Mountain biking: Australian back to defend Redwoods Coast title

Glen Leechburch Auwers in action at the 2013 Rolloff Worlds in Bundanoon. PHOTO/MARK WATSON

rGlen Leechburch Auwers. It is an impressive name.
The Australian's win in the Redwoods Coast at the 1st Rotorua Bike Festival, last February, was just as impressive.

He was here after winning the Wild Horizons 2012 Rolloff World Championships, in Bundanoon, in New South Wales. It was an inspiration for the Coast - no pedaling, just momentum down a very steep hill.

Glen will be back in Rotorua, next February, to defend his Coast title. The trip was part of the prize for being Rolloff Champ again this year. You might say he is on a roll.

"My first visit to Rotorua was quite an adventure as I'd never travelled to another country on my own, before," says Glen.

"It all started the minute after I checked into the hotel, heading for the Shweeb World Champs at Agroventures."

The second day Glen had his first experience of the Whakarewarewa Forest.

"I rode almost 50 kilometres of sweet cross country and downhill," he continues.

"Day 3, I had a go at Bungy and Freefall back at Agroventures, then more exploration of your wonderful trails and a helicopter flight over Lake Rotorua."

For Glenn, the Redwoods Coast appeared more difficult than the Rolloffs, with people strapping all sorts of weights to their bikes.

"There was a lot of pressure to perform and I thought I was out gunned from the word go," he says.

"The first time I thought I might have a chance was when I hit the last corner into the dirt straight I almost slid out and wondered how anyone else had navigated the corner at speed."

"In the end, pure, raw talent shone through and I emerged the victor," he adds, with a laugh.

He recently revisited Rotorua with his wife, Kelly.

"We had an awesome time, indulging at the Millennium Hotel, my prize from the Coast."

The couple has a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, so life can be a little crazy for them at times.

"This trip was without the kids and was an opportunity to relax and unwind and the Millennium really delivered," he says.

The 2013 Rolloffs, early in November, were nerve racking for him.

"The pressure was certainly on, again, especially wearing the yellow jersey from last year," he says.

"The competition seemed to have stepped up a notch with one guy sporting a time trial helmet and a full body lycra suit."

He thought he was a goner. But it turns out Glen just rolls further than everyone else.
"I'm not quite sure why - I'm certainly no gazelle - but this year I beat two guys much heavier, so I guess it can't just be the weight."

The Sydney-Rotorua return airfares he won were a bonus as he was heading back to defend his Coast title anyway, with Kelly to support him.

"I complete a few events every year and mountain bike with mates, every weekend I can," he says.

"I'm really just an average Joe who's into cycling. Who would have thought that such novelty events would open so many doors?"

The full Festival programme is on www.rotoruabikefestival.com