Trail maintenance.

Thought I'd go down and play Steve Irwin, see what the fuss was about...


I guess someone beat me to it, but I still did my bit for track maintenance.. Bit of a sweep made all the difference!



And I found a new coffee stop :) Problem is that its at the start of a ride... So one carries their cup until the liquid is consumed, then carries their cup like some sort of badge, or just to test the multi use of their bottle cage...



Fitted like a finger up a, ahh, nevermind...

The great divide...

Turns out those ingenious little fellahs up in central victoria have been at it again - new trail! :)

Chatting over the weekend with someone from 'upstate', apparently there has been a bit of a winfall in central victoria for local mountain bikers, and also for the blow in tourist type. On the back of a submission to the Federal Government from a few united groups, a hefty half a million dollars have been allocated to upgrading and developing the Great Dividing Trail. Some might scoff at my interest in whats occasionally referred to as a glorified country bike path, but I've got a feeling the trail management crew might just be looking out for us little mountain bike kids... ;)

So stay tuned, and keep your eyes out for a push in the region. 500K might only buy a drop dunny and a carpark up there, but I'm tipping there will be a few blokes on rakehoes making something memorable.

This is what the ABC reported:

Central Victorian tourism operators believe they will benefit from upgrades to a major hiking and cycling track between Bendigo and Ballarat.

The Great Dividing Trail will get $500,000 of Federal Government upgrades.

The funds will build some detours for mountain bikers and improve signage and bridges.

Goldfields Tourism chairman Rod Thompson says the trail will have more appeal to Melbourne tourists when it is upgraded.

"It'll attract a lot more people to use the track being so close to Melbourne," he said.

"You can access it [at] Bendigo, Castlemaine and Ballarat by train, or driving, it's only an hour-and-a-half and the B&Bs, accommodation providers and attractions along the track will benefit greatly from the extra usage."

And hey, happy new year!

Panaracer Rampage UST

Continuing the theme of maintenance, some new treads got thrown at a mountain bike. Panaracer Rampage UST came off the shelf and headed for the mavics, with some Spex thrown in for reliability.

At 750g a tyre for UST, they aren't going to win the weight weenie award, but for a predictable, reliable and generally tough tire to go the distance, weight certainly isn't the deciding factor. The tread pattern seems similar to some popular brands on the market, yet with its 'Made in Japan' stickering, we seem to be on a good thing.




Mounting the tire was a bit of an ordeal however. To get one mounted and seated, took every trick I know, and then some more MacGyvering to get it seated. Compressors, soapy water, ratchet straps, it was just being a pain. The other one went on easy as you like, so perhaps I just got unlucky, but it wasn't without its dramas.

Mounted and seated, Spex inside and we're off for a ride. First impressions were reasonably noisy on the bitumen, as they don't have an intact centre ridge, but once onto dirt, they were great! Tacky hardpack dirt had these things hooking up like Tiger at Hooters, and they were predictable in the muddy sections before and after puddles (best I could find...) Nice and quick, plenty of lateral grip and reasonably predictable for new tyres. Next time I'll run them a little lower than 38psi, and I think they'll be even better.

So, thumbs up for Rampages from me...!

Have a good new year, and thanks for your readership this year. Whilst we've fallen off the regular post wagon of later, we're working to bring it back! So make sure YOU stop by so we have a reason to do so! Now get out there!

Panaracer Closer tires.

As the sun starts to peak its head out, perhaps I might too...

But I thought I should do a quick bit of maintenance. Some new brake pads was quite a treat on the F1C, pulling it up in a flash which is nice! Slipping new pads straight back into the holder without any adjustment is something they write about in manuals, it never really happens. Until now :)

And I needed some new tyres, so a quick phone call to GVRaceTech at Panaracer and I've got my little mits on a pair of Panaracer 'Closer' tyres... Closer?? I don't get it either, but they are made in Japan and that's a thumbs up from me! Maybe its from all the cool stuff back in the day, but Japan always seemed to make good gear...

This is what the website says about them:

"Excellent value priced right. Closer offers a ZSG Natural Compound for long lasting wear and a comfortable ride. Closer is the best balance between a high end racing tire and a training tire offering superb durability, comfort, and confidence."




So I whipped of the old tyres, dusted a bit of talc about the place and reefed the kevlar beads over the Ksyriums. Not too much effort saw me pumping them up and popping them back on the bike. First impression was that they have quite a pronounced 'point' in the top centre of the tread, and you notice it when you ride them. There is less surface area on the ground as you ride, and they feel very fast. I'll be able to tell if they are predicatable as time goes by, but so far they seem good!



So, 2010, I wonder whats on the cards for Felt Epix?

Maybe this could be the future for Lake Mountain???

7 Peaks, The Alpine Ascent Challenge.

Mr T handed me a passport some weeks ago with the intention of inspiring me to find time to get on the bike. At first the passport was pushed aside and paperwork in the office took hold once again.

With a typical mid week office session finishing up around 11:30ish pm I needed some reading material in bed to take my mind off the day that was just about to pass. Not the kind you are thinking!!!

The passport found its way into my hand and I read the text. In the morning a text message was created and sent, let’s get some dates together and take on the challenge of the 7 peaks, The Alpine Ascent Challenge. I am inspired once again to get out of bed on a Sunday at 5:30am.

Our first ascent was to be Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with a twist. The Passport asks us to ride from Marysville to Lake Mountain total 22kms, 902m rise. We decided this is much too short for an adventure, so we rode from home instead. Total 150km, 2800m rise, that’s better…

Check out Mr T blog for his pics as mine were from my crackberry phone.

