My name is Brendon Skerke and I live in Cairns Far North Queensland with my wife Lee and beautiful baby girl Nyah. When not racing my bikes I am employed as a Detective Sergeant in the Queensland Police Service and I am a member of the Astute Financial Racing Team.
How did you start in Adventure Sports?
I was born and bred in the sporting fanatical state of Victoria and have played numerous competitive sports since the age of 5 years old. While participating in Athletics, Basketball, Cricket and Cross Country Running my primary passion was AFL. Unfortunately, I succumbed to a number of serious knee injuries that after multiple unsuccessful full reconstructions turned my focus to the lessor impact sport of Cycling/Mountain biking.
What inspires you?
Cycling and Mountain biking is unique in that age really is not a barrier. I think this is especially the case in the longer endurance events were the master’s categories in which I am now categorised are often the most competitive. I am constantly inspired by middle aged men and women around me seriously competing and often beating riders half their age.
Did you get any help along the way?
Just a couple of years after I starting cycling I developed a passion for racing. At this time, I aligned myself with a number of Cairns best cyclists, one had an extensive international professional career and I did my upmost to learn the craft from them. I was then extremely fortunate to join a small local racing team with these guys and with the extreme generosity of a number of local and national sponsors, I have been able to compete at levels and events that would never have been possible.
So what's the craziest thing you've ever done?
Well if you were to ask my wife and non-riding friends, basically my training regime and hectic race schedule, including having successfully completed the infamous Crocodile Trophy 6 times is. But for me that is just what I do, maybe one day I will hang up the bike and settle for a game of golf a week but I can’t see myself doing that just yet…
What's next?
Big year of racing both the local Road and MTB circuits. My target A races in 2018 are the 3 local stage races in Tour of the Tropics (Road), Reef 2 Reef (MTB) and of course the 2018 Crocodile Trophy.
Any advice?
You only get out what you put in and natural talent only gets you so far. If you really want to get the best results out of your racing, eat well, rest well and train hard. Oh and have fun….
Why did you join adventurefreak.com?
Adventurefreak.com is a company that shares the same beliefs, ideals and passion for all things mountain biking like both my team and I do. Their enthusiasm to promote and assist anybody young and old, elite or beginner is certainly a company I am thrilled to be aligned with.
(Editors Note: It's a great pleasure to welcome you to the AF Team Brendon. Thanks for making the sponsorship engagement for you and your team such a smooth transition. We look forward to hearing heaps more about your adventures.)
