Pedal power

Former professional bicycle road racer Robbie McEwen will be among Brisbane lawyers from Clayton Utz during the inaugural Bravehearts Time Trial on November 24.
The Orica GreenEDGE Cycling supported event’s Utz team will be headed by Construction and Major Projects Team Special Counsel Chris Slocombe – who has averaged between 150 and 200km each week in preparation.
Slocombe says his team will include Shannon Saxby, Blake Frost and Gareth Oxley.
“We do a lot of training together and a couple of us have competed in the Noosa Triathlon in the lead-up to the Bravehearts Time Trial,” he says.
“We all have our strengths and weaknesses and in the lead up weeks we scoped out the course to see where our strengths are best deployed.
“It’s not a classic time trial course as it’s quite undulating, so it will be interesting to see how everyone copes with the hills.”
The 43km pro replica race will be contested through the picturesque Moreton Bay and Samford Valley areas.
The Utz team averaged 35km/hr over a recent 100km ride from Brisbane to the Gold Coast.
Slocombe says that kind of training and regular Wednesday and Saturday rides favouring the Brisbane River loop will keep his team competitive on the 24th.
“As a father to two young children, I am passionate about this cause and the work that Bravehearts does in the community,” says the Brisbane native who recently joined Utz after returning from a four year stint in the UK.
Bravehearts founder and executive director Hetty Johnston thanks Clayton Utz for its ongoing support and for selecting Bravehearts as a community connect partner.
“Clayton Utz is such a wonderful supporter of Bravehearts and our vision to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child,” says Johnston.
“To all the riders and to those who have donated and helped to bring this event to fruition; we can’t thank them enough.
“It’s this kind of support and events like this that make a real difference.
“The local business community has really taken to this event I must also thank Robbie McEwen and Orica GreenEDGE owner Gerry Ryan for being such passionate supporters of child protection and for helping to launch this race.”
McEwen says the event will test even the most seasoned riders.
“They call it the ‘race of truth’,” he says.
“And there’s nowhere to hide; it’s just you, your bike and the clock.
“This is as close as you will ever come to competing in a pro cycling event and I encourage riders of all levels to have a crack at it while raising much needed funds and awareness for Aussie kids.”
The Bravehearts Time Trial will cater for teams and individual riders and include many of the features of a professional time trial, such as ramp start, motorbike cameras and timing gates.
Prizes on offer include a trip to the 2014 Tour de France for the highest fundraiser.
Of course it’s all about the kids so the Samford Parklands hosting the Time Trial will also be the venue for a free kids carnival sponsored by Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Riders can bring their family and friends along to the carnival which will include rides, a jumping castle, petting zoo, pony rides, clowns and fairground food such as fairy floss.

Visit www.braveheartstimetrial.org.au or phone Jenna Rathbone on 07 5552 3009.