Found the Yowie results posted on the net. The GMBC server has been down and been frustrating the shitter out of me. I ended up mid field in 27th out of 50 odd riders. Not to bad.... plenty of room for improvement!
Monday, October 6, 2008
mondayitis
Happy Monday
Found the Yowie results posted on the net. The GMBC server has been down and been frustrating the shitter out of me. I ended up mid field in 27th out of 50 odd riders. Not to bad.... plenty of room for improvement!
Found the Yowie results posted on the net. The GMBC server has been down and been frustrating the shitter out of me. I ended up mid field in 27th out of 50 odd riders. Not to bad.... plenty of room for improvement!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
done and dusted
Woke yesterday to what looked like it could be a good day. Plenty of rain had fallen overnight and i was sceptical to what might lay ahead at the Yowie race. It was a early start and the car was packed and ready to go. I new Jason would crack when he saw the car with the bike on it and the boot open with all my gear packed in it on his way to work.
Drove down and had a perfect run and got to the Stockyards with plenty of time to spare for a warm up and pre race preparation. Worked out where to pick up my number from and then realised my licence was sitting next to the computer at home. After copping a spray from the person handing out the licences (I am a nice bloke but don't poke the bear! I informed him that I had been pedalling a bike and done the whole licence thing long before it became the new golf, probably where he entered the sport sure anybody is entitled to a mistake and I did offer to pay for a day licence).
Spotted the Baum tent and checked out there single speed 26er that looked all good but there is a greyness around the Baum product (I checked the website when I got home) especially when they have removed the price list off their website due to the financial crisis. You build frames not retirement plans!
Got the kit on and did a roll around to check that the bike was all good. Spotted by some guy who was parked close by said "you are mad doing this single speed" and I replied with "man got the bike here and the derailleur broke so I had no choice!".
Anyway lined up for the start and decided it might be easier to do it from the back cause the first km was on fire trail into a hill and I didn't want to smash it and run out of steam. This was mistake number 1.
So off we went post count down and looking at the 99 and 66 km groups in front I realised that I was at the back of 100 + riders. As we snaked our way along the fire trail there were a couple of falls with people getting tangled together and one rider over shot the corner with no brakes (pity the fool with some of the trails ahead). As we moved to the hill I saw that mistake number 1 was leading to a frustrating effort of passing riders in their granny gears. As they were spread all over the trail I was having to smash it to get around them as they swerved all over the trail. Then the fun started with one guy going down in front of me straight in to the bushes. Me on the other jumped off and stepped over him and decided to run, passing other riders as I went it on foot. Other riders fell as I headed up the trail and I felt like I was dodging falling chunks of space rock. I couldn't hold the frustration and let loose with "get the fuck off your bikes and run cause it is faster and easier than smashing the granny gear".
As I crested the top of the climb I got back on and was greeted with the clogging of the single track entry. The entry and gaggle to get in was busier than Bourke Street Mall in peak hour.
Once making my entry I could see that this descent over some nasty rocks and drops was going to be the end of some of these riders. Sneakers and flat peddles gives me a nervous feeling when following them down a technical descent with large boulder strewn rock gardens. I witnessed a couple of nasty falls one resulting in a broken collar bone (not to mention the familiar sound of air being smacked out of lungs as the body hits the deck). Some of the course was above the ability of some riders judging by the braking and falls and I was glad to get through without getting caught up in falls that I witnessed. The race entry did sell it as a race to suit even the most basic skilled rider - when we entered the downhill trail with rock berms and ladder runs I felt for the inexperienced rider.
Once we had navigated the Stockyards area with a section of new trail that I had no chance of riding we headed over to the plantation side which was fantastic and flowing with some cool berms. I even rode the massive ladder bridge much to the horror of the rider below me. As we navigated the plantation I was able to pick up a few riders and breeze past them. The last section of the course was fire road leading to a large climb. I was passed on the fire road but caught most who passed me on the climb. I was glad to get to the end after the last section of single track. From there it was a short put back up the fire trail and into the finish area.
On the whole it was a great course but the 33km was enough for me. Geelong put on a decent race but there was no coffee cart (I missed my morning heart start) or food vendor that I saw, it was promised in the race website. There was a guy selling helium for your bike tyres....mmmm don't really understand that!
I didn't hang around at the end for long and packed up my gear and got on the road. I dont yet know where I finished (the GMBC website is down at the moment), but it was more about getting the body used to racing again. I reckon I will do it again next year as it was a fun course. I will post a result when I find it out.
