Todays Ride- Wolumla Peak

The ride from home to Wolumla Peak and back. It's a ride I've been meaning to do for some time, and with some rain forecasted for the next couple of days, today seemed like the right time.

The ride over to Mandeni and then down the first downhill was fun as always. I had decided to head cross county to the beginning of the main climb. The advantage of this method was that within a matter of minutes I was in natural bushland, with towering trees either side of of the trail. The downside was that there was a fair bit of climbing before I even got to the main Wolumla Peak climb.

The first part of this climb was a bit up and down, with some steep pinches, until I turned onto the main Wolumla Peak road, a gravel section which quickly turns more 4WD type territory. So followed a pretty sustained climb, up until the last km, where the trail got rockier, and steeper!

It was a section where I was my full limit and only going about 6km an hour! Probably could have gone faster walking.

Finally the top came into view, and what a view it was. Even on the overcast day, the views of the surrounding National Park, farmland and coast were spectacular.

Of course, what goes up must always go down, with the ride back home full of those moments of 'going a bit fast into this sketchy corner', all with a smile on my face.

A nice day for a bike ride...

A long ride

A long bike ride

Is about the lead up. Excitement that builds as you plan the day, who may be going, the route, the gear list.
Is about the start, fresh and full of anticipation as to how the day will pan out.
Is about getting into the rhythm of the journey, sucking in the views, sucking in the air on the hills, smiling on the downhills, chatting to good mates.
Is about the moments when it's a struggle. You're hot, out of water, there's another hill. Ironically, these things make the journey that much sweeter.
Is about enjoying your bike, listening to the sounds, flowing.
Is about the last few km, knowing it is about to end. You have done it.
Is about the satisfaction of finishing. The memories of the many moments that happen over the course of the day.

A long ride is brilliant.

Jindabyne Riding

A weekend up at Jindabyne was a perfect excuse to load up the mountain bike and spend a little more time seeing what the area had to offer. Even in winter the town of Jindabyne is usually still warm enough to get out on the trails, even though you will find plenty of snow 30 minutes up the hill.

Saturday morning I rode straight from our accommodation down to the multi use path that runs along the foreshore of the lake. The early morning sun reflected off the still water with not a breath of wind to be felt. It was a good morning for a ride. My destination was the trails just to the east of the dam wall, leading all the way to Tyrollean village on the opposite side of the lake. After losing the trail and having to ride a couple of km on the rode, I cam to the trail head.

There is one loop trail in this section that is all about flow. Wide single track with the odd rock jump around but nothing too technical meant that you could let things run out and really push into the manicured berms on display. It was ear to ear grin time!

There are a series of side trails with names like Felicity and She'll be Apples that saw the speed drop as you negotiated rock gardens both big and small and some tight squeezes through trees. All the time the views across the lake and to the snow capped mountains beyond gave plenty of excuses to stop and pause for a photo. I didn't take a map with me which meant that my ride was a little disjointed, but with map in hand and/or a few more rides there you could put together a really fun loop.

Riding back towards town I found the link trail, which again was wide and flowing as it skipped along the foreshore towards the town. I could see the traffic backed up all the way through town, skiers and snowboarders caught in a traffic jam heading for the mountains.

I had had the trails to myself, and it didn't cost me a cent!

There are big mountain biking plans in the pipeline for the whole area as powers that be see the dollar that the sport can bring. With some well maintained single track, the downhill at Thredbo and the options of heading back country for some epic all day or overnight rides, it has all the ingredients to become a mountain biking destination of choice.

Lets just hope we are not caught in a traffic jam heading to the trailhead in a few years time.

Backyard Adventures

I often think of going on big trips again. Mountain biking for days on end through pristine wilderness, surfing all the way up the coast for a month or so, even exploring a place like Antarctica. Like most, my reality is that taking that time away is a difficult proposition and means being away from family. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy some real adventure though. It takes a couple of hours and the willingness to head somewhere new.

So this morning I set off on my mountain bike, straight from home, to explore the area north. I had two hours to see if I couldn't get myself lost.

After about 100 metres on the road, I slipped off onto one of the tracks that makes it's way down to the beach. This in turn, linked to another trail that traversed through woodland along a pretty grass track and opened up at the beach in the photo above. As you can see, it was a beautiful morning for a bike ride. From here I knew you could follow a dirt road to the north which would lead to a trail that would eventually get you somewhere near the island you can see.

This trail was fun. A little sandy in places but it is obviously used quite a bit as it was clear and flowing. I reached the car park which then took me on to a walking trail around Sandy Creek. The first section was a lot of fun, some pretty demanding uphills and nice descents.

