This weeks Rock n Roll

Straight to the Poolroom!

These hoops will be part of Project 9er.

Another short action clip from further adventures, this could be classified as altitude training.

Rollercoaster Stromlo - The Video

With super fast mix of riders at the Elite end in both Round 1 and 2 of Rocky Trail's Rollercoaster it was interesting to be involved with this Super D event. In Round 1 it was defiantly playing into the hands for those who raced short sharp technical events. Round 2 saw more of a balance with the trail favouring the XC style rider, as there was a firetrail climb just after the half way point long enough to test those legs.

You'll see many of the fun sections from Stromlo in the Round 2 race video.

Rollercoaster Teaser

So the Rollercoaster Stromlo Video isn't to far away, this is just a taste of a great day.

Stromlo Rollercoaster

Did you have a smile on your face on the weekend? If you were at the final round of RockyTrail's Rollercoaster Series upon Stromlo, you would have had a permanent one. The Rollercoaster Series brought together all facets of MTBing, the DHers, the AM riders, XC whippets, from competitive racer to totally social rider. Pitting you and your favourite, or choice of bike, against a technical but potentially fast track.

Photo:theroostmag.com.au

With shuttle runs to the top of Stromlo, it was basically Wedgetail, Skyline, Luge and finally onto the new sections of the Playground on the way down. Was there much up? Just enough to make a difference between riding your short travel dually and hefty DH rig. You would get down faster on the short travel option.

Photo:theroostmag.com.au

We scored with the weather, the inclement conditions on Saturday cleared for the standard winter cold and windy Canberra affair, especially at the top of the hill. But once you were counted down it was all hot-under-the-collar with 100% effort to get across and down the hill in the shortest time possible. XC grade downhill time-trial with shuttle runs to the top, in its own way, just as good as riding all day.

I look forward to RockyTrail's next Rollercoaster Series.

Chocolate Foot's Rock Wallaby

It is not often I get to Appin, not after it ripped the MTBing mojo from my body during an eight hour enduro. Post event I said I would never do that again, but then I said that about 24hr events too. Since that fateful day the only events I've returned to Appin for, and there have only been a couple, were shorter cross-country style with just a couple of hours in the saddle. The Rock Wallaby had been of interest this year as it had been some time since my last visit to Appin, that and the fact there were so many DNFs last year. How hard can this twenty-odd kilometre loop be? 

The key for me would be having fun on the trail. The elements to make this happen would be my “I’m not here to race” attitude and bike setup. For Appin the Yeti was setup with extra sag and some fat tubeless rubber, plenty of squish to soak up the harsh trail. As for my attitude, goals were set, just finish, don’t push on the first lap and do a good warm-up.

The chilly air hadn’t put off any riders and the small township of Appin was buzzing with bikes and coffee induced jitters. The recent wet weather had forced the CF crew to shorten the trail but only by a few kilometres and there was an additional new singletrack we were having the pleasure of being almost the first riders to bed in. As the sun started burning the mornings dew from the football oval we were unleashed onto the renown Appin trails.

Photo:theroostmag.com.au

For the half Wallaby’s especially those new to MTBing one lap was enough. At no stage would they have been bored and after all they may have heard about Appin’s gruelling trails, it may have even been tough than ever imaginable. But the social atmosphere where everyone was having fun took the rough edge off this super challenging trail.

To do two laps didn’t even cross my mind, after all, the first lap was more of a preview leading into what would be the faster, more fun lap. I really enjoyed the Rock Wallaby but will remain cautious of the Appin trails especially since the 20km feels like 30km and 40km/60km. The technical nature and unrelenting conditions will test any rider, Rock Wallaby is defiantly a suitable title for this great event, it felt like I had gone ten rounds with one, twice my size.