JetBlack 24

It was November and we are again considering the final big event for the year, the JetBlack 24. A running history of some tough conditions this event has seen us ride both successfully and less-successfully across a variety of categories. For this year we chose to compete as a team reeling back to a 6+6 in hope of some rest and recovery overnight, dialing the fun up to 11 during the day.

The hectic start for the teams in the 24hr and 6+6.

There were warm conditions again this year and hydration was going to play a key aspect of anyones ride.  A trail extension was added, only just completed the week of the event and this would see riders enjoy a couple more built features and then turn around to hurt badly on the winding climbs.

Open fire-trail start gets the first few teams into the single-track without serious conga.

Rocky Trail Entertainment had scored the National Solo 24hr Championships to be held in conjunction with the JetBlack 24hr. This saw some of the best endurance riders gravitate to Mt Annan from as far away as New Zealand and South Australia. But it wasn't just the specialists in attendance for the Nats but plenty of guys and girls giving solo 24 a go for the first time. It was great to be able to watch as top contenders Andrew Lloyd, Ed McDonald, Jason English, Liz Smith and Tory Thomas played their hands throughout the event.

24hr solo first-timer Kevlar.

For us in the 6+6 it seemed like we had picked the most competitive category with many teams including some serious XC and Marathon talent. We still laid down some decent lap times while hovering close to the top 5 teams in the category, many thanks to our team mates for the no stress transitions and chilled vibe while off the bike.

Team-mate Mick hands off to Shane in the 6+6.

The on-course atmosphere was very laid back, it was pretty sweet to be able to ride with so many top-level and representative riders. There is always plenty of passing opportunities and everyone was courteous, solos, teams, who-ever. 

Another great event by Rocky Trail, thanks to JetBlack MTB Racing team and our sponsors for all their support this year. 

We were able to relax overnight while the 24hr rides rolled through.

Full results here.

JetBlack 24 2013 The Video

Another great event by Rocky Trail Entertainment, their 100th too!

Finding fun at Mt Annan

I've previously described Mt Annan, I've been crushed by Mt Annan, succeeded at Mt Annan and finally, found peace with Mt Annan. This is story is probably familiar with many, going through their own Mt Annan cycle. One particular character springs to mind who has gone through his own Mt Annan cycle and set the scene so eloquently, the highs, the lows.

Photo: JetBlack

 Hour 1&2: This is usually a blinder of an hour or so, but it all began with a comfortable start, squeezing into about the 4th row. Even with extended fire trail sections the event organisers are adding to the start, it is so easy to get caught out by someones mistake or tentativeness, ending in a nice conga-line single-track.
It all seemed to work in fine and once in the single-track I was surprised to find myself behind James "Chops" Lamb, this was the start of a relationship for this event as I don't believe I was ever in front, but seemed to find my way on occasion back onto Chops' back wheel.
With the relative success of my 9er On-One hard-tail on some of our rough trails (Yellomundee & Ourimbah) I hoped the bike would sit well on this lumpy but-at-times flowing trail. Additionally the climbs are short and pinchy, which I think suits this bike more.
But it isn't all about the bike or the trail. More about sharing hoots with other riders, being introduced to a faster or smoother line by locals and defiantly duel slaloming with anyone down the back grass section. Yahoo!

Photo: JetBlack

 Hour 3: Was the turning point, having pushed and pushed, testing the dry conditions on the sunny side and the damp conditions on the shady side of the hills, I finally found the corner. Following Flow's Craig Baylis through the sweeping berms of the shady side, when traction finally gave way to bar-digging and sliding. Digging it!

Photo: MIA - Browny

Hour 4: I had worked out that there would be three laps to complete the race and I was feeling pretty good. It was time to polish off what had been so far a good ride. I had found my flow at Mt Annan using a 9er Hard-tail, fun was around every corner.

Bike: On-One Inbred (XO geared), X-Fusion Slide fork, custom carbon rim wheels, XT Ice-tech brakes.
Nutrition: Carman's Bars and on trial, Shotz Gels.

Check out the sweet shots and tidy wrap-up by The Roost Mag. Video. Team Wrap.

Rocky Trail GP Mt Annan Video

A selection of the choice cuts from Saturdays GP.

Target Trek Trifecta

Sean shows off his Blue Steel

Round 4 of the Rocky Trail Shimano Grand Prix was held at the unique mountain bike location in Mt Annan, the Australian Botanical Gardens. With over 300 riders Rocky Trail make use of the entire length of trails on offer at the Gardens, some sections of trail flow magnificently and other sections of trail are technical, tight and would test may competitors. But it was the flash of red and white that dominated as many top endurance riders battled it out over the four and seven hour categories.

Quiet but fast, Dan McDonald

Local resident and U23 dominator Dan McDonald of the Target Trek team showed off his youthful enthusiasm by finishing nine laps first, with a minute to spare to the four hour mark. Dan's closest competition was Quantum's Werner Van Der Merwe some five minutes behind Dan and Anthony Shippard round out the male Elite podium.

The launch pad

In the 7hr, Target Trek riders Sean Bekkers and Holly Harris teamed up to set a very high bar for the mixed pairs. Both riders have represented Australia and their mountain bike mastery shone through as they lapped one-for-one. 

Holly, fastest chick on the day

On Holly's second lap she set her fastest time and in doing so clinched the Tracey Robinson Trophy for the round. But eight laps later disaster struck the team as Holly unsuccessfully negotiated a corner injuring herself in the process. Sean restarted the lap and went on to complete three on-the-trot, extending the teams lead and calling it a day with over thirty minutes of transition time available.

One fast mixed team

One of the biggest efforts of the day has to go to Ed McDonald, the Target Trek team endurance specialist. Under pressure from his competitors from the get-go, Ed gained ground in the third hour and from there was racing against the teams for the outright win. Ed's super consistent lap times and his love for the Mt Annan trail gave him the upper hand, he went on to win the seven hour GP and outright most amount of laps. Standing next to Ed and in second place was the fast starting Andrew Hall, with Andrew Lloyd placing third.

Ed rides bikes, no need to say anymore 

With the Target Trek backing many of the current elite riders in Australia and their focus on the MTBA National Series, it was good to have have so many riders from this diverse team in one location, at one event.

Rocky Trail GP Mt Annan Photos

Phil Welsh 2nd Solo 7hr Master 

Caswell having fun in his pairs team

Flip placed 3rd in the GP7 Elite