Tamworth MTB Winter Rides Launch

TAMMTB launched their winter series for 2019 with a cryptic Facebook post. It included tyres, a baton and an egg, what was TAMMTB doing at 3pm for their Sunday Session?

Photo: CrummyMTB

Almost thirty riders were paired, before the all was revealed, this Sunday Session was to be a Relay Race, with an egg as the baton.

Photo: CrummyMTB

To add a little twist a short relatively simple 10min lap was chosen, it was a short, fast, and competitive. The rider pairing wasn't random, faster riders were paired with the less fast riders.

Photo: TAMMTB

We were paired with MTB newbie Chris. This was his second ride on his MTB and he carried the egg, in is hand, for almost half the lap. The other half the lap the egg was slipped into his sock.

Chris and I didn't win, but we managed to be in the running by keeping our egg safe for the whole race. What a cracker of a way to kick off the winter series of event with an inclusive fun relay style event, well done TAMMTB!

Photo: TAMMTB

Hits and Misses in Singleton

Getting it all right for race day can often be as hard as the race itself. We definably like to make it look easy but this round of the Rocky Trail Grand Prix we seemed to be on the back foot before it even started. To wrap it all up and summarise it all, here are our hits and misses.

All smiles for the start lap. Photo: Cat Sturrock

Hits

Singleton isn't to far from our base in Sydney, even still we opted for a casual late wake-up and breakfast on race morning staying local.

We were presented with a very crisp but sunny morning, the frost didn't last very long though.

Super dry conditions, with a fast and mostly smooth trail, a regular on the HMBA calendar.

The open trail offered plenty of passing opportunities, with copious amounts of flow and peddling. Just a couple of loose, sandy corners amongst a whole heap of fun.

Getting out with our JetBlack MTB Racing team mates and the rest of the Rocky Trail racers, a nice easy vibe out on trail. Plenty of opportunities to have a chat with those riding around us, good topics included CX and SS.

We spent a whole our whole of our second last lap with @jasonenglishmtb, a rare period to mix it up with one of our very best. Bikes, Di2 and the juggle of training featured along the way. #whosdomestiqueareyou You can read Jason's account of 2017 WEMBO Italy here.

Learning on race completion that some of our solo team mates finally got a smooth run at a Grand Prix. There has been much banter between us, with mechanicals and sickness favouring CrummyMTB throughout the year. This round though, a solid performance without issues. Can't wait to see what happens at Stromlo!

Gloves are off and the fight to pull back time is on. Photo: Cat Sturrock

Misses

It is to easy to make excuses and on quick reflection a lack of proper preparation had significant effects on all our misses.

Some ghost shifting from what had been super dependable Shimano 11spd was the first sign. Thankfully it was on the back half of a lap and we eased it back to transition to see what the problem was. All bar two threads of the shifter cable were connected, the source of our shifting problems easily identified. Our quick race kit didn't have cable but our team sponsors, The Odd Spoke, had provided the team with a box of common kit. The old cable out, new one in and dialled-in faster than we had ever done before (even in a workshop environment) with our upgrade to full-length outers helping the process.

Arm warmers were off at this stage but gloves were still on, but further rattling was coming from the bike. So while out on the trail we paused for more reflection, finding issues with our chainring bolts. Again we nursed it back to transition from the returning section, called benefit of the doubt, and just re-torque the bolts.

The re-torque wasn't sufficient, again we paused finding the bolts loosening. We finished another lap with a visit to the JetBlack HQ tent. Our mind had been racing, searching to find a solution, after all we had run this chainring (32t) on the bike previously (we have been running a Hope 30t for all other courses this year). The fix jumped out at us and we hastily made the required adjustments, swapping the chainring around, providing the chainring bolts more area to grab when tightened.

We went on to finish the four hour race, seems our Pivot 429 is in some need of attention and for us to be better prepared leading up to events. Thanks to our supporters and partners JetBlack MTB Racing with The Odd Spoke, Natural Balance and Rocky Trail Entertainment. 

Ascent Cycling Enterprises support us with custom built wheels and Mitas tyres, proven as a fast combination.

Get your 2018 Giro d'Italia Grupetto tour tickets here.

Last years Singleton Round writeup.

Happy Trails at Ourimbah

We were super keen to return to Ourimbah in 2016 for another round of Rocky Trail's Shimano Grand Prix. The 2015 event had seen our good effort rewarded with a No.1 on the podium and I was frothing to do it again.

Being part of the JetBlack MTB Racing team is incredibly motivating and from the start whistle I could see team mates up ahead, team mates I wanted to follow into the single-track. I slipped onto the back wheel of Grant Shaw for the starting portion of trail, Grant was riding in a fast team of three for the 7hr and was a good wheel to follow.

It was incredibly cold, southerly winds had brought snow chilled air to many parts of NSW and Ourimbah it was no exception. Had our Gound Effect jacket on as not to freeze.

