Exploring along the Yarra

Its been a while since my duallie has seen any love, with issues with both front and rear Easton rims, and months of delays. I decided I would buy a new set.

So Bellie was parting with his latest set of SLR's so the deal was done.



I decided that I would head out towards Wonga Park and do some exploring around Clifford Scout park. I love just riding the bike around and exploring areas.




So after a couple of hours and finding a couple of great sections of single track I had made not a bad loop around.





I went back a few days later and manged to connect my new loop to the track that should lead us all the way to Warrandyte, but that is for another day.

As for the wheels they work and make make rolling along nice and easy.

It is great to finally get the bike back up and running and I look forward finally getting the old rims repaired and on my old hardtail, which is going to be re born.

Not a bad view out to the Yarra Valley to those who are floating along!

Alpine Ascent Challenge - Lake Mountain

After starting the Alpine Ascent Challenge last year and only completing two of the climbs, it was time to start again and at least get one done prior to Christmas. So we, being Jase, Rob and I started with the closest climb, lake mountain. Not wanting to load the bikes in a car Jase and I decided the order of the day would be an early start, so we rolled out at 6am with 100km until we reached the top of the mountain.

It was smiles all round as we headed towards Yarra Glen



Passing a four legged Sheppard looking after his flock, he did not like the look of us!!!!


Rob was meeting us at Healsville and too our surprise passed us before we got to Yarra Glen, I guess he was keen to get off four wheels and onto two. He joined us just out of Healsville, so that would cut our ride home by 50kms.



This was the first time for all of us to ride over the black spur. There were not too many cars which was good and the scenery was as good as it gets. The road is not too steep so we tapped out a nice pace and managed to catch a couple of other early morning riders. Jase tried to convince them to do lake mountain but funnily enough they declined





The theme of the day was "we are along way from home", and yep we were. At this turnoff we were about 90 kms from Melbourne. As we hit the climb through the cutting heading into Marysville the ride got hard. This climb is 2.5kms and has an average gradient of 10%, short but tough. I misjudged how many turns and cuttings there were and blew up halfway up and limped across the top. We hit speeds of 80km coming home down this stretch of road.


As we climbed up from Marysville the fog and cloud closed in and reduced visibility. The first 4 kms out of Marysville are the steepest and proved to be, Jase rolled off into the fog and I punctured, it was a really slow leak. This was three punctures in three rides after not having one for 12 months. Jase disputed the puncture so a bet was had, the loser to wash the others bike. So after winning the unloseable bet I was feeling good knowing that the Jase would be busy later washing 2 bikes. That was until he offered me about 30 extra psi in the form of a co2 canister, in lieu of washing the bike. With still 18kms to the top and another 50 after that back to the car I gave up the free wash and took the psi. That hurt, but made the climb more bearable with a harder front tube.





After a bit fog, some sunshine for about 3 minutes a bit of the Foo Fighters we reached the summit.


It must be said that I have never drank a coffee in my life and towards the end of the climb I was contemplating starting. It appears I was still contemplating in the resort cafe, staring at Jase's coffee.


Nup just joking!!!!!!!


So we made the climb got our passports stamped, and headed back down.


It was a PB for me today clocking up 146km and 2800mts of climbing. Rob started suffering some cramps about 500mts down the mountain so he knocked down some Endura, Gels and Jase even gave him some coke. It took about 20 minutes but he came good and we managed to get up the few hills between Marysville and Healsville, and enjoyed the descent down the black spur.


All in all it was a good day spent in the saddle with two good mates on some great country roads and up into the Victorian Alpine Country.

1 down 6 to go!

IM BACK

Since my last post life has been busy to say the least, have done a couple of races. The Kathmandu race at Lysterfield and the Eildon challenge. And also put in some km's on the road bike

The Eildon race saw me have a stack and put a deep cut in my shin which has seen me have to miss the Kona and three weeks later still has not healed.

So summer will see many new adventures and plenty of posts so stay tuned for some regular updates and news of exciting adventures.

So what a way to start a ride, as I followed the bike path along the beach heading out to the Noosa and Tewantin trails.

