Castlemaine - assisting with suntans year round...

Our apologies for not getting the story to you as soon as some but with getting home at 8.30pm, an 8 hour epix and a naturally early morning, its all gotten a bit much! So, the photos are almost ready, we've got a little vid for you this time as well, and whilst we appreciate you stopping by, you'll just have to do so again shortly :)

We did however, have a hell of a lot of fun out there, and a special thanks need to go to Nick from the Castlemaine Rocky Riders and Jake from Castlemaine cycles. 2 big hearted blokes who without their assistance and guidance (which some might content we didn't really follow...) we couldn't have had anywhere near the adventure that we did. So thank you very much from all of us who rode yesterday!

The full story and pictures will be up asap.

Red hot, hot to touch...!

With another Epix rolling around within a matter of hours, and the weather doing nothing to assist our enthusiasm, it was time to slap on some shiny new stuff for that warm and fuzzy feeling. During the week, the new OzRiders coloured grips rolled up, and it would be remiss of us not to give them a proper thrash'n.


With the new colour range of Ozriders grips available, it was time to pimp the virtue before the Epix ride tomorrow.


(*Jason*) My tyre choice for the ride is completely wrong! The fact that they have sealant and it took me a hour to put them on before we went to the Grampians has convinced me not to touch them....



The new and improved cockpit! Might have to watch out for wild bulls..., ole!








'Till tommorrow!

Ascend, listening to the athletes.

That’s right they listen! Once again they are working with their athletes to create products that not only assist you in gaining muscle strength, endurance and recovery, they are designing their products to be consumed while on the go.

We have been testing the muscle bar and recovery bar now for around two months. The recovery bar, A.K.A mint aero bar, firstly tastes brilliant which always helps! Secondly you are able to chew and digest it at the same time as you concentrate on maintaining your training/racing intensity.

The muscle bar is great to consume after a weight or riding session when you are still on the run. I eat it on the way home from my long rides (4-5hrs) to aid recovery and found it to work well.

The muscle pre-mixed drink has also just been handed to us. The taste and texture is alittle stronger than the self mix amount that is recommended, but it beats taking to work or in the car a shaker, milk and a container full of powder that everyone asks, “what’s that you are mixing up?”

The bars and pre-mixed drinks are yet to hit the shelves, but not to far away. When they arrive, we strongly suggest you include them in (your essential tool kit) while free riding, weights training or racing. You will not regret it!!

If you want more info on Ascend click here or please feel free to ask us.

In the past few weeks, we've been graced by some great new products here at Epix, and another one to arrive is the crown race remover from Xpert tools. We've all been in that situation working on a bike, normally an expensive bike, and you need to remove the headset race. Short of getting a chisel, or ruining a screwdriver and the fork crown, you seem to hit a problem every time. Now some of the large tool manufactures make a a specific product (which is excellent) but the the home garage hobbiests, this crown race remover could be just the shot.



With 2 pinch bolts to tighten the collar under the crown race, one simply nips it up nice and snug and then with a hammer and a punch, work your way around the collar and the press fitted crown race will slip right off. Brilliant!

New and blue!

Literally just as I was about to type words to the effect of 'no news to report on the ozriders front', there comes a knock at the door. Lo and behold Mr OzRiders himself appears at my doorstep, fresh from the Full Gas crits (and still clockin chamois time) and brings me a special little sample selection of shiny new grips!



Whilst nothing too drastic in terms of changes to an already successful grip shape, 2 new colours are in the process of being added to the range. A glorious red that seems to be quite reminiscent of a certain manufacturer of drive trains, and a blue that seems to conjure up images of possibly its competitor...! The red is a real standout, and sure to bling up plenty of bikes, and the blue is going to add a dash of colour to just as many bikes.



My pick, go the red! :)



On a serious note however, OzRiders is run by one guy, literally, and out of his own pocket. For us to be able to purchase these products (and another new product due of release in the second week of September!!) everyone needs to make their sentiments known. If you like the OzRiders grips, let us know. Comments here, emails to Ozriders, talking to us, anything... The point is, if there is no feedback on new products, they can't be tailored for your needs and desires!!

Speak up, or forever be stuck with the mundane.



I'll leave it to Jason to relive Fatties ride last night, as I blew to a million billion pieces and didn't really see anything of note, except perhaps Elvis tucked into the trees somewhere. I even got lost on my way back home, on the bike path no less... A couple of servo stops got me home, but I'm sure Jase had a much more enjoyable time of it out there!

Rumour has it that there is some new OzRiders stuff being delivered today...

I wonder if its what I've been waiting for..?!?!

We shall see....

Nightlightning Mountain/Road Lights.

With the lack of ride able day light hours at the moment riding lights are a hot topic throughout most riding groups. This prompted me to take a snap shot while riding home from the regular FTF ride. I was standing around 6-7mtrs away from the trees and had the Nightlightning iblaast on the high setting.


The above photo was uploaded to a photo program and a heat map has been incorporated. This function identifies the hot spots in the picture.

