Enduro DH?

Is this the next area to open up? With big travel bikes, lots of DH and challenges, oh hopefully this is what they call Super D! I believe RockyTrail is bringing us the Rollercoaster Series in 2012 at Ourimbar and Stromlo. Hold onto your hats! More information at Rock Trail.

BottleButt Stats as collected by Bryton 30

2011/11/19 07:24: Activity Type: Mountain Biking

BottleButt Vid

BottleButt - The Race

Race day cleared to a fine morning and it was expected to be warm. I had a camelbak of water, Hammer Gel, Bars and all necessary bits to fix any of the usual bike related issues. Lining up beneath the start-arch, it was going to be straight out the front gate, 500 meters of road before we hit the fire-trail.
It didn’t take long before it turned rough, washed-out and it sorted out the front bunch. I attempted to keep with the small lead group which included Jason English but they were powering up the hills and I was just off the pace. Finding myself between the two distinct groups I noticed a rattle and during one of the early tough climbs isolated it to my bottle cage. Thankfully it was a slow point and I was happy to stop, whip out the multi tool for a quick re-torque of the attachment bolts. It was during these moments the following group caught me, but it was early days yet.
Completing the first loop, it defiantly felt longer than the 27km indicated. The steep fire-trail to water bars were the highlight, the “new” single-track was super fresh and I dug the front end in and found myself off the bike, that and pushing the bike on a steep hill so early were the other sections I care not to remember. At this point I was happy to skip the drink station, with what felt like a fairly heavy bladder still on my back and half a drink bottle of Perpetuem concentrate on the bike.

The “Green Zone” on the eastern side of the highway was another push-fest, both the 100km and 50km riders would traverse this section, once in each direction. It was at this stage one of the riders I was keeping up with compared the event to the Husky, it wasn’t favourable comparison as we trudged through the muddy forested area attempting to avoiding knee deep moto trenches. On the bright side once we hit firm ground one of the volunteers commented that we had seen “pretty much the worst of it”. Over the next two loops of the Jolly Nose trails, it was evident that it may have been drier but it was still enough for my counterpart to pull the pin. The course changed only a little bit from the first loop to the second, thankfully with only ninety riders starting the event, it didn’t get much muddier. The biggest change was a huge tree that had fallen across the track, well I don’t remember having to trek around a tree the first time round.

Getting to the final drink station was a relief, my camelbak was now dry and I had rationed a bottle of HEED through the second lap of Jolly Nose loop. The day had heated up to a scorcher and in amongst the trees it was very humid. I refilled my bottle, munched on at least two oranges before adding a little extra water to my bladder “just in case”. Sure it was just 20km to the finish but if I was to go off the last eighty I quickly calculated there was possibly another hour and a half of riding. The volunteers suggested that there had been less than ten 100k’ers through.

The last section was more of the same, fire-road into muddy single-track. There were multiple unachievable sections including a very long and steep moto gouge which I couldn’t ascend without a small breather. From there it went back to fire-trail and eventually opened to just rolling steep hills with little shade. I passed a GSC rider, he seemed to have hit the wall but said he was alright. I rode on alone just hoping at every hilltop to sense that the finish was at the bottom. Thankfully the trail entered a forested area, the shade was a relief, then it swung onto a tar road, was this it?

I reached the top of a rise and spotted the moto-facility. I crossed the line exhausted after 6:45hrs in and out of the saddle. My Yeti ASR-C continues to be a good balance between speed and comfort. The SRAM drive-train shone non-stop and shift smoothly despite the wet and muddy conditions.

It was evident there was a big dropout rate as the carpark was mostly empty of cars. Turns out there was a 30% DNF rate over both the 50 and 100km. At the presentations it was disappointing to see the participants who were successful in their category not get their podium moment. But the iAdventure team should be praised for putting together a well marked course and a smooth event. The choice of location with “real” toilets, hot showers, bike wash, there were free tents to camp in, a BBQ and live music close to the Event Centre.

When Jason English remarked to me, “wasn’t that the hardest 100km you’ve done?”. I have to admit, yes Jas, it was.

Highland Fling Video

Thanks to Spriggsy for collecting the footage.

BottleButt Prelude

The BottleButt is newest 100km event to join the ever growing list of MTB Enduros. Located in the Port Macquarie region and designed in consultation with local resident 2x World Solo Champion Jason English. The trails used by the event were to take us through the lush State Forest of the Mid-North Coast around Queens Lake and Burrawan.

Due to clashes with other events in the area on the first scheduled weekend the BottleButt was postponed to November, just one week after the highly popular Highland Fling in the Southern Highlands . The Fling was to be the final round of the XCM Marathon Series and the BottleButt, originally on the list, therefore was scrubbed from the Series.

A week before the event changes were being made to the course. Bago Bluff climb was removed and the 100km riders would now complete a double loop of the Jolly Nose trails. Entries remained open till mid-week before the event, unlike most 100km Enduros this year the event did not reach capacity. Turns out numbers were slim and more like a club Enduro with 140 entrants over both the 50km and 100km.

Weather was going to play a factor as the region had approximately 70mm of precipitation 48hrs prior. The Otway has had one (or two), Pleasure and Pain, Capital Punishment and most recently the Husky, all have seen wet races. Forecast was for it clear for the weekend.

CX/Short-Track

When it is all done and dusted.

