photos from the gravity

Dan Hale smashing out one of many laps in the pairs on a single speed cross bike!



The effects of lap 2 of the Gravity



2 of the Flaccid Rosters, Me and Brendan (Mr Keen)



Big Mak all systems go!



The calm before the le mans start



Gav Bringing it home

Gravity 12 hr

My brother from another mother and myself getting ready for my first lap!

A rainy start to a fun weekend was the call on the Friday road trip up. I have not seen rain like it for months, maybe years and it had me remembering my days in the Army. Driving to the event was long and arduous at times with the rain and poor visibility. The race area received nearly 50mm of rain in 13 hours.
The stop for some food in Benalla for the weekend of camping out proved to be weird to say the least with most of the occupants of the local supermarket checking out with a stare my rather large lamb chops.
We had some trouble locating the turn off for the event site with little signage and flew past it only to back track and find it in the failing light. We drove up the narrow trail into the site with some trepidation as we had the Subaru slipping and sliding, stopping to give way to some on coming traffic along the goat track. Once at the top of the hill the narrow track opened into a large grassed area that was to be home for the next 2 days. After locating a site we put up the tents as quick as we could in the pissing rain. Brendan our ever keen team mate arrived soon after with the family in tow and was just as quick to set up.
After checking out the area and sampling some fine brew from the Boytons catering area we hit the sack. We awoke to a clearing day with spectacular scenery around us. With race time approaching we sorted out the team order and awaited our fourth team member Sean.
The start was the usual mayhem with a Le mans style start which Brendan got through without incident. The racing was fast and by the reports coming back the trail was great fun and despite the rain some what dry. I was getting keen to get out there and cut a lap and soon enough my time came.
The course was fun flowing single track with some sections of connecting fire trail. A few short hills that let you know you were alive with burning lungs. After a sweet run I knocked over the lap in a nice time. All was good until my second lap which ended all to soon. I was whipping it down the first descent of flowing single track and as I was coming up to the start of Heartbreak Hill I felt a nice little twing and the bike stopped. I got off thinking something was wrong and saw the snapped frame in the drive side dropout. After some choice words I headed back to the start finish to get the next lap started. Luckily it all occurred near a marshaling point so the news could be sent back by radio and the next team member sent out.
I was fucking over the whole bike racing thing by the time I got back to the race/ camp area.
Nothing is more frustrating than watching others get out there and race and having a blast and you have to watch it slide by.
In the end the Flaccid Roosters pumped out enough laps to get us home in 20th place. Even Brendan's wife got a lap in for us which was fantastic to see.
The Gravity had all the good times including people cutting nude laps and plenty of single speed and 29er's on the go. It was also a great catch up with some friends of old who I hadn't seen in a year or two.
Sunday saw us cancel our plans of NZ Gav and me hit Falls Creek for a loop and head home via some breakfast at the Old Butter Factory in Mrytleford which was kick arse and the meal was something to be hold just ask Gav.
From there a quick detour to the Bridge Road brewery in Beechworth.



Trails

its over

Happy Monday!



OK back from the Harbour City and ready to get some riding in but have been defeated today by the rain (which we need desperately). Sydney was great but hey I wouldn't want to live there. Did manage to consume way to much beer and other assorted alcoholic beverages at the various social activities, some care of former colleagues who now work for various medical equipment companies. This week is about detoxing, packing and going to the Gravity 12 hr. Hopefully get some sunshine and a trip up to Falls Creek for a bit of a scope out and my own little version of a epix!.
Happy Trails!

p.s. If you are ever in Sydney check out the IVY. It is a playground for fun! Much fun was had there!
Oh and I found this gem which comes out soon for those interested. It will be called EMPIRE and it's all about fun on 2 wheels!


Empire from Empire on Vimeo.">

birthday time

Im in Sydney for a work conference (mmmm not so exciting at times) and we came up early to celebrate my birthday. The weather was no so crash hot on arrival with rain combined with humid heat. We toured the town a bit and hit a restraunt later that night that Tam had found for a birthday dinner. It was a fantatic meal in an impressive venue that was combined with good company and great wine. Yesterday we headed out to Taronga Zoo and checked out the wildlife (man the snakes were on the go in the reptile exhibit and I was glad we were parted by glass) and the view which was awesome. The view whilst on the ferry was second to none.



We went to the welcoming cocktail party at the conference venue where I discovered some local boutique brew called Red Oak which was way better than the generic ale floating around. It was the usual talking crap with the industry reps who either have equipment in our unit or want it in there. From there we headed out for a meal and then kicked on to a bar or some more drinks.
Today was slow attending the various trade displays and presentation's on the latest ICU treatments.
Looking forward to a open bar session tonight at a local bar presented by one of airway support supply companies, so it could be a rather large evening.
I am looking forward to getting home and getting back out on the bikes and getting organised for next weekend!
Thanks to all that sent me birthday wishes.
Later!




Some of the opening night freaky shit.... a red back spider, I think!

in the box

Yesterday NZ Gav and I checked out the Surfcoast 6hour race. The reason was to get in some fun racing and test the legs. Gav had a brillant ride and finshed high up in about 23rd place (bloody awesome on a single speed rigid 29er) unlike me who was in the 60's. I had a shocker. I could give way to many excuses (too much work this week, the heat, too big gear, soft in the head, dehydration, bad nutritional plan - none!), in the end it was not my day. I had a few issues to say the least and will have to work at ironing them out before the Gravity 12 hour. Some were body related and some where minor mechanical issues.


Me looking a little over it and a little larger than life!


Gav giving it a little nudge and enjoying himself

I have a plan for a bit of a epic ride the day after the Gravity if the body feels OK and the weather aint too shitty to be up on the Bogong High Plain. More on this later!
I have just crept in after a roll home from work which was bloody hot at 30 degrees and gave me flash backs to yesterday in dusty single track, sweaty and gasping for breath. But I feel all the better for the pedal home and will keep the legs ticking over till I come right in a day or two.
Happy trails

breakfast

This morning I caught up with the man of the hour Simon Gerrans for a bit of breakfast and shooting the shit. He is wrapped to be at home and putting up the legs and having a bit of down time before getting back into training. He has said he has confirmed his signing with a new team for next year. He is off to the Cervelo Test Team and will remain in good old Monarco. He was looking fit and still cruising in his Credit Agricole kit. Great to catch up and have a bit of great breakfast down at APTE (A place to eat) in Alphington.
Other news to hand is that Richie England has signed with Amore e Vita which is fantastic for him to get some hunger again for racing and results and prove himself in Europe. Best of luck for him in tomorrows Melburn to Warnie which should be a bit of a smash festival. One of the longest races in the world at just under 300km.
Me, well a quiet week with alot of work and little bike time. Got out on Monday and commuted to work. Will get out later today after a bit of garden time. Have to get the bike sorted for the Surfcoast 6 hour tomorrow which I am really looking forward to. NZ Gav is joining me in the 3 hour race which will be good prep for the upcoming Gravity race in November. Post this race we are going to try and check out a ride up at Falls Creek that has been suggested to us by a friend. Should be great if it comes together.
Happy trails