25th May...A busy couple of days...OK, to start with, Steve and I went for a nice quiet road ride on Monday nite, quiet you might ask? Well it started as a ride up Wellington rd with the goal to get to...don't recall...but it soon turned into, "let's take a quick tour down this Fwy to the South kind of ride. The serenity was great, no cars whizzing by trying to measure the thickness of your lycra with their mirrors, the quiet of mtbing but without the sounds of knobby tyres on dirt and having to single-file down the tracks, so a good place to chat and ride the kms away.

So we rode from Wellington rd down the Frankston Fwy, here's the course we took, thanks for the Garmin info Steve! It was kind of surreal riding on a nice smooth wide road and be the only ones there, well except for renta-cop who thought he'd better inform us that the Fwy was not open yet...really? Well if it was, we wouldn't be on it hey!!!

Was a weird feeling not knowing whether you were climbing, on the flat or descending in some sections. It was dark of course, we were well lit up (the TriNewt still kicks arse!) for the unlit end of the fwy, also weird that it was lights on everywhere, isn't that a waste of energy??? I'm sure others have been on this route before, glad I had a chance to at least ride it the once...hmmm, maybe north bound next week...ha ha!

Caught up with James Maebus today, well he came around for some Bezerk fabrication skills and I hassled him for some product! So I'll be roadtesting some of the much acclaimed Ozriders grips from now onwards, maybe the blacks on the Enduro bike and the greys on the flat bar roadie...I've been using the Ritchey grips for ages, so it should be like an improved old friend...thanks James!!! Looking forward to some of the other products he has in the pipeline, more info when I know more!

Mello from Bouwmeester wheels has his website up and running now, exciting new product at a low price. I am hoping to work with him to create a possible mtb wheelset in the not too distant future...stay tuned!

Got the fingers crossed for a dry race on Sunday, forecast looking OK so far...

25th May...Got you entry in for round 2 of the Anaconda Enduro Series? Yes, I'm up for male solo again, eager to perform a bit better this time around for the six hours of lapping a new course at Lysterfield.

My training has stepped up a notch now, I am now doing a weights program devised by LOG, so I've already been through three sessions with the upper body taking a good hammering so to speak. This should be a real benefit as the races get longer, esp with my gradual leadup to the Kona 24hr solo.

Wednesday nite was a cracker with the Lyster tracks almost at their best, think I've said that before but hey, when they're good, they're good! Started out at 4.30 from the servo and went and did some hill repeats up Lyster track to Boy's Farm, a good way to get those legs burning whilst I awaited for Baz and Georgina to show up a bit later on. Finding a good rythym up some of these steeper climbs now, the heartrate seems to just hold off until you're about to crest them and it races once over the top, perfect!

This was Baz's last ride in plaster/fibreglass with it being removed on Thursday (Carter had his removed the week before, yes he's doing OK and back to normal) and Georgina was hoping to get some km's under the belt. We ended up doing two laps with Georgina thankful to see the end of it, not a good nite this time around...oh well, what's this, probably less than 10 mtb rides all up and second nite ride!

I then met up with Chris after doing a clockwise lap up to Hallam rd at 9.00. Chris lived up to his usual standard and we kept each other honest for a hot lap around. Not much to add but I ended up getting back to the servo around 9.50, now that's a Wed nite ride!

Finally finished off a bike build for a friend of Sam and did a nice 2x9 conversion on Chris's bike. The build would have been quicker if I'd had all the parts, a bit of chasing around to get this one sorted out...Craig's SS conversion is also finally complete, has come out pretty light even with its heavier wheels.

The Marta SL brakes are going from strength to strength, they are pulling up even stronger and the levers are currently returning OK with no work done on them. The Durin forks are still smooth as silk and I love using the lockout on the climbs. Did I mention I have another set of the above for sale? Also for sale a pair of Fox F80X forks, 2006 model, silver as used on my cromo SS...$350...also have Enduro seals fitted.

