Rocky Trail GP at Mt Annan Pt III

These corners were just so fun to ride, I just had to photograph from there.

Rocky Trail GP at Mt Annan Pt II

Just a small collection so far.

RR were in full force.

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Bernard boys ripping it up.

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Rocky Trail GP at Mt Annan

Capturing moments from the Rocky Trail GP at Mt Annan.

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Grated bridges

Scoot down the hill

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Merida 12hr - Gordon St Cycles 6hr

Set in the state forest surrounding Port Mcquarie and conveniently located just minutes off the highway. A club house, an oval, BBQ, coffee guy, hot showers, bike wash and a whole bunch of mountain bikers sharing some of the sweetest trails from HVMTBR. The Mid-North Coast club attracted riders from as far away as Canberra and Brisbane for their annual 12hr weekend

Saturday the 20th March saw the gradual growth of tents around the tracks edges as racers and support crew prepared themselves for the race ahead. It also gave me the opportunity to complete a lap of the track. The skies were overcast, but there hadn't been any rain that day. The track, however, still had some slight wet areas due to recent rains.Later in the afternoon a Dirt Masters race was held for the kids, rego opened and the 12hr riders settled in for a short evening before they began at midnight. From all accounts the Merida 12hr riders got off to a great start, piercing the darkness with their LED lights. It was a full moon and the biggest in twenty years, although you wouldn't know due to the cloud cover, it could have been the moon that brought out the Yowies, their howls rang clear, even a down-pour of rain around 4am didn't dampen their spirits.

Arriving shortly after the rain had subsided for my 6am start of the Gordon St Cycles 6hr, I was keen to hear how the track was holding up with the changes of weather. The main focus of discussion was the timber sections on the trail, purpose made duck-boards and naturally fallen logs had become super slippery and created a couple of casualties. Otherwise the trail was said to have hardly changed, fast, compact and a tonne of fun.Six hours later I crossed through transition muddy, exhausted and satisfied in my attempt to hold Jason English's wheel, even if it was for a brief downhill section. The riders of the Merida 12hr and Gordon St Cycles 6hr had just experienced some great trails and hospitality from the Mid-North Coast club. A fun weekend was had by all and this event will be on my calendar in 2012. Thanks to my Brisbane friends for the recommendation and my support crew for their dedication.

Manly Dam

Attacking a rocky climb

Getting out to Manly Dam is always a bit of fun. The trail is sandstoned based but varies with loose sand to rocky and rooty sections. There is always a few people out no matter what time you look at riding.

The Yeti goes stealth with black forks

It was a great time to test out a set of X-Fusion Velvets on the Yeti while my SIDs are getting a quality servicing by DIY MTB. Check the latest Enduro Mag for a full review of X-Fusion's latest and word is the 15mm through axel variation will hit our shores shortly. For more on DIY MTB servicings visit the review page or this direct link.

Get out and enjoy the trails!

Trail Dog

Got out on a casual ride recently with my support crew and our dog. Had a heap of fun in the Hills area.
It has taken quite a few years to get our dog trained in trail and bike etiquette. Now he follows a wheel , sticks to the trail, stays clear of trouble and front wheels like a pro.

More on MTBing with your hound at MTB-OZ.

Getting your dog trail ready at Utah MTB.

Baptism of Fire

Headed down to Canberra for a casual event by Rocky Trail Entertainment, the Real Bike Insurance MTB cruise. There were plenty of distance options, ranging from10km to 100mile and entrants of all experience levels. The trails of Mt Stromlo were host to the Cruise and we braved another cool Canberra morning to register.

The 50km distance was going to be my cruise today and I was looking forward to some fun. We are away, winding up on the bitumen, converging onto the single track and snaking our way to the base of the initial climb. Heart rate check, yep it is high, we wind our way up the mountain, quite a few guys are keen and take opportunities to pass me. Further on, ok this might not be good, have just been passed by one of the ladies, heart rate check, still very high. My legs burn, just have to keep on the wheel and then finally some relief, downhill! This is where the fun starts, down the hill we fly, trail names like skyline and luge fly by. I make my first pass in the second half of the lap, the course is rocky, dry and dusty through this more technical section I make a gap, a small victory. Up ahead I see the guys that had previously passed me and as we wind our way back towards transition I begin to feel comfortable, my heart rate has dropped a little, my legs are feeling great.

