in Cycling Series: Jill Meads
Turning 60 in June, grandmother of 10 Jill Meads is riding rings around women half her age. Starting off on the mountain bike with her daughter, then moving to the road bike which gets a …
Why I do Banish the Black Dog…
It’s nearly that time of year again when the likes of the Blue Heelers, Dalmatians, Labradors, Whippets and Pig Dogs go bounding towards Ayr, where they pull-up for the night and have a howling-good time …
Women in Cycling Series: Chloe Brewer
At 15 years old, Chloe Brewer loves the speed, balance and determination that are all part of track cycling. And she’s clearly got a knack for it – already racing in the women’s grade locally; …
Women in Cycling Series: Kym Lynch
With a sociable side and a natural flair for forging friendships, Kym Lynch transforms into a merciless machine on her bike. While Kymmy is known for giving many male cyclists a run for their money, …
Women in Cycling Series: Lucia Taylor
With a hectic schedule as a mum-of-three, associate at Purcell Taylor Lawyers and a member of numerous committees; Lucia Taylor’s cycling is something that she uses to de-stress and claim for herself. Until late last …
Women in Cycling Series: Deborah Latouf
We decided to start the Women in Cycling Series with Deborah Latouf, as she’s a key driver in supporting and mentoring cyclists of all abilities in Townsville. Coming from an elite sports background where she …
Meet Daina Clark
Just five years ago Daina Clark was told she should never ride or run again after a major stack on her mountain bike resulted in debilitating back injuries. Fast forward to 2015 and the podiatrist …
Road cycling safety in the spotlight
Road safety and cycling is a hot topic, especially with the growing interest in the sport and the recent changes to the Queensland cycling laws. This weekend Shine Lawyers is hosting a road cycling awareness …
Meet Danny Miles
This year is shaping up to be a big one for ex-gymnast Danny Miles as he sets his sights on Ironman Port Macquarie in May, Ironman 70.3 in Cairns in June, and Ironman 70.3 Sunshine …
Beau’s epic pedal-push for PTSD
Ex 2RAR soldier Beau King served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the horrific experiences leaving the scars of PTSD. After dropping the 20kg gained while drowning his sorrows post-service; on Saturday, January 31 Beau will ride …
The 31 Days of Activity: Week 2
Now at the halfway point of the 31 Days of Activity, Goers are showing no signs of waning on the energy front. All the classes this week booked out with active types of all abilities …
Video: 2014 – The Active Year that Was…
As the sun sets on 2014, we get ready to welcome another exciting and active year in Townsville. To celebrate your impressive achievements over this time, we are pumped to give you this video – …
Meet Tony Mills
Thanks to the efforts of UCI World Track Cycling Masters Champion Tony Mills, plenty of Townsville cyclists know what it feels like to be beaten by a grandfather. Now 56, Tony tells us about his …
Trevor Brown’s biggest challenge yet…
Thanks to Free Radicals Tri-Be Triathlon Club member Trevor Brown for supplying this fantastic article. The alarm goes off. It’s 4am… what have I done? As I savour the last of my night’s slumber I …
Ruth Corset: Hail the Champion
Fresh back from claiming a historic victory on the national stage, we caught up with this local champion to discuss her impressive win, her renewed passion for racing, what’s on the cards in the coming …
Bowen Triathlon 2014 Wrap-Up
Blowing in Bowen: Swim, ride and run like the wind! Thanks to Graham Pemberton from Free Radicals Tri-be Family Triathlon Club for supplying this article. The Bowen Triathlon is one event not to be missed …
Trials and tribulations
We asked local cycling gun Deborah Latouf to put together this report so we could experience what it’s like to do the time trial state championships as a team. Along with Deb, the only Townsville …
Go Troppo Tri Wrap-Up
About 150 competitors tested their fitness at Pallarenda this morning for one of Townsville Triathlon Club’s (TTC) flagship events for the year – the Go Troppo Triathlon. With junior, teams, enticer and sprint events there …
On track for National crown
Pedalling into the penultimate race of the National Road Series (NRS) this weekend, Townsville mother-of-two and climbing queen Ruth Corset is still leading the pack and – if all stays on track – she and …
Airlie Beach Triathlon wrap-up
A few of our local Free Radicals Tribe Family Triathlon Club members ventured down to the Northern Series regional race last weekend in Arlie Beach. Graham Crawford and Jill Stephenson headed the contingent and organised …
Running Pains
This article is supplied by Shannon Chown, senior physiotherapist at Livewell Pain Management Centre Townsville. The problem There is nothing worse than an injury when you’re out there on the go or preparing for an event. …
Life in the fast lane
Taking it up a notch to ride with the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride’s fastest team, the Kangaroos; Deborah Latouf — 49 years old and the only female rider in the bunch — tells us …
The mother of climbers
It has been six years since I last interviewed Ruth Corset. In that time the Townsville-based mother-of-two has established herself as one of Australia’s best road cyclists; claiming 12th position at the UCI World Championships …
Mission Townsville to Cairns
This morning about 560 legs powered off from the Mercure for the three-day 360km Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride (TCBR). Mother of two and BMX rider Maria Balaam is one of the 280-strong riders — …