Round 21

It was off to see the Swans go round against the Lions on Saturday night.

A comfortable win by the Swans but less than convincing. :-) There
were some passionate supporters there.

The Fratellis rock the Metro

I've been waiting so long to see "The Fratellis" and I wasn't disappointed. Awesome!

What's Pete been up to?

My blog has been very quiet over the last couple of months... "So what
have I been up to?", I hear you ask... well maybe that's just wishful
thinking on side. :-)

Well after the GEO Quest, it has been a bit quite, but I have manage a
couple of rides up in the Blue Mountains and a bush hike from Govett's
Leap (I've some nice pics from the day). I've also gone a bit new age,
having a crack at some Bikram Yoga
(http://www.bikramyogarozelle.com.au/). After months of
procrastination I finally dragged myself to a class with a friend and
just survived it :-). But not being one to let something beat me, I
went back and have gotten into it. I have a little challenge of my own
going on, so watch this space.

P

GeoQuest 08 - Emerald Beach

The weather looked grim but our spirits were high as we set out for
Emerald Beach (just North of Coff Harbour) the location of this years
GeoQuest (http://www.gar.com.au/). But as we travelled further north the
clounds parted and sunshine appeared. This was great especially after
the last week of wet weather in Sydney.

Friday was all about getting ready for the race, checking our gear,
packing our food and planning our support drops and pickups. All
looked good and we were ready to rock and roll.

Saturday (7/6/08) morning 9:30AM Woolgolga Beach. We're at the start
line and ready to go. Unfortunatley, this is also where the diffences
in our teams fitness levels started to show up. However we percervied
and continued as quickly as possible, but the difference began to also
build a certain level of tension within the team and the team dynamic.
I believe this affected most aspect of our race, and was the cause of
basic errors being made that cost the team even more time.

It all came to a head at 04:30 AM on Sunday morning in the Kayak leg,
where things became too much and I no longer wanted to continue the
race with my team, but I did want to completed it. Unfortunalty this
wasn't possible, so I guess I'll have to wait until next year before I
get my chance again.

Lessons learnt, choose your team mates carefully, ensure they're all
the same fitness levels and expectations. :-)

Pete

http://picasaweb.google.com/peterchan.au/GeoQuest08

GeoQuest 08

MTBO SS 2 & 3

The latest MTBO Super Series was run in Linsdale adn Newnes NSW last weekend.


The 2 events were run over Satureday and Sunday. the course at Linsdale State Forest was a open course, you had to collect all the control in any order. Newnes was a line course where each control was to be collect in order.



Linsdale
image to come


Newnes

An eventful morning on the Oaks.

After the last couple of weeks i was determined that no matter what I was going to get up to the mountains and get a ride in. To make thing interesting i decided to start at Glenbrook and work my way back to Woodford, I came a across a group of riders, not realising on of then had crashes heavily, it became more apparent when a helicopter started circling above and then winching down a couple of paramedics to treat him, it was all very exciting being up close with the with the chopper hovering. 

 

It was also surprising to find out that 2 of the group were actuality cousins of mine.... well that doesn't happen every day. I didn't even know they were into mountain biking.

 

 

6hr MTBO

It was a cracking day at Sunny Corner about 30km west of Lithgow, I had camped out overnight so it was a nice easy start (once i found a team to join, my original teammate couldn't make it this weekend). After a cruisie pace, disaster struck i managed to blow two tyres (in 2 hrs) and my day was done. Now all that was left was to push my bike back to the start/finish line... oh well.. next time i guess.

Edge of Reality Weekend

How else would you want to spend the Australia Day Long Weekend but go racing around the beautiful south coast of New South Wales!

It was the weekend of the AROC 25/50hr races. It was a cracking weekend, and after a solid 34hr:19mins Peter, Sam and I (Team 102 - 25hr) crossed the finish line.

Official Race Report

Check out the official website

Official Photographer Site (Great Pics)


The End (34hrs:19mins)

EOR - Aussie Long Weekend

Happy New Year from the Harbour City.

New Year Fireworks

Crawbobbing Xmas Day

Craw Bobbing

AROC - Avoca 15/12/07

The first race for me of the 07-08 Adventure Race Season.... and it was a good start, Team "Deceptively Slow" completed the course in 3hr50mins. Woo Hoo, we finally broke the 4hr barrier and just managed to miss the extra leg by 3~4mins. We're awaiting official results.



