ABC of Mountain Biking News Feed

Supercross Track in Brisbane

BMX has received another boost with the announcement today by the Minister for Sport, Mr. Phil Reeves, that construction of a world class Supercross track will be built in Brisbane's south. The $ 1.5 million facility will be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and will be built at the Sleeman Sports Complex later this year.

The track will feature a three storey high or 8 metre start ramp which will launch riders onto the 350 - 400m. Riders will reach speeds of up to 60 km/h with 10 metre jumps on some sections.

According to Reeves the BMX facility shows the State Government's commitment to making the Chandler complex a hub for the local community and also for elite athletes.

National BMX coach, Wade Bootes said the venue would help to raise Australia's chances at the international World Cup Supercross events and in turn improving our chances of getting maximum riders at the London Olympics in 2012.

"We already have the evidence that preparation on a Supercross track has proven more successful for us," said Bootes.

The sport of BMX has increased in profile internationally since its inclusion as an Olympic sport in Beijing in 2008. BMX Australia has also had unprecedented growth at the grass roots level with membership jumping up by 20 percent in some states.

The announcement also comes with the start of the National Sign on Day with Queensland clubs dodging the wet weather to host their "Come and Try" sessions.

BMX Boost in Brisbane

BMX has received another boost with the announcement today by the Minister for Sport, Mr Phil Reeves, that construction of a world class Supercross track will be built in Brisbane's south. The $ 1.5 million facility will be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and will be built at the Sleeman Sports Complex later this year.

The track will feature a three story high or 8 metre start ramp which will launch riders onto the 350 - 400m. Riders will reach speeds of up to 60 km/h with 10 metre jumps on some sections.

According to Reeves the BMX facility shows the State Government's commitment to making the Chandler complex a hub for the local community and also for elite athletes.

National BMX coach, Wade Bootes said the venue would help to raise Australia's chances at the international World Cup Supercross events and in turn improving our chances of getting maximum riders at the London Olympics in 2012.

"We already have the evidence that preparation on a supercross track has proven more successful for us," said Bootes.

The sport of BMX has increased in profile internationally since its inclusion as an Olympic sport in Beijing in 2008. BMX Australia has also had unprecedented growth at the grass roots level with membership jumping up by 20 percent in some states.

The announcement also comes with the start of the National Sign on Day with Queensland clubs dodging the wet weather to host their "Come and Try" sessions.

National Cycleway Success

"This is the biggest thing to happen to Mackenzie tourism since The Hermitage was built and a guy called James Mackenzie rustled some sheep," said a rapt Phil Brownie after hearing the news that the Mackenzie region has been shortlisted for the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

Mr. Brownie, the General Manager of Destination Mt. Cook Mackenzie, received word 11 February that the region's 'Alps to Ocean' cycleway proposal was one of 13 to be shortlisted from 54 applications nationwide.

The successful applicants now move forward to the feasibility study stage which will confirm whether their visions can be priced and delivered as promised.

Mr. Brownie believes the proposed Alps to Ocean cycleway could spell huge benefits for the Mackenzie and Waitaki regions.

"The cycleway establishment committee has worked really hard on the proposal and we're thrilled to get it over the line. If we're ultimately successful, we'll be able to create something special for Kiwis and overseas visitors to enjoy as well as providing huge opportunities to build stronger and wealthier communities and a better place to live in,' he says.

The committee's aim is 'to create New Zealand's ultimate cycleway from the splendour of the country's highest peak, through magnificently varied terrain to the coast - and the colonial heritage of an authentic Victorian town'.

The proposed cycle trail would cover 300km from Aoraki Mount Cook to Oamaru and would showcase the diversity of the Mackenzie and Waitaki regions, from pre-European history to some of New Zealand's most spectacular natural landscapes and wildlife.

Mr. Brownie says the cycle trail is still very much at concept stage and there's a lot of work still to be done.

"Nothing is set in stone yet but the vast majority of the proposed trail traverses national park land, crown land administered by the Department of Conservation, crown land administered by Land Information New Zealand, quiet county roads, and Meridian Energy access roads."

"There are lots of specifications that need to be considered in order to build the trail. Based on experience elsewhere, most trail users would be groups of novice riders between 40 to 65 years old who bike between 30 to 50km per day. That means if we were to build a Grade 1 Trail, it would need to be two metres wide and have a gradient of no more than four percent. Our utopia would be no more than 15km between lattes and plenty of accommodation, services and transport options for people to enjoy which would encourage them to stay longer."

"A lot of time and thought has gone into our proposal and I'd like to acknowledge and thank our partners - the Department of Conservation, Meridian Energy, Mackenzie and Waitaki district councils, Tourism Waitaki and, of course, our tourism operators - their support has been invaluable and they've given up so much of their time. It's been a real team effort."

For more information about the Mackenzie region visit www.mtcooknz.com.

Reigning World Champ Wins

Current 24 hour mountain bike world champion, Jason English from Port Macquarie, says he is on track to defend his world title this year after winning the JetBlack 24 hour Sydney race over the weekend. The 24 hour solo champion along with 450 riders braved torrential rain at Wiseman's Ferry. English completed 28 grueling laps despite organizers, Rocky Trail Entertainment, being forced to shorten the race to 12 hours.

English admitted to being relieved that the race was shortened to 12 hours after the blistering pace set by the lead riders during the first eight hours. The biggest threat came from another New South Wales rider, John Blankenstein from Tathra.

