AMB weekend to Canberra

What an amazing weekend! A total of ten riders headed down on Saturday 28 May from Sydney to Canberra. Mick Ross was our 'go-to' guy from Australian Mountain Bike Magazine. He has been with the mag for some 27 editions, he has been riding since hanging up his tap shoes (truth), been a 'pro' racer and is one funny guy. 


The bikes and riders were loaded in North Sydney and Moore Park and next thing we were in Goulburn at the Greengrocer Cafe. It was a tad cold and the ride from Goulburn to Sparrow/Kowen was rather foggy but everyone was 'amped' to hit up some flowing single track. 

First ride was Sparrow, originally 40+k of trail now only 12 ... I say only because it is still amazing track, hats off to Paul Cole and his crew for keeping it is such great condition. We did a brief skills session on how to 'J-hop' and Mick taught us about how to handle the bike in other situations - all great stuff. The lap was pretty hot in pace and it was a good chance to ride behind Mick to watch how a tap dancer rides.


Needing a little energy and before hitting up Kowen we stopped back at the bus for a bite to eat. A few adjustments by our guest Aaron Dunford - FUSION PEAK - and we were back out on track. The MTB trails over there are great especially after being used for the MONT 24 Hour a few months back it was certainly hard packed.   

After that loop we all looked a little shagged and it was time to refuel with a beer, yogurt and fruit, not necessarily in that order.


Check in at the AIS was short, before I could get the bikes out of the trailer all the riders were back at the bus and ready to ride again. It was coming on to dusk, most of us had lights, some riders had demo lights from RADICAL LIGHTS and before you knew it we were at Bruce Ridge ready to play in the spaghetti system of trails. 


The natural light went quick, a few riders decided to head back to the AIS but a few stayed out to play. One of those being Mick Ross, above I mentioned that MOST of us had lights, well Mick did NOT. We rode till around 6:30, completely dark, and Mick never missed a beat. Riding behind him to give him some light was quite the sight to see. It looked like he had ants in his pants as his legs were opening in all different directions so he could get the light to shine on the track! Oh and I was pushing it just to keep up with him! One word, amazed!


Back to shower and then consume some calories at all you can eat dinner at the AIS. Aaron takes the cake for being the human vacuum this weekend, for a tall lanky fellow the boy can put away a bit. After dinner, since we had all worked very hard, we head off to All Bar Nun down in O'Connor for some well deserved refreshing ales.

Bed and back up at 6:15 to hit up the trails of Bruce Ridge again. An hour out on track to loosen the legs up was just what the DR ordered before breakfast. The temperature was perfect, two weeks before it was ZERO degrees when all of the GEAR UP GIRLS came out for the Sunday morning ride, this time it had to of been 5C - almost balmy! 


Breakfast - all you can eat - well done Aaron - then off to Mt Stromlo. CORC was having a 7k race out there but that doesn't mean that the trails are closed, another reason why the MTB family are such great people. We did a warm up loop and then a climb to the top. No need to rush and you could see it on the riders faces that they had done some pretty hard work already this weekend. 


Once at the top for the obligatory photo it was time to descend. We reconvened at the bridge before the start of Luge, talk about smiles on faces! The calls of "can we do that again" were heard over and over and they still had luge to go. We all made it down safe and sound and then it was time to check out the Willo Track, Double Dissolution and some others on the back side of the Mt. We had one little spill which required a 'DNF' back to the bus ... it was a pick up but we all live to tell the story, some just have better stories than others from the weekend. 

Lunch out on course, it was great to reminisce about the ride/weekend and general good times in the glorious Autumn day - again Aaron going to WORK. Back to the AIS - shower, off to Dickson for a coffee, or beers and munchies for the ride home. A few sleepers for the ride back but there was also lots of other chit-chat about MTB'ing and general riding.


It was a great weekend, the trails, weather, riders and food were spot on. Thanks to all those who came along, Richard, Laurie, Greg, Aaron, Mick, Garth, Damian, Luke and Mark. Looking forward to having you along for other weekends in the future and another AMB weekend down the track.

Road Trip - Goulb > Canberra + Canberra > Canberra

What a weekend - it was great to head out on a roadie trip. The routes were set, the cyclists were all looking forward to doing some ‘big’ K’s and before you knew it we had departed Sydney and had arrived in Goulburn. After a coffee at the Green Grocer Cafe it was time to head out into the cool autumn day, heading to Canberra. 

The back way to Canberra really is a great ride, rolling hills and some wonderful scenery. The ‘crew‘ arrived into Lake Bathurst an hour after leaving Goulburn, setting a decent pace of 30kph. Lake Bathurst is one of those towns with popular trees aligning the main street, at this time of the year it is a beautiful sight. Next stop, after our one and only flat of the weekend, we were in Targo and up rolling through the undulating hills of the area. Coffee in Bungendore was well deserved and sitting in the sun added to the great morning. 

