Photo: © Mikkeli Godfree

Tassie devil: The Sid Taberlay diary 2004

24 year-old Tasmanian Sid Taberlay is a man on a mission. The current Australian and Oceania mountain bike champion, Sid is, like so many athletes this year, striving for a berth at the Athens Olympics Games. But his never-say-die attitude, down-to-earth deameanour and a desert-dry sense of humour - not forgetting a bloody big motor! - puts Sid in the best position possible to realise a life-long dream.

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Netherlands, May 20, 2004

Hassle-free travelling

First time that travelling with a bike has helped in hassle-free travelling. A day of travel to the first World Cup in Madrid. We arrived at the airport 2.5hrs before our flight to get as close to the front door. It's a holiday in Holland and every one is travelling out, the check-in line-up must be at least 400 metres long. With our bike bags on the trolley, we were struggling to move forward. Looking for a short cut, I asked if there was an oversize check-in - there wasn't, but we got the line cut and through we went. First time a bike has become useful when travelling. Heading to passport control, a similar line, six people wide and 30 or so deep. We did the 'Help, we are running late', to step into the front of the line. You beauty - we just saved a few hours' line-up and made our flight to Spain.