Reminder to all the Fatties, tomorrow night there will be a BBQ and drinks after the ride. This year there is a change of venue, we will be meeting at the Eaglemont Tennis Club, just around the corner from the Scout Hall. BYO food and drinks.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Fatties BBQ
Sneaky rides...
School finishes at the end of the week, so this was probably a one off kind of ride. Oh well, we can always dream.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Good weekend for ducks...
And in the wise words of my 4 year old, Olivia, it was a good day for ducks...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Chasing the sun...
Tonight I went out on the Tour de Burbs ride. Not many familiar faces out tonight amongst the 100 plus bunch. But with Clackers also out, I had some company out the back as he is in his base phase as well.
My AyUps came out for the ride but they weren't needed. The pic above was taken 500m from my housing. I love long sunny days.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunny days...
This is how we tried to escape this morning.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Today I rolled out the door for a little spin around Lysterfield on the Unit 29er. I had forgotten how harsh the rigid single speed was on the old body, but still it was fun. I bumped into a few friends whilst there. One of which ended up riding the last hour and a half with me, delivering me to my door. Evan Franzke (pictured below) deserves a mention, I have been racing this guy since I started doing Enduros back in 2005. He has since gone on to win many shorter enduro and as of this week will be riding on the Kona Factory Team. We might even team up in the Mont next year. So, good luck Evan in your new colors, enjoy the ride.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Fatties madness...
Nice helmet indentation on the old forehead.
Dazed and missing a good bit of memory. Some thing aren't worth remembering anyway Ben, so don't worry about that buddy.
Better to be safe than sorry. Luckily he was released by the time I got home from the ride. Today he is sore but OK. He has posted his version of the events on the Yeti bog.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Kona 24....
Firstly I must say riding in a social team was a very relaxing way to spend the weekend. Everyone should experience it at least once in their life. As a team we weren't even worried if we had anybody on course. I was able to get out on each of the courses and enjoy the riding. Each of the three courses were fantastic. I recon you would struggle to find better riding in 24 hour event anywhere else in Australia.
Although I was there having fun, the competitive part of me wanted to be racing in a "proper" manner. So I have walked away from the event fired up to get some great training done and have a crack at some more 24 hour races next year.
Unfortunately for Jayden the kids race was not to be. He was fighting for the lead and had a altercation resulting in a nasty gash on his knee. It needed to be super glued back together, but in true Jayden form he was back on the bike within the hour.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Being realistic...
I will still be heading down to Forrest. I don't want to miss the biggest event on the Victorian Enduro calendar. I will take Jayden so he can race the kids race if he wants to, and run a muck as usual, we might even ride a full lap of the main course together. I don't think I will be up for fast consistent laps on a competitive team but might get to ride a few laps in one of the Kona casual teams. It will be interesting for me to attend a 24 hour race and have some fun kicking back with mates. As sad as I am for missing the main event, I am looking forward to seeing the race from another angle.
On another note. I just wanted to say welcome to Melbourne Jimi.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Times up....
I haven't finished the Kona in the past two year, so I am determined to finish this year even if I am not on the podium. I have told Robyn to go to bed if need be (she is still struggling with a nasty cough) because her job will be tough. Looking after all three kids (Jack will be on his first camping trip) and me. I am hopping a slower pace will mean I will be ok to roll around comfortably and keep all the "Kona gremlens" from previous years at bay.
So please, if you are heading to the event and feel like riding a lap with me, don't hesitate, the company will do me good.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
It's now legal...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Team CSC...
A nice gesture from Bob Spagnolo (formerly the Gooch TV man).
Today I have just about lost my voice. I am not sure if I will get any riding in this weekend and am looking like being well under done for the Kona 24 in two weeks time. Looking forweard to it.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Maxxis Tyres...
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Weekend review...
Olivia did a fantastic job. Below she is wearing her ballet costume (she also did a Jazz routine). We don't have any pics from the concert because they didn't allow cameras. She looks 4 going on fourteen. I'm getting scared already.
Saturday lunch was Jayden's 7th birthday party (his actual birthday was Friday). We had it at home and as usually I got to play host to 25 kids all hyped up on sugar. It was a lot of fun.
We also had another party at home for dinner, this time it was a BBQ with many family and friends attending. I think I will have a day of cleaning up the house early in the week, because as you will read below, I had no time for that today.
OK, now to talk about riding. Today I was out nice and early for a longish MTB ride. I took the 120 to Lysterfield for it's first go on some proper trails. I was very happy with how the bike rode, I don't think I will be changing anything to prepare it for the Kona 24 latter this month. The extra 20mm of travel makes it ride like it's floating on clouds. It really is an all day trail bike whilst still being light enough to race in varied formats.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
New Roadie..
