SURFCOAST 6hr Mtb FESTIVAL Wrap up

Sometimes not even the power of the No. 1 plate can help!

Which I did earn from taking out the Inaugural event last year,

Yesterdays race was not to be my day, In a nutshell I had one goal for this race & that was to defend my No. 1 plate!

Off the gun I went out with the lead bunch feeling pretty good until the cloud lifted raising the temperature from the already pretty warm high 20s, to bloody hot mid 30s, about an hour & a half in the pace was pretty quick & with my average heart rate hovering around 5 beats off my max for that period of time in that sort of heat would rarely end well,

Causing some major overheating, even though I was keeping well hydrated, the effort I put in to stay with the leaders basically cooked me like a well done chook, even when I backed the pace off, my heart rate would not come done, this is definite cause for concern, apart from feeling like "total ass",(to use a quote from a film I'm sure most of you have seen, "24 Solo", If you haven't I highly recommend you do).

Therefore I had no other option than to abort mission! Thankfully I made it back to the Kaos tent for some shade, cold water sponge & a lie down, half an hour later, my core temperate had come down & with the sun lowering so was the air temp.

Just to add a bit of colour!

So I thought I'd head out for another lap to see how I felt, forgetting about the race & just cruised around enjoying the course still not feeling great, then by 8pm with 2hrs to go & the temp pretty nice I stated to feel a bit better & managed to cut a few decent laps to save a bit of face, coming back from stone motherless last,

To 6th place & managed to get a day & night lap on the top 20 overall fastest lap board.

Well done to Scotty Chancellor (Orbea) for putting me in the total hot/hurt box & taking out the win!

The Koas flag flew nice & high dispite my miss fortune,

With Jac picking up 3rd in the Womens Solo in her very first Mtb event "Excellent job",

Shane, Ben & Dave taking out the Male 3s, "Nice work boys."

Kaos Lees just getting pipped for a podium, placing 4th in the hotly contested Male pairs, well done to Grover & Sean for taking it out.

A special thanks goes out to Martin who took care of Jac & My Nutritional Needs especially helping me to cool down when I came in almost dead.

As always a Huge thanks to my Sponsors/Supporters who's links you will find on the side of this post especially to Andy from Kaos for the great race prep on the bike
& of course the Night Lightning Blast II performed nothing short of brilliantly, turning Night into day allowing me to be the only solo rider on the top 20 Fastest night lap board.

Finally a big Congratulations goes out to Mick & the Crew from Southern Exposure for putting on a Stella event with a super good vibe, great track, a swag of awesome prizes & managed to grow it 4 fold from last year, reaching the capped limit of 400 riders, well done guys.

Live to Ride, Ride to Live,

Troy

Spinning Surly Steamroller Styles & BMC's 4sale

In previous posts I have mentioned what a great range of products dirtworks distributes

The Surly Steamroller Single Speed is certainly on that list of great product, just so happens that it is the newest addition to my quiver.

I've had an absolute ball the last couple of weeks spinning my heart out chasing bunches up & down the beach,

With this weekend being no exception, yesterday dubiously doing the hell ride, one of the fastest bunches getting around, to my pleasant surprise managed to stay with the bunch till the end, getting 100ks in just 2hrs & my average heart rate just 18 beats of my max.

Today not being any different heading out to Glenvale Crits whilst avoiding Around the bay like the plague, getting a solid 1hr effort in just 12 beats of my max on average for the hour, all at about 120 rpm...........Ouch

Great form chasing training for next weeks Surfcoast 6hr.

Whilst I've been spinning away on the steamroller, my trusty BMC Roadracer has gone up
"FOR SALE"
as the word on the street is my new 09 BMC bikes are due very soon!

The bike is pretty much as in the picture less the wheels, it has

- Mavic race equipe wheels,
- Durace components,
- Carbon bars & seatpost
- Has a brand new bottom bracket
- It's a 53cm 2008 BMC Roadracer, Superlight alloy frame with carbon rear triangle & forks.

Sure it's done a few ks, however it is less than 1hr old, in great condition, very well maintained & absolute Steel at $2600.00

So pop into see Andy at Kaos Custom Bikes & take it for a spin & while your there check out the Brand new 09 BMC's as he has a couple of demos in store.

A sneak peak at BMC 09 Racemaster
& Fourstoke 02.


