Manly Dam circuits have been fun most mornings over the last week. A fast couple of laps or a casual couple of hours on the bike, finding fast lines, bombing the dh sections and tackling tech rock climbs. Next time I am in the area I will explore Oxford Falls, from what I hear it can be tougher than the dam. Fun!
As for this week, exploring the mid-north coast. Looking at tracks near Kempsey, if the weather eases from this rain. Full report of Kempsey to come.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Holidays?
A rest from work can mean more time on the bike. Watch out for me training around the Hawksbury, Manly Dam or on the mid north coast.
Results this year have included, 1st at Round 1 of the Rocky Trail MTB Grand Prix, 2nd in the Elite SCUM XC Series, 3rd in Open Mens at the SCUM 30/60 Enduro, 4th in the A Grade Men WSMTB/MWMTB XC Series, 4th in A Grade at the ADCC MTB Enduro Championship, 4th in Solo Men at the Ay-up Dusk to Dawn QLD and again Qualified for 24hr Solo World Championships with a good result from the Australian 24hr Solo MTB Championship.
Thanks to Tony from Energy Supplements Australia for his on going support with the Natural Energy of FRS. Also to Shane from Bikes at the Basin for continuing to support my sweet rides. And Duncan of DIY MTB who helps out mostly with suspension, check out their 2010 X-Fusion forks.
Be safe and catch ya next year!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
SCUM Annual 30/60km Enduro
This was the third time I have competed in the various versions of SCUM's end of year 30/60km fun ride. This year the track designer was offering a massive 30km loop consisting of sections from popular the Butterfly and Superbowl single tracks. The 30km loop was to also include open fire trail sections, power-line climbs and old moto single tracks. There was promise of a free BBQ too.It was a mixed race but the highlights for me included a great start on the one km or so of fire-trail heading into the first section of single track around the top five. The lead riders make the mistake of taking the beginners track giving me the lead through to the next section of fire-trail.
I finally figured the small block eights have had their day as over the first half of the lap I struggled to keep the rear end firmly planted though corners. In the dry dusty conditions the semi slick nature of the rear tyre just didn't suit. Time to try a different tread.
Over the first half of the lap I lost a heap of time to Dave from the Bike Shack and Kurt "I am Merida" but with some incident free and a little effort I made up the time. Riding with them for a few kilometers I felt good and took lead of the group. It was then (20-25km mark) when I made the error of the ride, I attempted to bunny-hop over a puddle with the landing to be on the dried mud section on the other side. This dried mud section turned out to be soft and deep. I touched down with the front wheel, burying it. All I remember is a rag-doll style deceleration into my handlebars and finding myself twisted around the bike in the dirt a couple of meters from the puddle. Ouch, it hurt, but nothing looked major, just blood from the right knee, left knee and elbow. I made my way back on the bike, slowly, in pursuit of Dave and Kurt. At the transition between the laps I caught them. We were caught by a following rider at this time as well, a friendly enduro rider from Canberra. They all stopped to refuel and grab a fresh bottle, I made clean bottle swaps and headed out for the second 30.
My second lap was some what a better one than the first, gaining here and there, then loosing a bit on the climbs. Dave turned the power on and was out of sight in minutes. Kurt was holding on strong but by the 45km mark had slipped back. We passed the lead single speed rider, he wanted to know which way was the fastest back to transition. We were near the back of the Nowra suburbs at this stage. Also out this way were the stragglers from the 30km, having fun in the sand and battling cramps. Heading back along the fire-trails our Canberra friend took a bad line around one of the designer water features incorporated into the loop. This gave me a gap in which to work on and I went for it, attempting to put as much time between us. Holding the gap to the finish, it was almost 3:15hrs for the 60km (closer to 70km said some). Placing third in Open Mens and fourth overall. Stiff and sore I feasted on the free watermelon and BBQ. It was again terrific work by the SCUM team to but on such a great event, online rego via MTBA, two computers on the day for rego, port-a-loo, BBQ and great atmosphere. Could these type of rides become more regular on the SCUM calendar in the future?
