Paul's blog

Elapsed time 7:29
Moving time 6:20
Speed 15.9 kph
Average HR 139

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/8136774

Where to begin, I picked up Gary about 1.30pm Saturday afternoon and it was cruisy traffic free drive to Wiseman’s Ferry and then straight onto the ferry. We arrived at the church mid-afternoon and started to enjoy the warmth, serenity, good company, Christine’s special Strog and a few beers (John I think 8 is the magic number of beers).

Bike: Surly Karate Monkey 29’er and single speed (32/20)
Weather: 25-29 degrees sunny and windless.

My mindset approaching today was that this was a “me” day. I had gotten a day long leave pass to go riding and train for the Dirt Works 100 so I wanted to test ride my SS over a reasonable distance (not just Terrey Hills fire trails) and to see how my ass and quads would survive.

My goal was to ride consistent times but to also keep my average heart rate down to around 150 bpm (85% of max). I knew I would blow it on the hills, but with an average of around 150.

I’ve always wondered what is faster the Surly Karate Monkey (29er) SS or the Yeti ASR RC 26inch with 27 gears. I haven’t ridden the Yeti since the Fling but with the SS in for a fork service I had time to find out.

The course was my standard Terrey Hills training loop of the shops to Duck Holes / Waratah / Centre via the sniggle. It’s a distance of 24.85k.

We left a balmy Sydney and watched the temperature plummet as we reached Bundanoon - it was in the low teens and the wind chill factor made it even colder. Luckily I packed a warm jacket, other not so lucky like GeordieAndy had to survive in shorts and a light top.

Pikey set up a great camp near the bush toilet and Saturday night saw us huddled together for warmth drinking beer and talking shit.

What a great weekend.

The weather was great - hot but great and the nights weren’t that cold.

Our camp site was in a perfect position – upwind from the dust, next to the natural bush toilets, far enough away from the loud speaker.

The roads were dry and it was barely spitting as we set out, but then it started to rain. That wouldn't be a problem as BOM and the Nobmob weather page indicated minimal rain during the day. However we soon found out that the trails were already sodden and muddy, but with 10 boofy blokes all wet and in the bush at night of course no one was going to turn back. As we proceeded the chorus of sand grinding metal kept us company and in my mind I could hear the Ka-ching, Ka-ching of the bike shops cash register.

Over recent times there has been increased debate over size and in particular can an extra 3 inches really make a difference – I was curious and last night I lost my 29er virginity and here are my thoughts.

The Bike: Surly Karate Monkey (Chromo) with RST M29 forks (80mm), Single Speed running 32/20.

The Track: Terrey Hills - Perimeter /Long tracks (24k), muddy and at night.

This was my maiden voyage on a 29er, apart from laps of my driveway setting up the saddle.

Nob’s Rule.

What a great weekend. Thanks Christine, the Church was the best, not to mention the toilets and the kitchen. We easily had the best setup.

After a night of little sleep due to snoring, the continual stream of blokes to the toilet, pre-race nerves, wind trainers and moaning it was up to watch the 100k’s depart. The 3 hours till race time didn’t take long to pass, but the 20 minutes wait for the race start took forever.

It was last Sunday afternoon as I set off for a lap of Cascades and the Showground sniggle. I nearly didn't go because it was drizzling.