Fri 1 July 2011 #3 a bike riders dream

Food - I’m a cooking dinner tonight so WATCH OUT! Smoked salmon and vodka, one of favorites, who knows who is coming for dinner but I’m sure there will be a few extras as this seems to be the Spanish/Basque way. I’m also going to be a little hungry after the 4 hour MTB ride today in the Basque country, a great ride with more ups than downs, cheers to Gorka and Anna for the guide - BTW Anna rode in the Giro de Italia last year for women, need I say “impressive” and she can climb! 

Weather - this is what everyday should be like, cool breeze, sun and more sun with 90% of the riding in the shade.  

Car - Gorka’s “egg” a 4 door white Cleo - it was overheating this morning when he had to run out to get my bike ... he made it home then added some water and down came the heat ... perfect as we needed it to go riding today. 

Conversation - the conversation with the waitress today at lunch, who knows what she said but an Alan Davis photo was on the wall and I said “Australian-o” then pointed to myself and said “Australian-o” - she went off for about 10 seconds in Spanish and all I could do was smile. Or was it the interpretation of a conversation down the beach ... Girl 1 “I would never go topless at the beach with my boyfriend and his best friend” - Girl 2 - “I wouldn’t either, he’d just spend the whole time looking at your breasts!” Obviously topless bathing in EU could almost be considered the ‘norm’.

Animal - is a Specialized Stump-jumper an animal or a MTB? It was wailing today, it even bottomed out a few times in the front suspension but it got me through the entire day. It was great to ride an old-skool bike again ... makes me miss my good old Trek 7000. 

If must know about real animals, there were more cows today but the horses take the cake, in particular the foal on the trail up the top of our last hill. 

What else of note: Last nite one of the guests at dinner was Inigo Altuna, he owns and runs Cortadores y Venenciadores - what is this you ask, he cuts ham’s, he has won awards, needless to say I was CAPTIVATED over dinner hearing all about his skill! Different parts of a ham leg taste different and he HAND cuts the meat with a knife as fine as any machine slicer, he also makes art out of the ham leg, he has won awards for this as well, I could go on but I won’t. 

Parting thought of the day/blog: Pamplona tomorrow ... running with the bulls starts 6 July, it’ll be a hoot but I can’t say that I necessarily agree with killing bulls in the fashion ... are you with me or against me?

Tour de Cure, Haute Route and more riding news

The latest news 

Tour De Cure

Haute Route

Swiss MTB

Le Tour - Provence to Paris Deluxe Tour

NZ MTB (info to be released soon)


Tour De Cure - Come April I will be working with Tour De Cure - a cycling event riding from Sydney to Melbourne. If you can assist, a dollar or even by forwarding this post, it will greatly benefit awareness, research, support and prevention. As part of my fundraising I am also offering a three course Sydney harbour-side dinner including alcohol, for the person, and their partner, who makes the largest donation. Here is view below! To sponsor click here.


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The Haute Route is drawing closer: 

We are offering an 11 day fully catered adventure including:

Entry to the inaugural 7 day La Haute Route from Geneva to Nice

Five star accommodation before and after La Haute Route - Geneva we will be staying at Le Richemond - Nice we will be at Hotel Negresco

Gourmet food including Welcome and Farewell Dinners

Premium Accommodation Package while on tour

Dedicated mechanical support 

Tours of Geneva and Nice

Cycling Kit included

Partner Program for those who not ride - daily activities

For more information please click on the French flag below.

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Swiss Lakes and Alps MTB - riding some of EU's best single track (MTB based)

Welcome to the beautiful to Swiss Alps, where the grass is green, the snow is on the peaks and there are cows and trails everywhere. For the riders we have some breath taking trips going through amazing scenery and riding flowing trails. For the non riders you will have a wonderful time with our guide who will take you on hikes and show you places of natural beauty.

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TdF Provence to Paris Deluxe Tour - last week of le tour (road based)

The Tour de France here we come, a cyclist dream! Experience six TDF Stages including Alpe d'Huez and the Paris finish. Riders conquer Mont Ventoux and Alpe d'Huez. Grandstand seating in Paris for the finish; optional morning ride on Champs Elysées on race day.
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twowheeltours.com.au is a bike tour company which was created to take cyclist on tours to amazing destinations. Many companies offer cycling trips, yet our subtle difference is that not only do we take those who cycle but we also take their loved ones (other than their bikes) along for the adventure. We offer a client focused adventure which is activity based for both the cyclist and non cyclist.
 

We are an Australian company which is based in Europe during their summers. We offer luxury bike tours encompassing both road and mountain biking. We are primarily based in France and Switzerland including the Pyrenees and Alps. We also offer Australian and New Zealand based tours, including Sydney for it's famous New Years Eve celebration, Tropical North Queensland for its 2012 Solar Eclipse and MTB tours to Rotorua, home of single track heaven.

MTB Canberra - Gear Up Girl - 2011

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

will.levy@mtnbike.com.au 

+61 (0) 430 121 776

www.mtnbike.com.au

Mooloolaba Triathlon - Ben Henderson - Switzerland MTB - Haute Route

Some busy times for the three facets of the family - bikeshuttle, mtnbike and twowheeltours

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bikeshuttle

The Mooloolaba Triathlon is coming up ....

This is for Sydney based triathletes who do not want to pack their bikes and put them on the flight up North, then once the competition is over do it all again to bring it home.

