The 2005 Nalgene Polaris Challenge
Cogley does the Polaris Double in 2005 Nalgene Polaris Challenge,(New)
Huw Kingston / 16.03.2005
Already the 8metre high ‘Welcome’ sign mown onto the hillside above Comboyne is growing over but the people of Comboyne and district will remember the 05 Nalgene Polaris Challenge for a long time to come. And we’ll remember the warmth of that welcome to a beautiful part of the world. The cows have reclaimed the paddocks but Nellie lives on!The Nalgene Polaris is much more than a MTB event, more than a competition for glory. It’s a chance to show off a new and stunning part of the country each year, it’s about putting something into the communities that host us, it’s about stories told over a cold one at the Overnight Camp. We moved north this year and whilst it was organizationally further away for the Dark Side, the ‘can do’ attitude of the local people, the local councils and the local Tourism bodies made it all so much easier.
235 Teams entered this year’s event and came from all States and Territories plus a couple from overseas. The overwhelming response to the event area was an appreciation of it’s scenic nature, an appreciation of the warm sun (after 04’s deluge), an appreciation of it’s hills and a desire to get back there and see some more. Many described it as the Big Ring, Little Ring area cos there wasn’t much in the middle. But reaching those viewpoints like Comboyne Trig, Flat Rock Lookout and Bago Bluff seemed to make it all worth it whilst lush valleys and rainforest added another dimension.
‘Cows with Guns’ pounded out of the PA at dawn to awaken the herd. Riders dressed as milkmaids Helga and Heidi, bikes done up as cows, tails lifting on the descents, udders swinging on the rough stuff. How some teams keep riding in some of that garb is astounding. One rider had formed a fibre glass canopy over half his bike, painted black and white and used it to store his tent and sleeping bag. Cowbells clanged and at the end there was Limited Edition Nalgene Polaris ‘Moo Juice’ to slake the thirst
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