Today was another 5am start, off to Rowville to meet up with Chris and make our way through Churchill. I'm still struggling with the gravel rd climb from Churchill to the top of the CG course, got closer to ploishing it off this time but the heartrate was saying "stop here idiot!"

We decided to go out for a clockwise lap around and this is where it went wrong for Chris...the newish logover after the gravel rd decided that he was not meant to make it over unscathed...unfortunate as he'd normally take the B line but ended up following me over the A line...front wheel wasn't lifted enough and dug straight into the log on the top...so I'm sure you can put things together...now fashioning a fat slpit lip, grazed chin and a sore elbow...DOH!!!!

We continued on at a slightly reduced pace and finished off the rest of the lap without incedent...phew! We parted ways at the top of the CG climb and wished him a safe trip home! At least the new 2x9 setup proved successful...

From here it was off to meet Tone, Russ, Nath and Paul at the servo. Russ was showing off his new investement, a nice and light Yeti 575, also fitted up a pair of Magura Durin forks to it, thanks Russ!, and he was eager to get it out on the track for some fine tuning. Better to do it now rather than wait until race day...yep, Russ, Nath and Tone are signed up for 6hrs of solo action next week, some more company for the weekend, yeah!

We did the usual race then rest style of ride, heartrate goes up, heartrate goes down...we did the counterclockwise 20km loop and met up with Baz briefly on the way. Baz's wrist is giving him hell now, so if you know anybody that wants to take his place next weekend in mixed pairs category, drop me a message...

Also bumped into Steve and William on the way around, Steve just getting back into it after another bout of flu...so to cut a long story short, we ended up doing around 40km from the servo.

I rode home from there and ended up getting home around 12.15pm, cool, 7+ hrs out on the bike, over 1,600m of climbing, the sun shining, what more could you ask for.

The weights seem to be working already, arms were less tired and neck only started aching in the last hour, awesome! Might go for a road ride tomorrow for a recovery ride...

19th May...The days seem to be whizzin' by lately...the Marta SLs have proven themselves a pretty nice piece of equipment, any noise that they made early on has disappeared and they had a massive dose of the wet stuff yesterday...they do squeal some in the rain but they do work, the usual slight hesitation as the water is removed from the rotor and then a nice grabby assurance that something is going to slow you down! A bit concerned with the levers though, they are hesitating to fully retract, might see if I can "tune" them a tad with a return spring...

Wednesday nite was a quick visit to the Knobbysports Dirt Crits to catch up with some friends and check out the fun of trying to keep track of riders in the darkness, nice work guys! Sam turned up as well and we then took off to meet Baz, Steve and Chris at the servo for some Lyster action. Baz wasn't having a good night...from trying to knock some trees over to the trees fighting back by shoving a dirty big branch into the back wheel...

Who's Chris you might ask? A blast from the past that contacted me after seeing my name in the Chase the Sun results...I don't even recall our last ride together...maybe ten years ago...strong rider then, not much changed now! He now lives a stones throw from Churchill and has bought himself a new trail weapon to replace his long suffering Cannondale, a blinged out Scott Spark, nice!

So to Sunday where Chris convinced me that 5.30am was a great time to start pedalling through Churchill to Lysterfield...jeez, get up at 4.30 to start riding at 5 to get to Chris's place...wet stuff everywhere...seems I'm riding through a cloud or something...will Chris still be riding?...after a couple of wrong turns locating his place, there comes a headlight coming down the road, can be only him at this time!!! So, big kudos to Chris for being as crazy as myself for braving the conditions, at least it wasn't as cold as Saturday!!!

The tracks through Churchill had withstood the deluge of water quite well, the gravel tracks were soft and slow but still there! I haven't done the gravel climb from Churchill to Lyster for quite a while, last time it was on the geared Epic, so it was a bit of a ball-breaker on the 33/17...let's just say I wasn't "hard" enough to crest it...maybe next week, ha ha.