Keeping warm. Photo: Outer Image

Grant had worked hard on the initial section of the lap and he eased up over a climb. We took this moment to pass Grant, setting about to catch the next group in front. In this next section of single track we came across an unusual event, all-round shredder Kramer having an issue on a short down-hill section.

It was during the first couple of laps we were surprised to catch a couple of seasoned endurance riders, which gave the inkling someone was riding to hard. But it was so fun to ride at this pace we just pushed on, crossing our fingers it was sustainable for the 4hrs.

On the rivet. Outer Image

Ourimbah is a trail-riders dream, sweeping and short punchy climbs followed by fun rough descents, many of which seem un-proportionally long. It is rocky in sections, loamy in others, Ourimbah is a bonanza of mountain biking goodness.

When team mate Tom Morwood came whooping up behind us, our spirits lifted, just as there was a feeling of some fatigue. A few friendly words really helps out when all focus is on tearing up the trail. The same went for team mate Simon Ballard some time later, except this time all our biscuits were spent and we were about to start digging. It is so hard to see your team ride away at the pace you want to be going.

Working hard to maintain position. Photo: Outer Image

Another successful event run by Rocky Trail, no gripes here, everyone was super polite and there was plenty of rush and two-wheeled drift for an endurance event. We finished 4th, our best GP result this year. Thanks to JetBlack MTB Racing team for the friendly atmosphere, on-trail support and transition expertise. We have awesome sponsors, check them out! The team was well represented across all categories and delivered some top results on the day. You'll see us at the final Grand Prix if not before!

Winter's Edge XC, Evocities MTB Series

CrummyMTB sandwiched between the SS crew. Photo: Fairfax Media

 Looking up the hill from the transition area, just outside Bathurst town centre, you could see plenty of thought had been put into etching out the trails. But what resounded immediately after the splendid trail wonder was the cold, cutting through layers of warm clothing like a knife.

Out on trail, the course flowed, many of the ascents followed the contour lines effortlessly. It was complemented with plenty of pay-off in rollers and berms that would see you smiling through to the limited grinds.

There were risks. A few jumps, a rock garden and man-made obstacles that certainly kept your mind sharp, the rewards were hardly a few seconds but if strung together could add up over time.

Race started well and there was a bit of time spent pacing with David Speering from Canberra. There were three of us at the time, as the photo above depicts, David on the front, Steve from the Blue Mountains on the back, both making it look easy on SS.

On the third and fourth lap, now having sussed out the general lines available the trio broke apart as we made the most of the top descent and our other favourite bits of trail. It was probably the next major climb Steve returned to my wheel and we rode together, having a blast on the fun trail.

At 2.5hrs in to the 4hr event it all started to slide a little, the grinding climbs seemed to get steeper as power faded from our legs. We had to let Steve go, there just wasn't the same on-trail pace.

On our final lap for our race we were dropping time rapidly and the cold was cutting through our body painfully. It seems we had spent our energy early and also in trying to keep warm. An unfortunate winter reminder.

Bathurst mountain bike trail, super fun and conveniently located. The Winter's Edge event a great addition to the Evocities Series.

Thanks to the JetBlack MTB Racing team and all our sponsors for their support. For this outing we rode our Pivot 429 Alloy in a (32t) 1x10 setup, X-Fusion Trace by DIY MTB working superbly. Smith Custom built wheels with the test Michelin Wild Race'r tyre on the back and Nobbly Nic on the front.

Catch you all next race! 

Race Results here.

Jamie Vogele's Blog.

Jason English's Blog.

There was plenty of fun descending to be had on this newly built trail. Photo: Fairfax Media

Ground Effect Frosty Boy

We grab the jacket, it is soft and fleecy, it keeps us warm through the coldest rides. Since the morning temperatures dropped below 10 degrees and all through winter we have been donning my Frosty Boy, we throw it over a simple base layer and we’re ready for the early starts.

With a windfoil front, shoulders and arms it is so, so toasty. It is well cut, has a high collar and a Ground Effect generous tail to cover your back when in a cycling position. Integrated reflective piping helps keep us more visible in low light conditions.

We did however try to layer-up one very cold morning and the Frosty Boy over the top was just too much once we were warmed up. In saying that we have seen Frosty Boys as the jacket of choice for Tour Divide riders, it is defiantly suited to those more extreme cold conditions possible and at just over 300g it is nice and light. It fitted neatly next to our First Aid kit in our backpack for our epic rides.

Finally it did rain in Sydney and we were out in it with our Frosty Boy on, surprisingly it held off the moisture for our short trip and dried quickly when hung between rides. The ¾ zip is good to let a little cool air in or to get the jacket off with a helmet still on.

The Frost Boy is another great bit of kit from Ground Effect, it has cut through the cold air virtually every day this winter, our arm warmers have been long forgotten.