Hi! My name is Winco. Just bought first MTB. GT Av1.0. Nice 'n shiny! Needs to get dirty. Have been riding and practising on-road but would now like to get stuck into some offroad riding. Need someone to go riding with to show me the ropes/where to go on Manly Dam, Terry Hills, etc. Anybody interested or can I join up with anyone going riding this weekend locally.

Thanks - Winco

So on the same day I sold my reign X1 and picked up this bad boy. First impressions are that its amazing. It pedals sooo well with the DHX 5. On that note though, the first thing to strike me is how high the gearing is. Even though its a Dh bike, I'd really like to have a granny gear just for pottering about in at the bottom of runs. Its also reasonably heavy. The Fox 40s are HUGE! and all in al it just soaks up everything. Can't wait to get it on the trails although that won't be for a while because Im away for two weeks army.

Enjoy.

Just noticed this interesting little story.
http://news.smh.com.au/national/mountain-biking-...

The BMC Mountains To Beach Stage Race (add this to your calendar...)

The BMC Mountains To Beach - 6 days of awesome mountain bike stage racing from the roof of Australia to the surf

Imagine a week of mountain biking, a week of racing, that will take you from the highest mountains in Australia, across snowgum lined plains, down along rainforest lined creeks and out to finish with your wheels in the sand and surf. Snaking singletrack, ‘wind through the helmet’ downhills, challenging uphills and some of the most varied scenery you could want.