Jordans Crossing Gazette

events riders trekked to Moss Vale and even Macca’s on the Highway for Saturday night sustenance. We had 1100 riders the following year, 1300 in 2007 (by then we were limiting entries) and the Fling had gone Carbon Neutral. The heavens opened that year and 150mm fell the week before the race, the skies clearing finally on the Saturday afternoon. But those short of stature required snorkels for some of the river crossings! 1500 was the limit in 2008 and sold out within a day of entries opening. By now people were ringing from the likes of Dubai airport pleading to get an entry as they’d been 30,000ft in the air when entries had opened. Anonymous phone calls were received threatening the event ‘would be damaged’. These were duly reported to Police who traced the calls and found the perpetrator; a high ranking officer in the Australian Defence Forces angry he had missed out on an entry. Then 2009 came. Oh 2009… The frenzy to enter crashed our website and brought another 30 around Australia down with it. It was the craziest of weeks with the office lights burning 24 hours a day to get back on track in the same week that Bundanoon voted to go Bottled Water Free with all the madness that ensued. World champions, National champions, Olympic representatives, Tour de France yellow jersey winners all came to try and win the Fling. 2017 champion, Brendan Johnston, won the Men’s four times and Peta Mullens won three Women’s titles. Shaun Lewis won it twice but gets the gong for Mr Consistency. This rider, originally from Bowral, has never placed lower than 5th. But it is the weekend warrior who has always been the lifeblood of the event. They come not so much to compete as to complete. To drink a few beers after, tell stories of the trail and enjoy the beauties of a town and a region we all know so well as our home. In 2017, Bowral lad Barry Whitton crossed the line as the first 80-year-old to ride the Fling in his 12th Fling. He was a mere 68 when his Fling journey began. Some came for other events on the weekend – the Bundy Run, Bundanoon Dash, Rolloff World Championships, Bundy Clock Challenge and more. A massive thanks to the dozens of landholders whose farms and properties riders have enjoyed over the years and to the Forestry Commission of NSW with the course traversing large chunks of Penrose and Wingello State Forests. And a huge hug to the hundreds of locals who have been involved in ways mammoth or miniscule with the fun and frolics of the Highland Fling. All good Flings must come to an end but it’s been a brilliant ride. – Huw Kingston A few comments from the final fling: “I have no idea what I will do in November now. It’s been a memorable 13 Flings. Well done everyone who was part of it. We have all shared a bit of Australian mountain bike history.” Andy Blair, Elite MTB rider and 13 time Flinger. “Huw and team, it’s been such a tradition. I think even though the Fling has finished, it will always remain special.” Brendan Johnston “If I was to pick one word to sum up the day’s experiences at the Highland Fling... that word would be ‘delighted’. Absolutely delighted. Thank you to each and every one of you for making the Final Fling such a memorable day out.” Kath Bicknell “The final Fling has been flung. Today I competed (and completed) in the last ever Highland Fling. It’s sad to see such a great event come to an end…the Highland Fling has a particular personal significance for me. It’s the event that got me into KEY RACE RESULTS IN THE 2017 HIGHLAND FLING: Some Fling Men Dylan George (1:14:58) Lucas Bendt (1:07:41) Jordan Riddle (1:09:23) Some Fling Women Verity Evans (1:19:11) Maizy Evans (1:26:38) Lucy Cavanough Quince (1:37:55) Half Fling Men Luke Brame (2:12:03) Matthew Dinham (2:12:29) Craig Gordon (2:13:12) Half Fling Women Lucy Mackie (2:44:28) Allie Blackwell (2:52:35) Sue Thompson (2:55:48) Full Fling Men Brendan Johnston (4:29:50) Andy Blair (4:34:50) Michael England (4:44:54) Full Fling Women Meaghan Stanton (6:03:37) Brooke Darlington (6:21:46) Bre Vine (6:23:51) mountain biking in general, and in turn has turned my health and fitness around. So thank you Highland Fling.” Ian Grant Photo: Rob Marlow Photo below and below left previous page: Roy Meuronen Photography December 2017 39 jcg www.bca.asn.au