Rock Wallaby Short Grab

Maintenance Time

Is there a bit of play in the rear end of your dually? Bolts are all tight, bearings running smoothly, what is next? Consider the du bushes in your shock, a bit of a how to, using the right bit of kit.



For those who like to tackle their own bike maintenance a DIY MTB Bush Tool is a must for the toolbox.

Port 24

The newest 24hr on the coast, using the home trails of Jason English, 24hr World Champ. 

 Bikes racked ready to ride.

 The startline, 3 minutes to go!

This event has evolved from the highly successful Port 12hr, which attracted quality riders from as far away as Sydney and Brisbane. Choose between 24hr solo or teams, 12hr solo, 6+6hr solo or teams and finally 6hr solo or pairs or Jr team.

So here was an opportunity to ride in an area which isn’t hot, isn’t cold, isn’t rocky and isn’t dusty. In the immortal words of the Refusenix team “it’s Baby Bear’s 24, juuust right”. And what a trail they have at Tele Point. If I haven’t harped on about it enough already in previous blogs, there is a little up, loads of down, some fast flats with plenty of flow thrown in. The trail always has just a little tackiness, with a few duck-board features to keep us out of the wetter section. There was also a new section of trail recently opened after some extensive trail work, to grit our teeth on. I never get bored returning up to Tele Point to ride these super fun trails.

The Port kids gave me a run for my money off the startline.

So the only problem was it bucketed down with rain before the initial weekend and now the Port 24 was pushed onto the mothers day weekend, competing with a local adventure race, the ICME stage race and the Willo enduro. This seems to have been the story of enduro mountainbiking for the last five months, rescheduled events.

When we arrived the event hub was already filling with tents, shelters, camper-trailers and caravans. There was no line-up at rego and the line at the coffee van was just a few chatty locals, get your coffee hit. The HVMTBR crew were already manning their little shopfront, get your sugar hit. Real toilets, showers and changing facility, all part of the basics HVMTBR offer out of their clubhouse.

Everyone was having fun!

With three minutes to the gun the start line felt a little empty as I shared it with a few other riders but as the time was counted down other competitors emerged from the shade, or their warm-up to join us. Five, four, three and I was swapped by elbow high kids who accelerated away all keen to get onto the singletrack first and amongst the trees.

With so many racing options at this event, I just made it simple, I competed in the GSC 6hr last year, this year I would return to do the same. Six hours is any enduro riders idea of a good time on a bike. 

6107 - Leads the Solo 6hr 

Out on course the trail was in perfect condition and the first few laps were at a quick pace. It wasn’t long before my support crew had identified the leading 6hr rider, I was able to focus on my effort to remain in contact and relax a little. From here it seemed the cards were already being dealt my favor. 

With still a few hours left of the 6hr there were a few riders starting to suffer. There were team and solos riders cramping or in mild discomfort as the hours on the bike took their toll. The leading 6hr rider and I had swapped off the front on occasions and this time when I caught him, he complained of cramps and I left him behind mid climb. It was another lap or so before I saw him again and just in passing, somewhere back 10mins or so on the lap.

The quiet trails of Tele Point.

It was also around this time I was finally able to utilize my Ay-Ups and blaze these fun trails for the remainder of my 6hr event. Pass the timing tent for the final time I found I a handy lead on the remaining solo 6hr riders, improving on my placing from last year with a win in the category.

Another great event with the Port 24. The mid north coast is defiantly an area I’m keen to explore more. Keep an eye on Enduro Pulse for more Refusenix enduro events.

Port 24 Video and Strava

and on Strava

 

Convict 100 Video

Convict 100

A misty morning greeted the 100kers for their 7am start. The air was cool enough for warmers, but then it was a short bitumen bunch sprint to the first major climb. This year migration to the little hamlet of St Albans sees some of Australia ’s best mountainbikers race along side those who are just challenged by the distance. Riders arrived from all over NSW, as far away as Queensland and Tasmania , to this sold-out event.

With dry conditions leading up to the event, a massive elite field, points and glory up for grabs in the Real Insurance XCM Series the scene was set as the 100kers were launched from the river side for record breaking finishing times. Bunches quickly formed as hundreds of riders headed for the hills. It would be the first major climb that would sort out those that could (on-bike climb) with those who would have to try to next time.

At 9am the mist had almost cleared to a sunny sky, this was the start for the 50kers. The first two rows included quite a few elite team riders, I knew I had my work cut out just keeping up with the likes of young Kyle Ward and XC specialist Andy Arthur. The start was the usual blistering speed, one of the cyclocross riders did make a small break while still on the tarmac but the lead peloton easily brought him back into the fold before the 4wd trail.

