Thailand

Here are some photos from my recent trip to Thailand. More photos here.

Simon & Jodies Wedding - Photos

Here are some images form Simon and Jodie’s wedding. Full album here.

Dirtriders 6hr - Rockhop

After three months away from racing I figured it was time to make a return to the race scene at the Rockhop 6hr.

I felt like my presence was missed as soon after arrival I was queried as to why I was there and whether I realized it was a mountain bike. I did realize and figured MTB race = beer and I had drank plenty of beer in the past few months so I should be set.

I had fond memories of the Beaconsfield course from when I raced in my debut solo race a couple of years ago. As with previous years, the course was super technical, a real mountain bikers trail with plenty of rock hopping and no shortage of climbing.

The first couple of laps served as an intensive mountain bike refresher course and I soon remembered how to ride over and thought things that I hadn’t tackled for a while. The field had settled down by this point and I had scored a couple of riding companions (James and Michael) to keep me company on the lonely solo journey.

Three hours had rolled over which marked the half way point of the race which also indicated that his was the longest time that I had been on a bike since the Otway Odyssey which was in February. Not too long after this my riding buddies had pulled the plug and I was once again left on my lonesome.

The bumpy descents and technical climbs were starting to take a toll by the four hour point, it was a rude reminder of how taxing riding off road is on the body. While the upper part of me was feeling pretty buggered, by some miracle my legs were still feeling good and still climbing well. I then realized that there was a really good chance I was actually going to finish this thing, provided I could hang onto the bike down the descents.

I struggled though the last couple of hours and rolled over the line in 4th place after completing 10 laps in 6 hours and 38 mintutes, clocking up over 100kms with close to 3500 metres climbing!

More photos here.

Otway Odyssey

I know it’s be a couple of months since the Otway Odyssey was held but I thought I’d post a few words and some photos anyway. Better late than never right?

What can I say about that Odyssey, it’s known as one of the hardest (if not the hardest) mountain bike marathon race in Australia and attracts the best races from all over the country. Let’s just say it held up its end of the bargain, it was tough, really tough and given its reputation, you have to stay focused when you‘re hurting and not let the thought of what‘s to come crush you. That pretty much sums up my race I’d say, I suffered cramps from about 90 minutes in (probably due to a case of gastro the day before) which pretty much made for an extra tough race.

Coming though transition after 60 odd kilometres I was convinced that I was riding at the back of the race and had no real drive to continue until I was told I was in fact just outside the top 20. That gave me a massive boost which made me regain focus, I remembered that I was in a similar situation the year before which meant I could still ride myself back into this race. I went out hard into the Yauhter Loop where I past several riders within the first few kms which fueled the fire. Mairina’s Run was as mind blowing as ever with its amazing banked corners that god himself may have carved. Dropping down into the gully after the last burms was when it all turned pear shaped, a stick went through my front wheel stopping the bike and sending me superman-ing headfirst into the gully, knocking the wind completely out of me. After picking myself up and searching around for my ejected bitons, a few riders that I had previously overtaken cruised on past which was a damaging blow for my head space. I got going again slowly as my lungs didn’t like breathing too heavily after taking a pounding during the crash. I had pretty much decided that I would pull the plug at next transition as I was hurting real bad and the final 13kms was nothing but fire road climbing death.

As I limped along in my sorry state, Alex Randall appear from behind and gave me the pep talk I needed to keep going and finish the race, the basic gist of it was harden up and don’t pull out. Alex and I rode together for the remainder of the race though the huge fire road climb of the final loop and crossed the line together in 25th and 26th place.

Flower Travelin Band

Here’s a band that was brought to my attention while getting my hair cut.
They were originally around in the 70’s and have resurfaced. It’s a bit like Black Sabbath and I think some similar sounds to the Queens of the Stoneage.

Thylacine Tephra XCr - Emily

I took delivery of my new roadie this week that I’ve been hanging out for a while as my old roadie was pretty much past it’s used by date. Emily (my new roadie) is one of the new Thylacine Tephra XCr rode bikes which is new to the Thylacine road range for 2009.

As the name suggests, the Tephra XCr is made out of Columbus XRr stainless steel tubes.

More photos here.

The build.

Thylacine Tephra XCr Frame
Edge Composites 2.0 Fork
SRAM Force Crankset 175mm 34t/50t
SRAM Force Shifters
SRAM Force Cassette
SRAM Force Rear Derailer
SRAM Rival Front Rerailer
SRAM Rival Brakes
SRAM Bar Tape
Easton EA70 Wing Bars 42cm
Selle Italia Flite Saddle
Thomson X2 Stem 100mm
Thomson Elite Post 330mmx29.4
KCNC Skewers
White Industries H2 Hubs
DT Swiss R1.1 Rims
DT Swiss Competition Spokes

MTB World Cup 2008 - Canberra

Here’s some photos from my recent trip to Canberra for the Mountain Bike World Cup.

No racing for me unfortunately as I’ve been sick for the past month, but Erin kicked some heads in the XC Short Track event. Erin was the 3rd highest finishing Aussie rider in the race that was full of insane International and Aussie talent.

MTB World Cup Photos

Anaconda Enduro Photos

Photos from Anaconda Enduro Series are here.

Thanks to On Track Images for the great shots.

Photos from Anaconda Enduro Series are here.

We may have lost the tour.

While Cadel Evans had the yellow jersey slip though his fingers, some fellow aussies were riding their guts out the other side of the world in the 24hr Solo World Championships held in Canada.

We had a super strong contingent this year having dozens of aussies making the trip to Canada to compete.
Not only did the boys and girls just about win every category, they also took the top 4 spots in the big boys race (elite) too, with James Williamson taking the honors of becoming the World 24 Hour World Champion.

Special mention to Troy Bailey, for taking out the 35-39yo category. Troy put in a solid effort with 14 laps and put in a super consistent effort. Congratulations mate!

24hr WC Results

Anaconda Enduro Series R2 Videos

Part 1

Part2