GNR on Easter Monday

I'm sure we can squeeze you in Wayne

Just added an extra slot for you...

They have also graded to top of Womerah to Jacks track turn off. It was super smooth as well but as it was damp it was hell because they have graded it down to clay. Up to the turn off the wheels weighed an extra kilo.

Sounds like the graded course is custom made for a 29er hardtail Anthony although the way Mrs Antsonline has been going I think I'll put my money on her for the Dirtworks.

Is looking shite for want of a better word.

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/hunter/st-albans

I have been on the roadie this morning and got drenched, I am keen to avoid getting soaked again.

What are people's thoughts?

due today in Sydney, no word in Willoughby it rained 5mm in like 1 minute, so they are full of crap.

I will however HTFU and see you there.

A bit optimistic to expect an entire Easter weekend to be fine weather ! Anyhow, looks like mainly coastal showers today so hopefully will be perfect on Monday.

I did the up and back along GNR from Wisemans to Johnnys Camp a couple of weeks back. GNR is as good as always along with a few trees down and plenty of scratches on the arms from the scrub alongside the track. The short section from Johnnys Camp to GNR along Simpsons Track is freshly graded. The short section from the GNR & Donnys Track junction down past Clares Bridge to Ten Mile Hollow is now wide open graded firetrail. It looks completely different as all the area behind the Buddhist Monastery and up to the ridgetop firetrail behind has been back burned.

Looking forward to meeting some new faces and a good ride.

and it was dry, but with more standing water than normal. Lots of big puddles.
I (we) will be going there on Monday, to ride the last 30km or so.

What will you do on Tuesday afternoon if you're bike isnt dirty and needing a clean before the DW 'scorch-fest'?
Get out, get dirty, then get clean again, then be thankful of the reconnaisance next weekend!

if it aint rainin', it aint trainin'!

Craig you could be
http://nobmob.com/node/21066

your a loonie Andy

I'm in then!

and answer his phone i might be able to find out what he's doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was looking forward to this one but a raging stomach virus has just been through my family. Thought I had been lucky and it skipped me. Two days later I am not so lucky.

Checked radar no incoming rain and I think it got minimal last night.

Gonna chance it.

Is the best way to describe that ride, sand and rain = knackered brakes and horrible noises coming from cranks etc. Most of us ran out of brake pads come the end.

Still we got 50k in and it was good to scout out the DW course, if its raining next week I can see it being pretty hard going.

Was it really only 50km? Crap, we were out there for 5hrs!

Great turnout considering the conditions with 8 starters. The rain was light until we started and it pelted down for the duration. Poor Logan had a couple of decent stacks so hopefully his bruised leg doesn't blow up too much before next week's race.

The conditions were similar to the Capital Punishment last year. 5 of us had to walk our bikes from the top of Shepherds Gully all the way to the ferry at the end of the ride as our brakes were shot. The other 3 rode very slowly. Gazza and I had both warn our pads and backing plates away until our baking plates were thinner than razor blades. I'm dreading stripping my bike tomorrow. I just know I'm going to find grit in the bearings, chain and BB and will probably have to replace all of them.

Thanks again guys, it was a fun day out.

C'mon guys

Yes it was wet and miserable weather wise - but I am pleased we got out there.

For me being the first time on the GNR I thought it was great - loved the techy stuff - helps I guess if you have some brakes.

Anyway a good day out, alot of cleaning and bike maintenance tomorrow - but hey mountain bikes are not there to sit in the garage.

@Phil - lived up to expectations.

@Craig (Craked) - you missed a great WET day out.

D

Yes we only did 50k but it was fun and slippery on the wet rock gardens. If it stays wet next weekend the race will be so much easier than going in without a practice run. If its dry it will be so much easier so either way I am glad I went.

Never heard so many weird brake noises before though, or seen Gazza execute so many high speed dismounts every time he approached the next downhill rock garden.

zen and the art of brake free riding
(so much grit, grime, mud, water and trees to slow you down)

thanks all for a great day out
weather was crappy
but we were all happy to be out

Other than the water, it was great riding withyall, had a smashin time. Thanks for waitn up for me, sorry to hold you boys back. Anywayz had a grin from ear to ear, until I got home, cleaning the bike noticed Ive got a nice crack in the carbon seat stay.......................poo!!! Off to Mortdale tomorrow, see if I can't get it replaced by next Sat.

I dont want to put it out there, but next Sunday may be somewhat of a repeat of yesterday. AS PS says at least we will be faster, having done it once in the rain.

I stripped my bike today and the damage is definitely reminiscent of last year's Capital Punishment.

- Bottom Bracket full of grit - new one required.
- Chain so full of grit it won't even bend.
- Cassette looks crap - will try new chain and hopefully it meshes and I won't need a new cassette (XX are pricey!)
- Removed pads to find rear had worn through pad and backing plate till they were paper thin. Unfortunately front had worn through backing plate and pistons were working against rotor so they are cactus - the brakes were on loan as mine are back at FRM in Italy getting some work done. Doh! I realised the brakes I borrowed had resin pads - who the f%$k uses resin pads????? No wonder they went s#@t so early in the ride. Any way, I went to 4 bike shops today looking for metal pads before I found some. Here's another reason bike shops lose business to the internet!! They all seemed to stock plenty of resin pads but not metal. Why wouldn't they stock half of each? And why do they try to convince me I need resin? Hey bike shops, ask all the elite riders in the enduro races which pads they use. There's a f*&^%n reason none of the experienced riders use resin!!! (OK I'm angry because it has taken a whole day of running around to fix my bike).
- Headset bearings feel like they have grit also but I'm scared of removing it as I have stripped the titanium bolt every single time I've tightened it. I love the weight saving from running titanium bolts throughout but I seem to destroy them every time I tighten them.
- Both rotors are cactus and need replacement
- grit got under the seal in one leg of my forks so now I have some cool looking scuffing/scratching on the inner meaning I'll no doubt get some leakage and need new forks. I gave them a quick service and hopefully they last till August when the 2012 Fox Terralogics are due into the country.
- One of my grips failed

So yesterday's 50km ride has possibly cost $70/km. Regrets ... Nope!

Gonna do it tonight, although I don't think I will be riding at this stage, my right wrist is bruised black and blue, can't even grip the steering wheel on my car properly.

Bummer about the bike, Let me know how you go getting a new rear triangle (those Yeti's are one piece aren't they).