Thursday, August 27, 2009

Physiology test (or breaking point) and other stuff

This Saturday morning's bike time will be a little different than usual in as far as I will be undertaking (or suffering) a physiology test and 3D bike fit. (oooo, 3 dimensions)
This will be done with the Torq Australia crew who know a thing or two about elite level cycling, especially MTB. And hopefully they can help me achieve either; a/ Olympic gold, b/ National success or more realistically c/ better results than I get now.
Also with my very limited time to train, I have become extremely interested in training with a coach, training program and power meters to get the most out of the time I do have to train.
So I have arrived at the decision to pretend like, I'm like, a pro n that and have a crack and I'm really looking forward to putting myself under close review.
Am I a slug, a pocket rocket or just extremely average? We'll soon find out ay?

MTB World Champs trip to Canberra is only a week away now, very exciting, beer and bikes, no babes though.




Friday, August 14, 2009

The Loop.

3 fun laps of Hans' loop last night in the dark and mud with Cam.
Clockwise, then anti clockwise, 2 tracks in one.
I could enjoy riding that all day.
One day I think I will, soon.
The Yeti loves everything.
I love the Yeti.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Spoke(n) Classic + maiden You Yangs roll...

A last moment decision was made to have a crack at the Spoke(n) Classic/Northern combine 100k race .... in A grade.
What???
Oh well I thought I'd be right, maybe not win it or even come close but a goal to survive and learn (Grasshopper) was set. And survive and learn I did. A mix of conservation of energy and work for others where I could. Although I still can't seem to avoid the evil cramp at precicely the wrong time, despite keeping well hydrated with Torq product , resulting in being dropped from my bunch 10k from the end. No matter. Otherwise is was a training exercise and I think I came in 15mins behind the winner. Not too bad in my books for the stage I'm at, at the moment. I enjoyed riding/racing with my Degani/Spoke(n) mates for the first time in a road race. Mal, Tim, JJ, Mark, Jarrod and Simon all rode strongly, top work.

But really, after all that road work, I was looking forward to Sunday at the Yangers with Bruce, JD, Cam Wells, Gez and Jez for a fat tyre adventure on the wonderful trails that make up the network there.
An 8.30am start and 3 hours riding time was perfect and with JD setting a consistant pace most of the time, the legs were tired but ok.
The ASR is such a joy to ride, whatever trails I have used it on so far, I've been stoked with the ride. Perhaps not set-up perfectly yet but the process is underway to get it there. I'll say it again, "...rides like it's on rails" (in a good way).

Onto this weekend.

Starting with the Spoke(n) shop ride on Saturday with maybe an extended roll to Mt Eliza.
Then.
Chase the Sun (round 4)
I have entered to ride solo but will belt out as many laps as I can until I'll have to leave at 12noon to enjoy an afternoon family gathering.

No riding this week thus far but a road session wit Cam Wells to Eltham tonight is on the agenda.



Monday, August 3, 2009

Powerful owl TT

I've just discovered round 2 of the Powerful Owl time trial at Bruce's loop is on tomorrow night. I think that will be the first hit out for the Yeti in a race.
Better fit the candles on then ay....

Molto grazie! Spoke(n)


I'd like to sincerely thank the Spoke(n) crew for their support and supply of my new ride, nice work and it's greatly appreciated. And if you want to experience the joy of a Yeti ride, trust me and put your current ride on ebay or bike exchange or sumfink get your ass into the shop and get one.
It's as easy as that!


Gush, gush, gush...

The Yeti ASRc was rolled out for a 4 hour ride out to Hans' loop yesterday and if the body wasn't telling me to turn and head home to eat, I'd probably still be out there now!
It quite simply must be the greatest MTB riding experience I've ever had, possibly an unfair advantage over those without one or, sex on wheels.
As previous reviews from others who have experienced the ASR, I can confirm it begs to be ridden FAST!!! Feels like it's on rails and all that gush, gush, gush...

My initial concerns about passing up the highend xc hardtail race experience were quickly put to rest. I am happy to carry the extra 1kg or so extra bike weight to bang around on the plushness of a quality dually that the ASR is. The slacker head angle is great and I'm happy to adjust to it from the twitchier set up I was running previously.
I was able to hunt down other riders on the trails with stealth as the bike is, as we all dream of, quiet. No chain slap, no squeaks, no knocks.... love it!!!
But, bikes don't ride themselves (good one), so I'll just have to get myself up to top speed to ride it to it's full potential.

The Yeti ASRcarbon is a 5 star ride (if not better).

I'm like a kid at Crissy at the mo' and all week I'll be dreaming of hitting the Yangers on Sunday to enjoy the great and varied riding out there.