Thanks to FRS - Natural Energy, Bikes at the Basin and DIY MTB for their ongoing support. Have a festive period!
Rag bikes it
Thanks to a handy PR push through my workplace, my team for the Scott24 2009 “Raging Bull Racing”, end up having a story in the workplace newspaper months ago. In a news flash that came across my desk, just last week the same story found its way into the local rag. A quarter page including colour picture, page 17. It featured the same picture that heads this blog, Santa hat and all, incredible!
Monday, December 7, 2009
WSMTB Summer 4hr Series Round 1
Round 1 was a twilight race from 6pm held at Yarramundi. The word on the web was a change to the track with possibly sections in reverse. There was online rego through the new MTBA system, around 70 riders chose this option and on-the-day rego for those who didn't go the online option.
Yarramundi conditions, I rode some of the track on Friday, the track was dry and loose. There had been further work done to sections, while others had further exposed rocks through use of the track. While on the lap we did our own bit of work, removing black wattles. These trees had decided to break, crossing the track.
Things were ok off the start, the usual eight across with a ten meter sprint into single track, me in the second row. We congo'd our way around the first section of the track down the single track, to the rock roll-over then over the log. This is where the track changed with a cut-in to the right on to the bitumen section the lead back up to the transition area, before the car park we headed left skirting the cars then right onto single track again. Instead of crossing the fire-trail we headed left on it then right up to the power lines. Yes the track was a little switched around but generally similar to how I have ridden it before.
It was in the single track before Ben’s Bridge that Yarramundi had its way with my bike again. I collected another stick in the rear derailleur. It did bad things like bending the hanger, forcing the chain between the cassette and spokes, and breaking a spoke. This is where it jammed, behind a lug that is suppose to stop it. Pulling on either side of the chain wouldn’t remove it from this first lap nightmare. After many frustrating attempts to remove the chain I remembered the old trick of using a quick release handle as a lever. By this stage all the field had passed me and I wedged the handle between the cassette and hub, pulling the chain from the cassettes strangle hold. Manually straightening the bent hanger by eye, I twisted the broken spoke around another keeping it out of the way. Back on the bike I fine tuned the rear derailleur on the go using the barrel nut on the trigger.
I was at the back of the whole field and gave at least half a lap to the front runners. It was now a sprint to make up as much time during the daylight hours before I was forced into enduro night mode. After a fast first two laps I could taste salt but not the usual sweat taste, blood. I must have bitten my lip during one of the downhill sections. It seemed like all I was doing was overtaking people and it wasn’t till around the two hour mark the front runners had made up the half a lap and the first of the fast teams went past, followed closely by the solo front runner.
There was becoming more of a gap between myself and riders around my speed. Lights were on now and it was time to maintain the effort I had put in earlier in the afternoon. Just hope I had put enough in to make the time I needed. The trouble didn’t stop though, I had digestion issues with the power bar I needed to consume in the third hour, I only got two bites into the bar. It was very uncomfortable.
Finally the fourth hour passed and I finished. I was exhausted and had the need for the use of a port-a-loo. It could have been the number I picked up at rego “13”, also the position I managed to place in the category “13”. That was Round 1 of the 4hr series.
Thanks to FRS, Bikes at the Basin and DIY MTB for their ongoing support. Have a festive period!
Yarramundi conditions, I rode some of the track on Friday, the track was dry and loose. There had been further work done to sections, while others had further exposed rocks through use of the track. While on the lap we did our own bit of work, removing black wattles. These trees had decided to break, crossing the track.
Things were ok off the start, the usual eight across with a ten meter sprint into single track, me in the second row. We congo'd our way around the first section of the track down the single track, to the rock roll-over then over the log. This is where the track changed with a cut-in to the right on to the bitumen section the lead back up to the transition area, before the car park we headed left skirting the cars then right onto single track again. Instead of crossing the fire-trail we headed left on it then right up to the power lines. Yes the track was a little switched around but generally similar to how I have ridden it before.
