Monday 14 Feb 2011
The First Gear Up Girl Weekend of 2011 - nine ladies were in Canberra this weekend working on their MTB skills, riding some of Australia's best single track and making new friends. We left a very rainy Sydney on Saturday morning with the majority of the drive spent in the rain, was this to be a wet weekend? After speaking to Peter Dowse in Goulburn he mentioned that Canb had experienced a little rain the night before but it was dry. Once through Bungendore the rain stopped and before you knew it we were unloaded and working our skills. Spending time working on MTB skills such as your balance, cornering, braking and obstacles build your confidence to become a better rider. To view pictures - click here.
After about an hours session we split up into two groups and head out onto trail. There continues to be great single track out at Sparrow Hill. Even with the new freeway going out to HQJOC (a new military base) there is over 12k of flowing single track. Once again thanks to Paul Cole for all his work in building and maintaining those trails.
The comment which I heard most after completing the 1+ hour ride was "why can't we have single track in Sydney like that!" The best answer is, there is plenty more of that type of track to come, this is just ride number one of the weekend.
After a hearty lunch and a quick photo op - we headed into Dickson for our Apres Bike Coffee. A few goodies were bought at Mal Adjusted and then time to check into the AIS. A little bit of down time before heading back out onto track. Once again this little track is one of my (and our riders) favourites. Spending a few more hours out on the bike certainly helps to continue to work on your skills. Not that there is anything out on trail that is 'over the top' (literally) but working on flowing corners, braking and logs to roll and jump over is all apart of becoming better on the bike.
Only one rider signed up for the MTB massage, it is always a treat to watch them walk into dinner with a huge grin on their face after their hour long massage. The rest of us were smiling at the ALL YOU CAN EAT dinner which was well deserved after two great rides in one day.
A few of us headed out to All Bar Nun for a few quiet ales. It was always amazing to me how much people can recall of the days riding, "remember that bit ... remember this" - all making for great tales over a drink or two.
After some solid sleep and a great Sunday morning breakfast, we loaded up and headed out to Mt Stromlo. They are building a pretty big jump park at Strom and it looks like it will be open in the very near future! We completed a brief skills session to work on berms, neutral position and shifting weight - then time to hit the trails.
After riding at Stomlo last weekend and after so much rain there were some pretty hairy sections but the trail fairies have been out this week, thank you trail fairies! At the very top, Echidna Gap Junction, I was a little hesitant to put our riders on the trail Wedge Tail Junction, it was pretty arduous (for a green run) last weekend, once again trail fairies had been there and it was back to its AMAZING flowy self.
The trip down was one of thrills and a few spills. Using the skills that we had learned on both Saturday and Sunday were vital. Some riders expressing "I wouldn't have done that before" and "I've got so much more confidence" are all great to hear, especially when the riders can hardly keep the smile of their faces!
Another good serving of food for lunch under the shade and over looking more of the goings on of Mt Stromlo, a truly great venue for cross country running, criterium riding and much much more. Back to the AIS for a clean up, grab a coffee in Dickson and then off home. Usually many of guests spend the time sleeping but these ladies were still full-o-beans and reliving the tales from the weekend, a truly great group!
Many thanks ladies for such an enjoyable weekend - it looks like we'll have a few of these ladies back for another trip in the near future.
Don't forget we have a day trip coming up Feb 26 which will take in Awaba and Ourimbah. Safe riding all and see you out on trail.
Will Levy
+61 (0) 430 121 776
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