F: I've also noticed some big things happening up in Cairns with the MTB Club. Visiting your website recently and it seems you’ve got a permanent club site style house in the works at Smithfield , How does the Cairns mtb club differ from other clubs around Australia and what does it take to have a kick ass club ?

GJ: Some of the great things about this small club in club in the north: about 60 Downhills within 1 hour of Cairns, all year round riding, Minjin heritage, multi run advantages, huge crews of riders, no surf, massive mountains, no snow, recreational zoned park, dirt culture, outdoor lifestyle and having had the experience and legacy of a Mountain Bike World Championship.

These things have kept the industry strong here, but it doesn’t matter how strong your club is, it can always be destroyed by some small thinkers.

The first sign of a club’s impeding death and implosion is usually disrespect towards the leaders of the club, gossip and bitching, moaning and negative attitudes.

When some members in a club can’t have the ability to see the future, they will try as hard as they can to rip you down to their level, destroying a whole future of a club, because of their own disabilities.

I have a great way of explaining these problems; usually it’s the ones that complain, talk it up and create imbalance that ruin a club. You see, it’s easy to talk, crap on and write people off, that’s the easiest thing in the world.

The hardest thing is making it happen, do the work, and create a vision for no other reason than to make it better for all riders. If you can do that, you always win, because you have done it all for the right reasons.

What is needed for a "Kick Ass Club" is a driving force of unparalleled vision, completely unselfish nature and a creative innovative attitude to make something that has never existed before.

The main crew that drives and develops the club must have physical support from the rest of the members, be respected for their ambitious leadership and always look for better ways at improving the clubs position.

The Mountain Bike crew here are about to introduce some innovative and creative concepts into World Mountain Biking. They will be passed out through the international Federations as a template of what we want from our sport.

We have got to a point where our sport cannot grow any further without this innovative vision. These will all be gradually phased in within 12 months. Once everything is in place, riders will then EXPECT this type of professionalism from their National Federation or private organizer. These concepts are cost effective and simple.

Our club has seen many, many changes, but one aspect, is that our club instigated in developing nasty steep downhill’s and fast downhill riders, when downhilling all over the world was ridden on flat dirt roads.

Our motto was "if it has trees on it, it can be ridden". The rest of the world caught up, thanks to years of vision and the arrival of international events to our shores. We are seen as the forefathers of downhilling, and are proud that our determination and faith had opened the road (sorry, I know "road" is a swear word) for so many Aussies to do well.

It was Cairns that kept the strength in Downhilling, when we were surrounded by unlimited seas of local attitudes and small minded beliefs. We held it up and dared to challenge the rule makers until the rest of Australia’s new breed came along.

They are here now, and what great riders there are, the world needs to watch out, because the Aussie crew is set to destroy any country in its path. I am so proud of all our riders in Australia, most of them are close friends, and all of them are so talented and enthusiastic towards life and racing.

The prize would have to go to Michael Ronning and Scott Sharples for clearing the trail overseas for so many of our new hero’s.

They did what was unheard of in the mid 90’s. To leave the comfort zone of winning at home, challenge the rest of the world, and believing that an Australian could make a difference in the world of Mountain Biking. The template was set, and the sponsors, bike manufacturers, teams, and media were introduced to a fresh new scenario of endless talent from a land so far away, but so much faster and saleable than the generic US and European stable the industry had to choose from.

Ronning and Sharples are amongst the greatest riders ever seen in the world and our sport, and will be remembered for their pioneering spirit.

F: Glen thanks for taking the time once again to answer some of our questions. On behalf of the Farkin crew we thank you for everything you've done and are planning to do. We wish you all the best with the developments at the Cairns MTB Site and hope your projects in the pipeline become a success. We also hope you enjoy Australia's No 1 Mountain Bike website and hope to see you and everyone in Cairns lurking on the forums.

GJ: I have so much admiration for the crew at farkin.net, because you can get that feeling of energy, dedication and complete faith in our sport. I know I have said it before, but your website is one of the best sites I have ever visited, that’s why I am a member, and go to Farkin every time I log on. It has the grass roots feel, the honest and free attitudes of any mountain biker living to ride, and loving life.

Thanks for thinking of some very good questions, and I really look forward to giving Farkin world exclusive on our opening and release of our new MTB concepts soon.

You guys keep up the great work. Remember, there is a lot we can all do for the sport, the future is a great one for mountain biking, believe me

Discuss this article here....F00!

* We managed to dig up some dirt on Glen, here is some info about him pre-mtb.