You are herehawkeye's blog

hawkeye's blog


hawkeye's picture

An epic ride - indoors?

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

This morning was time to try out the new toy, a power meter.

Unfortunately by the time I organised tools this morning, I missed the usable weather window for this weekend, and it started to rain heavily. For some reason, riding in the rain on a roadie doesn't appeal (something to do with the grey sludge from the rapidly wearing rims) so I elected to use the hydraulic trainer in the garage.

Hook up the fan and away we go. The trouble is, I have trouble lasting more than 30 minutes on these inventions of the devil. They're so booooooring.

hawkeye's picture

Fling 2013 - Death by Cramps

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

As my first Fling this was a real "learning experience".

I've had a mixed last six months since the Mont with rib displacement, a couple of winter chest infections, infected sutures needing 3 weeks on IV antibiotics (and no riding) and then another bloody headcold. Each one just as I was starting to get some training traction. But I've had a good last month or so ... so when PeteB suggested I give the Fling a crack on the back of some reasonable recent training sessions I thought why not. It's only 50-odd km, how hard can it be?

hawkeye's picture

Hell's Garden and Stairway to Heaven trails, Kiwarrak State Forest

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

I was up visiting Dad at Forster, and took the opportunity to go ride the Taree Tip trails to show some mates around, and catch up with Hugh from CBD who was having a demo day for customers and hangers-on.

This is a fun little descending track that comes after a nice testing climb, but is Part Two of the route that takes in Up River and Son of Skull for about 10 minutes of twisty, swoopy descent that includes some berms, and gap jumps if you're game (I'm not Sticking out tongue)

Enjoy! I'll put some music with it later.


http://youtu.be/amxnGWvcnjA

hawkeye's picture

Mont 24 2013: How good was that?

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

It's amazing how much difference a little word makes sometimes. In my case, this year it is "lumens"

This year the lighting was much improved thanks to kind "sponsor" Ferei Lights Australia, who also bring in the German brand MyTinySun providing some vastly improved bar lights. Apart from a headcold a few weeks ago the training leadup was much better too.

hawkeye's picture

What a brilliant day

Back on the bike for the first time in a few weeks after an enforced break due to some rib trouble.

Too wet to ride the trails so I pulled out the commuter and stuck to the road. Took some turns pulling at the front with a couple of roadies on the way back from Terrey Hills. Lots of smiles from other riders, the unexpected bright winter sun obviously lifting the mood, and lots of other riders about.

If we could just get some dry trails, it would be about perfect.

hawkeye's picture

Kiwarrak State Forest 6 May 2012

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

The ride didn't start on the best foot when I found I'd left my Camelbak with my bits and bobs, maps, pump and spare tube in Sydney.

Ah, well, I haven't had a puncture in ages and after checking the tyres there were no frayed sidewall sections and they felt like they had enough pressure. Last time I did a solo mission up here the trail was really well marked so I decided to take a risk.

hawkeye's picture

Overcoming fear

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

Not having ridden anything remotely technical since busting my collarbone last year except for one tentative and nervous run down to the hydro lab, I thought I'd ease back in today by trying the short section of trail that runs around the back of the nursing homes and ends at Allambie Oval.

The heavy rainfall from February to March has certainly had an effect: both on the trail, by eroding it more, deepening drop-offs and uncovering more rocks and roots to catch unwary riders; and on me - I'm *super* rusty. The trail is a very different beast from when I last rode it.

hawkeye's picture

Mont 24 2012

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

I was seriously undertrained for this one, but it was more of a dads and sons fun event with some competition within the team thrown in for a bit of interest. My best lap per the Garmin was 1:15 something, and probably 1:30 for the night lap actually spent on the trail, but it was so cold we elected to do our night time transitions from our campsite down near Gate 1. That decision probably cost me my opportunity for a third lap, but Hans came very close to putting me back on the track again, coming in almost 20 minutes ahead of my mental estimate for his last lap! Well done Hans. Smiling

hawkeye's picture

Hans and Hawkeye's Excellent Adventure

Below is a preview, click to read the full post

Hans is a riding buddy of mine and occasional Mont 24 co-conspirator.

On Tuesday 27th he called and asked if I wanted to go for a ride on Bairne Track at Terrey Hills. I thought, yep, it'll be short out-and-back and with the lower back discomfort I've been trying to resolve that kind of effort would be about right.

Weeellll... it was one of those classic occasions where well-laid plans are not stuck to and it all goes rapidly downhill from there Laughing out loud

First, we had to ride in since Hans didn't have his NPWS pass. No big deal.

hawkeye's picture

Step by step...

Managed to complete a spin class tonight without any protest from the shoulder at all... not bad for six weeks after the collarbone break at Kiwarrak. Still not strong enough to ride a real bike, but that will come.

Keeping the core locked was hard and I had to soft-pedal some of the "sprints" on account of no fitness, but it was better than the didaster i was expecting after gaining 3kg after 6 weeks of no riding.

Time to start planning for the Mont!

Best Mountain Bike