Anyone watch the Australian MTB Championships on the weekend

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March 4, 2012 at 12:34 pm #101127

Roy
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Caught a bit of it on SBS yesterday. I’ve recently bought myself a mountain bike so was a bit interested. Those down hill blokes have big balls. You’ve got to have a lot of respect for their skills. I’ve taken my bike down some small hills (I live in Narrabri remember, the place where the flat earth policy began) and it is scary on a push bike. Small tyres, minimal power on tap, feet locked in. Just a recipe for major gravel rash and broken bones in my eyes.

These blokes make it look easy. The cross country riders also had some serious hills to go up and down. Even single trail is harder on the pushy than the dirt bike (the trees seem closer together and harder). I’m just not used to the total lack of protection that you have on a mountain bike. I know you can get it but it adds to the weight and makes you hot.

Anyway I have a new found respect for mountain bike riders. Won’t be bagging them out again in a hurry.

March 4, 2012 at 1:11 pm #217591

murph the surf
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Hey Roy
Roy here. :blink:
Was it the Australian championship you were watching? They were the ones who closed a fire trail that we use to access the Watagans on the weekend. :angry:
Oh well I guess it was just one weekend
Didn’t like the tar section we had to ride to get around though. :pinch:
Cheers
Murph the surf

March 4, 2012 at 1:57 pm #217596

Roy
Member

Yeah it was. The only thing was I thought it was on near Newcastle like you said the tv commentators kept saying it was near adelaide so I was confused. The ground was very dry loose and rocky. Not like I imagine the watagans to be like.

March 4, 2012 at 5:39 pm #217592

Dwayne O
Member

That would have been the Australain Titles on the tracks near Adelaide mate at EAGLE PARK actually :laugh: ,,,
Yesterdays event in theWatagans would not be on yet, it was a round of the Swan Insurance Australian Series and the trails were far from Dry, Loose & Rocky :whistle:

Rocky still, but Wet & Slippery :laugh:
Far too much rain Fri & Sat night

March 4, 2012 at 7:47 pm #217593

Scott Southwell
Member

I didn’t see the Aus titles on TV but I do a bit of mountain bike riding. I’m lucky to live at the base of the Blue Mountains which is a mountain bike nirvana with the majority of track closed to all but mountain bikes and bush walkers so I don’t have to worry about those pesky Trail Bikes. What are ya riding Bundy?

My current ride, Trek Fuel EX

Last years emergency services games. I come home with a bronze medal.

March 4, 2012 at 7:58 pm #217605

Roy
Member

I’ve just bought a Scott Spark 40. It’s a dually but not as flash as yours Scotty. I’m almost ashamed to say it but I’ve even got the lycra now too. My wife calls my shorts with the straps over the shoulders the mankini. Shes definitely not a fan of the bike gear and I can’t say I blame her.

I’ve only been for about 20 rides so far and most of them have been on the tar trying to get some sort of resemblance of fitness back. My body has pretty much divorced me since I’ve been on the bike. Doesn’t like it at all but it will get used to it.

Theres only two things holding me back. Fitness and technique. Nothing to worry about really. Signed up for a 6 hour ride at the end of the month (pairs). That will be a test. Fundraiser for the westpac helicopter so at least help will be on hand if I need it.

March 4, 2012 at 9:22 pm #217606

glenn
Member

can just imagine you coming down headerpipe full tilt on a mountain bike Bundy,, :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

March 4, 2012 at 9:49 pm #217609

Scott Southwell
Member

Boony wrote:

can just imagine you coming down headerpipe full tilt on a mountain bike Bundy,, :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

You may be surprised Boony. I know many trails I would be faster on my pushy than my moto. Going downhill that is. Back up is another story. Although one benefit is the pushy weighs less then 12kg so if an uphill trail is to rough to ride I chuck it on my shoulder and walk up. Try that on a moto,

March 4, 2012 at 10:00 pm #217611

glenn
Member

I am toying with the idea of MTBing for fittness,,, (yes I have one in the shed) its not as flash as yours though!
header pipe hill is a hill at dirtbike territory that claims many a bike and rider. it is almost vertical in some spots.

March 4, 2012 at 10:17 pm #217594

Scott Southwell
Member

Boony MTB’s are the perfect cross training partner for a moto. The fitter I am on my pushy the better I real on my moto. No doubt there would be some good MTB tracks in those mountain up your way.

March 4, 2012 at 10:21 pm #217614

glenn
Member

I recon they would be a great way to have a look around our riding grounds ,, you would see stuff you normally ride past.
Apparently my new bike is as heavy as a MTB so it should be a great training tool.

March 4, 2012 at 10:38 pm #217595

Scott Southwell
Member

This could be you Boony. (replace deer with a roo).

March 4, 2012 at 10:44 pm #217617

glenn
Member

thats uncanny that that could happen isnt it, the silly south african doesnt know his animals,, he yells out,”holy cow” :laugh:

March 4, 2012 at 10:45 pm #217615

Roy
Member

Scotty wrote:

The fitter I am on my pushy the better I real on my moto.

Thats my hope too. I’m not giving up either any time soon. I’ll need to improve my skills though before I give horsepower a crack on the pushy. I reckon I’m a better chance of making it up on my pushy before I can on the bike though.

March 4, 2012 at 11:54 pm #217618

scott bocking
Member

This is one of my favourite MTB shots because it is so moto.
This was training at Thredbo for the 2004 DH Nationals on my custom bitsa. :woohoo:

STM
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