Cyclists are notoriously underwhelmed about their current level of fitness. This surprises me, especially given how much easier I find it to climb stairs, or double time it on foot, compared to many non-athletic mates. Still, if you keep your ears open at any bike event before the gun goes off, the number of people whinging about their lack of pre-race fitness is remarkable. It seems as though many bikers are only satisfied with their form in retrospect: “I was flying that day.” “I wish I was as quick now as I was this time last year.” “If only I could find my form again.” For me, my favourite thing about the Sydney to Gong ride, is the way it makes so many people, 10,000 in fact, reflect on what they can do with the bodies they have now.Continue reading “Gong Ride”
Category Archives: Events
Western Sydney Club Champs
I had a feeling, coming into this race, that I was going to have some kind of big mechanical. I don’t get that feeling very often, so I decided – employing almost no logic at all – that said mechanical would be a double flat and packed an extra tube.
The race began and nearing the end of the first piece of singletrack (which I was riding particularly badly, turns out those new brakes are quite powerful) I said to Amy Bardsley-Smith, “I’m hoping that by the end of this race, I’ll know my new bike.” About a heart beat later I got to know it very well indeed. The chain had wrapped around the crank arm three times.Continue reading “Western Sydney Club Champs”
Swell Times at the Scott
The Swell Design camp area at the Scott 24 oozes everything I love about these events. Happy people, sweet bikes, snazzy threads, and an overwhelming attitude of “really happy to be here.” Only I’ve never been there, with them, at least not until last weekend.Continue reading “Swell Times at the Scott”
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series – Rd 5
“Wow!” I said slowly, late on Sunday afternoon, mouth full of food. “They are the best McFish burgers I have ever eaten.” I was surprised to hear me say this too. Being vegequarian, I have certainly eaten my fair share of McFishes, so it was a very big statement to make. Perhaps I should step a few hours back in time.
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series – Rd 4
“Stay within your limits on the first couple of laps,” yelled my teammate, Shane “Tails” Taylor, as he tagged me at transition. “It’s a bit slippery out there!” Having lain awake in the tent the night before, listening to the rain outside, slippery was a given. I had visions of mud puddles the size of small dams and legs dripping with water as I applied the point and shoot technique down along the singletracks. I pedaled down the first fire road, nervously anticipating what lay ahead. Two corners into the first singletrack, my wheels slid around the corner and shot me out the other side of it. I smiled. Tails’ advice was spot on. There’s something about the threat of a bad day on the trails that makes a good one even sweeter.Continue reading “SRAM Singletrack Mind Series – Rd 4”
Kath Bicknell 