Page 28 – THE EXAMINER, APRIL 5TH, 2012

With more and more West Australians turning to cycling as a form of exercise, many begin to form a passion for it and pursue the

challenges of racing in a competitive environment. Kate Dzienis discovers Perth’s cycling community has an arduous and mentally

demanding race in April that pushes the boundaries of strength and stamina.

A physical challenge unlike any other in the Perth hills

For serious cyclists, Perth is host to one of the state’s most gruelling and confronting

events available in the pursuit of greatness – the 5 Dams challenge, a demanding 235 kilometres through the suburbs and hills.

Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular activity in Western Australia – be it for sport or recreation – with more organisations creating intense battles of speed to provide an outlet for those seeking competition.

On April 15 the 5 Dams challenge will see cyclists begin at Sir James Mitchell park in South Perth, then journey down the Kwinana Freeway to Hopeland, ultimately traversing through to the five dams and reservoirs of Serpentine, Wungong, Canning, Churchman Brook and Mundaring, making it full circle back to where they began.

Chief executive of Bicycling Western Australia Jeremey Murray says this year the race has topped 1200 entrants or 600 teams as the race is only run in pairs.

He says it takes incredible stamina to finish it.

“It’s a bit of a mind game in that you’re riding for more than 230 kilometres, which equals out to about eight hours of solid cycling – now that’s really tough,” he says.

“There is a whole raft of people who do the dams, from the elite who actually work at cycling as a profession to those who are simply enjoying the sport and are considering

taking it more seriously.”In the next five years, Jeremey is hoping the

challenge will become an iconic event given that entry figures every year have grown expedentially and says even though numbers

might not reach 10,000 he’s confident the challenge will thrive.

“To give you an idea, the dams had only 354

entrants in its very first year,” he says. “Last year we saw it rise to 672 and

incredibly this year, we’ve had to cap it at 1200.

“It only just goes to show how popular cycling really is.”

Stephen McGee, 57, is one of those keen riders who has entered the challenge with

cycling partner John Bouwknegt and says he’s feeling assured in his preparations given his recent individual win in the 219-kilometre Pure Tasmania cycle challenge and his team win in the 110-kilometre Margaret River community

challenge. “It will be a hard

ride, that’s for sure,” he says.

“We’re hoping the weather will be nice to us but I’m not too worried about the distance as long as my team mate and I keep our hydration up.”

He says one of the most difficult parts of the challenge will be the Serpentine area because of its steepness.

“That will be a tough section because riders would have

already done a few climbs and it could be where many legs start feeling fatigue,” he says.

“It’s definitely a race for seasoned cyclists only.”

For those considering entering the Dams in years to come, Stephen provides one piece of advice that not only would be common sense but crucial to a successful ride.

It’s called hydration. “A lot of people in the race may not consume

enough liquid and they’ll cramp up halfwayCONTINUED, PAGE 29

Teammates John Bouwknegt, Stephen McGee, Carl Girolamo and Mark Pearmine in the Margaret River community challenge in March.

of Bicycling

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Competitors tough it out in last year’s

challenge, in the Serpentine area.

Even though registrations are now closed, Bicycling WA is still looking for 5 Dams Challenge event and support volunteers. Call 9489 7003 or email info@bwa.org.au.

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Pages

– Page 29THE EXAMINER, APRIL 5TH, 2012

Cycle challenge

With seven books already behind

him, weight loss coach and public speaker Andrew Cate has released his eighth publication Healthy Heart for Life by ABC Books. His passion for encouraging people to live healthy lifestyles is eminent in Healthy Heart for Life, with the introduction revealing the sudden death of his 67-year-old grandfather, who died from a heart attack when Cate was just a child. The book provides a clear insight into lowering blood pressure and cholesterol without the use of medicines and provides scientific details in simple language to explain how the body works as well as the impacts on everyday life and how to get rid of those kilograms that significantly affect your health. Each chapter acts as a day of your new meal and lifestyle plan and covers the impacts of your health, what science says and practical tips to fix it all. One of the more interesting chapters includes Get your anger under control, where

Cate provides facts on anger increasing heart risk and that it may lead to atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to sudden death. Cate provides a common sense approach to losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. An extraordinarily good read if you’re looking to get your life back on track.

FROM PAGE 28through, unable to fi nish,” he says.

“It’s the most important thing to remember when long distance riding and I would predict about 10 per cent of competitors will drop out – whether it be because of cramps and dehydration, illness or mechanical issues.

“This 10 per cent will then become 20 per cent because if one rider pulls out, their partner has to as well.” With the way things are going, the challenge will certainly be an event cyclists will be racing to register for and cut off for entrants took place a bit earlier than expected this year given word of mouth around Perth moves fast.

To all the cyclists who will put their feet to the pedals and push past the point of no return – good luck and may the speed be with you.

Are you entering the event? Tell us how it goes at editorial@examinernewspapers.com.au.

A snapshot of the gruelling 235-kilometre cycle challenge.

Get ready for a healthy heart book review

Healthy Heart for Life by Andrew Cate Published by: HarperCollins for ABC Books

Review by Kate Dzienis

ks

the facts• Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally and more people die annually from it than from any other cause.• Heart disease kills fi ve times more women than breast cancer.• Every day, 150 Australians die from cardiovascu-lar disease and it’s not just the elderly, with 8000 men and 3000 women under the age of 65 losing their life to heart disease each year.*Source: www.andrewcate.com.

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