Keep an eye out as my race bikes will soon be up for grabs too, being a Current model BMC Trailfox 01 & Fourstroke 04, both well specked & maintained for around $2500-$3000.
If interested drop me a comment.


Live to Ride, Ride to Live,

Troy

SURFCOAST 6hr Mtb FESTIVAL

Yes folks it's on again, just a little over a week away,

so be sure to get your entries in to avoid missing out on all the fun on & off the bike!

Click on the header above for all the entry & weekend details.

See you all there,

Live to Ride, Ride to Live,

Troy

Scott 24hr Aus.champs. Race report.

Jacs new Outback packed, bikes lock & loaded, Thursday eave we headed North for Australia's capital city, what a smooth comfy drive at that, certainly made the 7 hrs a whole lot more bearable that's for sure.
The Kaos, BMC, Nightlighting camp set & head out for a practice lap on Friday with James Williamson, Sean Lewis & Matt Flemming,

Very happy that I did as it became evident there was a distinct lack of grip out on course due to the extremely dry, firm base with a light dusting of loose sandy shale over the top, not to mention rocks & heaps of them.

With the knowledge of the course conditions I decided to go for the more aggressive tread, softer compound Nobby Nic tire on the front of both bikes, especially with the amount of sharp rocks out on course therefore allowing me to run a slightly higher pressure yet still have plenty of grip & more importantly allowing me to hook into the loose corners with the confidence instead of concerns of the front end washing out.

The congregation for riders briefing gives you a good idea of the size of this event.

As does this shot, the sea of bikes awaiting their captains 90 seconds before the gun went off.

From the gun, It would appear fireman Sam Bach has been neglecting his duties as the Total Rush boy was certainly in one hell of a rush & on fire to boot, with his team mate Mark Fenner not mucking about either.
The Giant Nightlightning boys of Johnny Claxton & Geoff Williams were in hot pursuit going lap for lap.

Whilst not surprised by the early pace up front, Joel & I had decided to run double laps from the start due to heat of the day, giving us approx 90mins on & 90mins off at a slightly more realistic pace, allowing us to cool down & eat some real food, instead of 40 0n 40 off in the red zone giving chase.

It's a long race & given the distinct lack of training both of us had done since the worlds, not to mention myself carrying a couple of injuries that I was not 100% over, going out hard was not an option if we were to avoid ending up looking like this truck.

With all this said we punched out some consistent pretty quick lap times, 6 laps in, only4 minutes off the Giant Nightlightning boys, then all our good work & strategy went out the window, with me puncturing & the hole being to big for the stans liquid to seal.............."cop a loss, i'll just throw a tube in & be on my way", simple right?

Only to be stranded track side for half an hour attempting to get the tubeless valve out of my wheel........thanks to the two dirtworks guys who stopped to help "who's names escape me", between the three of us we managed to get the nut off, leaving us all with sore thumbs.

With this loss of time it put us back into 4th, 20 mins in arrears of the local team Queenbean in 3rd & about 35mins off the Giant boys in 2nd with the Total Rush boys another 10mins up the road.

So with some time to make up, night falling along with the mercury, it was time to throw some hot single laps in, with a couple each under the belt we had pulled back to within 4 mins of 3rd,
now it was time go back to doubles, consolidate & ride strong through the night, by day break we were back into third by about half an hour.

From there it was all about enjoying the mornings worth of riding, holding it together & keeping the pressure on in case of a mistake up front.

The dawn lap, brings a smile to my dial.

Joel bringing it home TT styles.

Jason "the man" English, his wife Jen & a bunch of TV cameras in his face!
after taking the win in Solo!

The aim was to get up on the box & up on the box we are!
Big ups to the Total Rush & Giant Nightlightning boys!

A special thanks goes out to my team mate "Joel Donney", who didn't put a peddle wrong for the full 24, The boys at "Bike Shed", for keeping my bikes tuned to perfection the whole race, who had a workshop set up as good as any shop,
Nightlightning Lights for making my night laps that much easier, BMC for my great bikes, was especially loving the Trailfox at night, with 125mm of rear travel & 140mm up front, soaking up all the rough stuff, making it pure bliss on a course becoming rougher & a fatiguing body, with basically no sacrifice to lap times, Schwalbe tires, for giving me all the traction I needed, Oz rider grips, I plain swear by them for comfort, feel & durability.

