TUCKED away in the serenity of Munruben Woods live a family of Australian biking stars.
The latest success in the Aves family is 13-year-old Connor who has burst onto the scene in his first year of competitive cross country riding making the podium in all his events on the Queensland circuit.
Formerly an Australian Rules player, Connor decided to take up cross country mountain biking after his uncle took him for a ride about 18 months ago.
“I just love the challenge of cross country,” Connor said.
In cross country mountain biking, a time limit is set and riders lap the course as many times as they can.
Most courses are a mix of a gruelling up hill section and a rugged downhill section designed to test the courage and endurance of the riders.
“It is a real adrenaline rush when you get to the top of the course and you start coming back down,” he said.
“It’s a real challenge pushing your bike up the hill.”
Connor credited his success this year to his seven day a week training regime, which ensure he stays in top shape for competition.
“My coach sets things I have to do every day,” he said.
“Most days I have interval training for up hill riding, about five days a week I do that.”
Biking is also a huge part of Connor’s home life, which he shares with family friend and Australian trials bike riding star Janine Jungfels and his twin brother Cooper, who is also having a successful year on the bike.
Cooper recently finished third in the Queensland under 15 down hill mountain biking titles in Mackay on October 2.
Janine has recently taken Cooper under her wing helping him break into the world of trials riding.
The aim of trials riding is for the rider to negotiate obstacles such as ledges and gaps without putting their feet on the ground.
Janine is one of Australia’s most accomplished trials riders finishing second in last year’s world titles and first two years ago.
She is planning on doing it all again this year.
