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HURTLING down a treacherously rocky mountainside on two wheels might not be everyone's idea of a good time, but for Taree High school captain Tom Fletcher, there's nothing else he'd rather be doing.
Since December 2014 the 17-year-old student has been competing in the Subaru Australian Mountain Bike series, with some impressive results.
In December last year he competed in the first round of the series, in the under 19's Olympic format, coming 15th in his first race and 13th in his second.
In February 2015 he competed in the second round coming second and fifth in the first and second races respectively, in the criterium cross country open men's format.
Tom said the national competition gave him an opportunity to measure up against Australia's best riders.
"Racing around town you don't get a gauge of the bigger picture," he said.
"It's good to see where we are at."
Tom described mountain bike tracks as "rough, rocky and steep," with skill as important as fitness in competing.
A crash in the second round in February was all part of the competition, said Tom.
Tom's racing results have earned him the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning him a $50 open order at Iguana.
Tom will also represent Taree High today as part of the school's triathlon team.
Unsurprisingly, Tom will handle the bike component of the race.
His recent results are even more impressive given he is currently balancing practice with his HSC studies.
"Because of the HSC I'm not training too much," he said.
"In my gap year I want to knuckle down and see where I can go with it."