All posts by Scott

Sweat and Sand CX Round 2

Cyclocross racing in Perth made a successful debut at Claremont Showgrounds on December 3rd. Organised by members of the Perth Mountain Bike Club, the series will run for 3 Rounds with 4 grades of racing (A, B and C and Women).

Round 2 of the Sweat and Sand Cyclocross series will be held at Midvale Speeddome this Saturday the 14th with racing starting from 5pm.

Much like the course at Claremont, the Speeddome course will be able to be ridden on any form of bike, as long as it has brakes. Racing will be open to those with MTBA or CA licenses, an MTBA Day license can be purchased for $20.

The courses are really spectator friendly, so if you don’t think you will ride come a long for some fun and bring your cow bell!

Round 3 of the series will be will be at Bardon Park in Maylands on March 10th. The Bardon Park round will double as the WA Cyclocross Championships.

Follow PMBC on Twitter (@perthmtb) or Facebook for regular updates including a course preview video. If that’s not enough to get you to the cyclocross series then just rembember that cyclcross is another great excuse to buy another bike!

A course preview can be found below

Get along and support CX racing in WA.

Sweat and Sand Series – update

As mentioned in a previous post this kicks off on Saturday afternoon from 1600 at Claremont Showgrounds.

Here are a few updates

  • A, B, C and Womens Grades Racing from 4pm
  • Open to both CA and MTBA Licience holders
  • You can ride any bike as long as it has brakes
  • If you don’t believe the course can be ridden on road bikes watch the video

Just remember getting into cyclocross is a legitimate opportunity to apply the N+1 rule and get a new bike.  ”Cross bikes are great for commuting or riding in winter with full mud guards.”

Hope to see some of you there and don’t forget if we get more then 10 SPR riders along the PMBC club president will donate some extra coin to the Movember kitty.

Sand and Sweat Cyclocross Series – Round 1

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The Sand and Sweat Cyclocross series is on.

PMBC are having their first race on the 3rd of December at Claremont Showgrounds, starting at 4pm.

They are hoping to run A, B and C grades, and a Women’s grade too.

A Grade – 45 minutes + 3 laps
B Grade and Women – 30 Minutes + 2 laps
C Grade – 25 Minutes + 1 lap

If you’re not sure what Cyclocross is, a good description is a bike race mixed with steeplechase. In cyclocross, riders race laps around a short course that usually features some pavement, some dirt, some woods, some steep hills and for good measure, some obstacles thrown in that require riders to dismount, work their way through and then get back on and ride some more.

Still not sure? Check out the video below from one of the recent races in Melbourne held by Dirty Deeds.

In a sense, you might think of it as a different type of dirt crit.

Online entries to open soon, entires will be the low, low price of just $10. Racing will be open to those with MTBA or CA licenses, an MTBA Day license can be purchased for $20.

Get along and support this great event. The greater support it gets the better the chance you will see more races like this.

 

Dwellingup 100 – 2011

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As some of you will know the Dwellingup 100 is on again in just over a week. This is WA’s Premier 100km MTB race, attracting some big name locals and east coasters as well as all the local hack’s who make these events what they are.

In traditional style I will be hitting it up again this year, to keep my 100% attendance going (even after swearing the 1st year I would never do it again). I know there are a number of other SPR members heading down. Please let yourselves be known and I can see whether it is viable to get the tents setup and have an SPR camp for us to base ourselves out of. If you are interested in racing, don’t dilly dally get your entry in before the cut off next week (Wed 14th). Don’t think your up for the full 100km, why not try the 40km.

If your not racing try and get yourself down for the day. There are numerous spectator points and this year the locals will have markets and a number of other things going on around the event village. To finish off the day there will also be an old fashioned ‘Bush Dance’ after party with some celebratory ‘lemonades’.

"Show your support"

PMBC Social Ride – Saturday 3 September

PMBC invite members and non-members to come out for a social ride at the Camel Farm. This is a good chance to meet other mountain bikers, ask any questions you might have about the club, MTB racing or being an active member of the MTB community, and have a blast with like minded people.

We’ll split into 3 groups as usual, with each group riding a different loop so that we are all back within 2 1/2 hours.

Those riders training for the Dwellingup 100 could do another loop afterwards with similar paced riders if they wished.

To register your interest email:  info@perthmtb.asn.au

Keep up to date on the PMBC forums.

 

 

 

 

MTB Social ride – this Saturday

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Once again PMBC will be running a social ride this Saturday (18th June) leaving from the Camel Farm at 9am. They’ll have a couple of different groups going out over a range of distances, and there will be something suitable for everyone. Each group will have 2 ride leaders to show you the trails and make sure everyone sticks together.

This is a good opportunity for the closet MTBers (Lisa, I’m calling you) to get out and have a ride in a nice relaxed group. It’s also the perfect  alternative if your a bit delicate about your road bike getting wet in this weather.

Please remember to bring something to eat, something to drink, all the relevant spares and a good attitude.

If you came on the last social ride and are not a member of the club, please bring $5 for a participation day license. However, if it’s your first time, the club will cover this cost. Juniors (U15) should bring a parent or guardian to introduce themselves to the ride leaders and provide contact information.

Please email Greg at PMBC with any questions you might have about this ride. info@perthmtb.asn.au

So don’t be a stranger, I’ll be out there as a group leader, hope to see some of you along for the ride.

Single Track Minds Enduro Series

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Thats right guys MTB season is here & this sunday will be the 1st round of the Single Track Minds Enduro series. This is the 2nd year for this event and there was a huge turnout last year, especially from the SPR crew. Lets see if we can do it again and get outselves on the podium.