The details are:

Thursday 24 March 10pm-5pm Drop off Cheeky Monkey 28 Clovelly Rd Randwick

Saturday 26 March 10am Collection Car park across from Landmark Resort 10 Brisbane Rd Mooloolaba

Sunday 27 March 5pm Drop off Car park across from Landmark Resort 10 Brisbane Rd Mooloolaba

Tuesday 29 March 10am-5pm Pick up Cheeky Monkey 28 Clovelly Rd Randwick

In October of 2010 we took 14 bikes from Sydney for the Noosa Triathlon. Just last week we got back from the TDU in Adelaide, we transported 17 bikes on this trip.

Please note that we have a maximum number of bikes that we can transport, total 25.

Cost $200 - includes bike and a 5kg bag transported from Cheeky to Mooloolaba.

Transport will be in a specially made bike trailer.

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mtnbike - two things are on the horizon that need a little more attention

1) Swiss Trip - August 6-12 - more info can be found here! Two bookings have just been received!

2) Saturday 5th March to Sunday 6th March 2011 will be an epic weekend with BEN HENDERSON. This is the perfect weekend to learn and train with one of Australia's best. Late 2010 Ben won the Opening Round of the Jayco Australian National Series at the You Yangs in Victoria.

Saturday will be a three to four hour session with Ben on his route which he used to train for the World Championships in 2009. That evening Ben will take an hour session talking about his training principles, MTB nutrition and recovery. Sunday will see another three to four hour session with Ben, departing directly from the Australian Institute of Sport and ending up on the flowing trails of Mt Stromlo.

Spots are limited to ONLY 10 riders

This will be the perfect training weekend, especially if you're one of the lucky ones with an entry in The Mont, April 9 - 10.

Please note that this is a weekend where you need to have a high level of fitness.

This will be similar to our regular weekends, depart Sydney on Saturday morning and return Sunday night. All transport for you and your bike included, accommodation at the AIS and food food food.

If you know of anyone that may be interested tell them to get in fast. We have sold four of the 10 possible seats!

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twowheeltours

Things have heated up for the Haute Route - the ad is about to appear in RIDE Cycling Review and enquiries have already started to filter in. The trip will go from 19 through 29 August 2011. It is an 11 day fully catered adventure, including entry to the first edition of the 7 day Haute Route, one of the highest and hardest cyclosportive in Europe 5 star accomodation, gourmet food, dedicated mechanical support and tours of Geneva and Nice.

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So it is an exciting time and life is NEVER dull!

Will Levy

will.levy@twowheeltours.com.au
+61 (0) 430 121 776
www.twowheeltours.com.au

www.bikeshuttle.com.au
www.mtnbike.com.au

Europe on horizon but still a heap to do in Aust

Saturday  5^th March to Sunday 6^th March 2011

News just to hand - 

mtnbike.com.au is 

offering a - BEN HENDERSON TRAINING WEEKEND -  this is the perfect weekend to learn and train with one of Australia's best. Ben is just off winning the Opening Round of the Jayco Australian National Series at the You Yangs in Victoria.

Saturday will be a three to four hour session with Ben on his route which he used to train for the World Championships in 2009. That evening Ben will take an hour session talking about his training principles, MTB nutrition and recovery. Sunday will see another three to four hour session with Ben, departing directly from the Australian Institute of Sport and ending up on the flowing trails of Mt Stromlo.

Spots are limited to ONLY 10 riders

 

This will be the perfect training weekend, especially if you're one of the lucky ones with an entry in The Mont, April 9 - 10. 

Please note that this is a weekend where you need to have a high level of fitness. 

This will be similar to our regular weekends, depart Sydney on Saturday morning and return Sunday night. All transport for you and your bike included, accommodation at the AIS and food food food.

 

If you know of anyone that may be interested tell them to get in fast as this weekend is going to be sold out quick!

Itinerary

Saturday

7:00am Depart North Sydney Bike Bug (120 Pacific Hwy North Sydney)

7:15am Depart Moore Park Super Centre (South Dowling, collect at roundabout off Todman Ave)

9:45am Arrive Goulburn Area stretch/toilet

11:00am – 2:00pm Ride # 1 3 - 4 Hours MTB with Ben Henderson. Including Ben’s 2009 MTB World Championships training loop. Includes multiple 10-15 minute climbs reaching an altitude of 1100m, starting near 600m. 95% fire roads trails in locations virtually unexplored by cyclists. One

challenging  uphill section, rumour has it that only two riders have been able to get to the top.

Shorter options  available for anyone lagging. Optional Final climb up Mt Tuggeranong. Lunch on

course (supplied)

Après Bike Coffee on way back to AIS**

2:30pm Check in Australian Institute of Sport

3:00pm – 6:00pm Ride # 2 – Optional Ride - enjoy some flowing single track – pool is open if ride is

not wanted, bring swimmers**

6:00pm – 7:00pm One hour discussion on Ben Henderson's training techniques, recovery and training

hydration and nutrition

7:00pm – 8:00pm Dinner AIS

Après Bike Beer – Bus to O'Connor departs AIS 8(ish) and return 10(ish)**

Sunday

7:00am – 8:00am Breakfast AIS

8:30am Check out – leave bags at AIS

9:00am – 12:00pm Ride #3 3 - 4 Hours MTB with Ben Henderson. Including riding from AIS to

Stromlo via some sweet flowing single track, Black Mountain and the Arboretum Lunch on course

(supplied)

12:30pm Depart Mt Stromlo and return to AIS for showers

1:30pm Depart AIS

4:30pm Moore Park

5:00pm North Sydney Bike Bug

* please note that itinerary is subject to change ** own cost

The cost for our Canberra weekends is $450. This covers accommodation, food and all transport. Accommodation is at the Australian Institute of Sport. For more information check out the FAQ pages then hit Book Now to make sure you get your spot on this trip.

We drive. You ride.