MTB: I just knew it was love at first bike

WHAKA WINNER: Carl Jones smashing his own race record at the NZO Whaka 100 to win in an outstanding 4hr 31min 59 sec. PHOTO/ALICK SAUNDERS

What is it about mountain biking that makes it so special?

It's a long list that encompasses fitness, adrenalin, the environment and being a 9-year-old again.

And riding with your mates. This is a broad spectrum that includes friends, partners and family. Even if you are on a solo mission there's a good chance you will run across someone you know and stop for a chat.

I first started mountain biking 30 years ago. I'd owned road bikes in one shape or another, all my life, for commuting and fitness.

However, I quickly fell in love with the fat-tyred version of the most-perfect transportation ever invented. Even if my first one weighed as much as a decent boat anchor and really was a road bike on steroids.

At the time I was already rapidly closing in on my third decade. So while I enjoyed the buzz of mountain biking, the developing race scene passed me by.

Which brings me to events.

Why would anyone drop their hard-earned cash to enter races on trails they can ride every day for free? Especially races where there is the very real possibility for pain and suffering like last Saturday's NZO Whaka 100.

For the leading riders there are titles on the line, potential for selection to represent clubs or country and sometimes cash prizes on offer. Even at this sharp and very competitive end, there always seems to be real camaraderie among the riders. Maybe not when the race face is on, but certainly before and after the event.

For others who aren't in search of titles and glory, the challenges are more personal - finishing, improving on past times and race-within-race battles between mates.

It's another long list.

What I enjoy about events is being involved, behind the scenes. There is an irresistible energy and adrenalin rush as race-day approaches that are hard to match. The only thing I can think of that comes close in my career is directing live television.

I did some media work on the Whaka 100 for Tim and Belinda Farmer at Nduro Events.

Hanging out at the race HQ at Waipa was a real pleasure. A spectacular Labour Weekend Saturday certainly helped.

All morning there was a memory of another day like this one, nagging at the back of my mind. I solved it around midday. It was four years to the day that we'd hosted the Singlespeed World Championships. Same location and almost exactly the same weather conditions - a frosty morning followed by a perfect spring day.

If there is an event that captured the imagination and which people entered to have fun and hang out with their mates (that word again), it was that one.

The other thing I enjoy about events is talking to our top riders.

Most reflect the Kiwi style: relaxed, friendly and happy to help.

The Whaka 100 winners, Carl Jones and Karen Hanlen, were definitely examples of that - even after a very, very tough 100km of technical single-track, fast forest roads and over 3000m of climbing - and all with a smile.