Twenty-four hours of racing broken up into four laps and six hours to complete each one with no outside assistance - that's the 'Reliability Challenge'.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lithgow's Harley Henning headed to Eudunda, South Australia on July 13-14 for the 24 hour Trial, testing his speed, fitness and ability to ride 700 kilometres.
"Whatever clothing, spare parts or anything I needed for the event I had to carry on me and start with it.
"Food, water and fuel were the only items allowed to be given to me during the race," he said.
After a total of 48 timed competitive sections, 100 litres of fuel and 14 litres of water, Henning made the finish line.
"The results see me as 33rd outright of 172 riders and I finished second in the 500cc class. 34 of those riders did not finish the race," he said.
Henning said compared to previous years he was satisfied with the result because he finished the event.
"In 2015 and '16 I did not finish both years due to horrendous weather conditions of rain, snow and winds over 70km/h, I had to retire at the 12 hour mark when my body just said no more.
"But this year, I rode as consistent as possible the whole event with no lay downs, and that showed in the results," he said.
He said this year's race posed a few challenges with changing weather and track conditions.
"We had to deal with freezing cold winds, rain, rough track conditions and of course fatigue," he said.
Read more:
Henning said it was very physical with tracks changing for each test with a variety of conditions.
"From bulldust, wet greasy paddocks, bog holes, rocks, sand, whoops and visibility throughout the night was a big thing, it was hard to spot things you would usually see in the daylight," he said.
He said the mental side of the race was also a big thing.
"After my two prior attempts and the race I knew what mind set I needed to be in to prepare and complete the race," he said.
Henning said his highlights for the race were his family and support crew cheering him on for the entire event.
"Paige, Nylah, Wyatt and Dad (Geoff) were there cheering me on and it was great to see them enjoying enjoying the atmosphere of bike racing. I started riding at the age of four when my father brought me a Yamaha Pee-wee 50.
"I can already see I'll be passing the racing genes on to the kids just like my father did to me," he said.
He also wanted to thank all of the volunteers, land owners and committee who orangised and ran the event.
Next on the calendar for Henning is the Yellow Mountain Cross Country race over August 3 and 4, from Tottenham to Condoblin.
Alanna Tomazin
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
