Read more about the article 3Hr Easter Invitational
3 Hour Invitational, Sheep's Head, Easter 2011

3Hr Easter Invitational

A cool invitation arrived in the inbox a while back, to a Easter Invitational MTB 3 Hour Enduro (thanks Madhatter) . It’s been a long time since I’ve participated in a multi lap MTB event — Thredbo and Buller back in the summer of 1993/1994 I guess, competitive cycling has never been my thing — but the Easter Invitational had a relaxed family vibe and I reckoned it would be a fun thing to do, to ride somewhere new and meet up riders you’d never meet otherwise. (more…)

Continue Reading3Hr Easter Invitational
Read more about the article Them’s the brakes
Rotor burn

Them’s the brakes

After goofing off yesterday I headed out on a ride with Julien around Ken’s loop. Not long into the ride, just before a fast gully descent, I noticed the rear brake didn’t feel right including a forceful click felt through the brake lever towards the end of the action. It turned out one of the pistons had siezed. The brake still sort of worked ok, the other piston making up most of the difference and flexing the rotor sideways in the process. The Hippie Track rides have worked the brakes hard lately, to the point of chronic  fade — leaving its mark on the brakes, literally, with some rotor burn. Wonder if it’s all related. (more…)

Continue ReadingThem’s the brakes
Read more about the article BressXpress
Mojo HD in the vineyard

BressXpress

BressXpress is a ride through the scenic vineyards, orchards and single track bush trails at Bress Winery, Harcourt Victoria. It’s a great setting with Mt Alexander as the backdrop. and the course is well suited MTB riders of just about all skill levels. (more…)

Continue ReadingBressXpress
Read more about the article Hippie Track
Ibis Mojo HD @ Hippie Test Track

Hippie Track

Had lots of fun late this afternoon on the Mojo HD fanging around what I’ve decided to call the Hippie Track, a ~4.5km loop which includes a good mix of stuff — a 1.5km climb that starts off easy on bush single track but steepens up nicely later on a dirt road, followed by a fast, flowing, rocky 1.5km single track descent. Kept riding the loop until the daylight ran out, testing fate a few times with ‘one last ride’. Next time will have to try it in the reverse direction. (more…)

Continue ReadingHippie Track
Read more about the article Arrows in the bush
Arrows through the bush

Arrows in the bush

Had another trail building session at the vineyard in Harcourt today with Peter from the Bike Vault. Lots of work still to be done but we both reckon the trail is shaping up well especially the section of bush single track which flows around the dams and includes a fun descent before heading off around the property. The vineyard guys have offered to slash and smooth other sections of trail using machines, which is great as it leaves a few weeks to clean up and ride the trail in before the event mid May. (more…)

Continue ReadingArrows in the bush
Read more about the article Dam Railway
Mojo Reflection

Dam Railway

At around 90 minutes the V-Line train trip down to Melbourne is a perfect opportunity to daydream while the bush blurs by the window. It’s also an opportunity to look for new tracks on either side of the line. I’ve spied a couple of interesting goodies from the train lately so headed out in the van today with the Mojo on board to check em out. (more…)

Continue ReadingDam Railway