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Well TB asked me to do a dear diary sort of thing for my first A4DE and my first ever event too.
It all started at last year’s A4DE where I crewed for Medogrocket and had a ball and learned heaps about how the event operates. I was only slightly interested in entering back then as I couldn’t see myself riding 3.5 days straight and at or near my limit. I talked it over with my partner and thought I would do some other events this year and maybe have a go at the 4 day next year. That was until they announced this year’s A4DE would be held in Portland and through the Sunny Corner State Forest. My partner suggested I should do it this year because it’s close to home and she’d help out.
So the decision was made to enter. I got a licence sorted and started talking to guys that have done these sort of events to get an idea of what’s needed to finish the A4DE. I know what preparation Medogrocket had done for last year as I was with him most of the time, so that was an excellent starting point. 1inarow also gave me heaps of advice on mental preparation and is still giving me heaps of advice – some good and some not so good. But he is fun to chat with and has many years experience. TB has been a wealth of knowledge in all things racing. When I first mentioned that I might enter he said “You’ll shit it in”. He also offered his services as crew and would help me prepare the bike and myself mentally as he reckons it’s all about mental preparation and bike setup not speed. TB also says that I have to change a tyre as it’s part of the A4DE experience. I’m not very fast at tyre changing but he has assured me that I will do it with practice and the correct technique.
My training so far has consisted of going to the gym once a week, lots of walking and running. Not as much riding as I had hoped up to now, but I’m getting out a lot more in the next few weeks.
Bike is a 2009 Husqvarna WR300. I have fitted a recluse clutch and an MSC steering dampner (hopefully it will fit this time). A Hyde pipe/sump guard protects the belly. Teknik have reworked the suspension to suit my weight and the terrain of the local area. I have only installed that in the last week and I’m still getting used to it but it certainly performs a heap better over the rocky stuff that Sunny Corner is famous for.
Suspension ready to be installed
Shock installed
Forks installed
I have also replaced most of my worn out riding gear. I had holes in my boots, pants, gloves and jersey. My helmet is about six years old and the padding has lost its firmness. My six six one body suit fell apart at the last Murphsberg I went on. So the update to new gear was very much needed. I decided to purchase some extra safety gear while I was on a shopping trip and bought a Leatt neck brace and Asterisk knee braces. TB and I went to see Mal at Suttos with a list of what I wanted and after two and half hours I had all but one of the items. TB also had a list in his head of spare parts for the bike, like chain and sprockets, brake pads and tyres. So Mal had that laying out on the floor too. Mal then had a week (as I was then off to WA) to give me a good Old Bulls price and to say he came through with a great discount is an understatement. Big thanks to Mal and Suttos for helping me with my gear and parts.
Tyres Pirelli Scorpions
All the new gear and parts
So now I have just about all I need to complete the event. I’m sure I’ll think of more bits that are needed between now and April. Now I just need to keep riding and keep up the small amount of fitness I have.
I’ll update the thread as I get closer to the event and during the event as well. TB will have heaps of input to the thread to keep me motivated.
Yeah good job Mal you will go well and we have three rears for you to change at Mick’s friday arvo for practice
TB
Wow Iam excited for you mal5.1 I hope you do well mate
And be the ambasadore for the Old bulls 
Your bike looks like no expense has been spared and you have all the latest gear as for a tyre change I have never done one :blush: Goodluck mate You know Mal what the best part about you doing the A4DE is!
You can now change my tyres when I get a flat
Best of luck buddy, I hope we can be on a similar minute at the A4DE, that way we can still hang sh*t on each other and make it even more fun!!
Great stuff Mal :cheer:
You are going into battle with the Gods :ohmy:
May the power of Zeus be with you on your epic ride :cheer:
I shall get Boony to sacrifice a goat for you
Bol :woohoo:
top stuff mal
good luck with the tyre changes i would not do it unless its flat if you get a chance enter a club motercross day enter as many classes as you can get your ass kicked but it will bring your bike speed up heaps as well the starts are a buzz.allso practise deap ruts you will have to ride heaps of them :side: and braking bumps :woohoo:
AnonymousAfter Micks birthday bash on the weekend I’m feeling a little better prepared.
I was blue toothed to TB for most of Friday and we had talked about getting my trail pace up a bit. I don’t want to ride on the limit all the time and make heaps of mistakes, just maintain a consistent pace that I can do all day. TB dragged me along talking me through corners and hills and how to use less energy but maintain the same pace. I found the faster I was riding the better the bike felt. I had to say sorry to a few guys as I was overtaking in areas I normally wouldn’t. One of the last tracks of the day was a sandy wide track with large whoops type thingys. I rode as hard I could taking different lines standing up to see how my arms and legs would hold up. At the end I had no arm pump and the legs were burning just a little.
Back at Micks I was on tyre changing duties and while not very fast at it TB and Crash taught me the technique they use and now I have to practice. I changed three tyres Friday arvo and didn’t feel to tired.
Saturdays ride was good to see how my fittness was going. I tried maintain a good pace all day and pushed myself not to take many rests. I made it through the day with a only a few cramps which I rode through. My body wasn’t as sore as I has been in the past after a two day ride so I think my fittness is getting there.
Thanks for the tips on the bars Rocket. I’ll get my Health & Well Being crew member (Donna) on to that.
Bollocks. You don’t have to sacrifice a goat for me. Just give it a scratch under the chin, they like that heaps better than dieing. :laugh:
What about just some sex with the goat or is that not allowed
What you and your goat do in private is no-ones business but yours and the RSPCA’s
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