CYCLING IRONMAN
HE’S just finished a 24-hour cycling challenge but Gold Coast’s Shane Goldberg has already pencilled in his next jaw-dropping feat on a bike.
Just a year after returning from injury to ride again, Goldberg finished the Revolve24 event in South Australia last month with 635.8km under his belt, good enough for fifth overall in the men’s division.
The 42-year-old raised almost $1000 for leukaemia while also proving something to himself after losing 17kg to prepare for “the most epic challenge I’ve ever done or been involved in”.
“Once I’d decided to participate in the Revolve24 event it was my goal to compete rather than just participate, but either way I knew it was going to be a huge task,” said Goldberg, who hailed the efforts of his support team.
Held at the new Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend in South Australia, the Revolve24 looked tough enough – before testing conditions added a layer of difficulty.
“The wind was insane, not just a little wind or a gust here or there, we’re talking gale force winds,” he said.
“I saw one rider just in front of me get completely blown off the course and end up in the sand.
“I saw another rider in the pre-race warm-up get off her bike and stand in the foetal position to shield herself from the sand blasting. Seriously crazy conditions.”
A new challenge, though, has already appeared.
Goldberg has qualified for the Race Across America, a 4800km event in which fewer than 200 people have finished including just six Australians.
However, he may yet have just uncovered a secret to surviving.
“It’s different to racing a short race,” Goldberg said of his South Australian feat.
“Ultra endurance events are a whole different ball game, so much planning and preparation, you have to be very calculated in what you do and how you prepare.
“Your well thought out, meticulous checklists become your friend – I think this helps take some of the nerves or anxiety out of it.”
I SAW ONE RIDER JUST IN FRONT OF ME GET COMPLETELY BLOWN OFF THE COURSE AND END UP IN THE SAND SHANE GOLDBERG