Being realistic...

I have had an interesting week so far. Tuesday I headed back to the Osteo to make sure everything was inline etc for the weekends race. All seemed good until I woke up Wednesday morning only to put my back out big time whilst putting socks on my feet. I called my Osteo and was back on his table that afternoon. He was not overly concerned about what had happened but when I went riding with the Fatties that night my back was very stiff. Getting off the bike and straightening up was an effort. It has taken me a couple of days to come to terms with this, but I am unable to race solo at this weekends Kona 24 in Forrest. I am pretty annoyed with myself, but am also keen to put some steps in place (read, train more) to rectify things for some interesting 24 hour racing early in the new year.

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.

Times up....

With less than one week until the Kona 24, time to get some more training in is up. Unfortunately I have had a nasty flu for the past two and a bit weeks (as has Robyn) and have been riding much less than my normal small amount. At this stage I think I will still race solo but my aim will have to be to have fun, enjoy the courses and not worry at all about the result.

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.

It's now legal...

I keep forgetting to mention, I can now legally drive without glasses or contact lenses. I got assessed and my vision after the Lasik surgery is as good as can be expected. So if there is anyone out there who would like to have my inserts (A727) to suit many Adidas sunnies please let me know and I will get them to you. Obviously you will need to get new lenses to suit your prescription.

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Team CSC...

Yesterday I went into to CSC's Melbourne office to talk about myself and my sport. I thought this would be a great opportunity to give a select audience a bit of an insight into what solo 24 hour MTB racing is all about. CSC as a company are at the for front of encouraging employees to participate in cycling. Obviously the global company has shown a huge interest in the sport of cycling with it's sponsorship of one of the best road teams in the world. Even the Melbourne Vice President, Peter Donnelly came along for a listen.

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.

Maxxis Tyres...

I have been rolling around for the last twelve months or so using Maxxis tyre, mostly CrossMark LUST UST. I have found them to be a great tyre for racing. I have never had a flat tyre whilst using these and I put that down to their toughness, which comes without compromising speed.

I am very happy at say I am now sponsored to use these products. The whole Kona team will be rolling around on this great brand of rubber. It will be nice to have a choice of so many good tyres to cover all riding conditions.

Weekend review...

What a manic weekend. Things kicked off with Olivia's ballet concert Friday night, we were all out until 11pm, crazy hour to have the kids out and a I type this we are suffering the consequences of two very tired kids.

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.

You know you are out early when the main car park at Lysterfield looks like this. I had already completed one full lap in the dark before this shot was taken. Jack had us up early for a feed, so I took the opportunity to go riding and miss the sleep. At least the trails were rider free for a while.

New Roadie..

I got a chance to build up my new roadie on Friday. I ended up buying the 2008 model of what I already had, a Look 555 with Ultegra. Of all the road bikes I have owned, the old 555 was the best to ride. It handles so well for a large frame. It is also great value for the money, I couldn't go past it.

Please, if you are tall and after a new roadie, check out my Garage, the old 555 if for sale. I also have my Four Supreme and a pair of Mavix SLR's up for grabs.

Slack As...

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, life has been busy with another busy week ahead. I will try and catch this week and get more stuff up.

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.