Happy trails!
Drove down and had a perfect run and got to the Stockyards with plenty of time to spare for a warm up and pre race preparation. Worked out where to pick up my number from and then realised my licence was sitting next to the computer at home. After copping a spray from the person handing out the licences (I am a nice bloke but don't poke the bear! I informed him that I had been pedalling a bike and done the whole licence thing long before it became the new golf, probably where he entered the sport sure anybody is entitled to a mistake and I did offer to pay for a day licence).
Spotted the Baum tent and checked out there single speed 26er that looked all good but there is a greyness around the Baum product (I checked the website when I got home) especially when they have removed the price list off their website due to the financial crisis. You build frames not retirement plans!
Got the kit on and did a roll around to check that the bike was all good. Spotted by some guy who was parked close by said "you are mad doing this single speed" and I replied with "man got the bike here and the derailleur broke so I had no choice!".
Anyway lined up for the start and decided it might be easier to do it from the back cause the first km was on fire trail into a hill and I didn't want to smash it and run out of steam. This was mistake number 1.
So off we went post count down and looking at the 99 and 66 km groups in front I realised that I was at the back of 100 + riders. As we snaked our way along the fire trail there were a couple of falls with people getting tangled together and one rider over shot the corner with no brakes (pity the fool with some of the trails ahead). As we moved to the hill I saw that mistake number 1 was leading to a frustrating effort of passing riders in their granny gears. As they were spread all over the trail I was having to smash it to get around them as they swerved all over the trail. Then the fun started with one guy going down in front of me straight in to the bushes. Me on the other jumped off and stepped over him and decided to run, passing other riders as I went it on foot. Other riders fell as I headed up the trail and I felt like I was dodging falling chunks of space rock. I couldn't hold the frustration and let loose with "get the fuck off your bikes and run cause it is faster and easier than smashing the granny gear".
As I crested the top of the climb I got back on and was greeted with the clogging of the single track entry. The entry and gaggle to get in was busier than Bourke Street Mall in peak hour.
Once making my entry I could see that this descent over some nasty rocks and drops was going to be the end of some of these riders. Sneakers and flat peddles gives me a nervous feeling when following them down a technical descent with large boulder strewn rock gardens. I witnessed a couple of nasty falls one resulting in a broken collar bone (not to mention the familiar sound of air being smacked out of lungs as the body hits the deck). Some of the course was above the ability of some riders judging by the braking and falls and I was glad to get through without getting caught up in falls that I witnessed. The race entry did sell it as a race to suit even the most basic skilled rider - when we entered the downhill trail with rock berms and ladder runs I felt for the inexperienced rider.
Once we had navigated the Stockyards area with a section of new trail that I had no chance of riding we headed over to the plantation side which was fantastic and flowing with some cool berms. I even rode the massive ladder bridge much to the horror of the rider below me. As we navigated the plantation I was able to pick up a few riders and breeze past them. The last section of the course was fire road leading to a large climb. I was passed on the fire road but caught most who passed me on the climb. I was glad to get to the end after the last section of single track. From there it was a short put back up the fire trail and into the finish area.
On the whole it was a great course but the 33km was enough for me. Geelong put on a decent race but there was no coffee cart (I missed my morning heart start) or food vendor that I saw, it was promised in the race website. There was a guy selling helium for your bike tyres....mmmm don't really understand that!
I didn't hang around at the end for long and packed up my gear and got on the road. I dont yet know where I finished (the GMBC website is down at the moment), but it was more about getting the body used to racing again. I reckon I will do it again next year as it was a fun course. I will post a result when I find it out.
Happy trails!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Pumped
Ok all ready for tomorrow. Bike is just on ready and the car is packed. Got a early start and a hunch it might be a bit on the wet side if this afternoon's downpours are anything to go by. Looking forward to the Yowie and giving it a dig..... should be interesting.
A package arrived today and like everyone I love packages in the mail. It was my stuff from Twin 6 which I was glad to see cause I needed some new socks and I had to get a Deluxe Jersey. Ordered last week and here this week from the US. Cant complain cause I have had stuff on back order through the Australian distributor and still no joy after a couple of months..... makes me think that I will only order direct.
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Wool at the right length and the right colour!