ADCC Mountainbike Championships

A ute loaded with bikes and a weeks worth of possible medical gear we left Sydney for the unpredictable weather of Canberra and the 2011 Australian Defence Cycling Club Mountainbike Championships. Monday morning was familiarisation session on the trails of Stromlo. A small group of us choose the trunk trail to get up past the observatory and then of course the spectacular Skyline and Luge on the way down. It gave us an opportunity to ensure our bikes were ready for the weeks racing and scope trail conditions.
In the afternoon it was a skills session with Indi Boer, former Australian National DH Champion, and James Bashford, Australian DH representative, on the 4X track and DH trail. Leaning new skills like manualing, and the line selection experienced riders use added to everyone's abilities.
Tuesday morning was 4X and I used the new found skills to fly through the heat and into the semi final. During the semi final run I missed out on the Final by half a bike length.
In the afternoon it was the XC and it was lightning fast. It was a carpark sprint to the first corner between scattered showers and onto the now tacky track. With only four laps and a total of just 28km it was an all out sprint. I gave it a solid hit-out and attempted to red-line the whole race, lap 1 was a little slow with traffic but lap 2 through to 4 only varied by less than 10 seconds. I just couldn't make back the time to the XC specialists in such a short distance..
The weather was continuing to be wet on Thursday morning and the DH riders headed up the mountain for some timed runs. Slowly the scattered showers started to clear and the wind picked up drying off the trails. Just before lunch I headed up for one timed run and a starting time to work from for the afternoons final race runs. I was happy to post just under a 4 minute time.Stromlo's Downhill track is world-class and has been used for Australian National Championships, UCI World Cup and the 2009 UCI World Mountainbike Championships. With a variety of terrain and features, my aim was to attempt as many A-lines as "reasonably practicable". The infamous "Rock-Garden" was on the list, but the G-20 drop, Triple Treat and road gap were not. The afternoons competition runs were a little interesting in the wind, my first run I crashed after a bad line after a drop-off and small rock-garden, completing the run in 3:45. My final run clocked a time of 3:28 and was about a smooth and clean as any run I had completed all week.

It was great to spend almost a week on the trails of Stromlo, catching up with and making new friends, and of course riding two Yeti Bikes. Results for the ADF Champs, Semi Finalist 4X on the AS-R 7, 5th Elite XC on the ASR-C, 6th Elite DH on the AS-R 7.

ADCC Downhill

Yeti's AS-R 7

Big bike, big travel and the big brother to the highly popular 575, Yeti's AS-R 7 is a serious machine for those long crazy descents with the capability of riding to the top again.
Its generous reach had me immediately comfortable and a flick of the ProPedal, set to ride to the top of any hill. The long wheel base was only noticeable on the tightest climbing corners and the extra bulk play a bit of a factor when keeping up with lighter, short-travel bikes. Best treated as a seated climber.
It wasn't until the sweeping descents and baby-head rocks we en-counted heading back down the mountain that I really understood the AS-R 7. Although on the tall side, the bike's length provides great stability, confidence and smooths out the rough terrain. Assured of the bikes DH ability with its burly 2.35" tyres, DHX Air shock, through-axle front and rear, it was time to drop the seat and put it to the extent of my DH riding abilities.
Unfortunately the AS-R 7 was running a standard seat post and with the interrupted seat tube I couldn't get the seat super low, though the bike is adjustable seat-post ready with clips on the top tube. After two deep breaths I pointed the Fox Float RC2 fork at the Double Diamond run...
With no hint of flex, the bike handled precisely and easily soaked up the terrain. Extra emphasis is needed on big drops/launches with plenty of weight over the back wheel due to the bikes tall nature. The AS-R 7 challenged my skills at full speed, with ledges, launches, drop offs and doubles not normally considered. This bike took on everything I pointed it at and did it with ease.
If your prepared to ride to the top and need plenty of travel for the way down or need a versatile in the AM/DH category this could be the bike for you.

Ok here it is...

Take one Yeti AS-R7, Stromlo DH trail and an endurance rider.

The Highland Fling

"F-ling awesome" and "don't even feel to wrecked right now, but lets leave my time out of it, hey..." were just some of the comments post 2011 Highland Fling. The Fling is one of a few times a year the usually sleepy town of Bundanoon is awakened with a chorus of pedal clicks and gear crunches. Nestled in the Southern Highlands and close to great MTB location of Wingello the competitors were in for a treat.

For first time half Flinger, Andrew Coppleman, it was all about completion. "I am still alive,... I didn't come dead last", Andrew had chosen the half Fling to be his first MTB event, from all accounts he had a ball especially on the technical single-track towards the end, "the quality of track was best and watching other riders make a meal of it was amusing". When pressed Andrew revealed that the sand at the top of "Broke Back Mt" was a definite low point.

When the on-course decision had to be made, "Your Call", between the step-ups and the fire-trail around, it wasn't as bad as he expected, though he did walk the step-ups. "The other guys I normally ride with did really well and I can appreciated the value of training". Andrew is now considering his next event, possibly something a little more DH based, Super D perhaps?

Scott 24hr solo, STM Rydal 8hr, Syd to Gong, endurance rider Mark Astley has been leaving plenty of tyre marks over the last few months. Most recently he pulled up a bit sore after the full Fling. With no dedicated training since early October and the Scott 24, there was no surprise the Fling hurt a bit. After taking the first loop nice and easy Mark made good time on the second loop and absolutely smashed his time for the same loop last year.It was the final loop that makes or breaks the ride and the "Rollercoaster" around the 95km point is perfect for sorting those things out, "was smashing the flats and dying on the hills, ...granny gear an all".

The Highland Fling continues to be a "must do" on a ever growing list of 50/100ker events around Australia. Have you Flung recently?

Thanks to Andrew and Mark for their inspiration and perspiration.

Photos to Follow...

4X @ the ADCC MTB Championships

Take a mix of bikes, a mix of abilities, Stromlo 4X track and a ton of fun.

The Convict Trail

A great way to revisit the trails of the 100km Classic, learn about our history and methods of making roads.

A follow on from Road Racing, what the...?!?

NIght Ride

Having some fun and getting back into night rides.