(Luke) Bell rings for Marysville to Melbourne Multisport
News Release / 05.04.2012
How do you wind down from not only competing at Ironman Melbourne, but coming seventh overall in a blistering time?
You get back on the bike and take on another monumental athletic challenge, albeit with a twist.
That’s what professional triathlete Luke Bell is doing, having signed up for the Marysville to Melbourne Multisport Challenge presented by the Difference, a three discipline, six-leg endurance race that will cover 159km on Sunday, 29 April, 2012.
For Bell, this competitive outing is more about pleasure than the pain, however, having signed up to share on course duties with his wife, Lucy.
The pair will line up to a course that tracks from the mountain township of Marysville all the way in to Melbourne’s Docklands by way of trail running, road cycling and river paddling.
“Lucy and I love doing anything active and outdoors so the Marysville to Melbourne is a great way to do it from home, see some fantastic parts of Melbourne and areas that we do not always get to see further afield.
“It will also be fun to be able to do something with Lucy for a change: a stress free, fun activity.”
Luke’s ‘stress-free’ day will encompass all of the trail running and road riding legs, a total distance of 33km running and 91km on the road bike.
“But Lucy’s doing ALL the paddling!” says Luke, in recognition that kayaking is generally not the strong suit of triathletes.
Bell’s move into more adventurous forms of multisport is not a first, having been a participant in the Anaconda Adventure Race National Series event at Lorne, Vic, in the past. Bell says that he looks forward to trying out more endurance pursuits outside the triathlon after whetting his appetite at Marysville to Melbourne.
“I do love adventure activities and it would be something I would love to move into later on for sure. I love the team aspect and different challenges that adventure and multisport racing throws at you. It gets you off the straight and narrow, which is never a bad thing.”
Bell recognises that he’ll have to up the ante when it comes to his skills for the Marysville to Melbourne.
“Multisport is defiantly more skill based rather than the top end speed. In triathlons you tend to switch off and just get in the zone of suffering and going at top speed. With adventure and multisport racing that’s not possible as you are always thinking of what is the next obstacles or challenge ahead.
It’s that change of pace that has attracted him to the sport, even if for now it’s only a recreational interest.
“The format of the M2M is great – the point to point aspect from a country town into the city gives it a novel aspect and makes it stand out from other events.”
Bell nominates the ride as likely to be his strongest leg “as it is on the road which is what I train on.”
Although leaving the paddling legs to his wife, Lucy, for the Marysville to Melbourne, Bell does hold an interest in pursuing the discipline.
“I love the paddle and the crossover training is great. I get out with Jarad [Kohlar] from Peak Adventures once a week. I need to do more than that, but for now it’s a blast as a great change up from swimming every day.”
And what of the team dynamic between him and his wife? Will the competitive streak bring out any team tensions in the pursuit to perform?
Lucy and I are both very easy going so dynamics will be fine. We live out of each other’s pockets in the US for six months spending pretty much 24/7 together, and have been together for about 15 years, so no issues there. It is a bit of fun, we have no expectations, it’s something we don’t get to do together very often. I can guarantee we will both finish with huge smiles on our faces at the end.
The Bells spend half of every year in Melbourne and the other half in the United States as Luke trains and competes as a professional triathlete.
“My lifestyle has been like that for the past 10years. But I do enjoy being home as it gives me a chance to do other things in off season like M2M. But once overseas it’s is all about work and the race season.
Bell has also shown interest in once again competing in the Anaconda Adventure Race at Lorne in December. “Due to my race season in the US I do not return to Australia till early November, but I’m keen to squeeze it in.”
But he won’t be ditching triathlons altogether anytime soon:
“Both Ironman and multisports events like the M2M are long physical and mental challenges. But I consider - for me - Ironman still harder as it is my job and I am racing above and beyond at every race. It is how I pay the bills, so I will make myself suffer more both physically and mentally.
“At the moment adventure and multisport racing is some fun and I would like to keep it that way for a while.”
The Marysville to Melbourne Multisport Challenge presented by The Difference course includes:
· 19km trail run
· 50km road ride
· 41km road ride
· 14km trail run
· 15km Fitness Paddlers Australia river paddle
· 16km Yarra’s Edge river paddle
… through to the finish at Yarra's Edge at Docklands.
The course is open to all levels of athletic ability and may be completed as an individual doing all legs or as a relay team of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 people. Entries are now open.
