I was just riding along and.....

There has been a bit of a resurgence in my riding of late. I got motivated and started training for the Cycle Epic in September almost by accident and now I am 4 weeks into a training plan with Today's Plan and feeling pretty bloody good. I have tried many times to analyse the reasons I stop riding from time to time but there is really no explanation other than I forget how good it is! I love it in all it's forms whether it is the roll around the river on the road bike, a quick bash through some sweet single track or a multi day adventure into the bush. I really dig pedaling my bike.
It isn't like I haven't had anything to write about either. In the last couple of months there have been some very exciting additions to the stable of bikes currently residing with me. My most recent is a cyclocross bike. A TCX SLR1 to be exact. Getting that thing out on some trails and bridleways is an absolute hoot! Around my home is the perfect area for such a bike. The Pony Trails, Mount Nebo, The Goat Track. All of these are in close proximity and I can head out on the quiet roads and then jump on the dirt from some fun and hard climbs. The 105 groupset is bomb proof and the hydraulic brakes have an amazing feel and of course will pull you up way quicker than you probably ever need. The power and modulation is boss though. I hope to get out and race a few CX events soon but we will see.

The other and perhaps most exciting steed is my Anthem Advanced 0 Team. OMG.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/model/anthem.advanced.27.5.0.team/18983/76577/#specifications
This thing is fast and comfortable. I am running mine stock apart from the usual grips, saddle and tyres. ESI Chunkies, a Fizik Gobi because I love it and some Maxxis Ikons tubeless and the whole thing comes in a touch over 9.5kg. I have become such a fan of the hydraulic actuator on the SID forks I now want the Black Box version of the rear shock so I can have the lockout there too! I took a little while to get the suspension set up right as I have been used to the Fox variants for the last couple of years but now it is really sweet. The Rockshox Monarch RL has excellent small bump sensitivity but does have the slightest hint of "Bob" when pedaling hard on the flat. Really though, do you notice it in the real world? Nope. Could it be my crappy pedaling style? Never.....If you are climbing there is no bob and the traction is as to be expected with the Maestro system. The trail chatter is dealt with really well too. The fatigue levels in my lower back can attest to that!
I have raced a bit too. There was a top trip down to Nambucca Heads for the Jacks Ridge XXX. It is a 100km race on some really awesome single track in a beautiful part of the world. Big thanks there to Pete for the company on the drive and to Warren and Leslie and the Clews's for the conversation and banter through the weekend. While the race had to be pulled up short due to a pretty serious crash I still had a blast and hope to go back next year. The meals at the pub were certainly highlights as was the cooks tour back along the North Coast. Top weekend!

Most recently I got on the mic to become the host with the most for the #Giant3Plus3. What a top weekend! The link is to the event organisers wrap and I coudn't have said it better myself.
http://www.3plus3.com.au/event-organisers-wrap-up/. See you at next years?
I should definitely mention this whole training plan thing. Today's Plan is an online coaching system that is tailored to your needs. It has the facility to fit around your week and gives amazing feedback with graphs and instruction on workouts and goals. http://www.todaysplan.com.au/
It works for me on a couple of levels. I have a structure. I love structure. It is realistic in the time parameters as you basically set them yourself. And lastly it gets results.
When I say results I am not talking muppet to machine kind of results. I feel stronger and on a climb I have struggled with recently I felt more relaxed and in control of my body. The plan runs through until September and I can see that if I stick with it there will be some serious improvement in my fitness and riding. Don't expect to see me on any podiums but you might be able to see me next to you on some training rides chatting away happily when before I would have been out the back blowing like a train! Should be fun right?
As always my mates from #Cyc'd for Bikes, #QBC and #GiantbikesAUS rock! I still pinch myself most mornings that I get to hang out and ride such awesome gear. Ta!

Connection correction.

