Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Weekend ride

Sundays riding was a big four hour effort. I was lead around the 80km loop by some local knowledge. It included three massive hill climbs. In breif it was to Upper Colo, Whinney Ck then over to Kurmond. Looks like a great ride for those who want to ride/race 100km.

Thursday, January 21, 2010


The fastest way to the top of Thredbo is by chairlift. The fastest way down is by mountainbike. From the top of the chairlifts are marked mountainbike tracks, downhill tracks if you will. You could ride any mountainbike down but a downhill (DH) specific bike is the easiest and the quickest. The main DH trail begins on the access gravel road and after an introduction to water-bars it sweeps into single track. This track is not for the faint hearted, even the B lines required technical abilities. Marked with boulders, tree roots and tight burms this gravity fed track goes only one way, that’s down. There is no need for a chain, as you can quite easily coast the entire way. If you want to go faster, remove your vice like grip of the brake levers, peddle a bit and do a sub 10min run.
Don't forget kids, to wear amour. After a couple of runs I had a grasp of the run, well that's what I thought. Then I found myself flying across the rocks. With claret oozing and a bit of gravel rash I thanked the full face helmet for saving my head, body amour and knee/shin guards for saving most of my skin. At pace there were some good rhythms you could get into over the boulders and also in the switchbacks.
Give a gravity run a go some time, it is real fun, just do it safely.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Thredbo XC

Nearing the ceiling of Australia the trails of Thredbo can cover a lot of altitude. The XC loop starts on the eastern side of the township and was well marked. It followed some multi-use trail firstly heading east then climbed the hillside for the remainder of the trail in a westerly direction. As these are multi use trails you have to be vigilant for walkers which used the trails in both directions. A part from the walkers the loop is not heavily used by MTBers, there is probably a few good reasons. Firstly the designated loop has a heap of climbing and I mean granny gear type of stuff. Also don't head down there with your super fast semi slick tyres either, a proper set of knobs were needed just for traction when climbing. The second reason for the lack of use would have to be the popularity of the gravity fed adrenalin rush, but I will get to that soon. Back on the XC loop, it crossed a variety of terrain from hard packed dirt to loose gravel, grass, rock and timber platforms The trails are graded for difficulty with most of the loop in the moderate category and it is not till you reach the heavily timbered section on the western end that it hits difficult. The technical DH sections of the loop are studded with large rocks, roll-overs and stairs, still all within the realms of a XC bike. I recommend getting out on the loop during the early morning or late afternoon as the trails are virtually empty. The XC loop at Thredbo is part of the National Series and makes a fun and tough track.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Dubbo




The first place I visited was the Skate park, located close to the center of town. This place was huge, with a street area and massive bowl featuring Australia's first full pipe. The bowl was particularly interesting as it can easily accommodate a MTB. Best suited here would be a short wheel-based bike, but even my XC bike had plenty of space. With a couple of roll-ins and some big walls this park is a sweet spot to pump. Just check it out early as it is popular with the skaters, scooters and an occasional BMX.




A couple of blocks away is the BMX track. It is small and flat, makes for a heap of peddling. Not a heap of fun, but at least they have one. The bandits ride at the track on a monthly basis, during the cooler months.




Close to the Skate park is the Velodrome. Road and Velo riding is popular in Dubbo from Bicycle Users to full blown racers, maxing out miles. There seems to be something for every skinny wheeler during the week. The local bike shop is a good place to start for more information.




I asked around and found out where the XC trails are in the area. Head 30km out to Geurie, turn right at the pub, near Payne St, at the edge of town you will find the trail head. This is a Disciples of Dirt XC area, it is all single track, winding its way around the reserve on the hill. It is well marked in their usual direction of riding, it is clockwise at this spot. There are two trails, a shorter inside loop marked in yellow and the bigger outside loop which makes use of much of the reserve in white. As I said it is all single track but not of a highly technical nature. It is fun, fast and smooth. The outside trail is probably around the 7 to 8km length. The club holds regular races and weekly social rides around this location.




Across the road I found the more adventurous trails. This spot had a bit of dirt jump and up the hill some small gravity assisted trails. Unfortunately the trails did not seem to loop but it was fun to get out on some wide burmed corners and rock jumps. Just ask the local Disciple for more information and access to other areas. :)

Inverell Photos

Rifle Range Rd Track Other Trail