We plan to ride all seven if our calendar permits. Check the site for all info and get out there!

You never know my 2010 blog update could be from France.

There's a clean out a-coming for Ash. Complete bikes, parts and all sorts of stuff are going to be up for sale, for some craaazy prices!

Keep an eye out, you might find something you need for that project you just want to finish for summer!

Ascend News

Degani Kinglake Ride 2009

On the cold and rainy morning of September 13th, a record 3000 riders braved difficult conditions to take part in the second annual Degani Kinglake Ride. This year’s event saw riders and organisers come together to raise much needed funds for the local communities and CFA affected by the devastating February bushfires.

With an improved course, featuring a smoother descent into Whittlesea, participants battled it out as they wound their way through the fire-ravaged townships of the Kinglake area, taking in some of the best riding country in Victoria.

ASCEND sponsored riders for the event, Jason Jackson, Ash Thomas, Joel Pearson (Savings) and Shaun McCarthy (Savings) were there on the day to lend their support, having a great day out despite the inclement weather. ‘It practically snowed for 120 km!’ says Jason. ‘At one point all I could do was laugh. The rain was so heavy I couldn’t see 10 metres in front of me.’

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly ‘The Will Walker Challenge’ where riders pitted themselves against the champ’s time on the gruelling 7.2km climb into Kinglake. ‘It turned out to be a solid hit out’ recalls Jason.

The boys helped to supply the field with ASCEND Elite Recovery Bars, ensuring all involved had the strength and stamina to take on the 70km and 120km recreational rides. ‘Over the course of the day all I ate was two Recovery Bars’ says Jason. ‘My energy levels didn’t fluctuate as much as with other bars and regular food. I recovered well’.

Even with reduced visibility from the driving rain, Jason Jackson belted out a strong finish to come in first across the line with an impressive time of 3 hours 17 minutes, and even managed to have a bit of fun along the way. ‘The bunch may have been wet and cold but everyone loved it’ he says. ‘Big thanks to Ascend, Supersprint and Degani for putting on a great day for all to enjoy.’

Check out the photos below for all the action from the Degani Kinglake Ride 2009…

See you there next year!

We're everywhere!

Sighted in Queensland, the royalty cheques are starting to flow out Jason's letterbox.

King of the Flat Hill?

Could it be??

With the 'end of days' type weather looming, it was truely the dedicated/sensless that made their way to the Yarra Flats to contest the Flat hill Crit, with our own Jason Jackson looking to make it 3 from 3!



Talk was that teh race organiserer had slipped some ringers in the field, so when Jason lined up against Paulie, AJ, Rohin, and the rest of the Total Rush freight train, it was going to be on. With hail just before the start line, the end of days looked nigh.



But with some good fortune for him, bad fortune for others, and some good hard racing, Jason took home the prize, and in the same breath talked of moving to queensland and retiring...!







When Jason returns, he's laid open the challenge to knock him from the top spot ;) Mouthy little chap, can you beat him??!

Epic....

THE GATHERING.

THE OBSTACLES.

THE NERVES MOMENTS.
THE MECHANICALS.

THE SEARCH...THE REWARD!

THE CLEAN UP :)

Tee Pee Epix

Check out Cams Epix video here.

St Andrews ambling...

Anther Epix is safely in the books, and as usual it was not without its adventures! A who's who of victorian bloggers took to the trails in the areas connecting Ringwood and St Andrews. With riders such as Troy, Bellie, Cam, Randall, Matt, Nat, Brian, Jeff, and Christian making up just part of the crew, it looked like a heap of fun. (most of these blogs will have a take on the day - click on by and check 'em out) I was benched with what Bellie called a 'softness', slipping somewhat freudianly when he meant to say sickness, and sunsequently took on the EXTREMELY important roll of drinks boy...

So whilst I sat and sipped the drinks..., watching the rain fall sidways through the windscreen, listening to Jason talk on the radio whilst they huddled beneath some low trees, just as the rain turned to painful hail, I figured that it was better him out there this time :)

Meeting the crew beneath the fun that is Ridge road, we handed out some much appreciated refreshments and they then took off to hit the trails. Whilst I can't quite find one of the camera cords I need, there should be some more pics out there to come, but in the meantime, this is what I captured between showers...












Having just checked the other camera, there is still more to come including video, so fear not. And I'm sure Jason will have his take on it shortly too(given he actually did the riding, or at least some if it) , so just talk quietly amongst yourselves whilst we get organised...

Flat Hill Dirt Crit.

Nat, Cam and I ventured out to the dirt crit tonight. The course is amazing! Fast and flat with two small pinches.

The boys are doing a great job running the event for all to enjoy. With Cam on the camera the pictures taken always look great. Check here for the happy snaps over the next few days.

Tonight I was the lucky one to take out the win over James Dickey (Team Specialized) and Nat to come across the line in third place. The next event will be held on the 6^th of October so come down and get dirty on a school night. I will have a set of Nightlightning lights for all to demo and some Ascend samples to be given away.

Dirty bike, happy life!

Weather watch!!!

This weekends adventure will be run no matter what weather is forecasted!!

Forecast for Saturday

Cloudy. Scattered showers and the chance of thunderstorms with hail. Winds west to northwesterly averaging up to 40 km/h.

City

Few showers. Windy.

Min

9

Max

15

Remember...Epic!!!