Good Deeds and Training Steeds

Having done quite a few commuting k's over the last couple of weeks I was doing some on-bike exploring of the local area the other day attempting to find some new routes and back-roads to link up. I had ridden around and was on my way back when I rode up beside some stopped vehicles at traffic lights, noticed a caravan-er had an open fuel door on their 4x4 ahead. I slowed and pulled up beside their open window and inquired to see if their fuel cap and door was suppose to be in an it's open state. No? I didn't want to ask how long it had been since they had filled up,but just scootered back to fit the cop and close the door with a reassuring clunk. I continued on my way down to the lights and it wasn't until two more sets of lights, a couple of kilometres later the caravan passed me with a polite wave.

Who was the mountain biker riding along the soft sand on Manly Beach and what were they training for? Could it have been the Simpson Desert Challenge or MTNs to Beach? And what techniques, the weirder the better, do you use to train?

Manly Dam

Word on the street is that Warringah Council is looking to develop further MTB trails at Manly Dam. So I headed out to the unique location to see how the trails have been holding up.

Manly Dam is just a few short k's from Manly beach and is easily accessible via the roads off Condamine St. The trail is sandstone based and is mostly hardpacked with a mixture of sandy and rocky sections. Highlights include single track and downhill sections that take some practise to smoothly ride. Over the years boardwalks have been added and rocks moved to counter natural erosion and the constant use of the trails by bikes, runners and walkers.

The trail was mostly dry but rain three days earlier had still left some puddles, a little mud and more water in the stream crossing than usual. Not much had changed climbing up from the school and it wasn't until the traverse across the top of the golf course that significant work had been carried out. Ground level boards had been replaced by a raised board walk, a great move for more sustainable trails. Further on and moving into the returning descent a nice little section of rock armoured trail has been built leading to the B-line near the massive A-line "Humvee" roll-over. With the heavy use of this trail it is good to see work being done that will last for years and years.

Of course with any public multi use trail it is a good idea to keep in mind the other users, it is not uncommon to come across walkers and runners using the trail in both directions. It will be interesting to see what the Council and local trail users come up with over the next year for Manly Dam.

Scott24 Vid Super Shorts

Scott 24 Random Pics

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You will have to wait for the highlight Vid...

Scott24 - A short write up

Great to see the turnout of MTBers at the SCOTT24. Even though I wasn't riding I still of a few butterflies at the first glimpse of Stromlo will all the tents on it.

I knew riders in the Solo category, teams in Pairs, Sporty 4's through to riders in teams of Mixed 6's. Everyone would have got a good taste of the Stromlo mud and rocky conditions.

I'm not sure anyone really warmed up to the Blue Lap but that didn't stop the smiles and "Gordo Style" grimaces through transition.

First-timers on the Red Lap just wanted to get back out for another run on Skyline and the Luge, in an instant they had forgotten the +30mins of straight climbing involved to reach the top.

The weather gods were just toying with those on the mountain, blowing up some incredibly dark clouds, bone chilling winds, little precipitation and then kicking back with some sun and a rainbow for laughs.

As darkness fell over the quietening camp the trails remained ablaze with bikes and lights, it is always a spectacle to look up the hill as lights flickered and wound their way around.

When the sun rose over Canberra many weary, muddy faces were washed with the red dawn. Slowly energy was kicked back into riders, the nights efforts now showed, in some cases the hunt was still on for that elusive position or team. In others, riding through the night had brought on a multiple lap advantage, an early shower, hot food, rest and recuperation before the presentations.

Like Bathurst, for MTBers, it was all good.

More to follow...