Gotta admit… it feels better than ever to feel the warmth of the Spring sun! A run of sunny days is just what the doctor ordered to help send a lingering respiratory infection on its way. I hadn’t ridden the local trails since before heading off to Melrose close to a month ago, so it felt weird and new all over again riding around today. (more…)
Just before we began the rock and roll back country descent during which my XTR Shadow Plus derailleur got ripped in two, Rich put the mozz on me by asking why I’d gone with the long cage due to clearance issues etc. I had intended to get the mid cage version but when it came time to order it wasn’t available… and by that stage I was too hot and sweaty for Shadow Plus to wait any longer. All things considered though it’s been a long time since a rear derailleur got munched so I can’t complain, it’s been a good run. (more…)
Melrose has no shortage of sweet hand made single track but for locals and visitors alike it’s always fun to have somewhere new/different to ride. Rich and Al from Over the Edge have long been working on a plan to add a new gravity/flow run to Bartagunyah trails, a 2000+ acre rolling property on the edge of town which Al’s family own and is already home to the Whiskey Trail. Pretty cool when you think about – a huge property chock full of great MTB terrain owned by folk into biking and located just on the edge of town! (more…)
Ever wonder where trail fairies come from? There’s a good chance they’re spawned along Weaving Camels, a magical little MTB trail at Melrose, South Australia. With its lush green carpet, giant gums and babbling brook it’s straight out of a story book. The trail weaves its way through stands of River Red Gums (Camaldulensis) hence its name I guess! (more…)
It’s been a great couple of weeks in Melrose, South Australia. The trails and the setting alone make Melrose a bucket list destination for mountain bikers, but much more than that getting to know the folk that call this little town at the base of Mt Remarkable their home, and seeing the central role bikes play in the community has been a terrific experience.
(more…)
Special Melrose treat today – headed out into the back country with Rich from Over the Edge. Great MTB adventure including one of the most fun sustained non MTB trail descents I’ve ridden in a long while that included all the good stuff – risk, speed and difficulty, including big consequences if you have an off. It reminded me of MTB riding in the Victorian High Country in the late 80’s/early 90’s – wild and woolly – before there were MTB specific trails. Look forward to doing that descent again one day without the +10kg of camera junk in my backpack! (more…)
Being in Melrose, South Australia for a couple of weeks over your 45th birthday… that’s one insanely cool prezzie I reckon! The birthday plan: Sun up to sun down MTB love fest 🙂 (more…)
Bartagunyah is a ~2000 acre property on the outskirts of Melrose SA and in addition to sheep, kangaroos and vineyards is home to a bunch of arguably lesser known MTB trails, including one of the local’s favorite MTB rides – the Whiskey Trail. (more…)