So onto the CG track and followed by the always fun Hug and Blair Witch trails. It was surprisingly grippy with the sand around making all the tree roots and logs relativley slip free, very nice! The other trails aren't fairing so well, plenty of huge puddles starting to form and alt lines already, this is the time where I like to start avoid riding the trails altogether, otherwise the "singletrack" turns into a multi-lane highway...not cool...

Said thanks and goodbye to Chris and headed off to meet with Baz and the St. Margarets School of keen mtb chicks, rain doesn't seem to worry them, or the mud or the cold!!! Was great to watch them tackle everything with gusto and a smile...even riding some "questionable" machinery, they had a great ride with only once incident...see above, imagine no brakes down a hill...ouch!

Then the express lane to the servo where nobody was waiting...oh well, time ti eat a quick snack and start of again and do a bit of a bike path tour...was awesome seeing all the places that flood when the rain really comes down...including the path being under water in some spots, don't think my booties were meant to keep my feet dry when submerged!!! ha ha ha. Good way to clean off the bike and booties though! Finished off getting home a bit after 11am, so a good amount of saddle time...

The new decals for the Bezerk frames came in during the week, so I hve some color options and some larger headtube logos as well. Also got some seperate stripes to experiment with...maybe some pinstriping via decal application...

13th May...Finally an update! Lots to report, so little time, so here's a quick version, maybe more info later on...

So how did I go in my first race for the year? Well the results show me finishing 17th out of 96 riders, the Garmin saying around 95+ km in 5hrs and around 2,000m of climbing, sweet! If you want to look closer check out the lap times. Tony did awesome for his first solo effort reeling off 8 laps, a big thumbs up from me! Baz and Georgina tag teamed for 8 laps too, this being Georgina's first off-road race, another big thumbs up! And for something a little different, check out Norm Douglas's video of the event...

Sam and I went out for a recovery ride on Monday and kept the pace going strong, Sam the crazy bugger doing half the ride on his backup Niteriders LEDs...I had the chance to try out my new investment, some Magura Durin forks, mmmm, very nice!!!

100mm of sweet travel, 1450g as measured, remote lockout, dual brake arch and they don't look half bad! Here is a review by Competitive Cyclist. I will have these forks in limited stock, please let me know if you're interested in a pair, they come in 80 and 100mm of travel, matt black or gloss white, with or without remote. My pick...gloss white, 100mm and remote...the remote is pretty slim and had way too many options in mounting position, I like my location for it now and love its operation, really feels solid while climbing like the difference between a full sus back end and a hardtail...

I've just mounted up a pair of bling anodized red Marta SL brakes, hoping to get these out on the trail tomorrow. Another saving of some grams and they feel pretty solid. The lever blades are a little squarish to touch, not as refined as Avid's or Shimano's, but some kms will tell all...here's another review if you're bored!

Will most likely make a showing at the Knobbysports Crits on Wednesday nite, so if you want to check out the forks etc, come and have a play! Otherwise the Sunday morning Lysterfield ride from the Servo at 8am should" be a goer.

8th May...A while since the last post...well my notebook and some uninvited visitors that had a party and left a huge mess behind...so the notebook had a laydown for a while and I've had to give it a freshen up ie re-load time!!!

Fortunately Baz came through and extracted the vital data (remember, backup, backup, backup!!!) so I'm up and running again without too many probs, phew!

So how did Sam go at the GMBC 6hr? Well, the results show him finishing 6th around 18mins behind Mr Bell, you'd be stoked with that for sure...Sam was wrapped either way, consistent lap times and felt great on the day and was enjoying the tech downhills on the course. With four of the races from the series under the belt, Sam is looking forward to a closer event at Upper Beac.

While Sam was nipping at Andrew's heels, the rest of us were doing some kms at Lysterfield. I started by riding to Upwey and dropping into Lysterfield from far North and making my way across to the Servo for the 8am meeting time.