(unfortunately the GPS tracker died just as we were heading into the kayak leg and missed the final rock shelf run along the coast ... magic)

Offical Results


Overall place: 45 / 141
All Male Cat: 28
Team : 71 Deceptively Slow

P

The final Urban Polaris

It ended up being a hot day (and sunburn to prove it) on the road Sunday, for the very last Urban Polaris event in Canberra, especially after the wet day before.

Not only was I doing it solo, but I decided to also take out the single speed. Except for Mt Taylor, the ride was good and while I probably didn't get as many controls as I could I was really happy with my ride (93kms). There were certainly times that I wanted to stop, but managed to pull through it, especially the last climb back to Stromlo.

P

A damp ride.

After our shortened attempt at the Anderson-Oaks trail, Dan and myself decided to try again, Al couldn't make it this time and we won't let him forget it either.


While not "raining" there was drizzle/mist about most of the ride and with the previous days rain, the track was slippery (especially on the rocks), but help compacted the sand so we did enjoy that.

While we were still unable to ride out completely from the creek crossing on the Anderson's we certainly made a fist of it this time round. Oh so close.... but I know what needs to be done now.

It was also Dan's turn to get a puncture. In the end the total time taken was 4hr 30min (58including breaks).







Happy Trails.





P

The Fling was flung and I got done!

Enough said!

Ready and raring to go.. well I'm ready anyway.

After a busy a week as you could possibly get, the time is nigh. My stead is back from the shop and ready to go... but am I???  I've had my doubts over the last week, but I'm going to have a second crack.

 

Bring the "Fling" on. The easy option is not an option!

 

P

 

This can't be good???

While cleaning the RUSH I noticed a distrubing sight, I can't remember doing it, but somehow I've managed to bottom out my front suspension and practically shear off the pressure valve. It's a wonder it hasn't gone down, especially after the ride in the Blue Mountains.




Doh!

Anderson's Fire Trail

After ages wanting to ride the trail, I finally managed to coordinate a ride with Dan and Al to do the trail and then the "Oak's" yesterday. It was great riding a trail for the first time and after hearing others speak about it, it didn't disappoint.

 

We met at Glenbrook Station and 8AM and hoped on the train to Wentworth Falls. As this was the first time we've kicked off a ride from here we took a little time to correctly orient ourselves. After finding King Tableland road, we headed off in earnest. The trail is basically a 4wd track (no single track here) and it was a nice smooth clear run all (Al had his first puncture along here) the way down to the beginning of "Murphy's Firetrail" and the infamous climb out from the creek. There were plenty of words spoken here and sweat perspired. Dan struck mechanical issues with his chain losing a link. So after shortening his chain, we were off again.

 

By the time we reached Woodford, Al was pretty much spent (too much decadent living coming to the fore) and with Dan's mechanical issues, it was decided to catch the train back to Glenbrook instead risking complete mechanical failure halfway along the Oaks. But even though our ride was cut short it was a good day, and we're looking forward to doing it all again.

 

Happy trails.

 

 

 

A hot day in the saddle

Yesterday found me at Wiseman's Ferry and the "Great Northern Road" for a ride with a new crew Quan, Nicole, Sarah & Alan. As this was my first ride with these guys and only my second ride in the area I followed there lead, it was good ride (albeit very hot 35c) for the most part except for my unplanned dismount trying to climb up a rock (what was I thinking???). Not only did it leave me a little bruised and bleeding and more em brassed, it also left me with a bent rear brake rotor (perfect!). So after a few minutes to remove the rear disc, I had the pleasure of the last 15kms with only half my braking power. It made my descent via "Shepard's Gully" a very interesting experience. It was a pleasure to ride with these guys and girls, just have to work on my fitness a little to keep up for next time.

What have I done ???

Well the time in nearly here... what was I thinking. 3 weeks to the "Highland Fling".

On the run... in Meadowbank

The "Sydney Summer Series" has begun (well actually it began last week, but i couldn't make it), but I was here this week in Meadowbank. This season, there are high hopes. I was coming into a bit of form at the end of last season. As for last nights run, I was rather happy with my initial efforts, I didn't try and pick up all the controls, but decided to just get used to running against the clock again. 310 points bagged this week, and didn't feel shagged after it all, so I know I can push it a but harder next week. The goal this season is to crack the 400 point mark.

Happy trails.