Hit the local system last night with NZ Gav and took him through some local trails that well, shouldn't be ridden but when they are primed for big wheels who can refuse a tipple on them. Invited Jason from Epix but he had other ideas with skinny tires and the Tour of the Burbs. We had some of the best riding in a long time and with smiles from ear to ear and the weather was spot on at 23 C and no wind. Even cracked a couple of cold brews once home.
The legs and lungs enjoyed working together so I am hoping they agree to work together tomorrow!
Happy trails!
A package arrived today and like everyone I love packages in the mail. It was my stuff from Twin 6 which I was glad to see cause I needed some new socks and I had to get a Deluxe Jersey. Ordered last week and here this week from the US. Cant complain cause I have had stuff on back order through the Australian distributor and still no joy after a couple of months..... makes me think that I will only order direct.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Wool at the right length and the right colour!
Hit the local system last night with NZ Gav and took him through some local trails that well, shouldn't be ridden but when they are primed for big wheels who can refuse a tipple on them. Invited Jason from Epix but he had other ideas with skinny tires and the Tour of the Burbs. We had some of the best riding in a long time and with smiles from ear to ear and the weather was spot on at 23 C and no wind. Even cracked a couple of cold brews once home.
The legs and lungs enjoyed working together so I am hoping they agree to work together tomorrow!
Happy trails!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
my precious
I want one! Shame the Specialized Bike Co are not bringing them into the country this year.....
all systems go
OK the 12 hr Gravity team has been set up so I guess I better get the shit together and get the bike fitness on form. Dont know the name of the team but I am in a 4 man, so should be a nice pace. Hey its a weekend away and I have a idea of a trail to explore the day after before heading home, not to mention a brew stop along the way.
Yowie this weekend so I will get out tomorrow to make sure the Gorrilla is set up to go. Think I will stick with the 32/19 combo cause it will give me some joy on the hills. Got some product coming from the US to spice up the rubber and the sock collection. Should be here next week.
My daily commute continues.... spring is here and weather is fine but the Magpies are back in force and I have had some taps on the helmet all ready. I was washed out by the rain on Monday but did it yesterday and pushed down the local bike path on the way home so I could grab a coffee and avoid the traffic. Its nice tapping out a gentle tempo and rolling along. But fuk me the bike paths are a dodgy find cause pedestrians, dogs and little kids with bikes is a nightmare, and not to mention that the extension of the trail to near where I live was built by a non bike rider (thing has some nasty grades with sharp corners and some of the surfaces will be interesting come next winter).
Gerro is home in a week or two so I am sure it will down the beach for some riding and catching up.
Happy trails
Yowie this weekend so I will get out tomorrow to make sure the Gorrilla is set up to go. Think I will stick with the 32/19 combo cause it will give me some joy on the hills. Got some product coming from the US to spice up the rubber and the sock collection. Should be here next week.
My daily commute continues.... spring is here and weather is fine but the Magpies are back in force and I have had some taps on the helmet all ready. I was washed out by the rain on Monday but did it yesterday and pushed down the local bike path on the way home so I could grab a coffee and avoid the traffic. Its nice tapping out a gentle tempo and rolling along. But fuk me the bike paths are a dodgy find cause pedestrians, dogs and little kids with bikes is a nightmare, and not to mention that the extension of the trail to near where I live was built by a non bike rider (thing has some nasty grades with sharp corners and some of the surfaces will be interesting come next winter).
Gerro is home in a week or two so I am sure it will down the beach for some riding and catching up.
Happy trails
Sunday, September 28, 2008
commute
I have decided that in order to get the bike legs back that I will commute to work. Not a bad ride 50 mins each way tapping over the legs. The last 2 days have been perfect with little traffic. Tomorrow might be a different story commuting in traffic but time will tell if it helps me. The 05.30 wake up call is early but hey I realised how much I have missed being out on the bike in the dawn.
Off to the Yowie next week. Looks like Jason from Felt Epix might join me (come on Jase you know you want to!!!) for a lap of the race. Decided on the 33km distance cause
A) I'm not fit..... yet
B) there is some nasty climbing on a Single Speed
C) Mentally one lap is enough.
Happy trails
Off to the Yowie next week. Looks like Jason from Felt Epix might join me (come on Jase you know you want to!!!) for a lap of the race. Decided on the 33km distance cause
A) I'm not fit..... yet
B) there is some nasty climbing on a Single Speed
C) Mentally one lap is enough.
Happy trails
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