dirt, dirt, dirt

Well that should be only dirt, dirt as I have squeezed in 2 rides this week, both at Smiths and both reasonable hit outs. I was joined by Gav, Matt, Mooter and Gerro for a hit out at Smiths on Monday which turned out to be the pick of the week for weather. The rest of the week was some what crap with lots of thunderstorms and lots and lots of rain. I snuck back out there today at dawn and has a blissful early morning ride. I rode Marsman and found the new connector trail at the top which had some choice benched in trail. The rest of the trails are in top condition, most have figured it out as the car park was bursting at the seams with cars every which way. I took out the old bontrager tubeless wheels today after getting a new tyre for the front after the bead on the Geax had shat itself. The Niner was ripping it and I rode a few trails in directions I normally wouldn't and had a blast. Really looking forward to the Christmas Ride in a couple of weeks out there. Plans from here are being made on the fly, I have to squeeze in quality ride time as the schedule is jammed packed with work, family, house stuff and the commencement of the social silly season. I have to really get into the swing of riding to work again to fit in km's and add what ever I can on top..... the Alpine is coming and coming fast!
Happy trails!

back on it

Well its taken some time, lots of frustration but I am back on the 2 wheels. It has been a busy 2 months off the bike and November aint going to be any different. I have made the consious decision to get it sorted and get back on it and take some control cause I need the frustration relief that exercise, specifically cycling gives me.
I might have a call up for the Garmin 24hr for a team of male 6ers but I will have to see what comes of it.... more info when I know.... better fit in some single track time.
Mario has organised the Smiths Gully Christmas ride again for a Tuesday night in early december that I am foaming at the mouth to get to as I am suffering from 2 issues

1. a severe lack of dirt time
2. Ross who owns the general store makes the most kick arse burgers going

Plans from here are light on. Racing really has drawn to a close for this year as I have little time to actually get it done. Once the house is completed in the next 2 months I can then re focus for some events in 2012. My main goal is to get5 my shit organised for the Alpine Classic at the end of January and I figure from now there are some serious diet changes to facilitate some loss of bulk to aid me getting over them small hills.
Happy trails

Im still here

Illness and one hectic life schedule of weddings, house renovations, work schedule from hell has seen me only once in the last 4 weeks throw a leg over a bike.
Good news is Epix is back and they are on the side bar so you can follow there new adventures.
Planning on rectifying the lack of riding next week now daylight savings is back.
I have some new wheels ready to roll thanks to the assistance for Mooter for building them up. I am keen to get out there just have to make the time.
Keep following please I will be back to regular transmission shortly!
Happy trails!

September is slipping away!

Been a busy month here. Time has flown by but here I have kept the 2 wheels turning.
My bike coped a bit of a thumping on its way home from Noosa with a rear and front wheel being preztled. After a quick trip to Mooter for some TLC and a new spoke or two it was discovered that I needed to rebuild some wheels. It seems that I may have infact done enough kms to wear down some rims.
A while back I demolished a mavic classic pro front wheel and have been trying to source a couple of spokes for it. Alas I cant find what I need so I was working out the $$$ and the thoughts of some Chris King custom wheels. After much mental debate I decided that the dura ace hubs I am rocking are still in awesome condition and I need to only get another 36 hole front and then I I have 2 sets of dura ace wheels in both 32 and 36 holes.
So after some wheeling and dealing I have sourced some spokes and a hub from a online retailer (I can hear the tut tut tutting, but hey I have to save money where I can)and some rims which I have bought locally.
Next step will be dropping it all off to Mooter so he can lace and build those bad boys.
As for my frame and its journey home on a Jetstar flight with knob head baggage handlers, it only sustained some light cosmetic marks. Being a fickler I will get it resprayed at some stage but I am now seriously thinking about taking it back to Ewen for some S&S couplers. The couplers enable you to break the frame down into a suitcase size bike box and get the bike to where you are going with minimal amount of fuss and it also rules out the oversize baggage issue.
In other news our house renos are cruising along with the second floor under way, it is getting bigger than Ben Hur really.
I have been back on the SS this week and NZ Gav and I went out to insepct the Yarra Trails which were in a sad state after a wet winter. Hans Loop was in pretty good condition with some extra trail.
I have also headed out to Silvan to ride some new trail for me and had a ball on the SS and can see myself yheading back out there often as it is new to me and quiet. Bakers Dozen was awesome fun, if you know it then rip it and enjoy it!
Time for lunch then work!
Happy trails!

Noosa

So my time here is drawing to a close. It has been a super relaxing week with plenty of family time, bike riding and just putting up the feet.
I have managed to get out twice with the Noosa Crew and promptly been smashed each time. In reflection since hanging up the road racing a few years back I have had no inclination to train so I can smash myself at 50 km an hour. I realized today I need to get some speed back into those legs so I can do it when I want to. Nothing worse than getting put through the ringer and then out the hoop!
Guess I really need to decide to lighten up and get my fitness back. Biggest incentive is for the alpine classic in January where every kg will matter when climbing those rather large hills.
The last 3 weeks have been great for getting some kms under my belt and really getting my brain back to being a bike rider. Now I just need to make it all count on my return to work next week. Consistent riding will be the key and with spring here I am hoping this will be the case.
I am definitely throwing a leg over the 29er single speed on the return to Melbourne for some exploring of the silvan singletrack. I have missed riding it since putting it back together months ago.
Now I am going to enjoy a kip and then some beach time. Still got tomorrow for a pedal and if I am really lucky I might squeeze one in on Monday before we have to get on the plane.
Happy trails!

Fun in the sun

After a hectic couple of days last week on the bike with various crews I have come away to Noosa for some R&R.
Last week saw me hook up with Mooter and Moody for some trail time which ended with both Moody and me taking some off time trailside which was bloody funny. I had a light ride across to the outlaws on Saturday followed by a hit out with Diesel and his crew early Sunday on some awesome trails.
Travel day yesterday and boy am I glad we got here in one piece with all our gear and fuss free. Put the bike back together last night and had a lazy roll down the beach today for a couple of hrs. Not to shabby. Now I am watching a tropical storm roll in and listening to the putter patter of the rain on the balcony. If I win tattslotto you know where to find me.
Hoping to get out with a local bunch a couple of times bit we will see with family commitments.
Happy trails!