HORSHAM cyclist Lee Hutchinson competed in one of the world’s toughest cycling races at the end of October. The Cradle Mountain Three Peaks Challenge pits cyclists against each other and the elements over a 235-kilometre course that tackles more than 4000 metres of elevation.
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Hutchinson said he had to train for the race for more than two years. “It’s part of three challenges in Australia and this one is considered the sixth toughest in the world,” he said.
This was the second of the three challenges. Hutchinson completed the Falls Creek challenge alongside Horsham cyclists Greg Hancock, Phil Edgerton and Jarmila Tyrril in March.
Hutchinson said he had been cycling for eight or nine years but it was not until two and a half years ago he starting training seriously.
“The main reason I do it is because I’ve always been interested in endurance type of events,” he said.
“It tests the body and mind and they are the toughest challenges. This has to have been the toughest thing I’ve competed in.”
It tests the body and mind and they are the toughest challenges.
- Lee Hutchinson
A 13-hour deadline is set for the race, with Hutchinson completing the course in eight hours and 49 minutes.
The time saw him finish in 26th place out of more than 450 cyclists.
“I’m very pleased with how I went,” he said. “The conditions were some of the most gruelling the challenge has produced, so coming in in that time was fantastic. I had a lot of drive with my family and two kids being there.”
Hutchinson said he had to thank a lot of people for their support.
“Special thanks goes to Dennis and Fiona Kelly,” he said. “Greg Hancock as well as Damien Cook from Horsham Cyclery, and all the Horsham cyclist groups that I rode with in preparation.”
Since the race, Hutchinson said he had been in recovery mode.
“I’ve got to compete in one more and that’s the Gold Coast challenge,” he said.
“That’s another 235 kilometres with all the same climbing. They are all rated among the toughest in the world. I’d also like to take the opportunity to travel overseas to cycle in some different challenges. I’d take my family and two children because its a great way to meet new people and see beautiful country.”