Then it was rock garden after rock garden. A few could be ridden through, but some were derailleur chewing stuff. So the hike a bike section began. I have been practising how I carry my bike when I'm walking as getting your technique right makes such a difference to how enjoyable these sections can be. The scenery can also help. The trail lead me down to the river and after a cold crossing the trail began to flow again, albeit briefly.

There is something about riding along a river. Just magical. It wasn't long before there were more rocks to negotiate, and then the rocks were joined by steep slopes, and it was walking time again.

The thing about hills though is that they almost always mean some nice views, and this one did not disappoint.

Leaving the lagoon and the rocks behind, I followed a flat trail along another lake for several kilometres before it brought me out onto a fire road. Remembering the map I had studied the night before, I turned left and began to look out for a sign to the Trig point. Within a few minutes it appeared to the left and so began a long slog up for about 4 km. It is never a good sign when the water bars get really big. It generally means that the gradient is too high and they need to divert a lot of water off the trail. As I climbed upwards, the bars got bigger, the gradient got steeper and my legs grew more tired. Fortunately there were a few moments of relief as the trail levelled out before pitching again.

And would you believe it, after all that, no view from the top! Not even a sign!

I continued downhill the other side, hoping that the trail would continue on towards the main road. I even chanced a couple of detours on some more interesting trail. Eventually I found the tell tale signs of a track I had been on before. This lead down to a small creek and then it was some more hike a bike up the other side. Within a few minutes I had reached the road.

From there it was a short ride to the local single track, which was in great condition after the little rain we had yesterday.

As I cruised the final couple of hundred metres home the computer read just over 30 km in about 2 hours. At times I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere but the reality is I was probably never more than ten kilometres from home. For those couple of hours I experienced lots of what makes a great adventure; at times it was difficult, there were decisions to be made, I was experiencing the rawness of natural beauty and it was a heap of fun.

All in my backyard.

Ode to the bike

Ode to the Bicycle from Tim Pierce - Director / DOP on Vimeo.

Doing

The Mandeni and Manna Park mountain bike loops are within a 5 minute ride from my house. They are really interesting trails, not the greatest I have ridden but far from the worst. A while ago I began doing some simple trail maintenance on these my local trails. Met a couple of people on the trails and thought it would be a good idea to get some kind of group together, for rides and he odd day working on the trail. Part of this is for purely selfish reasons, I want to improve the trails and need help doing it!

Part is to create a sense of community. I like mountain bikers, they are a friendly bunch and although I love heading out on my own, riding with people and chatting bikes and sharing those little moments are fantastic.

So I did, a Facebook page is up (Mandeni Manna Park Mountain Biking) we have started weekly Saturday rides and a monthly 'girls' ride is on this Sunday. I have some plans for the future too!

Funny how easy things can end up being once you decide to do.

Galibier on a track bike

You may have watched the action from the Giro where they went up the Galibier. Well, almost, they had to reduce the race by 4 km as there was too much snow. In this beautifully made film, watch this guy ride up the beast on a track bike. And then ride down the other side.

Home Trails

The lads from Flow magazine have been enjoying my local trails.
MMM might be going for a ride tomorrow!

Try some of these on your next ride

Videos

A few videos for the week.

The Absa Cape Epic has just been completed. It is the pinnacle of stage mountain bike racing. It is the kind of race I would love to do "one day'... Some marketing footage for the 2011 race to give some idea of how awesome it would be!



A film by Rick Brayner. It's simple, it's beautiful.



My interest in long boarding continues...

A Simple Day

Good breakfast, off to work.
A busy day, outside in the garden, feeling pretty satisfied with the work being done. Home for a quick dinner then out to Mandeni with the kids for a mountain bike ride. Josie and I out front, Jackson flying behind.

A setting sun, full moon appearing.

With the kids.

Simple

Mont 24 Hour

Sunrise over the transition area- Mont 2013

As I place my helmet onto my head you can’t get the smile off my face, which is kind of strange, since it is 9 o’clock at night and I’m about to go out for a double lap of the 20 odd km Mont 24 hour course after already having pushed through three laps during the day! There’s lots of numbers there and they all add up to some pretty tired legs, a tight lower back and the start of some serious bum issues (I really need to spend some decent money on some top quality and bum friendly cycle shorts).

So why the smile? Well, it’s the simple things as they say, and this simple thing was a gas heater that we had pumping all night. Not only did it keep you toasty in between laps, but it also dried out your gear after a lap. So instead of putting on a wet and cold helmet (as I did lap after lap of the Scott 24 hr, sans heater) your helmet and gloves were like a warm blanket on a cold night.