The race will be held at Jorgensen Park, Kalamunda (the old golf course). This is a great beginners course, nice and easy but still with a few options to keep the regulars on their toes. Racing is from 1000 – 1400, but the tent will be going up about 0800 or soon after. Entries close this Wednesday so get yourselves a move on and enter as a solo or team. If you don’t think your up for the racing side of things come along and support the riders who are. Drop a comment below if you think you’ll be there and we can organise drinks etc.

MTB Season Kick Off

Just a quick reminder that racing for real cyclists 🙂 starts this week with the Dirt Crits commencing on Tuesday and the 1st round of the XC season this Sunday.

Previous blog for the Crits can be found here. Don’t forget you will need your lights for this, discussion on lights is here, but in my opinion you can’t go past a decent set of Ayups. If a group of you get together and order at the same time and you speak to Ayup nicely they might give you a discount. They look after PMBC well and support our annual Dusk til Dawn 12hr Enduro.

Those wanting to get in on the action of the XC series can find all the details for the 1st round here. Just quickly it will be held down at Langford Park Jarrahdale, so if your not part of the final SPR/RCCC crits race, get yourselves down and have a race or support those who are. This is a nice easy trail to start the season off with.

If you are heading down drop a mention in the comments and i’ll know which tent etc to bring and how much room we need to setup.

Dirt Crits are back

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Welcome back to the Garvey Park Dirt Crit Series, Hosted by PMBC.

Due to popular demand they are on again, if you missed the last series here is your second chance. First race kicks off Tuesday evening 22nd March, 6:30pm registration opens for a 7pm start. The format will be very similar to the last series but there has been some extra trail cut in to mix it up a bit. You will need an MTBA licence to race otherwise day licences are available on the night. Don’t forget to bring your lights as it will be getting dark as the race progresses.

And for those that need an incentive to come down, even just to watch, Gregor should be in his Ashlee Simpson muscle top with cut off jeans & Nigel promised to race in his DJ Lance outfit. Come join in the fun or race in your own novelty outfit.

Details from the last series can be found here to give you an idea of what to expect.

 

 

12hr aftermath

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Well now that we have all recovered from the lack of sleep and intimate relations with trees and the ground, it’s time to share the fun with everyone who missed out.

Saturday saw a stalwart group of individuals band together to conquer the almost 17km, Jarrahdale 12hr enduro course… in the dark. Given how difficult some people find riding in the day, someone thought lets just up it a notch and do it at night.

The SPR conglomerate consisted of 2 duo teams: Chocolat Canards – Nigel & Grant and Frog Stompers – Andrew & Gregor and a trio: Night Sliders – Jeremy, Ashlee & myself. As the teams started to arrive the campsite took shape and became the biggest ‘taj ma hoochie’ onsite although not the most extravocant. That was taken by the Airport team whom had a 42″plasma, 5.1 surround and the xmas light kitchen with a close 2nd going to the Cape crew with there projector setup to distract you while riding past the camp. But none of them had the Venga boys and disco central.

After we had setup and settled in the boys talked tactics, who would go first etc and doing some last minute prep, this was a good idea cos I found a broken spoke that was quickly fixed with a bit of leccy tape. Before we knew it the start was rolling around and time to get ready.

The start was  a Le Mans style, sprint to your bike and get yourself going. Lets just say this is organised kaos and makes for an entertaining view as a spectator, not as fun if your the 1st rider up. Those who were quick got a nice clean start, Andrew got in on this and capitalised as did Grant. This was to set them up for a good race.

As the field thinned out and riders came thru transition a nice rhythm was found. I was lucky enough to have some relax time as the 3rd rider in our team. This allowed for the field to spread out and give a bit of breathing room to settle into my 1st lap. Breathing room was good as the course was very dusty due to the lack of rain of late, and if you were following someone you would spend most of the time eating dirt.

The night idled along with the campsite entertainment keeping riders going as well as the on course entertainment with 1 team taking things to a whole new level. The Wembley Cyles Motastics decided fancy dress was in order, bringing out an array of outfits thru the night including, full suit, girls school uniform and PJs complete with slippers. Other entertianment included the track stand and tyre change competition, as well as random prizes for stacks and other interesting anecdotes from out on the trails. Although the prize for the best stack went to the poor bugger who left in an ambo with a broken hand, cracked ribs and bleeding kidney. Hopefully he pulls up alright and makes it back next year.

The night wore on riders started to show fatigue with times slowing and the campsite getting quite as some had a quick nap. Others took this time to capitalise and put their lead out of reach of the competition. The SPR teams were still going strong and making an impression.

As the sun broke and I completed my last lap  the 2 SPR Duo teams had an uncatchable lead (short of mechanical or other disaster) and my team had confirmed their spot in the top 10 trios.

In the end the Chocolat Canards took out 1st in the duos closely followed by the Frog Stompers, making it 1,2 for the SPR camp. Night Sliders finished with a respectable 10th in the Trios and 28th over all in a field of 160+ starters. Once the podiums had finished & prizes received, it was time to pack up and head home for a well earned shower and sleep.

A mention must go to Matt Upton who was talked into this, his 3rd MTB event without ever riding the course and never having ridden off road at night. Goes to show anyone can give this fun a go.

We’d also like to thank Greg Murison for putting this great event together. Without his time and effort this event would not have come together. Also a big thanks to his helpers and volunteers who were out there making things run smoothly and making sure the riders had a fun and safe night. You’ll see Greg and some of his helpers out on our rides so don’t be a stranger say hi and step up for the next event.

My stats for the night.

Event results.

Nigel Photos.

My gallery.

Video of a lap to follow when its edited.