Photo: theroostmag.com.au

After completing the climb, on the bike, I had made up quite a few places and crested the next few hills in a group of three. There was no letting up with the pace though and I did a long pull on the front, dropping our third rider and getting us within reach of the group in front of us. My travelling partner managed to cross the gap with a burst of speed on a climb but I just didn’t have that bit extra to catch them.

The group remained just out of reach for quite a few kilometres as I traversed the rock strewn and sandy fire-trails. Little did I know help was just behind me till a bunch of 29er hardtails sauntered past me, was I standing still? No these guys were absolutely hooking along the flat and smoother sections. A small amount of recovery and I begin pushing the group on the climbs and leaded them through the descents.

But it was the final descent, overtaking off the main line, brakeless and soaking up (or launching) the waterbars where my Yeti and I left the group picking around the rocks some where between the first and second waterbar. I made the gap to the remainder of the group in front which now was only two riders. We hit the dirt road and turned towards St Albans , I hoped we could TT this final section as a small group. I was focused on the task at hand when one of my compatriots informed us we were about to get visitors, the 29ers had made it off the hill and we were about to be crushed under their roadtrain.

Gravel flying we formed a group of around eight, the pace was just as high as the blistering speed we started on. We flew along the remained of the course, past the point where the 100kers join, over those last final little climbs and left it to the last final hundreds of meters before sprinting off the front in any hope to gain some sort of advantage. Crossing the line I was happy that I felt exhausted, I gave every effort to leave everything out on the trail.

Photo: theroostmag.com.au

The Elite 100kers, both male and female categories were on their way to making new course records. Andy Blair showed his experience under these fast and testing conditions to make a late break and cross the line first. Jenny Fay lead from the first climb and went on to set a seriously fast time. Congratulations must go out to those riders who completed the event and had fun while doing it.

The good news was everything worked perfectly for me. With energy from Hammer Nutrition’s HEED, Bar and Gel. My Yeti ASR-C climbed like a champion and made descending a breeze. I achieved my aim and set a new PB for myself, smashing my previous by around eight minutes.

 

Singletrack Mind – Orange

After the Ginja Ninja 250 in February, I was keen to return to the Kinross Forest , just outside Orange , to ride the sweet trails. Thankfully the Chocolate Foot team was at hand with Round 1 of their Singletrack Mind Series in late April. It would be a just a 7hr, being friendly for those who make the travel commitment and just long enough to test those legs backing up after the previous days Capital Punishment.

Arriving later than expected after under estimating our travel time, I was very happy to find no line at rego, but most importantly rego was still open. Race number on, race kit on, I went straight from the car to the rider brief and short warm-up. We massed on the fire-trail for the climb before the singletrack and first lap.

The weather patterns had be completely different to February in the weeks prior to STM – Orange and it was immediately noticeable. We were facing a totally dry trail and with well over 200 riders, in time the trail was sure to begin to rut. Thankfully the CWORBC crew had a roving trail fairy patching the trail throughout the day. We were also presented with CWORBC’s latest trail additions and had the dusty pleasure of bedding in these new flowing sections for them.

With the race well under way there seemed to be a casual atmosphere amongst the participants, everyone seemed to be having plenty of fun. For me it was all about spending time on the bike and getting the little things right, food, hydration and any other little niggles. I had a great ride sitting comfortably within the top 10 solos, even backed off on a late lap to capture some riding with the GoPro.

Up the front of the race it was very much a fox and hound affair. In the male solos Ed McDonald, usually a Single Speed fox, ensured he was untouchable by running gears and outpaced his competitors. 2011 STM Series winners Andrew Hall, after completing the Capital Punishment the previous day, just didn’t have the legs to keep with Ed and went on to settle for second. It was a similar story in the female solo category with Ronja Hill-Wright leading the category, but Janet Martin with her consistent laps stamped her dominance in the latter hours and ended a lap up on her competitors and a comfortable win.

Kinross with its tough little climbs, technical features and plenty of cambered corners you would have to agree is a great trail and I’m sure there will be plenty more mountainbikers keen to return for more fun. Well done to the CWORBC crew and Chocolate Foot for another well put together event. See you at the next enduro event.

    

STM Orange Video

Round 1 of the STM Series was hosted in Orange, home of the Ginja Ninja 250. With dry conditions the trails were fast, dry and dusty. This didn't stop Round 1 from being a great fun event, you can look forward to more fun with STM Series throughout the year.