And the night wasn’t that cold either. In fact the 24 hours of riding around a big loop on 2 wheeled machines along with around 3000 thousand like minded people was held in perfect conditions. Warmish and bright days and dry and relatively warm nights. And the attitude of those riding added to the warmth as well. ‘Rider, whenever you are ready’. ‘Just up here on my right’, ‘Thanks mate, have a great ride!’ These simple, pleasant conversations at 4 am help you get up that next little hill just that little bit faster. That and the fact you want to see how long you can keep up with the fast little whippet who just passed!

Team Mad Kow Racing, AKA Ricey, Joe and Myself entered the four man category for the event. Now you are questioning how I can throw all those numbers at you in the first paragraph and then only give you three names for a four man event? Well, there were four, but a broken elbow and not knowing anyone else who understands the joy of riding around the bush in lycra for 24 hours meant that we were going in a man down. Strangely enough, we did not hold podium ambitions. Instead our aim was a simple one, to keep on riding. We would always have someone out on course for the full 24 hours, whether it was 3 am or 2 minutes before the 24 hours was up, a Mad Kow would be turning those pedals. At times, it may not be very fast, but they will be turning.

Lap after lap went by. In your first lap, you are learning about the trail, which line to take, where that tough climb is, where the sweet downhill sections are located. By about the third you have it pretty dialed. For this course the tough climbing was in the middle part. Nothing hugely long, but enough to hurt, especially with over 50 km in your legs. With about 7 km to go, You enjoyed some great, flowing trails. Well, for a while, until the traffic of the event meant huge braking ruts through the corners formed. So it was a case of holding on tight and enjoy the chattering of your teeth. I ride a 29 inch full suspension and I felt like I didn’t have enough travel. There were some guys out there on rigid fork single speeds! In fact, there was a guy out there riding a unicycle. Although, I passed him a few times and not once did I actually see him cycling. on each occasion he was standing on the side of the track with an expression on his face that told the story of an idea that in practice wasn’t like the idea appeared in the mind.

There was also the guy wearing some kind of suit with his face covered in a mask. ‘Hot in there mate?’ ‘Sh#t yeah.’ ‘Hope they give you a decent prize for the costume.’ ‘They better!’

There was a guy dressed in a cow suit (if we keep our name, we may have to have a lap in one of these next time), some pirates, the tutu brigade, live music on an improvised stage half way around the course, an amputee team, student teams, Australian Champion racers and heaps of every day punters all out on the same course, all enjoying testing themselves, having a laugh, enjoying mountain biking.

Mad Kow Racing completed 21 laps in total, or just over 420 km of riding. We didn’t stop, transitions were seamless and we enjoyed no mechanicals the whole race. It was a blast, good chats, challenging at times, beautiful trails, and great atmosphere.

What I love about mountain bike endurance racing is how much you learn each time. The food you eat, how much liquid to take on board, bike set up, how to flow through that corner, how to get into a rhythm during a lap, what you need to be saying to yourself half way through a double night lap to keep you motivated and happy.

And that during a cool night of a 24 hour race, heat is your friend.

Helmet on, on the bike, time for another lap.

Smile.

Ricey waiting in transition

Joe coming in after his first lap

Ricey away

Team Mad Kow Racing

Nature

I think I'm meant to live in the country. I love the quiet roads, open space, and just being closer to lots of wonderful creatures. The other day I woke up to the usual chorus of birds around our house. Went for a surf where I was surrounded by at least 15 dolphins. At one stage I thought they were surrounding me to then have a go (dolphins can be a little aggressive), but they were just getting into position to surf. And surf they did. At one stage I got caught inside and looked over to see a few jump through the shore break with ease to head further out. I caught a wave where I nearly got hit by one down the line- he dropped in!

 Then, at the end of the day, after the kids were asleep, I went for a mountain bike ride at Mandeni, where I saw the usual wallabies and a couple of wombats, oh and nearly ran over a brown snake! What I initially thought was a dark, large stick across the track, was not. In the moment I had to adjust I thought I was heading around the tail end of the snake. It wasn't and as I flew past it had a go at my shoe. No harm done.

Ahhh, country life. Beautiful!

Roller Coaster

First round of the Rocky Trail Entertainment Roller Coaster state series, Ourimbah. 
Song- ‘Lick It’ by Luke Dzierzek

Looks like fun!!

Morning Ride

Up early, on the road bike and ride...Simple.

 The pretty little town of Wyndam

 Rural roads on the way to Eden

Boydtown- nice place to finish a ride!

