One of those mornings

This weeks ride was pretty low key in comparison to the big ride through the Wellsford Forest last week. It was only Tony, Steve and me who made it for a fairly leisurely roll out along old Murrays and back along new Murrays. We added in half of the extension from the back of the reservoir along the water race to add a few more ks to the trip. Tony was feeling a little nervy on the down hill sections, Steve was having a messy morning on the trails and I was still nursing a few sore spots from last weeks tumble so we made the wise decision to take it easy and not try any heroics. The good news was that we didnt have any flat tyres or break downs and we managed another couple of hours training for the Otway which is now only 4 weeks away.

The picture this week is of a reluctant Steve posing for a shot for the website outside Spencers Cafe where we have our after ride coffee each Sunday.

Distance 36kms Ride time 2 hrs 4 mins

Wellsford Workout

It was a cooler morning than we had experienced for some time as Steve, Rod, Brett, Tony, Paul and I set out for trek on the Wellsford Forest trails. Steve and Brett had been setting a hot pace from the start being keen to get a good workout with the Otway Odyssey only a month away. After a rest stop I took up second position on the trail behind Steve. I was keeping a close eye on his lines and techniques through the many bermed corners that the Wellsford is known for to try and learn the secret of Steve's flowing style. Just when I thought I had things under control I was brought back to earth with a thud - literally! Maybe it was overconfidence, maybe I picked the wrong line or maybe I was just unlucky but one minute I was following Steve through a left hand turn and the next minute I was sailing through the air thinking here comes the ground. I landed with a thud on my left hand side in a cloud of dust. At first I didnt know what had happened except that it felt like I had ridden into a brick wall. A closer inspection of the track revealed that I had missed the ideal line in the corner and ridden through Steve's dust storm into one of the small stumps that dot the edges of the trail ( well it is a forest after all) This was enough to stop me in my tracks and send me over the bars and through the air to a none too gracious landing. The end result was no breaks, a few small grazes, some sore muscles and a hard slog to complete the ride and get back home.

The rest of the ride featured numerous water crossings, a front wheel wash out and some nice gravel rash on one leg for Rod and a series of punctures for two of the crew. Rod had the first one with half a vampire stake through his tyre (see picture). Paul had the next one and as we went to ride off from fixing that one Rod noticed he had another flat. Paul then battled a slow leak the rest of the ride home and we all battled the headwind which slowed our return trip. We arrived at Spencers later than we expected but with a good workout under our belt and with Steve in time for Yum Cha at 12.

Ride Time 2 hours 50 minutes Distance 52 kms

A transplant for the GT

Well GT have come to the party with an offer of a new frame but unfortunately there are no Carbon ones in Australia so my LBS has kindly sourced and fitted an Aluminum frame to the rest of my bike to keep me on the road. Here's a picture of it looking a little dirty after its first serious workout.

Hot times on the trail

Brett and Roz were at the National Road Bike championships, Steve was still on his Queensland Road Trip and Rod was at the beach so it was only Tony and me from our crew who were out for a ride. We were joined by a guy called Paul who has ridden with us just a few times (rides an Epic and very fit). The forecast was for 40 plus degrees so we met at 7.00am to try and get our ride in before it got too hot.

We did old Murrays out to the Res and then new Murrays back to Spring Gully (or is it the other way around). I really need a map of all these tracks but I guess finding your way is half the fun. Paul showed us a new way to ride Tony's crossing (see photo) and we met up with two bikers called Brian and Glen on the track who were on their way to Mt Herbert. Glen is entered in the Otway so we will see him then if not before.

A pinched sciatic nerve the week before (from bending over to put on my work shoes) combined with a borrowed bike (thanks Flash) took the shine off my ride but the positive was my leg felt better the day after the ride.

Ride time 2hr 15 mins 36 kms

Major surgery for the GT

The GT went to my LBS for a new flexbar and hasnt returned. Something loose in the suspension has turned into a need for a new frame (hopefully a warranty claim). One of the I Drive suspension linkages has come loose and its not meant to. Fingers crossed that GT comes to the party and I have a new frame in time for the Otway Odyssey.

Preventative maintenance is important

Our first Sunday morning ride for 2010 was in fine conditions although a little cooler than recent days. Tony, Rod and I were joined by a new Sunday morning Rider Mark. Although not having a lot of MTB experience Mark has done plenty of road riding. One thing I can say that Mark has good taste turning up on a GT I Drive 4.

We headed out Old Murrays and took a detour over White Mountain (quartz covered short sharp hill) and then joined up with the extension of the water race track.

It was half way along here that I had cause to remember something the bike shop guy told me. "Remember to check that all the linkages on the suspension are tight". Whoops!

At almost the furthest point from home on this mornings ride I noticed something amiss with my bike. At first I thought it was the bottom bracket playing up as this is next on my list of things to replace but at the next rest stop a bit of an inspection revealed that one of the screws that holds the flex bar in place was missing. After a failed attempt to transplant one of the drink bottle cage screws to the flex bar I decided that was the end of my single track riding for the day. Although my bike was still rideable it takes the enjoyment away when you know something is not right. I left the other guys to continue the real mountain biking and took the flat route home along the water race and then onto the bitumen.

Distance 34.50kms Pedal Time 1 Hr 50 Mins