FHDC are off again

Last night saw a massive turn out to participate in the first of the season's nail biting, cut throat competition. An creatively adjusted track to avoid the filth was a great addition.

Don't miss the next one, entries are limited. Details

A time when it all started...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdrh6bM9ce0&NR=1

Recognise anyone there?

Gravity 2010...

We (Tim and I) had to return to Rosewhite and try and back up with another WIN.

This time with the experienced off road talents of the N

orthside Wheelers man o style (ye

s he is a man with a love for the dirt/mud ma

squerading as a roadie).

Apparantly, the tra

sh talk started early from the good men from team 10, 9, 8... and we were neck and neck from 9am till 9pm. We trailed them by around 90 seconds for most of the day but towards the end the never say die attitude from our team eventually rolled over the top to claim victory in our own grudge match.

Officially, we smashed our catagory to take victory and finished 4th overall. Job done.

The track is always great here. In all conditions.

The conditions were fast apart from the many worsening mud patches due to springs and creeks arrising from the recent wet.

Somehow my crafty team mates talked me into the run again. Getting onto the bike in the first 15 riders was a bonus and I chased the our nemesis for the day, Brad Davies up and across the paddock from the get go. No warm up, hard start, buried myself, revisited breakfast during the lap and felt quite sick afterwards. Malachi, 'man o style' Moxon was next followed by Tim 'man machine' McGrath. Rotating in that order for 12 hours like the well oiled machine it is, to victory.

I started on the Yeti ASR carbon but decided to try the 'cx wheeled, 26" framed, sushi bared, rigid bastard bike'. Time was ok and I felt less shelled afterwards so I completed 4 of the 6 laps on it to come to the conclusion that gears, suspension and large volume tyres are, in some circumstances, just not nessessary. The 'bastard' climbed like a mountain goat, cut through the mud and hooked the flowing single track flawlessly. Sure descending Gravity drop and post Heartbreak Hill was a little rough and slower but was still enjoyable. I love the directness and feedback during the ride. It's not for everywhere but that's why you have other bikes. For the time being, I love it.

Hopefully, I can try it at the FHDC tonight.

Well done Carson for his 5th in solo. When he came in for a refuel/break, I reckon his bike weighed 20kgs with the caked on mud. After a wee clean, dropping a few kg's he continued tapping it out consistently. Getting caught in a sprint to finish. Enough already.

Neil R and Ryan M riding one gear to an awesome result to finishing second in pairs.

2010 Rotorua SS Whirlds - (Part 2)

More days of riding on the sweetest o Rotorua track.

More beer and food at the 'Pig and Whistle'.

More coffee and food at 'Zippi's'.

More hits n giggles.

That's all I remember from 2 weeks ago.

That's all I'm happy to remember... till next trip there.

2010 One Speed Whirlds, Rotorua - (Part 1)

Two weeks ago? Yes it was. But busy times are now. Can't let it pass without comment though, belated it may be.

Off at sparrows fart on 6am Wed morning flight. The crew was chipper, as you would be, in anticipation of 'time out'. Including bikes, bike talk and anything bike (occasionally shifting to humorous observations of our kiwi bro's across the Tasman and other trivial random topics).

Short flight, hire car action down to Rotorua, book in to ol' motel with hot springs (that'll be handy post ride) and off to the (use Kiwi accent here)'Pig and Whistle' for beer and big food. The trip's off to a great start!

Thursday saw us off to check out the trails. Most impressed. Even on my bastard, rigid, sushi bared, 700c cyclocross wheeled, 26" framed Kona Unit (yes, it was built by Dan).

The trails flowed as well as I was led to believe by all the glowing reviews I received before I left. Climbs and descents, all sweet!