A Recce of the Masters Mountain Bike Course

Dear reader and supporter,

I hope you are enjoying the break from the usual health articles? Here's another one for you.

The gun fires at 8am this coming Sunday, here at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, for my race in the 2025 UCI Masters Mountain Biking World Championships.

Yesterday, I did a recce of the course and filmed it. I’ve put the video together for you to get a sense of what we’re up against. The course looks technical, challenging, and, as always, a true test of strength, skill, and mental toughness. I'll add that my toughest and most intense rivals are here this year, and the target is on my back.

Take a look at the video here:

https://youtu.be/ltXBl3W7PTo

As I prepare to defend my title, I’m focused not only on the physical preparation but also on my mental state and how to approach the challenge ahead. This race, like all intense events like this one, is as much about strategy as it is about fitness and skill. The terrain will be rough, the conditions unpredictable, and every move, and every second counts.

This journey isn't just about the race itself; it’s a reflection of the Freeranger philosophy. It’s about embracing the challenges life throws at us and using them to strengthen ourselves—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s about applying the principles we live by, the values of resilience, self-reliance, and holistic well-being, into everything we do.

Whether you're a competitive athlete or just someone working to improve your health and fitness, remember that it’s not the extreme challenges that define us—it’s how we face them, and how we grow through them.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to sharing more insights with you as I move through this event.

Stay tuned!

Gary