Majority of the usual suspects were there for some fun in the dirt with most of us keen to testdrive the proposed circuit for Sunday's race. With much fun had on the way to the usual race start point, we then ventured out on a lap. If you did race 3 last year you'll already know the course, it's just going the opposite way making some of the climbs long and steady rather than shorter pinch climbs.

I've decided to stick with the 33/17 combo for the day, there's not heaps of flat land pedalling so having a climbing gear seems a smarter option this time around. With entries for the big day skyrocketing compared to the first event last year, it should be at least 84 solo men turning up to thrash around for five hours...rain has been falling, track is getting wetter...

Monday had Baz, Georgina and I going for another "race" lap, a) for Georgina to site a lap (still not confirmed apparently!) and b) for me for a recovery ride from Sunday's 5hrs of saddle time. The track on Monday nite was awesome, you know the one, it's rained a bit before the weekend, many riders over the weekend have emptied the puddles and smoothed out the harsher edges and has left a wonderful grippy smooth flowing surface, jeez it was quick!

Wednesday was a cracker turnout with Pinnacle riders again making a big showing with Sam, Rach, Steve and I filling out the numbers. Damo led out the ride with the usual trail of lights following along. Sam managed his first flat tire since he started mountain biking again with a spoke breaking and going straight through the tubeless rim tape, Stan's wasn't going to fix this one! A tube and a CO2 and we were off again.

So some A and B lines later and the loss of a few riders along the way becuase of failing batteries or other places to be, we express laned back to the servo, a fun ride had by all.

The 29er has now sold! The race frame is still for sale...

2nd May...Frame update...in conjunction with my supplier we have re-designed the already cool looking eccentric bottom bracket housing to not only integrate the pinch bolt housing, but also integrate the socket for the carbon chainstays, very smooth looking while also taking out some weight, pic below

Sam is off to the You Yangs on Sunday for another six hours of punishment in the GMBC Crazy Six, so cheer him on!

So after some interest in some parts, the Race Beast has been stripped down for part sales...gone so far - Salsa carbon bars, XTR brakes, Thomson post, WCS carbon stem...for sale if interested, American Classic singlespeed wheels and the frame. The KHS small framed 29er still up for grabs.

Hopefully see you out at Lyster on Sunday morning, should be doing some laps around the proposed CTS1 route to test out the gearing for next weeks race...

1st May...First of the month and finally a ride under the tires again. Tuesday was another gruelling session on the windtrainer at night with the temp around 6 degrees and the fan going strong...and still sweating!

Wednesday night I took off from Bezerk HQ at around 5.30 and did of a bike path loop as a long detour to Steve's place. Certainly a bugger on the asphalt with 33/17 gearing, feels like you can get no speed going...

Anyhow, picked up Steve who was sporting his new TriNewt and was keen to put it through its paces. We collected Sam, Rach and Baz from the servo and got stuck into a nicely wet down Lyster track, nice and grippy with just a few puddles.

It was nice and cold and I was loving my new purchase of some SealSkinz gloves, nice and warm without making your sweat bags around your fingers, cool grippers to make water bottle grabbing a breeze and ready for a dose of water which this time around didn't happen!

We set a nice pace going clockwise and ended up going up the Com Games with Steve in fine form leading the way...I managed to stuff up one of the corners and ram my knee into the stem, DOH! Sam, Rach and Baz peeled off at the top of the climb leaving Steve and I for a cruise through Churchill. Great ride all round!

My modified TriNewt is still sitting pretty, hasn't moved a mm since I remounted it to the bars and sits nicely in front of the stem, whooha!

For those wondering, Carter is going OK, still in plaster and complaining, but x-rays show he's still on track.

For those after some inspiration, I highly recommend the DVD 24Solo, I might be a bit behind the others who may have seen it ages ago, but it was great to watch Chris Eatough and Craig Gordon battle out the 2006 Solo World Championships, bloody good movie...thanks Sam!!!

Yep, bike is still for sale...the 29er is too, $950 and it's yours!