Dirty Weekend

Ok, so I haven't had much to talk about of late, yeah there's been a few beers under the belt, a few early morning Saturday rides before work, and a lot less training than is really satisfactory. So with only two weeks to go until the Highland Fling, some drastic measures must be taken to put some sting in the legs and air in the lungs. This is just what the doctor ordered. A road trip. Bikes, beer, beats, more bikes. We are loadin' up K-Man's WRX and pointing it in the general direction of Port Macquarie, where the festivities include a Saturday arvo social ride, a night race, and a 4 hour enduro on Sunday. I'm definately up for the 4 hour, nice and slow and hopefully the form will magically appear. There's a solid crew of Newy lads heading up, including "I don't hop anymore but I can clean up B Grade club XC" Tomkinson, Quaino, Freemo, some other guys whose names end in 'O' and Scotty and Dean(o). I've missed the road trips this year, so a couple in the space of a few weeks should sate me until next season.

Humans?

Why do people do this to themselves? Because they can? I'm still amazed at the efforts of these two guys, and also a little inspired... so much so that I challenged Col to do the Working Week Series 8 hours next year as Solos...I'm sure sense will prevail soon.

near-death experience


Chris Eatough (right) sits in the first aid tent after the 24 Hour Solo World Championship, with an I.V. in his arm, while medics treat Australia's Craig Gordon for severe dehydration following Gordon's win in the epic battle.

Golden Gordon

In only his second ever 24 hour solo race, Aussie Craig Gordon has taken out the 2006 World Championship in the US. No mean feat, as he had to contend with 'Mr. 24' Chris Eatough, who was gunning for his seventh straight title. Apparently Gordo was punching out super fast laps early on, and kept it up all throught the night, eventualy lapping Eatough and taking the win. The guy's an animal. I remember at the Mont 24hour last year, I was on my third lap at about midnight, when I was passed up a hill by Gordo, who was on probably his 12th lap or more. That was his first solo 24, which of course he won. And now this. Well done, Gordo!

The numbers never lie...

Went out for a little road ride with Col before work this morning, and felt pretty good. When I checked my computer, I realised I don't need to train anymore... I'm on FIRE!


2 hours on the bike... Yeah, seems about right.



101 kmh top speed! Geez, I know I was hookin', but...



Did I really only average 59 kmh? Hmmmm....



Yeah, I suppose it's about 122 km to Swansea..... and back.

Maybe something's up with my computer?

I want that one... or that one, or....

Got the Jones for a new mounno lately. I was thinking more travel, maybe 5 inches, but lately 4 inches has re-emerged as the most appropriate to my needs. Here are the contenders so far.


Titus Moto Lite AL. This was at the top of the list a few weeks ago...5 inches, fairly light and proven design. Great reviews, and the suspension system I prefer.


Titus' 4 inch rocket, the Racer X. Lighter again, wins lots of 'best bike' awards in U.S. Firming in the stakes because of Horst Link design.



Santa Cruz Superlight. Klink's choice. Simple, sexy, single pivot. That's the only thing I don't like much, the lack of a Horst Link. But it looks hot, and is once again a proven design.



Stumpy... Oh yeah... carbon goodness, light, not quite 5", but F@#K Me! $3300 for a frame? And that's my cost price!


Ah, I know how this bike performs... awesome! But this baby is carbon fibre, so mucho expensive. (Actually not much more than the previous frames, just over 2 grand). I'd only buy this though........



Frame only... black. Cool. New Specialized shock. Mmmmm....


But I'll probably just stay with this, it's a great bike, it works, and I probably shouldn't spend money I don't really have!

Consistency... it's not just for custard

It's hard to get good fitness, but damn easy to lose it. An old wive's tale? No. My 'training' (read: riding) for next month's Highland Fling has been going ok, but I just can't seem to get the C Word right just yet. One week I'll get in a good dose of road k's, then the next I'll struggle to squeeze in an hour on the MTB. Just when I start to show signs of my form, something gets in the way... last weekend it was Phillipa and Steve's annual table tennis tournament, coupled with a BBQ and the NRL Grand Final. A top day was had by all, but the next day was written off due to sleep and alcohol-induced aches and pains. So now it's back to the drawing board again tomorrow, getting spanked up hills by Col before work. Then I'm gonna try this consistency thing for the next 4 weeks, and hopefully have a good race to make up for my disappointing DirtWorks 100. Bring it on.