Slack As...
Today I headed to Bendigo for the Golden Triangle 105km Epic. I was originally planning on riding the event with Randall, but he got full of a nasty cold and had to pull the pin. This left me wondering what to do, do I race or just cruise all by myself. I decided 105km by my self was a long way, so I did the best I could to get it done as quick as possible.
Even this almost didn't happen. I haven't been doing any MTBing lately, and I thought my back was all good after receiving some treatment after the Scott. But after a very sort time in the bush I realised I need to get more work done to correct my alignment. I was in a bit of pain again, but with all the road (dirt and sealed) on this course I persevered. The race ended up being a great training ride, I had a nice high average HR and the legs were nice and spent by the end. Sorry no pics yet.
During the event I saw one of the funniest (or should that say saddest) things I have seen while racing. I was riding along a dirt road with a few kangaroos hopping along side me. At first I thought they were just trying to get out way but then I saw they were playing with me, if I sped up they sped up, if I slowed down they slowed down. The funny bit happened when one was doing this for about 1km on the other side of a fence, at first I thought it jumped on a rabbit but then I saw it was its' joey fell out of its' pouch. The mum didn't realised and just kept hopping for another km of so. Poor little guy.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Clean Fleet....
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Pop Winning...
I received this email from my Uncle Richie in WA today. Between him and myself Pop’s bike restoration may come together sooner than first thought. I am planning on sending the frame to Richie in the next week or two for him to organise the re-pray and hand painted decals. It’s all coming together nicely.
Monday, October 20, 2008
New Ride...
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Restoration update....
Not bad hey. I'm guessing a lot of time has been spent polishing out impurities. I nearly gave up on saving this head set, but I handed it over to see what could be done and I am impressed.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Under Wraps...
I am recovering quit well. I had a light spin yesterday and am planning to get out in the morning. My back is feeling good after seeing Phillip at Rosanna Remedial Massage this afternoon, I am once again all back in alignment and free from soreness.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Scott wrap up...
This year, once again, solos got to start on their bikes on the flatter (but longer) blue lap. I was happy to let a few riders ride away from me, after all this course is soooo demanding on the body and with much less time spent on the bike this year for me body conservation was my plan. If you look closely at my bike you can see the new forks I am running - SID Teams, these things rock.
Still rolling, but the pain is beginning to build.
I don't have many race pics yet (am waiting on the event photographers to upload theirs), so here is one of me straight off the bike after riding for the best part of 24 hours. I think all the pain I was focusing away hit me in one almighty wave. I was sore from head to toe and not to mention my back.
I was very happy to be standing on the number two spot of the dais. Jason rode a great race and I was relying on him struggling big time come dawn if I was going to have any chance. My recovery is going well. I think I may even do another solo 24 before the year is out.
Here I am again on the big screen. Bit scary hey??
A huge thanks goes out to my support team, in particular my wife Robyn for 1- having the skills to subdue the pain in my back and 2 - for knowing me well enough to make me push my body further than I thought I could. Ben Jones from Kona for looking after my bikes and making sure they ran smoothly. My brother Daniel for driving me almost all of the 1400km round trip, helping out at the race and taking some photos. And my parents for supporting me in my selfish pursuit as an athlete.
Also thanks to my sponsors, Kona, AyUp (seriously, the best lights ever), Mavic, Shimano, Rock Shox, Suunto, Adidas Eyewear, Maxxis, Ozriders, Pedros and Limar.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
results...
I perservered with back issues and managed to ride through the field and finish second - one lap down on Jason English and one lap up on K.Kris (European National 24 MTB Champion).
I was a bit of a mess by the end, but very happy with how I performed.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Update from the Scott 24 hour
Andrew has had some early issues with his back. Almost pulling out of the race a few hours in. But a quick massage and some motivational words from the pit crew got him back out. Back in the race way off the pace(60 somethingth place) he has moved back upto 6th.....
Night time and AYUPs ahoy!
The race doesn't start till dawn sunday they say and i reckon it'll be a close one...
More updates will be posted when i get them.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Winning combination??
I Just got handed a set of the new Crossmax SLR wheels. These things look trick. I will be running them on the Four Supreme over the weekend and of cause they will be running Maxxis Crossmarks and SPEX tyre sealant. I don’t expect to have any issues with such great products.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Prep...
Friday, September 26, 2008
Riding the Rim…
City one side, bay the other. Plenty to look at whilst riding.