It's been a busy time! I made this half arsed promise to myself a few months ago to take the pressure off and stop worrying about whether I was training and just get out and be more active. It has worked really well. There were a few struggles with early mornings, I am not naturally a morning person, and a few struggles with the initial lack of fitness but they have both settled into a nice regular rhythm that I actually look forward to. On the measurable and quantifiable scale I have lost a few kg's and can now manage a bit higher average speed across my activities. The most exciting and less quantifiable areas though are what have me most excited.
I feel really level and grounded. I am enjoying work as I feel much more prepared to deal with the stress and peaks of workloads. I have way more patience when dealing with my boys than I have had for a while. That has led to some really great times with heaps of laughs and cuddles. Alison, well we had an amazing break over Christmas and even though there has been some stress with school starting again I feel very close to her and very connected. All in all the abundance of emotional energy is transferring itself into a deep and spiritual enjoyment of exercise.
I own a lot of bikes. They are all being ridden. That statement alone is new and exciting given the last couple of years. I have a very dirty and well used pair of trail running shoes. Yes, running shoes. I now do a regular core strength workout and boy is it paying dividends. That's right folks, planking, sit ups, push ups. The whole bit. I am eating REALLY well. Lots of fruit and vegetables with very few sweet treats. No booze and lots of water. 4 kg dropped people. 4kg.
So what is it all for? No particular reason. I am just riding the wave. Sure I have entered some races and have set a couple of targets but they are there for perspective, not to live my life towards. Being healthy and feeling great leads me to want to set goals and try to achieve results and not the other way around. Do the ride, do the run, wake up early. Because you can.

Back on the horse in the Wild West!

Well I jumped back on the horse this weekend and knocked out a short course XC race. Bloody hell it was hard! The race was out at Adare as part of a great series called the Wild West Series on a course that is best described as sandy on the flats and rocky on the steeps. While the course wasn't long it had heaps of fun bits in it and the challenge of trying to keep up with riders that are much quicker than me kept me well and truly entertained.
I have never really been fast as a mountain biker, or in any sport I played really. When a short course race happens it is all hands to the oars right from the gun. Just to add a little humor to my story I left my race number in the van and had to bolt back to get it before the race. I got back to the line as my category was lining up with my heart already racing and at the back of the pack. As the race started I got caught in the back markers and had a very slow start. A few times some of the less skilled riders were walking over obstacles which created a traffic jam of epic proportions. Serves me right really. The traffic eased on my second lap a bit and I got into a group of similarly paced riders and we traded places for a while. It was really great to actually feel like I was racing even if it was at the back of the pack.
 I dropped the chain a couple of times. Again my own stupid fault as I had realised I needed to adjust the front mech before the race. There is nothing quite so demoralising as working to pass a group of riders and dropping a chain then watching them all ride past again. Oh well, live and learn.
Lap three was fun. I had a bit of clear track and I had a guy trying really hard to catch me. I got a little rush of adrenaline as I went around a corner and caught a glimpse of him. There was one last steep climb before a descent into the finish line and boy was he hauling to get to me. I ran up the last bit of the climb and then pinned it back to the finish. A great way to finish a fun race.
I should mention the likes of Jared Graves and Ben Forbes, both of whom passed me on my last lap like I was standing still. At least now I know I should be racing B grade.....

Image courtesy of Daimon Wright. https://www.facebook.com/Daimonwrightphotographer?pnref=lhc

Stripped Back and Laid Bare.

There is no hiding from the lack of posts here. I look over the number of drafts and aborted musings as well as the last post date and it's really pretty obvious. It may look like I have been off the planet, not riding and just not present. It's not really true though. New job, trips overseas, two very busy kids and a very, very purposeful avoidance of any means of tracking my activities just gives that illusion.
No GPS. That's the first step in my stripping back the riding I have done. Just go and ride the pace you want, where you want, when you want. No kudos or comments unless I choose to announce the activity. Most of all no self imposed pressure or goal. I just ride because it feels great.
Part 2 of the strategy, bust out the single speed. Nowhere to hide, no excuses. The lack of riding and fitness for me is just such and open wound once I hit the trails on that thing. My goodness it hurts. The pay off though is pure single track heaven with no distractions and that burning, gut wrenching joybomb that is getting over the rise, cleaning the tricky line with a rigid bike or just rolling back to home feeling honest and spent after a ride.
Part 3 of the strategy, just smash trails. I got a loan of a 5 inch trail bike. It's a Trance Advanced 1 with all the good fruit. While it isn't the bike I would choose for my goals next year it is a fun missile. I am genuinely coming home blasted from my rides on this thing because I just have to give it full gas all the time. Even climbing! There was a playfulness about riding when all those years ago, my mate Ricky (thanks mate) said to me "Buy a mountain bike mate, they are awesome!", and I seemed to have lost it. Go hit some trails and jump stuff. A water bar is an excuse to see what you can do. Get the whip on, land in the corner and gas it out the other side. Manual that section of brake ruts and go nuts out into the next section. Just get your moto back on! Man is it time to ride again yet?
Part 4 of the strategy, there are no strategies. Fitness is it's own reward. I've been trail running because it feels great and I see things I sometimes miss on the bike. I ride the bike I feel like riding. Pretty obvious really. The road bike has been neglected for a while but she'll get over it, the single speed probably feels like it's been ridden hard and put away wet. A good clean and a little love and it will be fine. The Revolt is raring to go and soon the chance will come. Whew! I am tired just thinking about it....