The girls over at tri adventure has shown me the Noosa trail network the week before which I had not ridden before, so was keen to get oput and give it another go. The ride is a 45 minute road bike track ride to the trails then a couple of hours on the trails then another 45 minute ride home.

Whilst it was early about 6.30am departure the temp was already in the low 20s and the sun has a bit of kick about it. Seems a millieniun miles away from the cold paddle I did in the yarra 2 weeks ago. So I was following Noosa trail 4 which is part of the Noosa Enduro course in July. The riding is mainly fire trail with sections of single track in between, the fire trail riding is undulating and has plenty of challenging climbing on some rocky tracks.

I got the camera out on timer and took a couple of action shots which took a few tries as I was counting the camera timer down, and sometimes did not quiet get it right. This is the start of one of the best bits of single track I have ridden in this area, fast and flowing and great tempret rain forest all around you. As I was riding along I was getting alot of sticks leaves etc hitting my legs, as I was heading down a rocky descent a large rock flicked up and smashed into my left shin.

As I pulled over I saw the dent the rock had made in my shin but also saw the two interesting holes that were also just above my sock, that looked suspiciously like a snake bite. After concluding that is wasnt a snake bit or so I thought as the holes were accross my leg and not up and down like they would have been had it been a snake. Either way I decided that I would monitor how I was feeling anyway.

So after finishing the Noosa trails I headed up and over to the trails in Tewantin state forest, where all the single track is, and it has been a year since I had ridden these trails and some of them had changed due to a bit of erosion and where now a bit more rocky than last year. These trails were great fun and a great way to finish of the ride, except for the 45 minutes required to get home. So after an early start and 3.5 hours on the bike I was home at 10am and in the pool shortly after.

And as a Melbournian who rides year round in the cold it was great to have no arm warmers no booties etc and actually get a nice sweat going from the weather rather than the amount of clothing you have on.

Sunday Paddle

So at 9am I checked the river level at Warrandyte and it said 88cm at 7am. This was too good an oppurtunity, so with some quick phone calls and begging of wives we were off to have a quick dash of fun on a flowing Yarra. We paddled at 10am and the river was 92cm

The highest we had paddled the river at before was at 67cm, so it was like paddling a new river, heaps of flowing water.






That was the rapid that spat me out, looks tame in the photo but had a mean kick at the bottom.



as quoted yesterday "why would you live anywhere else" over 6 hours yesterday on local MTB trails and then 10 mins in the car to paddle the Yarra!

Another Epic day on the EPIX ride

On Saturday we headed out on a Grand Final Epix with our destination St Andrews Pub, which on the road bike is about 45 minutes away, we managed to find a great MTB loop and took 6 and a half hours, we had hail, broken deruirleurs, bent hangers, many crashes, one before we even made the dirt tracks. All in all it was a great day and the weather was good to us considering what we could see on the horizon.

As I am off on holidays my post is short Check the Epix Blog here for more details and photos of the day.

Kathmandu 24Hr Race Report

Alot of people ask me why would you want to do a race that lasts 24 hour hours. I am sure the answer is different for all people that do these events. One reason that is sure to be common to all is you have to be a little bit crazy and some what sadistic.

So as Steve and I are on the start line for another 24hr this time in the beautiful surrounds of the Hawkesbury river at Wisemans Ferry. We were relaxed prior to the start as we waited about 45mins for the start, as it was late due to some "logistical" issues. Steve may have been a little too relaxed.

My choice of steed was the hardtail, as the Virtue is out of action with numerous issues, so I would enjoy the climbing but would suffer towards the end of the race, I was sure of that.

After doing our map plotting and planning the night prior we knew there were a few very steep climbs on both the bike and by foot on the course. The one behind us was one that we did not have to go up.

As we rolled out of the start towards a short steep pinch on the bike Steve and I were in the front bunch. We rolled along with about 6 or 7 other teams as we picked up CP1 and then headed to CP2. Luckily for us we had the other teams as I had written gate on the map for CP2 when it was actually on a knoll, so had we been by ourselves we may have ridden past the CP looking for a gate, which was the description for CP1.