It was in the single track before Ben’s Bridge that Yarramundi had its way with my bike again. I collected another stick in the rear derailleur. It did bad things like bending the hanger, forcing the chain between the cassette and spokes, and breaking a spoke. This is where it jammed, behind a lug that is suppose to stop it. Pulling on either side of the chain wouldn’t remove it from this first lap nightmare. After many frustrating attempts to remove the chain I remembered the old trick of using a quick release handle as a lever. By this stage all the field had passed me and I wedged the handle between the cassette and hub, pulling the chain from the cassettes strangle hold. Manually straightening the bent hanger by eye, I twisted the broken spoke around another keeping it out of the way. Back on the bike I fine tuned the rear derailleur on the go using the barrel nut on the trigger.
I was at the back of the whole field and gave at least half a lap to the front runners. It was now a sprint to make up as much time during the daylight hours before I was forced into enduro night mode. After a fast first two laps I could taste salt but not the usual sweat taste, blood. I must have bitten my lip during one of the downhill sections. It seemed like all I was doing was overtaking people and it wasn’t till around the two hour mark the front runners had made up the half a lap and the first of the fast teams went past, followed closely by the solo front runner.
There was becoming more of a gap between myself and riders around my speed. Lights were on now and it was time to maintain the effort I had put in earlier in the afternoon. Just hope I had put enough in to make the time I needed. The trouble didn’t stop though, I had digestion issues with the power bar I needed to consume in the third hour, I only got two bites into the bar. It was very uncomfortable.
Finally the fourth hour passed and I finished. I was exhausted and had the need for the use of a port-a-loo. It could have been the number I picked up at rego “13”, also the position I managed to place in the category “13”. That was Round 1 of the 4hr series.
Thanks to FRS, Bikes at the Basin and DIY MTB for their ongoing support. Have a festive period!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy my “Ride for a Reason” has made its way into MTB culture with Pedal for Pierce at Stromlo this month. Featuring in a MTB mag and with a bit of reference on the web, this is a great opportunity to help out or just read about Muscular Dystrophy. Visit MDA for more information or here to read about personal struggles.
Last Week Warm Weather
On Friday I went for a ride to the coast. The weather was nice to start off with, warm but ok. It was a 70km one-way trip on mostly motorways, some sections I had to ride off the road due to the traffic which was hard work. As you come off the hill at Allambie the temperature dropped nicely, it was all downhill from here. The return trip was more eventful, turns out some of the motorways I had traveled on east could be negotiated by bike heading west. This forced me off the original route, on roads I didn’t know. I ended up near Parramatta, way off course, fatigued and slightly sun burnt from the forty degree day. Having ridden just as long in the westerly direction as the easterly but with well over an hour out from home I made up my mind to call it a day. A further three kilometers I passed Rosehill Race Course and found the closest westerly heading train station. It ended up being 50km on the bike before I reached the train. Probably one of the best $5 I had spent on a very hot day, the train ride.
Saturday I rode with the Tri bunch again. This week they did hills again which I like. After Fridays big day on the bike I took it easy, keeping up with the middle of the group. It was a fairly nice 50km morning and good to get a ride while not in the heat of the day.
This week Sunday was a busy day, SCUM had the last of their XC Series. Having not raced in a couple of weeks I chose to wake up early and head down the coast of some fun. The track would be Coondoo, a staple diet for many Nowra based MTBers. Coondoo has also been the host track for the Merida X-Fusion 6hr this year and previous 8hr Series. Recently some of the track had been burnt out, the diligent crew at SCUM refurbished many parts of the track and creating lines around new features. The conditions of the track were dry, dusty and often sandy. Even with warm weather predicted the turnout of racers for the last round was massive, one hundred riders registered.