At the transition to the second lap I am now on the wheel of the guys and my nose has started to water, it is a sign I am in a good place. The fact was this is same place I last rode my bike, well any bike. October 2010 for the 24 WSC. Should I really be feeling this good if I’ve not been on a bike in four months? Who cares, I’m having fun. We steadily climb again, just tapping away at the peddles , there is plenty of space and not much traffic, we pass easily some of the slower 80km riders. I spot the sneaky A-line towards the top of the hill and in a moment of elation take the line, passing the guys and making a gap. Now it was power on! Heart rate check, very high, oh well, my legs feel good and my nose is running, lets make the most of it. With plenty of open trail in front of me and a heap of downhill I let the Yeti fly. I take a glimpse back, no riders just empty trail, now just hold this for the last lap.

I wind my way to the base of the climb for the third and last lap, something is up, my legs are getting this hollow feeling. I think my body has been working on muscle memory and it is starting to falter. Nearing the top of the climb I take a quick look down and cant believe what I see, the riders I had passed a lap ago are making time on me, this is bad, all fun drains quickly and I am forced to drop from the 39t to the granny for the final section. Just let me make it to the top and hopefully I can hold them off for the remainder. I traverse to the start of the main decent and have the lady I passed on lap one on my wheel. Please let gravity do its thing as my legs have nothing left. Moving onto the second half of the course, heart rate check, very high, I engage the fork lockout and stand on the peddles for the pinch climbs. I have a small gap but it isn’t much, we wind our way back towards transition and finish line, pumping every bump and weakly spinning in between. There is only seconds in it as I launch off the A-line jump and make a feeble attempt at sprinting the final couple of hundred meters. Fully spent and exhausted I cross the line, eleven seconds between us, I am shattered after my first ride back in 2011.

Thanks to Rock Trail for putting on the cruise. My support crew, the Taylor’s and Enduro Pulse for all their assistance. And congratulations to Michelle who won the 50km Female Open category and pushed me to my limit. My 2011 baptism of fire.

Catching Up

Had a few days off to catch up with many people I rarely see or if I do it is those fleeting moments before or during a race. First stop was one of my support crew from the 24 Worlds, these guys and girls play a big part in seeing endurance riders achieve their goals. If it wasn't for the crew that support me there is little chance of me ever riding a 24 solo, let alone non-stop. Thanks again.

My Yeti spent a bit of time on the wall at Bikes at the Basin in Sanctuary Point during the festive period. Still covered in grime from the 24 Worlds Shane said it was a great source of conversation and a hot talking point. Much appreciation to Shane for looking after it and giving it a clean when he couldn't stand to look at a dirty any longer. Duck in to Bikes at the Basin when your next down in Jervis Bay area for your cycling needs. For those who are into downhill and motos I had a sneak peek of the latest goggles with integrated HD video, looked light and easy to use, more info at Shane's Bikes at the Basin website.

Over the last couple of months I have been checking out the calendar planning the rides, places to visit and races to enter. I could help but notice that every weekend began to fill with events and I was overwhelmed with the variety, enduros to stage races, and locations, from WA to NZ. As luck would have it I wasn't alone and when I visited Mr Enduro Pulse at Enduro Pulse HQ it seems change is in the air. Word is there will be a new, better and easier way to view the calendar, expect to see changes over the next few months. It was great to sit down and chat 'bout bikes, places we had been and the things we had both done over the last few months. Even threw down some plans for rides right out to November! Cant wait to get out and ride the new trails that have been built like Mt Annan. Explore places I haven't been to before, Alice Springs, and ride recent additions to the enduro calendar in recent years, events like THE 100ker. Have fun in 2011.