We were the first team from our bunch away from CP2 as I found the quickest way down from the knoll to the track which was to run flat out straight down the side of the hill. We now headed to CP3 with about 3 or 4 teams in front of us. It was at CP3 where teams had a decision to make, do the rogaining course spend extra time in some tough hilly terrain and gain time bonuses.

Steve and I decided we would head out get one or two and decide whether to get more depending on how quickly we were making progress. We left on foot and got A which was worth 40 minutes, we then headed along the track to above D where we dropped down into the creek and after about 25 minutes we had 1hr 50 mins of time bonuses, we then decided on the fly that we would fiollow the creek to C, as the creek was quiet open and quick to travel through. This soon changed and we were in some thick undergrowth. We changed course and went over the spur and dropped down onto C, we managed to get these points really quickly, although it was a tough hot climb out of C we had made good time. We picked up E on the way out and had 3hrs 50mins of time bonuses and it had taken us 1hr 35mins to complete the course. We decided not to get B and F and to get on with the rest of the race.

We headed back out on the bikes after filling up with water as we were both out after the roagine. We started a long dirt road section to collect CP4 and 5, before turning onto the Grono South Trail, this was the start of some sandy sections we had to ride through, this trail climbed to the top of the hill, where CP6 was, after a little miscalculation and riding about 400mts past the checkpoint we went back got it and started the very steep descent, which was rutted rocky and in some parts unrideable, well it was for me on my V brake hardtail.

At the bottom of the descent we crossed a creek and then started the hike a bike back up the other side the track went up 140 vertical in about 500 meters. The weather was hot, it must have been close to 30deg and the sun was starting to take its toll. I was starting to get a good headache going, I was drinking plenty but was sweating plenty also. The next section of riding across the ridge was lots of sandy sections and the going was tough in the sand. As we collected CP7 we knew that we had 3kms on dirt and 3kms on bitumen until we hit the TA and our first meeting point with our "Box A" which had more food and electrolyte drink.

As we rolled along the the fire road towards the bitumen Steve ran over a snake, luckily it was headed for the bush and not the other way as that could have got a bit ugly.

As we arrived at the TA we had to remove our pedals and load our boxes and bikes into the trailer so they will be waiting for us on the other side of the trek we were about to start. This section was supposed to a tubing section, but due to lack of rain became a Canyoning section, we set out with another team Delerium, who we had started the last bike section with, at 320 meters above sea level and headed down to the river which was at about 40 above sea level. We raced down to the river running all the way, and making good time, at the back of our minds was lets get out of the Canyon before dark.

The Canyoning experience was one of following tracks next to the river, which were quiet overgrown, swimming around rocky sections or rock hopping, further downstream after we collected CP11 we would "enjoy" the sand walk, which was walking down the middle of the river going from sandbank to sandbank. This was some tough going and each shoe had about half a kilo of sand in it to add to the challenge, we spent close to 4 hours in the river section and 8 hours total on the trekking section.

The good news was we finished the river section about 30 mins after the sun went down, we then rinsed the sand from our socks and shoes and put them back on wet and headed out on the last section on the trek, where we would climb from the 40 meters we were at to 380 in about 1km. You can see where the track turns the climb starts and it was a leg crusher, especially after being on the trek already for 5 hours.

As we were going up the steep climb we overtook another team. One of the guys had a heart rate monitor which was beeping telling him he was over his limit, I presume. It never ceases to amaze me how little things can really grate you when you are tired and fatigued. I had to put a burst in to get away from them as the sound was driving me crazy. As we got to the top of the steep climb the track became really overgrown and was hard to follow. As we headed towards CP14 we knew that it was above CP12 down in the river that had a group of people camping opposite it, so we kept looking for their lights as a guide to where it would be.

As we headed along I was convinced that we had gone to far and had missed the CP. However 10 minutes later we came across the CP and we now started the long climb to CP 15 and the TA to get back on the bikes. This was a tough part of the course and I was struggling with stomach cramps and my light had gone out, so I had to walk 2 steps behind Steve in the dark using his light as a guide. We arrived at the TA at about 9.30pm and ready to get back on the bikes again.