Lastly but so very far from least Jac, Mum, Dad & Rach for taking care of all our needs in the pits.
Especially Jac for driving all the way home on Sunday afternoon/eave while I could barely keep my eyes open & slept half the way I'm sure.

Live to ride, Ride to live,

Troy

BMC podiums again

Well the Scott 2008 Australian 24hrs Championships have been won & run,

With Joel & I picking up 3rd in the hotly contested pairs category behind the Specialized Total Rush & Giant boys respectively & Jason taking the win in Solo with Bellie picking up 2nd.

Full report to follow Soooon!

Live to ride, Ride to live,

Troy

Scott 24hr

Joel Donney(U25 Solo 24hr World champ 07) & I,

Ready to fly the BMC flag again on the weekend at the Scott 24hr, We'll be teaming up to race in the Marathon Pairs, that being said we'll do the equivalent of 5 marathons each in one 24hr period,
All whilst dualling it out with some big hitters stepping up to the plate in the category this year,
What else would you expect when it's the biggest race of it's kind, participant wise in the World.

Lucky I'll have Night Lightning on my head, turning the night into day!
BMC Fourstroke & Trailfox to take all the hits for me, Schwalbe tires to keep me hooking in.

A very special thanks to Leisl at Pulse & Dom at First place Osteopathy for getting my body ready, It's amazing how much the body can respond in just one week with the right treatment.

We'll have the Kaos tent up in the Solo area supporting fellow BMC (Front cover of Enduro mag) rider, Jason English, so drop by & say hi!

Hope to see you there!

If not drop by early next week to see how we fared!

Live to Ride, Ride to Live,

Troy

P.S Grab yourself a copy of the latest Enduro mag, there is a great interview of Jas in there and you might even see a Pic or two of Mwa as well.

Whilst you are at the news agency be sure to grab a copy of Freewheel as well, there is a fantastic article about my Buddies Ash & Jason where you'll hear just what their Epix are all about.

TRIBUTE

To follow on from the Highs & Lows of my previous post, the one other major reason i started this blog was to be able to thank & pay Tribute to those who so generously support me in my racing endeavors.
I think it more than fitting to start with the man behind KaosCustomBikes, "Andy", A man who prides himself on building a quality bike to suite, you the customer with all your personal needs & If you don't know exactly what you want he certainly has some great ideas to get you on the perfect ride.
On a personal note, meticulously builds & maintains all my race & training bikes to keep then performing & looking their best, You're a champ, Thanks heaps mate!

It was Andy who recommended & Introduced me to the great guys at Dirtworks, who are the distributors of BMC & a swag of other great products, Consequently have proved to be a really great bunch & a very generous sponsor indeed, It's been a big year of racing & look forward to another cracker, you guys rock!

Not only do they Sponsor a bunch of riders on a range of products, these guys are so into the whole culture that is bikes! that they put on & Sponsor a bunch of Mtb events also.

Such as the BMC 100, DIRTWORKS 1oo and now the Inaugural BMC MTB (Mountains to Beach) a 7 day stage race from Thredbo to the Beach, March 1 - 7, sure to be an absolute Beaut!


Through a Dirtworks association Lazer helmets & BBB Sports glasses have also come on board, check their sites out for a great range of helmets & BBB have a whole lot more than just glasses,

Which by the way are nothing short of fantastic glasses, with their super tech transitional lenses making them perfect for riding at night & just as good riding on the sunniest of days, not sure how this is possible, however I can say they work! Another feature is they are very light, yet very robust at the same time,
Last but not least so comfortable & easy to look through in any light condition, you have to keep checking they're still on your head, with the rubber nose piece, that's pretty much guaranteed.

The Lazer helmet has proved to be very comfortable & If they're good enough for Geoff Kabush!
Then nothing more needs to be said, so check em out!




Following the generous support Night Lightning provided for the Worlds,
I very pleased to announce that Night Lightning will continue their support for this coming season of racing.

They are without a dought one of the Brightest, lightest & most reliable lights available on the market today, I can certainly recommend with complete confidence,
As I ran the New Digital I Blast on my helmet only, in some of the wettest & muddiest conditions I have ever encounted, Running just the head light created plenty of light & allowed me to swap bikes each lap without having any lighting concerns & were completely reliable all night long.

