Mel is in da house!

Last Sunday's outing incorporated a great ride through the bush around Kangaroo Flat and an SMC house warming party for Mel who moved into her new palace a few weeks ago. Mel was given the honor of being the lead rider as well as taking care of baking duties. It was a mixture of old friends, family and some new riding companions that took off for Mel's magical mystery tour.

First off we headed to Specimen Hill where old and new exist together. You have old mine diggings going underground on one side of the track and the latest mobile phone tower technology rising high into the sky on the other side. Unfortunately for yours truly the tower is secured by a  barbed wire fence and as I rode past a stray strand of wire grabbed my handle bars twisting them around the wrong way resulting in me ending up laying on the ground. Apart from some cool looking cuts and a bit of blood there was no real damage except to my pride and we continued on.

Where is Alexander when you need him?

The only other incident for the day was Trevor's jammed chain which managed to secure itself between the Granny ring and the bottom bracket. After a lot of huffing and puffing, the removal of the rear wheel, changing of the gears and a little bit of swearing the chain was back in its rightful place.

Mel's chosen track was a beauty with some nice flowing downhills, plenty of rocks and a testing climb to get the heart pumping a bit harder. It's a great network of trails in between Crusoe Road and Lockwood Road but you definitely need an experienced guide to show you the way around. Mel had no problems finding her way and the only time we got lost was when she asked me to lead the way back to Olympic Parade. A turn right 100 metres before the correct track had us doing a nice little loop around the water race but everyone took it in their stride and before too long we were back at Mel's.

Where's Mel?

Mel must have been up early to get all the baking done. There was a great spread including chocolate cake, chocolate biscuits and great tasting potato and cheese scones (with vegemite) that disappeared too fast to get a picture of. The pressure is really on Spencer's now to lift their game or they run the risk us calling in at Mel's after every ride. Thanks for the great ride Mel and enjoy your new home!

Here she is.

The JNR Sharp from NJR

After posting our interview with new SMC member Greg there were a few requests from other riders wanting to share their story. It's always good to hear from the younger generation so this time it's Alex's turn. Alex is the son of SMC's spiritual leader Steve. He has all of his dad's flair on the bike jammed inside a 19 year olds body so it's very enjoyable to ride behind him as he takes every opportunity to get some air. He is also studying to be a paramedic which makes us older riders feel safer knowing that emergency first aid is never far away.

Uphill or Downhill - Downhill, but you must go up to go down, so uphill is worth it.

Best day on a bike - Probably any time at Mt Buller, riding big trails on big bikes, and you get a chairlift.

I'm currently riding...

2009 Specialized stump jumper

Good points: playful and light!

Bad points: struggles uphill compared to the old hard tail.

This riding gear is not SMC approved

2012 Kona Operator

Good points: quiet, light. Pedals like an xc bike.

Bad points: that it's rider needs to pull his head in and stop crashing!


Wash gloves or go for the extra grip of sweat and dirt - Wash before races (superstition). dirt and sweat all other times.

Favourite trails - Mt Tarrengower race track, international- Mt Buller, Redesdale 24 hour

Broken bones - 2 (collarbone and hand)

Most useful tip you have been given - When in doubt go flat out

Dream ride location - Mont Saint Anne

Most important item in backpack - Steri strips

Favorite lube – KY

(I knew one of the crew would say that, most likely Tony, but Alex beat him to it!)

Let me introduce you to........

Greg Taylor is the newest member of the Sunday Morning Crew. A keen road rider who gave up cycling for golf Greg has recently got back on the bike and has taken to the dirt to get closer to nature.

Greg kindly agreed to answer a few questions for us so we could get to know him a bit better.



Loving that single track

 Prefer going Uphill or Downhill - It sounds perverse but I prefer Uphill, it also hurts less when I fall off

Best day on a bike -
Had lots of good days on a bike but the most recent at the Wombat is right
up there even though it didn't involve winning anything

I'm currently riding...
Specialized Epic Comp 29er
Good points: The dual suspension and the Big Wheels
Bad points: 26 inch riders hanging it on my Big Wheels

Wash gloves or go for the extra grip of sweat and dirt - Definitely a washer (too much of a roadie)

Favourite trails - Latest favourite is Redesdale 24Hr track

Broken bones - None (touch wood)

Most useful tip you have been given - Look where you want to go not where you don't

Dream ride location - Don't know, not a fan of the cold so somewhere warmer than Bendigo in
winter, perhaps Maui.

Most important item in camelbak - Mobile for when I get lost




Favorite lube - Squirt

The happiest man on the planet

Mountain biking brings a lot of joy to people from all walks of life in countries far and wide. The ability to forget about the worries of the world and focus on which line to take whilst embracing whatever the elements have to throw at you can at times put you "in the zone". Exactly what "in the zone" means varies from person to person. It can relate to your bike and being able to ride a hazard that you have always walked before, it can relate to the mind and thinking of nothing other than the track ahead or it can relate to your spirit and being in a place where you love life and want for nothing more.

Yesterday I went riding with a man that was "in the zone". He was on a new bike, with a new camelbak and he was starting a new job the next day. He was riding under a beautiful blue sky sharing the track with only one other human being and some kangaroos and he was happy.

What else could he ask for? Well how about getting married a week earlier to his soulmate on an exotic island in the middle of the pacific. Life doesnt get any better eh Bro?

New Camelbak

New bike

New wife

Happiest man on the planet!