We seemed to take along time sorting ourselves out at this TA, we rugged up with clothes as the TA was next to lagoon which made it very cold. As we headed out of the TA Steve could not get his light to work on beam it would only work on strobe, which made night riding quiet a challenge for him. We knew this ride had a small climb at the start and then the rest was downhill, the downhill sections required concentration as they were rutted and it was fast riding, not the type of riding suited to strobe lights!

This section also had its fair section of sand dunes, whenever the track levellled out meant you ended up with a sand "trap"

We finally descended down through some switchbacks to the Colo river again and we followed this and picked up CP17 and 18 and headed to the next TA and onto the only Kayak leg of the race. We again took a bit too long at the TA and headed out about 5 minutes after another team, which we used to help us locate CP20, however the fog got really thick after CP20 and we lost sight of them, and the fog was so thick that we missed CP21 which blotted our copy book, we only knew we missed it when we came around a bend and were faced with a bridge which was at the TA and about 2.5kms past CP21, we would have been wasting our time going back to get it, so we took the 1hr penality.

We were now on the final leg, and had about a 16km ride to the finish, we started out being really cold and both shivering as we rolled along next to the river, as we came around a corner there was steep climb in front of us, Steve piped up with "just what the doctor ordered" that is how cold we were, we would prefer some climbing to get warm. I had to ride the final leg standing as the hardtail riding on rocky descents had taken its toll. We picked up CP23 and headed along Bicentenial road to get the last CP, no.24.

It is always a great feeling on the last leg as you know the job is almost done, we collected CP24 and rolled into the finish at 4.30am.

We had been on the go for 19.5 hours, and raced really well and made no nav errors so you cant be unhappy with that.

Check out the results here. We came 17th Overall and 8th in our Catergory after penalties and time bonuses are calculated.

Check out some photos here.

Degani Kinglake ride

Well last Sunday saw about 3000 riders head off to do the Degani Kinglake ride. 5 minutes before we set off it started to rain and basically it kept going on and off for most of the ride. When it wasn't raining the water spray from the road was like it was raining.

The pace for the first 500 meters was a good participation ride pace, and even though it was raining I was comfortable. However once the 500mts was over someone at the front who looks like this decided that we should up the ante.

So for the next 3 hours we tapped out a very solid pace and by the time we reached the base of the last climb out of flowerdale at the 100km mark there was about 12 left in the front bunch. As we started the climb it was down to 4 of us with one rider about 200 meters off the front.

I just could not hold the other 3 guys towards the top of the climb as Rohan decided he wanted to bridge the gap to the guy off the front. I spent the next 20kms turning myself inside out to try and get back on.

This was my first "participation" ride and I really enjoyed it even though the weather was just terrible for road riding. So I will definetly do the ride again next year.

Degani Kinglake

So tomorrow is the day of the Degani Ride. Looking forward to the ride, just hoping the weather holds out. Not sure what to do with myself this morning as I am so used to getting up at 5.30am on Saturday.

Walk Into History Part 1

After months of planning the weekend of our hike was finally on us. We planned to follow the walk into history track which is listed as a 37.5 km overnight hike. As we set off from the powelly pub we were all refreshed and excited about the fun to be had. The walking track was awesome, a great area to be in. Whilst we weren't rewarded with great views from the top of mountains we knew we were in a beautiful part of Victoria and only just over an hours drive from Melbourne.

We set off at 8am and followed the trail East away from our final destination, much to everyone's amusement and Jas's constant reminders that the GPS says we are going the wrong way, to get to our final destination.

When we finally turned North we were confronted with a track that gained 415mts of elevation in 1600mts. It was the site of where the logs were dragged up the hill via a large cog and cable. The section of track took us 1hour to walk and was made even more challenging with rain bucketing down.



As we arrived at the top of the climb we knew that the majority of the rest of the walk was downhill.

Looking nice and tired 5 hours in, and still 4.5 hrs to go, not that we knew it would take that long. As it was cold we only stopped briefly at the top to eat lunch and then we were off again.