There is a nice hill out of Bungendore heading up towards Macs Reef Road but it didn’t even register on the cyclists legs. Before they knew it, after some more rolling hills, they were on the down hill stretch to the Nations Capital, Canberra. 

Lunch was at Tilleys in Lyneham a regular haunt for many Canberra-ites and it was such a glorious day to be sitting outside and reminiscing about the time just spent in the saddle.

It was time to check into the Australian Institute of Sport and relax, the pool was open and massages had been booked. We put the heater on, had time to read the paper and also a few cycle related magazines. 

‘All you can eat dinner’ can never come quick enough after cyclists have done 115k. Saturday night at the AIS is ‘fat night’ --- ice-cream and a few other treats to recharge the athletes stores after a week of hard work ... including cyclists!

We usually head to the pub on Saturday night but this time we had no takers, back to a warm room, a little TV, magazines and dark chocolate. It was not long offer before lights were out. 

The weather report for Sunday morning was for a chance of rain, they must have got the wrong day. Breakfast of bircher muesli and anything else you would like was consumed eagerly. Before you know it we were headed down the hill from the AIS and through a sparsely populated Canberra. 

The Cotter loop is a famous one if you are a cyclist from Canberra, not many cars, some rolling hills and some steep ones too. There was an option to head out to Corrin Dam (+50k) but we decided to head out to the Space Station instead (+10k). Out there we had a chance to tell some stories about the universe, the riders were all highly intelligent - aren’t they always? - then they were off to complete what they had started. The ride out of Cotter Dam was a long haul but a few other cyclists were on the road to make it that much more of a ‘race’. There was also an option to climb to the top of Mt Stromlo but we had no takers, “maybe next time” was the answer by one rider. On the last major hill of the day there was an unofficial KOM, congratulations to Caroline of taking the honours.  

Time for a Turkish coffee in the sun in Turner then back to the AIS for a shower before a big lunch. All up that days ride was 105k. 

On the drive home we usually have everyone asleep by Lake George, this time we had a great time of regaling the adventures they had just had. 

It really was a great weekend, thanks to the riders who provided many smiles and laughs. Looking forward to doing it all again sometime in the near future. 

Gear Up Girl MTB Weekend Canberra May '11

Monday 16 May 2011

Just back from a weekend in Canberra, who says it's too cold to ride down there in May and June!? I must admit that it was a brisk 2C when we came home from the pub on Saturday night but ALL 6 riders were up at 6:30 ready to ride on Sunday morning, this is the FIRST time ever that we have all ALL riders up for the cobweb cleaner ride!

It is always hard to sum up a weekend in such a short space. In short, it could not have been a better weekend! The riders were amazing, so excited to be out riding, hungry to learn, full of stories and laughs and fearless!!

I know that you should never have 'favourites' but I will just say that this group was one of the best. From the first ride out at Sparrow it seemed like they were already best friends. Many new skills were learned during the session, an hours worth of MTB skills and then we were out on trail to ride that amazing single track. Once again, Paul Cole and co continue to keep those 12k of trails in amazing condition. A few kangaroos kept us company on the trails but other than that we had the whole place to ourselves.

Coming back to the bus and having lunch in the sun was just a perfect way to end session one. After saying good bye to Peter Dowse, our MTB skills session leader out at Sparrow, we were off to Dickson to stop for a coffee and grab some extra gloves at Mal Adjusted.

Check in at the AIS and the girls only needed 15 minutes to turn around and be back out on their bikes, dare I say a new record!? Then it was off to check out the trails of Bruce Ridge, now legalised and a HEAP of fun! The trail fairies were out recently and have done some altering of some sections, all to make it that much better of a MTB ride site!

We rode until sundown, thanks to Hiran from Radical Lightsfor the demo lights. Again they worked better than anything else we have ever tried. Lighting the way for us all to make it home safe and sound.

Massages on offer, all you can eat dinner, rooms with the heaters on and a trip the pub round out our regular Saturday evening.

Come Sunday, as mentioned above, all riders were front and centre for the early ride. Back over to Bruce Ridge to check out some of the other trails that are out there. After and hour of flowing single track it was time to head back for a delicious hot breakfast.

Time to head off to the amazing trails of Mt Stromlo. The car park was pretty full for a brisk Sunday morning, true testament to the toughness of MTB'ers! Some time to work on our skills around the base of the mountain saw the ladies pick up some more skills. Before you know it we were off on trail again. There is a loop that we take in before heading up that has some good examples of what you'll see around Mt S. One being a see-saw. I had pulled up near the run into the see-saw to let the riders know that it was approaching. Next thing you know one rider is giving it a go!! Like a walk in the park, she was calm and composed, got to the top of the see and sawed down to the bottom! IMPRESSED is one word that comes to mind. To prove it not a fluke she did it again as did some of the other ladies, impressed once again.