Thredbo Summer

There's some pretty exciting things happening down Thredbo way with regards to mountain biking. The new concept plan they have put together has the aim of creating a trail network that is the best in Australia. Sounds good to me. We spent a couple of days in Jindabyne and headed up the hill to Thredbo. The downhill trails look a lot of fun, although, without the necessary protection and bike I was left to check out the lines from the chairlift. There is a new Flow trail, which has less of the heart in mouth rock gardens and drops and more, well, flow. It sounds great and the thought of spending a day heading up hill on the lift and downhill on the bike is a pretty good one!

There are a couple of cross country traverses around the valley, and after taking the kids for a lovely ride around the Pipeline trail, I went for a ride around myself. The valley trail which follows the river towards Jindabyne is great. Only about 4km is completed but the plan is to go all the way to the Crackenback resort, about 25 km away. There is something special about flowing down a trail next to a river, and there are already some lovely little sections of trail, with cool bridges crossing the river and wonderful views.

I found the main road and traveled along to Crackenback, which has a short XC trail and a little skills park. Nothing too strenuous, but a lot of fun. Then it was road time back to Jindabyne, which wasn't all downhill, that's for sure!

I need to head home meant I didn't check out the trails closer to Jindabyne, which by all accounts are the best to ride. It just leaves a good excuse to head back up sooner rather than later.

Check out all the details here.

 Heading down to Jindabyne

Ride

An early morning 4 hour road epic.
A quick spin around the 10 km single track after work.
A leisurely ride to spin the legs over.
Showing someone new the joys to be discovered in your local trails.
A smash fest with a mate.
Discovering new single track with it's unique character.
Race face on.
Finding a new way home.
Getting lost, then found again.
Slogging it up hills and free wheeling on the way down.
Following your 5 year old along a beautiful fire road.
Stopping at your front door, bike to your side,
smiling...

Ride.

Surf Bike

As I have mentioned before, I put together a rack made out of PVC pipes to attach my board to a bike I grabbed from the rubbish tip. The first outing to the local break began well, but the whole thing feel apart after hitting some bumps on the track on the way home. After a little TLC it was all back together and a little stronger.

There is something very special about the simplicity of riding your bike and board to the surf, catching some waves and then riding home.

Bike-Surf-Bike

Beautiful

I've found the loop!

The trails around Tathra are exceptional. Flowing lines, some killer climbs, beautiful technical sections and some real moments that simply make you smile. I've done a couple of longish rides there, trying to put together different sections. This morning I beat the sun (and a kangaroo which I nearly hit on the way to the trail head) and rode a 36 km 'loop', combining almost all the single track in the area. I think that maybe 3 kms would have been fire trail and I needed to go over the same trail for about 500 metres. So that's about 33 km of pure, joyful single track!

It was a beautiful start to the day

The Local

I am one of the fortunate few who can hop on their mountain bike and ride to some nice single track right from home. No packing the car, no long journey, no realising that you have forgotten your helmet as you arrive at the trail head. It means that it is easy to sneak in a quick, short lap when the kids have gone to bed. And like any mountain bike trail, it also means that an adventure is just up the hill.

It’s no multi day epic, or 14 km flowing downhill up the road, but I think every ride I’ve done has given me something to think about, a smile from ear to ear and, more often than not, a glimpse of adventure.

There’s the corners that beg to be ridden fast, but can catch you out when you least expect it. The sustained climb that always hurts, the moments you look around and feel like you are in the middle of absolutely nowhere. There are the more specific moments, like the time I was doing a late afternoon lap, flying down the opening section, where I am beginning to know the trail really well, until I sweep around a corner where there should be a nice little jump. Jump as in singular. It wasn’t until I was mid air that I realised that the singular had turned most definitely plural, as someone had created a times three rollover, with the second mound being exactly where I was about to land from my singular jump. It ended badly.

I can’t forget the time I took Ricey for a night lap, and was nearly bowled over by 4 wombats. Well, I’m maintaining there were four, although Ricey did put it into my head that there was in fact only one, who seriously had it in for me and was just scooting to different areas of the track and lying in wait for me to come around the corner. At one point, one of the wombats (or was it ‘the one’?) flew out from the side of the track and slid along for a couple of metres in front of me. Unfortunately for the little bundle of wheel buckling fury, it slid onto and then off of, a small bridge I was about to cross. After landing in the shallow water it trundled up the embankment, perhaps moving to his next ambush point further along the track. I don’t do much night riding on certain sections of that track anymore.

No, it’s not epic, it’s not the stuff of magazine covers. 

But when I begin to pedal up that hill, it’s my adventure.