Click on the logo above to check them out.




SCHWALBE have a great range of tires, I run the Racing Ralphs, Tubeless construction in all dry condition racing & riding, basically the Ralphs have everything you want from a cross country tire, fast rolling, heaps of grip, light weight & tough as nails,
When the mud gets too deep for Ralph, I switch to the Nobby Nics & the track might as well be dry & If that does happen, the Nobby Nic is surprisingly still a very fast rolling tire.

For the road you just can't go past the Ultremo, fast, smooth & did 8000km on a back tire in the depths of winter without a flat, some would say I got lucky, this could be true, I tend to think it just might have something to do with the great construction of this tire.




OZRIDERS grips & Chain Stay protectors,
Let me start with the grips! there are two main advantages Ozriders have over their competitors, Comfort & durability, they are definitely as comfy as anything I have I found in the past & I just can not wear them out! Unlike it's rubber based competitors that I used to wear through on a far to regular occurrence, The foam base Ozriders just keep on keeping on.

As far as the chain stay protectors go, any proud OZI just has to have one!




SPORTRECOVERY, The name pretty much says it all, apart from the benefits of these great Nutritional product on offer for all you ON as well as OFF the bike needs, check out this site for some great advice & products alike.



Whilst all the above mentioned people/companies have great products which play an important part in doing what I do.


However the next two i will pay tribute to, play an integral roll of keeping my body going through all the stresses, strains & injuries I encounter, plain & simple I couldn't do what I do without them.
FIRST PLACE OSTEOPATHY

PULSE for health & rehabilitation


For a coach who can really get the best out of every Individual & can really get you to your peak performance for any chosen event, look no further than David McKenzie at ECHELON 1,
He doesn't know much about Mtb, but he'll sure get your engine running!


If you have any Building or Renovation need, Large or small, drop me a line at stonningtonren@optusnet.com.au



Last & so very far from least,

My pit crew of Simon & Jac, who gave up their valuable time in their busy lives to support me in Canada, with Jac taking care of all my food & Nutritional needs & Simon taking care of the bikes & progress race results, quite simply couldn't have done it without you guys, with a special thanks also to Joel's Mechanic mate, Shane for keeping both the bikes running for the full 24hrs.

Not forgetting Martin from the Kaos crew, was my chief pit B....ch for the first few enduros last season & the rest of the Kaos crew for your support through Kona 24 last year & all your well wishes throughout the year.


Thanks again to all concerned
& Mum & Dad of course.

Be sure to remember,

Live to Ride, Ride to Live,

Troy

PS. Thanks to Dom at First place Osteopathy I am back in alignment & my rump is healing well,
So I'm looking forward to heading to Canberra for next weekends Scott 24hr.

HIGHS & LOWS

Right from my very first post back in May, announcing my Intention to take on the World at the World Solo 24hrs Championships in Canada,
Within that post i promised to share the highs & lows of my training & racing.

HIGHS
As most of you would be well aware, I became a world champ a couple of months ago, Doesn't get much Higher!

LOWS
Coming down from such an achievement, with such a massive focus & build up!
With hope of using the form gained to do well at home turf Enduros, only to return with a cracked scaphoide in my left wrist...Boo!!! #1
With it on the mend after 5 weeks, crashing in my first race back, re-injuring it...Boo!!! #2

So forced off the Mtb for another 4 weeks, a low in it self, maintaining my fitness on the road was the call,
Following clearance from my Doc. I headed out on the Mtb last Sunday to test the wrist, getting through a solid 3hr ride without a drama... Yippie!!!!

As a result the decision was made to enter the Scott 24hr in Canberra, with fellow BMC 24hr Champ, Joel Donney as a pair, which is less than 2 weeks away,

For those of you not in the know the Scott is the biggest 24hr race in the world, Participant wise, with some 4000 entrants this year, the Woodstock of Cycling.

Only to head out on a training ride last night, to get my front wheel chopped at 40-45km/hr causing me to hit the Tar mack fair on my bum!....Boo #3, Resulting with rotating ice packs to my rump for the rest of the night and today.

As the first 24hrs are critical with injuries of this sort, ice and rest are in order to get the swelling down so I can see my Awesome Osteo at First place Osteopathy tomorrow to check my alignment.

Will keep you posted!

Live to Ride, Ride to Live,

Troy