Almost Disaster

Riding on Mothers Day

What was your mum upto on sunday? Mine was in Benalla doing a timetrial and road race....

With a free sunday it seemed right to hitup some single track with a group of mates..

Good trails, tough climbs, rocks....

The secret trails were conquered and a side trip up to the trig point was made a little tougher with a freshly graded track. Thankfully the ugly, rocky pinch hasn't been touched.

No tears this time.

(Ok, so this pic is not actually from sundays ride. But it makes me laugh so its in...where have you disappeared to Jacky-boy???)

Descending back down to the mesh bridge was an experience, powdery dirt making for some interesting lines.

The graded trail ended for us with the most technically brilliant piece of riding i think i've ever been involved in. Basically the graded road heads down a steep hill then turns a sharp left back up. We keep going on straight onto a lesser used 4wd track. In the lead and knowing the way I was loosing vision due to the water leaking from my eyes. All i could see was a large brown lip, left by the grader, it looked to be a meter high, so not wanting to fire myself off the bike I hauled on the anchors, buried the bike into the "berm" and rolled down the new drainage ditch. Next second there is a hand on my shoulder giving me a push along. I look back to see a neat line of 7 riders all having braked, turned and stopped within cm of each other. Technical riding at its best....

After a laugh and debrief it was off to the mesh bridge.

Perfect weather, thanks to all who came along.

Cheers to Neil for the pics.


Rhino is riding the cobbles on something called a "roadbike"... when will he learn

Just like Sam Hill....

After a blinder of a race at the BMC 100km, a weekend off with a cold and some frosty rides into work its racetime again. This sunday was the first round of the Geelong MTB Club winter series.
Round 1, You Yangs 33km point to point. A third of the You Yangs Yowie course.
Typical youies riding, sandy, hardpack, constructed rockgardens. Two major climbs and one loooong fire road.

Start. Bang. Not too furious. sitting in 6 or 8th we weaved our way up from the Sandy Creek Carpark toward The Junction trail. Usual rider shuffling saw Russell take the lead, then Scott Chancellor, then Russell, then an attack took me into the lead.

Up the Junction trail, which had riders coming down it (good on ya to the idiot who didn't share the trail and apparently crashed into one of the racers, tool), it was Russell and I creating a decent lead for ourselves.

Onto the Stockyards road and down toward Lactic Acid. I'd popped a bit and Russ took the lead. As we swung into Lactic Acid i hit the deck. Caught by the skaty hardpack. Slip. Thud, Slide... Just like Sam... Ha Ha.

Back on the bike after telling Russ to GO, my bars were pointing to the left, shifter was hanging in the wind and blood draining out my knee, I was back on it. Sortof.

Looping around toward the Stockyards carpark everything seems ok. A bit shaky but still on it. Next up, Rockwell Run then Cressy Climb. Up the climb i was grovelling, arm, knee, hip all reminding me they were in need of attention. I could see Russ but he was well ahead, and behind Ash Hyat was hunting me down.

Next up, fire road. Lots of it. maybe 10km worth. Sigh. Head down and pedal. As expected Ash caught me near the end of the fire road and put a small gap on me into the last single track.

Time to shine.... Caught and passed, back into 2nd place with 500m to go. Yeah, I ride trails... So all in all a good race. Still on form and firing for Alice...




The Aftermath....

Cleaned up they ain't so bad. Dettol Stings like a B!#ch..... The Bike??? Fine apart from a scuff on the fork. Guess i threw myself under it.

Skin Grows Back they say...

The BMX is Finished!!

Keen? $3700 will secure its services for posing at the skate park and riding to the milkbar.