As you can see the beam is more than wide enough to see what’s ahead and the illusive and annoying small hot spot of most light sets on the market has been eliminated. I am planning to go back to the same spot and test the light on low and medium settings.

For further info on the light set check here or contact via email here.

An intro to XC racing, 2nd Aug.

The session is aimed at intermediate mountain bikers who do a far bit of mountain biking and would like to give XC racing a go for the 1st time.

What time: 9am

Where: Westerfolds Park
Just off Fitzsimons Lane – “Canoe Launching”
(Melways Ref. 21 F12)

What to bring: Mountain bike in good running order (ie. front suspension, clipless pedals etc), helmet, shoes, water, riding food etc.

Duration: 1/2hr briefing / discussion before a 1.5 - 2hr mountain bike ride around the tight and twisty Yarra Trails. Cost: If you already have a MTBA licence, there is no cost. If you don’t have a MTBA licence, you’ll need to fill in a $5 participation permit. You don’t need to be a FTF member. We’re not aiming to make money from this session, but like to encourage new riders to the XC race scene.

We hope to see you there.

Felt single speed.

Finally after many years of wanting to build a single speed I got off my you no what and completed the dream.My new Felt Q920 single speed. The frame is new along with the ozriders grips, as for the rest, I purchased second hand folks, running gear, brakes and wheels.
I decided I needed to spend some quality time on the new steed, so I rolled/spun down to the regular FTF ride. With the weather not looking to flash Rohin insisted on wearing his new rain jacket.
Ten minutes into the ride no more jacket…
Stand aside I will fix it!
Nightlightning iblaast light set, one does feel a little greedy with so much light.

As for the SS, l loved it! Once I got over the fact that I have only one gear and my thumbs stopped twitching I was left wanting more of this new-old method of riding a MTB.

Get rid of your ab machine and get yourself a single speed!

Chasin the 'sun'

Rain, rain, what happened to the drought??

Well there wasn't much sun out there, but the Anaconda Enduro series round at Lysterfield went off without a hitch, albeit a soggy, soiled hitch...

Rich was soothing the shivering riders with his dulcet tones, and keeping all and sundry up to date with the latest from the 24Solo worlds.

The track copped a bit of a hammering, as you would expect with a race so popular, and there was some very dirty looking people and equipment returning... I was out there to deliver the shiny new trophies



from race sponsor Stonnington Rennovations

And to support the guys and girls at Felt Racing

Everyone was coming back preeety muddy, and with ex Felt Racing member 'rubberlips' Rhinomaking the trip down from sunny Queensland, he was getting pretty over the horrendous conditions..



Perhaps pictures will say it better than words.... and everyone loves pictures!!!


Jack busy on the maintenance side of things.


Jack, like a coiled spring, just waiting to attack the track again. Or something...


Randall found a clean patch...



But it was a lonely clean patch...





Big Paulie V made the trip down to S'Melbourne, for reasons that were becoming increasingly hard for him to remember as the day went by...



ah shit yeah, this is the best thing ever....!


Cheese, and mud, courtesy of Mr Liston


Booty fab is baaaack!! When you really need it, you just get 'er done! Hutchinson packaging, doing double duty as a crud catcher.


And as usual you can find all the good oil about the racing at any number of blogs on the right hand side, or at Full Gas Promotions

Tinker Withdraws

Its all happening!

Tinker has withdrawn from the race...!!!

That puts Willow back in the box seat, with Jason English in pursuit.

Bailey leads

Troy has managed to sneak up into first place* in the race at midnight, here's hoping he can hold it!

Tinker has snuck past Willow and extends his lead...

Joel Donney is sitting in 3rd place*

*age group

Breaking news

I would appear that Johnny has been forced to pull the pin at the World 24 Solo's. We can't imagine what it must feel like to have to make that decision, and know that Johnny is one of the hardest men out there, so the decision could never have been taken lightly. I'm sure he'll tell the full story over on his blog, so swing by there to read all about it when he's ready to talk...

John Claxton

In the latest update, Tinker has now surged ahead of Willow, with Fenner (blog to the right) making it into 5th, and Jason English (also on the blog role) keeping them honest in 3rd.

As the wise say, there is still a long way to go...

Willow leads Tinker

And Tinker is looking rattled...

check the video

Results are at Adrenaline live, keep on checkin back for more!!

Chase the sun pics to come shortly as well...!

4 hours in...

Male - Elite
1.James Williamson (AUS)
2.Tinker Juarez (USA)
3.Kelly Magelky (USA)
4.Jason English (AUS)
5.Jeff Toohey (AUS)
-all at 3 laps-

Female - Elite
1.Jennifer Gersbach (USA) - 3 laps
2.Rebecca Rusch (USA) - 3 laps
3.Kate Aardal (NOR) - 2 laps
4.Katrin Van der Spiegel (AUS) - 2 laps
5.Carena Dean (CAN) - 2 laps