I’ve really been enjoying the Hippie Track lately — it’s a classic if short MTB loop that basically consists of one sustained climb including a couple of steeper sections, followed by one high speed single track descent dropping you back where you started. You can cruise the loop but the descent rewards commitment with a big dose of high speed, and the Mojo HD definitely encourages you to have a good crack at it. (more…)
Thought I’d fixed the disc brake probs (rear stuck piston and front leaking fluid) as everything seemed fine during the 3 hour enduro. Even though the average lap speed at the enduro was relatively high, the max speed each lap was relatively low, with only a few light squeezes on the brake needed to make it around the course. It was a really enjoyable ride but I guess didn’t test the brakes enough provide a definitive verdict on my maintenance efforts the previous day. (more…)
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…)
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…)
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…)
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…)
Back in January I posted about some scuffing on the inside of the rear seat stay of the HD caused by chain slap. After some research I decided to use Scotch Rubber Mastic 2228 tape. Three months later thought it was time to review how the Mastic tape worked. (more…)
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…)