A combined start of categories created the a hectic sprint of the line. I went into the single track about tenth behind my elite competitors, mixed in with the Expert riders. The first lap is a warm-up for me and an ideal time to test the conditions. Sliding out on the fine loose dust through corners I found the edge between laying in the dust and taking it easy.
Yes I had dirt in my gloves, I also broke the inside attachment of the upper strap on my left shoe from the first lap. Northwave's top of the line MTB shoe has a highly adjustable upper strap. Another rider I know that uses NW's Carbon Raptor has had the top strap inside attachment stitched permanently to the shoe. It has been a while since I have broken the inside adjuster and usually it is on the right foot. The shoes continue to be stiff and comfortable cycling shoes, I have quite a few spare inside attachment clips through Bikes at the Basin.
On the main fire-trail section, first lap I made an effort to make up time, passing many riders from the lower grades. It was lap two to four where I made up all my time to the other riders in Elite field. Catching Shane Wood from Bikes at the Basin on lap four ment I was close to the front, with possibly Paul Traynor the only rider ahead of me.
Even on the final lap, lap five, I still felt strong. I would have been happy to go out for at least another two laps as I still had energy to burn. A good breakfast, FRS before the ride and some carbs/ electrolyte during the ride makes for simple XC racing. I have been keeping a close eye on my food intake, ensuring I get enough. Over the last month or so I have been able to ride lots and make a small gain in weight.
Placing two minutes down per lap to Paul wasn’t so bad and I did manage to come second over the line in the Elite category in SCUM‘s final XC round for the year. It was a fun ride at Coondoo, visit the track this holiday period, there is some great riding.
Saturday I rode with the Tri bunch again. This week they did hills again which I like. After Fridays big day on the bike I took it easy, keeping up with the middle of the group. It was a fairly nice 50km morning and good to get a ride while not in the heat of the day.
This week Sunday was a busy day, SCUM had the last of their XC Series. Having not raced in a couple of weeks I chose to wake up early and head down the coast of some fun. The track would be Coondoo, a staple diet for many Nowra based MTBers. Coondoo has also been the host track for the Merida X-Fusion 6hr this year and previous 8hr Series. Recently some of the track had been burnt out, the diligent crew at SCUM refurbished many parts of the track and creating lines around new features. The conditions of the track were dry, dusty and often sandy. Even with warm weather predicted the turnout of racers for the last round was massive, one hundred riders registered.
A combined start of categories created the a hectic sprint of the line. I went into the single track about tenth behind my elite competitors, mixed in with the Expert riders. The first lap is a warm-up for me and an ideal time to test the conditions. Sliding out on the fine loose dust through corners I found the edge between laying in the dust and taking it easy.
Yes I had dirt in my gloves, I also broke the inside attachment of the upper strap on my left shoe from the first lap. Northwave's top of the line MTB shoe has a highly adjustable upper strap. Another rider I know that uses NW's Carbon Raptor has had the top strap inside attachment stitched permanently to the shoe. It has been a while since I have broken the inside adjuster and usually it is on the right foot. The shoes continue to be stiff and comfortable cycling shoes, I have quite a few spare inside attachment clips through Bikes at the Basin.
On the main fire-trail section, first lap I made an effort to make up time, passing many riders from the lower grades. It was lap two to four where I made up all my time to the other riders in Elite field. Catching Shane Wood from Bikes at the Basin on lap four ment I was close to the front, with possibly Paul Traynor the only rider ahead of me.
Even on the final lap, lap five, I still felt strong. I would have been happy to go out for at least another two laps as I still had energy to burn. A good breakfast, FRS before the ride and some carbs/ electrolyte during the ride makes for simple XC racing. I have been keeping a close eye on my food intake, ensuring I get enough. Over the last month or so I have been able to ride lots and make a small gain in weight.
Placing two minutes down per lap to Paul wasn’t so bad and I did manage to come second over the line in the Elite category in SCUM‘s final XC round for the year. It was a fun ride at Coondoo, visit the track this holiday period, there is some great riding.