The Skyline Loop

So with one third of the Sat morning crew away at the snow it was just Nat and I out on Saturday morning. It started out extremely cold but after half an hour with the sun coming up it started to warm up and ended up being great weather for a ride.






It was a clear day and we had a great view from the top of skyline road down to the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong ranges.

Some people were out early like we were but doing a little bit less exercise, would have been a great day to be up floating around instead of sucking on the handlebars chasing Nat around.

We also found a few pieces of single track of the main road, with Nat pointing them out!!

Skyline it just keeps going up and down and up and down until you have had enough and then it throws in a few more ups and downs.

Sugarloaf Dam at the end of the winter, not really looking that full.

So after just under 3 and a half hours in the saddle, I was heading to the shops for some bread and food for brekky when up the road were 4 road riders, who I naturally chased down and went past just before the top of the climb. It has to be one of my favourite pastimes.

So this weekend we head off into the Ranges to do the Walk into History, and camp overnight, so no Sat ride this weekend, just alot of walking, should be a lot lower intensity which will be nice for a change.

Early Morning, Wombats and Kangaroo's

5.45 am and we were out on the roadies. Jas, Nat and I. It was the usual start with Jas and Nat the pace was on from the get go. I really struggled on the first few climbs on the road out to St Andrews. So I got used to following the red flashing light.




The sunrise was spectacular and it was quite a warm morning, but there was a bit of wind around.


As we approached the base of the Kinglake climb this little fellow casually wandered across the road. We stopped and took a few photos of him and he just stayed outside his hole looking at us.


As we started the climb I started to feel a bit better and was able to stay with the boys for the first couple of kilometers, the wind on the climb was brutal. You would come around a corner and almost come to a dead stop. It was definitely one of the toughest climbs I have endured due to wind. As the trees have no leaves on them there was no protection from the wind. As you came through the protected areas of the climb the noise of the wind across the top was so loud.

The area is still getting greener but not as much as I thought it would have. It is still very eerie riding through the area knowing what has happened and the visual reminders.


After getting to the top of climb a bit of food and then the descent, which was interesting to say the least, there is nothing like coming around a corner at 50kmh and hitting a head wind and wiping off 30kmh.

As we were rolling into St Andrews there were a couple of riders who were slowing rolling along the other way and then as we were about 20 meters apart these 2 Kangaroos decided they wanted to cross the road, one taking a major tumble as it sprinted across the road.

This continues the near misses with Kangaroos that we have been having, and it does not seem to matter if we are on the road or MTB bikes.

So as we rolled turns back from St Andrews I started to find my groove after struggling for 2 hours I was feeling really strong.

So with another busy week at work with a couple of nights away it will be hard to do much riding mid week so it willo be back for another long ride on Sat morning.

Teva Melbourne

Well we had a good race at the Teva Melbourne.

I was very rusty on the nav with lots of little mistakes, no big ones, we really struggled on one of the challengers and cost us 16mins to the winners.

We had a great last 15 minutes and raced along with two other teams and managed to just be a bit surer with our nav and faster by foot to get across the line in 3rd place.

Whilst we were 25 mins behind the winners it was a good hitout and good practice for the 24hr race in September.

Team HTFU check out our results here

Just Exploring

So on Sunday last weekend the 19th I headed out for a ride around the extended local trails. I found a whole bunch of new cut track that the locals have been busy building. One of my favorite things is to head and just ride exploring new track and potential areas where you could find track. No real time limits just exploring.




A nice view from the top of Warrandyte down to the Dandenongs. With roadside single track for good measure.

These tracks were new last year and are now well bedded in and awesome for some fast riding.

This is some new to me "old" trail that I had never found before. It ended to early with a private property sign.

So with a few more adventurous days like this one, I will eventually be able to ride from home in North Ringwood to Kinglake without any bitumen. So as the tour comes to an end and I can actually get out on the bike a bit more I will have a few more regular posts.

My first Adventure Race is coming up in 2 weeks, so will be good to get back into the multi sport scene again.