Just riding and smiling.

Join the Revolt!

So I have been riding around on a dirty little (not so) secret bike for a couple months now. With my growing interest in bike packing and my long term desire for a bike I could do a bit of social cyclocross racing on it seemed a no brainer that when I saw the Revolt 1 I would end up adding one to the stable. I have to thank Giant and of course Cyc'd for Bikes for looking after me for so many years now and without the support there is simply no way I could ride such awesome bikes.
So here are the specs. The Revolt is a little bit strange looking at first glance but the spec and practicality of it soon become obvious as a commuter, beginners cyclocross bike and with a few changes a very decent touring bike. I have taken the Revolt to work many times now and on the bike paths it just cruises along with comfort and ease. The larger 32mm tyres that come as standard have a semi slick tread that is easy to push but provides a more cushioned ride than narrower road tyres. They also provide better traction on our often slippery bike paths. The addition of the integrated down tube mud guard is also a welcome feature as it catches quite a lot f the road grime that comes up at you. The spec is solid. A Shimano drive train that is practical rather than flashy with Avid BB7 brakes makes for a reliable and efficient parts mix. The carbon fork takes a bit of the snap out of the road and a little weight as well. It's a lot of fun in the pony trails out around home especially if there is a bit of water around. It feels quite Euro! A set of slightly more aggresive tyres would be a good idea if you intend to use the bike for more cyclocross racing than commuting though. Full length cable outers all round. Winner.
 
Now for the changes. I was pretty keen to try this bike as a touring platform. I had an inkling that my 29er wheels would slot in the frame quite nicely giving me the option of a larger tyre and some real off road tread. Luckily Jarron at Cyc'd let me mess about with the bike on the shop floor and low and behold it worked, really well. The next part of the puzzle was the frame bags I already had made for my other tourer. While they were a little small overall for the Revolt they did fit and allow me to add a bottle cage behind them making the space pretty usefull in all. The seat bag was a cinch to fit and with a bit of re organisation the handle bar roll sat beautifully against the suicide levers. I thought they might provide problems but instead they stabilised the load really well.
All of this left me with one problem to solve. Carbon forks and no bosses to mount additional cages. In some cases a pipe clamp and some old tube will sort this out no worries. Not such a good idea with a carbon fork though. I had a Salsa touring fork from my other bike but the Revolt has an Overdrive head tube. That means standard for won't fit and there is no commercially available reducer set to make it happen. With a bit of help from my local bearing supplier though I got a bearing to fit and solve the problem. Awesome. So how did it turn out?

Fully kitted up with bags and water.

Stripped back and bare. Salsa touring fork, anything cages, monkii cage underneath and we're good to go.

Detail of the front.

Specialized Captain 1.9 does the job on the back. Just enough clearance. 

Being able to put my 29er mountain bike wheels on and add the Salsa fork makes this a very versatile bike. I've loved doing a bit of cyclocross riding and commuting with the Revolt in standard configuration so it really meets the requirements for me of three different bikes. There are a couple of things I will change before my next bikepacking adventure though. I will look towards putting an all mountain XT crankset on to bring the gearing down to something that my chicken legs can handle a bit better and probably remove the suicide levers completely as they are surplus to my requirements. Other than that though, a 15 minute change over makes the bike my tourer or my commuter and cyclocross bike. I love it.