Time to take off some of the layers we had all applied and the to the top! The ladies ALL made it to the top of Stromlo and with one big hurrah we celebrated reaching the top. The trip down the mountain/hill saw many smiles and times where the ladies put into practice what they had learned.

Another lunch in the glorious sun and then back to the AIS for a shower and back to Sydney. Phew - what a weekend, thank you to all those who came along for so many great memories. This truly was a great weekend and I'm already looking forward to our next GUG trip in September. Before that trip we have a few more on the cards, especially out Australian Mountain Bike Magazine trip. For more details check out our home page.

On the horizon

INFORMATION NIGHT

Thursday 12 May 2011

6:00-8:00pm

MC Cyclery
 

230 Clarence Street Sydney
 

A EVENING OF BEERS, PIZZA &  la HAUTE ROUTE
 

Come along and check out Sydney's newest GIANT Bike Concept Store - take a tour of the store and hear more about the la Haute Route

An 11 day tour coinciding with in the inaugural Haute Route
A 7 day race from Geneva to Nice - August 19-29 2011
 

We are offering twenty riders and their partners the chance to travel in style and comfort

This tour is also in combination with Ride Cycling Review, Australia's finest Cycling publication

RSVP
 

 For more information click here

newsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnwesnews

Canberra Calling - can't wait to MTB in Canberra this weekend, it seems like an age since we've taken a trip down to ride Kowen, Bruce Ridge and Mt Stromlo. This coming weekend we've got a Gear Up Girl trip, this will be our fifth trip in a year, I must admit that these really are a lot of fun these weekends. Lots of laughs, skills being learned and new friends being made. I've looked at the weather and although it is rated as a 'cold' weekend it'll be clear ... nothing like riding in crisp air - what Canberra is famous for. 

It really is hard to believe that it has been 2 years since we began mtnbike.com.au - now look - we've got four trips in four weeks. Then it is time to head off to EU for 8 weeks ... then hitting the ground running when back in September. There are some big things on the horizon for us in the second half of the year. Attending more races, offering more MTB skills sessions in the Sydney Area and a MTB trip to NZ. 

Watch this space for more info - once again exciting times for mtnbike.com.au

newsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnewsnwesnews

Haute Route Info Night Mark it in your calendar THURSDAY 12 MAY 6:00pm facebook RSVP Sydney MC CYCLERY 230 Clarence St Sydney NSW 2000 A EVENING OF BEERS and PIZZA TO GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ON THE HAUTE ROUTE. A great night to check out Sydney's newest GIANT Bike Concept Store. There will be an opportunity to take a tour of the store and also to hear more about the Haute Route in August. The tour is in combination with Ride Cycling Review, Australia's finest Cycling publication, where we are offering twenty riders and their partners the chance to travel in style and participate in the inaugural Haute Route - Geneva to Nice. August 19-29 2011. For more information click here. mtnbike.com.au Offers fully catered mountain bike day and weekend trips. Taking Sydney-siders North for a day trip and South to Canberra for the weekend. We have three Canberra trips coming up before heading off to EU. The weekend trips are all about experiencing and riding what Canberra has to offer mountain bikers – flowing single track. These trips are for all levels of riders. A skills session and guides are provided for all levels of ability. Coming up we have a a trip with the boys from Australian Mountain Bike Magazine and a standard trip on the firstweekend on June. bikeshuttle.com.au Is a bike transport company which was created to take the hassle out of transporting your bike (road, triathlon or MTB). This weekend we are heading North for the Byron Bay Triathlon. Come early June we will be heading over to Melrose South Australia for the Fat Tyre Festival. If you're sick and tired of packing up your bike and dealing with the stress of it all - here is the answer. Your bike is dropped off to a central location in Sydney, it is placed on the trailer 'as is' and then shuttled to your event. When you pick up your bike at the race destination you will be ready to ride. No more:  Boxing your bike Taxi issues Airport issues Luggage costs Assembling your bike Other events which we attend are      Tour Down Under - SA      Around the Bay in a Day - VIC      Noosa Triathlon - QLD For more information click here. twowheeltours.com.au mtnbike.com.au bikeshuttle.com.au We have some busy months ahead                        This weekend off to shuttle bikes to the Byron Bay Tri                      Then down to Canberra to ride our MTB's on the flowing single track with Gear Up GIrl + Clarence Street Cyclery Then taking Commonwealth Bank away on a road cycling weekend. Goulburn > Canberra on the Saturday then 120k around the hills of Canberra on Sunday        To end the month we will be heading South with Australian Mountain Bike Magazine Come July and August we will be based in Europe and have three trips on the cards 1) The last week of the Tour de France     2) A week of Mountain Biking in Switzerland         3) The Haute Route Come September we will be back in Australia and offering our MTB & Road trips and shuttling to different events                   In October we will be heading on our NZ MTB Adventure - Rotorua and Taupo - the info has been released