Fresh from a win in Tamworth last weekend, local mountain biker Alwyn Miller is full of ambition this year, having put everything aside to train for the biggest race of his life.
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In 2019 he hopes to travel over to Quebec, Canada to compete in the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Masters Championships.
Miller is no stranger to mountain biking. He is well known around the local scene, and has a long career history of competing in some of the toughest races in Australia.
He won the male open category for last weekend’s five hour Smash the Mountain race in Tamworth for the second year in a row.
He has now set his sights to the pinnacle of the sport – The World Championships.
This dedication has seen Miller train hard, completing between 300-400 kilometres each week both on the road bike and on the mountain bike. Inverell has two tracks he frequents regularly, including the Copeton Dam track, where he recently won the revived six hour race after taking on 99 kilometres in the fastest time. Miller has also completed the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Race seven times, of which his best results were second in B grade and first in C grade.
“I go good at the long ones, I feel that I get stronger as the day goes on and can really tap into my mental toughness when the legs are seriously cramping,” he said.
Armidale UNE hosted the 2018 State Cross- Country Championships this year in February which he came second in his category.
Despite a busy year, he is not done yet. “Along with competing at the World Championships in Quebec next year, I want to go to the World 24hr Championships in Armidale,” he said.
“I know I can give it my all if I can get the right training in the legs.”
Miller is looking forward to a number of local races, including Armidale’s 12 Hours in the Piney, which is sure to be a challenge.
“That track is very undulating and there are a lot of tree roots to keep you hurting every minute of that race,” he said.
“I am also heading up to the Gold Coast to compete in the Pan Pacific Masters Games.”
He said finding 20+ hours a week to train does take its toll, but he remains dedicated.
His favourite nearby race is the GBomb in Grafton.
"It’s a super fun race which I have managed to win the last four years in a row, so I am probably a bit biased!"
Miller will head to Orange in December to race the Cross Country Olympic State Championships which he says he is very excited about because he managed to get second last year and endeavours to take the top spot. This race is then followed by the 2019 National Championships which will be held in Bright, Victoria in April next year.
Miller is seeking local assistance in achieving his goals. If you would like to help Alwyn reach the World Masters Championships, contact him via alwynrmiller@gmail.com.
