Now this is a REAL blast from the past! I just found a copy of my old photos website which I put up from 2000 to 2003. Now if you weren’t around on the internet back then, THIS is what it looked like, pretty basic. I remember when I put these photos up on the internet, people were actually impressed there was a photos of them on the internet, ‘isn’t that just for people in the news’ they thought.
There are some pretty embarrassing photos here but what the hell, I’m going to be married in 3 weeks, I don’t have much to loose, enjoy the snapshot into my younger years
I just finished the 2012 Highland fling MTB race and this year I did the half fling which is a 56km tricky and hilly course, I completed it in 2 hrs 50 mins. I liked the above photo that was taken by a professional on the course, the photo gives you a sense of some of the action, click it to load it up in high-resolution.
Here are my stats below which I recorded using the free runkeeper app on my Android phone that was stored in a little Velcro pocket by the handlebars and gave me audio updates on my speed and time through the race. I wanted to get a average speed above 20kph which is really hard on rough terrain and I did it, but it meant i was peddling for about 90% of the total time which made my feet numb for the majority of the race as there wasn’t enough blood getting past my leg muscles.
Have just upgraded the bikes gears from Shimano XT to XTR (professional level) spec which made it stronger and 300g lighter for the race.
Looking at the results from last year, with my 2 hrs 50 mins time I estimate to finish in the top 10% of my veteran (over 30’s) category, official results will be released this week.
It was Sanna’s birthday weekend so I surprised her with something different, a hot air balloon trip over the hunter valley.
It started with getting out of bed at 4:45am before sunrise. They always do flights in the morning when the morning air is more still. We unpacked the balloon and they uses two large and very noisy ‘inflation fans’ to inflate the balloon canopy.
When it was 3/4 full they fired up the burners and it rose up. Everyone’s jumped in and we were off for an hours flight over the vineyards.
We saw lots of vineyard properties and 100’s of kangeroos which are so used to the balloons and so don’t hop away.
We landed with a small bump and the canopy fell around us. Afterwards we were allowed to walk inside the balloon canopy to look around.
Last weekend Sanna re-attended the Wild Horizons Mountain Bike skills clinic (the first time she fell off and hurt herself and had to go home) in Bundeena 2 hours drive south west of Sydney. Its all forests and flat and hilly bits, the location of the best local mountain biking races, the 3 Rings circus and the Highland Fling.
I met a new friend named Michel from Switzerland, he was one of the other women on the Skill Clinc’s husband. We briefly introduced ourselves and then went on a days ride in the forests. Such clean air and lovely pine forests to ride through.
The track we rode on was called ‘The yacht club’, when we got to the halfway point we find out why. Some people had somehow dumped a massive metal old yacht there in the middle of the forest, how they got such a massive heavy think there so far from the sea who knows?
Was really hungry after a good ride so at the Bundeena cafe on the corner the ‘Ye Olde Bicycle Shop & Cafe’ needed a beef burger for lunch and some lovely cheesecake, YUM!
Before Sanna looks all nice in her lovely wedding dress in just 2 months (and 3 days) time, I thought I would share a recent photo of Sanna looking like a dork in a meat factory wearing tights and a skirt in a fluoro jacket
Long time since last update of the all carbon Ibis Mojo SL, had it for 14 months now, it seems to have a few fans with your comments!
Its still going well, been ridden 2-5 times a week so its getting a larger amount of riding that most bikes so will show its wear. Drive train now needs replacing as its 100% worn but that normal for this much riding over 14 months. Not sure to replace just the worn bits with more XT bits or start swapping in some XTR bits and swap to the new 10 speed on the rear.
There was a slight creaking from the forks/headset area but this was fixed up by the shop I bought it from in Sydney’s CBD. Apparently its know for FOX forks to develop creaking sometimes. Was fixed up with some lube and some tightening.
Two weekends in a row its been a lovely sunny Sunday in Sydney. Here is a lovely cafe on Elizabeth Bay Marina where we had a coffee and a catch up with our mate Roland.
My personal site about life, friends & family, living in Australia and a fair bit on cars too :)
