I could make this a single word post - "Hurts!"

When I saw who was coming on this ride it was a bit scary, but aside from some cramp in the right calf it was rather enjoyable.

Things started out sedate enough (if you can call riding Tavern to bottom of Duck Hole in 20 min sedate) but at the bottom of the climb to Centre Woz & Shaun were off like crazies with Steve and Supagav in pursuit. Thankfully Damien is on a single speed so kept me company up here.

Not quiet as advertised, but the ride today was still certainly a hill fest - 1724m in 66.7Km. That ratio would certainly be much better for the first 50Km though - if only MB would give these stats per lap.

Changes were made because once we got moving the consensus was that Cascades & behind the Wildflower garden would be a bit too wet so we hit up all the trails on West Head to Towlers and back. Yes, even Elvina on the way back - the gang loved it when some mad fool peeled off down there. Oh yeah - and a quick up and down Chiltern too, just for good measure.

While we were down at the Towlers Bay section of this ride I commented, "Remember when we used to ride Towlers Bay on it's own, 'cos the ride out was so tough? And now it's just an insignificant bump tacked on to make up some kays".

Ah, the memories!

Sat 16th 8:30am ride West Head

I was going to delete the 'archived' forums but isn't it nice to look back and see how far some of us have come! Eh MEEE

It was a very nice day at Yellowmundee this weekend for their round of the Working Week Series. Good course, dry weather (just) and plenty of top NoBMoB company and banter made for a most enjoyable race day.

Mind you, the early start (6am) after late night (2am) wasn't easy, nor was the freezing start (yes, the car thermometer saw 1 degree on the way in).

Sam & I had paired up in the duo of 'Two worn out Nobs', the start being decided on the flip of a coin which saw me shivering by the river just gone 8am.

So, you've seen the picture, here's some first impressions from a quick 2.5 laps of the Dam (first lap with some tech stuff over near Forestville - no, not Bantry Bay!).

Coming from the Rush the position is more upright, cockpit shorter and ride very plush. That plush feeling partly due to lack of air in the rear shock. In fact it bottomed out first water bar I hit (just after school) so stopped and put more in to firm it up. Added a bit more later which sorted things out. Was used to the geometry change shortly after, no problem.

Over the last couple days have been upgrading a few parts on the Rush as it's hand-me-downs are going to a new build that's in the making.

The Rush got some Juicy Ultimate brakes (on special - couldn't resist), an XT crankset, Selle Italia SLR XC saddle and some Eggbeater SL pedals. As I say, the parts that came off are going on another build so easy to justify!

As is my way of recording small maintenance jobs...

The Rush's Lefty got a service this week and it got two new bearings in the headset.

The bearings gone at only 13 months old are a bit of a disappointment, but then again the summer's rain will not have helped.

Lefty was due for a service anyhow, but the damping wasn't feeling quiet right last few rides and I noticed some oil on the air valve. Turns out a seal inside had leaked allowing damping oil to get into the bottom air chamber, no wonder the feeling was off! One seal in a year's riding isn't such a bad outcome.

You see... it's because of days like this you should never say, "never again"!!

At the bottom of last year's post on the Ditrworks disaster I ended:

So, like I said last year, "Never Again!

And yet somehow found myself on the 100Km start line at 6:30 yesterday morning. Was keen to get away with the faster 6:40 start but something didn't feel right. A quick check revealed I wasn't wearing the backpack so mossied on back to the ranch to collect it before leaving 10 mins later.

Today the Rush got... a tiny bit of bling... a Salsa seat clamp.

Then through necessity... new bottom bracket and a new Crossmark on the rear.

The rear tire was an absolute pain to get to seal this time. Grrrrrrr!

Another maintenance update...

After the filthy ride on Sunday I had feared the worse for the brakes. Once the pads get worn down leaving metal on metal action not only are you up for a new set of pads, but most likely a new rotor too. Rotors chewed up by this kind of stuff get so pitted and rough that they then chew through the replacement pads in no time - keeping them is a false economy.