A flying visit
I didn't compete in the event this year, but somehow couldn't stay away... Gazza talked me into scumming out from Hornsby (107km return) to check out the race - initially wasn't keen but the few minutes there made it worthwhile. The scum wasn't all that bad either - but given the amount of flood debris on the road it was clear things at Del Rio were not going to be pretty.
Already planning an encore
Wow! What can you say about this trip... this place... that can do it justice? I guess you really can't so this will probably seem a bit short:
It seems like an age ago that a very brave Supagav posted up this trip and left it open to all. Amazingly brave but it worked out beautifully, and many thanks to him and V and the folks over in NZ for taking care of so much of the organisation.
This was a bit of a strange experience for me to be honest. Usually taking care of every detail of a trip, but this time was able to just turn the brain off and wonder around, eating when food was shoved under my nose, getting in the van when everyone else did, sleeping when tired, pedalling when there was a hill to climb and grinning like an idiot when there were sweet, flowing berms to follow. It was all a blur, but that just about sums it up!
Skinny tyres go on the 819s
Today I changed the tyres on the Yeti.
Brand new Monorail (2.1) on the front, brand new Larsen TT (2.0) on the back. Both LUST Kevlar bead. Let's call this it's 'XC trim'... for the upcoming trip. Probably only drop 300g weight compared to the 2.35 Minion/Highroller but these should roll a lot easier and they have the LUST side walls which feel a lot tougher.
Will hopefully have a quick test ride tomorrow to check the Monorail feels as good as others claim they do.
