Whilst getting some wheels and working takes priority at the moment, I borrowed this link from long time supporter BigMak -

Check out some of his paddle/ride trips - awesome adventures!!

Mike Curiak

As time goes by, a few changes are slowly leaking onto the blog. Firstly, there are a few changes in the blog roll on the side, and I'll endeavor to continue to update them as so many blogs have died, and few have been reborn.

Secondly, mentions of Felt as a title sponsor is being slowly removed. Whilst Epix still rides Felt, and will always be greatful for their assistance, we've not requested any form of sponsorship or agreement at this time. In simple terms, we own our bikes and its enough advertising to simply ride them rather than overt advertising. That may change as it gathers more steam and maybe even hit a few races, but for now its best to have no obligations.

With the truck getting ever closer to completion, more riding shall come! For now, check out the blog rolls on the right and get out on your bike!

Evening rides - win

Bitumen - necessary evil.

Transporting the other bits

For many years, transporting bikes has been a challenge. I can put my hand up to say that I've taken 3 off my roofracks into the shed roof, not a very good record I'll admit. Like most people, I've tried plenty of solutions. For a while I had a trailer when doing national rounds back in the day as we used to do trials, downhill, XC and needed different bikes for all of it. The bike beak style never really took off for me, after the exhaust blew a few road bike tyres, and you'd live in constant fear and trepidation of tearing your bike off on a speedhump.

This is the latest from interbike, courtesy of Cyclingnews

Roofracks seemed to be the best solution for a while, until I got into 4wd. Having something high on your roof was not idea after that point. Swaying side to side put stresses on it that where never intended. Low branches, well.... :( So I resorted to keeping it inside. Safer, protected yet it just takes up so much space, and to bring it home dirty is a pain.

And then, like any good telemarketer would say, I discovered the ISI Advanced Bike Carrier System, for lack of a catchy name...

Just looks like a tow hitch carrier, at first glance. But its so not!! Firstly the thing is designed to be taken off road. For real, not just pretending over a curb to find a park at a race site. Stress analysis testing, fully engineered and profoundly well thought out and executed. Everything that users like me would desire in a product has been added to this unit.

Spare wheels are often mounted on the back of a 4wd. This means that a standard carrier is compromised, not being able to be used the way it was designed. Have a look at how well this setup fits, as it heads towards a reasonably extreme setup for day to day use.

The PowerPivot system -

The mounting system -

And finally, because we all like to look after our bikes, its best to keep them high and dry!

Now whilst I currently don't own one, I'm happily intending to pay full whack for a lifetime of good karma and reliable bike transport. Have a look into them, and get out there!

This has been a community service announcement put together by me in the interest of comfortable bike transportation to remote destinations. Now get outside and ride your bike!

Transportation...

Epix was always multifaceted. The idea centred around the adventure, and we went to great lengths to ensure we stayed true to that. As I look through the photos of our past rides, its easily evident that we got amongst it with our friends.  A lot of the riding was able to take place with the aid of a 4wd to get us to certain destinations, and it was an enjoyable part of each trip. As I eluded to, I had a bit of a winter project - I kinda bent my truck a little. Or a lot, depending on how you look at it.

Broken one above

New one purchased from auctions in Darwin below, prior to being sent to the spraypainter.

A rollover or two pretty well put paid to that vehicle, so I've basically build another one from scratch. Basically every part of the car except the body and the chassis has been removed and replaced. Some wag told me there is 40,000parts in a landcruiser. I've handled 38,000 of them....! For the car people out there, I've swapped the new truck from a petrol to a diesel, from a manual to an auto and from knackered to nice. A complete car, to a bare shell and back together again. Something I've never done before, and hopefully will only ever do to help someone in small bursts again!

Plenty of work, and help from friends has almost got me to the point of being ready to get out into the bush again. And not before time too. Riders would well know that being unable to have some sort of exercise outlet means fat and grumpy people...

So with the truck nearly finished, the bike in fine fettle from GVRaceTech's spanners, and the sun occasionally poking through, its almost time to learn to ride again!

Stiction

Headed out for a ride a few days back, looks like some maintenance is on the cards...



Fox 120mm RL32's are great simple forks, but like most of the equipment that gets used to propel us around, it requires some maintenance. I'm not the best at this art, I refer most things to the man who knows and he sets me straight.

So I pull the bike off the wall and go for a ride with the aforementioned man. The poor old virtue is looking demented, sitting low at the back, and struggling to get into the fork travel. Easy fix at the time is to dump some pressure, get the fork sitting in sag. Haha, bad idea for everything other than bike path, straight line.

So off to the hospital for a late night surgery session. New Enduro seals and some precision cleaning action, and what a difference!! New 7wt oil, and the things feel brilliant.

Just makes me want to go ride....!