"I thought I only had to worry about Shane (Taylor) from Canberra. Luckily he pulled out but John was breathing down my neck," said English.

Blankenstein showed his form uphill while English says he was able to reclaim time on the downhill.

"I think having downhill bars just gave me crazy confidence," said English.

When the race was officially restarted on Saturday morning after being halted at 8 pm the night before there were only four hours remaining. English was still not confident of taking the solo win.

"The big thing was that there was only three minutes (gap) in it," he explained.

There was added pressure on English with his new sponsor, JetBlack Cycling, being the major sponsor of the race.

Being on two new Pivot bikes meant some benefits but it also could have been his undoing.

"It was great having two bikes. I was able to adjust things like seat height and the pressure in the Fox forks," said English.

With wet conditions all riders were getting grit in their brake pads forcing them to change pads frequently. For English however that was starting to look like a problem.

English explained, "We were changing them about every four laps so we had to get some more. There were limited available in Australia as yet so the guys started ringing bike shops for me and finally they had to get me some sets from the warehouse."

English was impressed with the mechanical support he had.

"It was just amazing. Every two laps I got my bike looked at by the JetBlack guys. It was awesome. I don't know how I did it in the past without that level of support," he said.

Even after winning the race, English admitted that this close finish was a wake-up call for him.

"John is trained by Mark Fenner. I really am now seriously thinking about getting a coach," he said.

Blankenstein finished second on equal 28 laps but was 18 minutes down on the winning time. Third place went to David Lodenia from Lawson in New South Wales on 25 laps.

The women's race was secured by Sydney based rider, Kim Stokeld with a respectable 18 laps. Second was Gill Lugg from Canberra with a total of 16 laps and Phillippa Rostan from Queanbeyan claimed third with 11 laps.

Despite the deluge, teams were sent off in a mass restart on Sunday morning while solo riders were sent out according to their time gaps.

Overall winners were the hotly fancied team of Andrew Fellows and Sam Bekkers from Queensland's Sunshine Coast region with an impressive 29 laps. Second overall was a six rider men's team from Stanwell in New South Wales on equal laps while English recorded third place overall.

The 24 hour race was New South Wales only qualifying race for solo riders for entry into the World 24 hour solo Mountain Bike Championships which will be held out of the USA and Canada for the first time when they head to Canberra this October.

Australian riders have claimed the World 24 hour solo title only twice before with Craig Gordon in 2006 and James Williamson in 2008.

For detailed race results of the JetBlack 24Hr Sydney race, visit www.rockytrailentertainment.com.

Flying with Your Mountain Bike

I get asked a lot about how to pack a bike. I always totally over pack my bike. People laugh but I've never had a scratch on it. It takes a bit longer and you end up carrying a bit more weight but this is how I do it, you can always decide where you want to cut the corners when you're doing it yourself.

Airway Specific Guidance:

The following is correct at time of writing, please check nothing has changed before you fly. You can always mail me to get more details.

RYAN AIR:
With RyanAir, you are allowed 15kgs in your hold bag and up to 20kgs in your bike bag. I have found then generally quite understanding even though my bike bag weighs 22kgs packed with nothing else in it. I arrive early and am friendly and have never paid excess baggage.

EASYJET:
You are allowed 20kgs in your hold bag. You are allowed a total of 50kgs but your bike bag can't weigh over 32kgs. Print off section 10 in their guidelines where it states that bicycles are exempt from excess charges BUT the bike bag can only contain the bike.

So, what you'll need:

1. A good quality bike bag, including wheel bags. I really recommend getting one with little wheels because your bike's going to be heavy once it's all packed up!
2. Some pipe insulation, which you can get from B&Q or similar. It's a bit expensive but you can use it again and again.
3. Tape.
4. Some wood.

Step by Step:

1. Clean your bike and put it in a work stand. The workstand obviously isn't essential but it makes it so much easier. Cleaning your bike is a good time to inspect everything to make sure you're going to be sorted for your holiday. Do your brake pads need replaced? Is your BB and headset working nicely. No frame damage?

2. Remove your cranks. Remove your pedals, wrap in bubble wrap and put into your bike bag. Wrap your cranks and the axel in bubble wrap and put into your bike bag. Note: I now use a double and bash and leave the cranks in place, just taking the pedals off, it's up to you. Now is a good time to grease your BB and service your pedals!

3. Take your wheels off. Remove the QR's and put into your bike bag. Remove the discs, put each one in a poly bag and tape together for strength. I put the bolts in tinfoil and stuff into the centre of the discs. Put discs into bike bag and wheels into wheel bag.

4. Remove your rear break caliper, save the bolts somewhere safe in your bike bag! You can either disconnect your rear mech and tape the cables to the frame or you can do what I've done and just disconnect it and we'll tape it somewhere safe later. Remove your mech hanger and put it somewhere safe.

5. Turn your front mech so it sits safely. If this can't be done remove it. You can draw round the outline of the mech with a non-permanant pen to make it easier to put back in the same place if you want!

6. Remove the front caliper. If you have a maxel like me then you can just put it in to stop the fork legs being squeezed together, make sure that the lever lines up with the fork leg to stop it being damaged. If you have a front QR then you'll need to cut a wooden spacer as for the rear dropouts and tape it in place.

7. Remove the handlebars leaving the stem on the steerer tube. We're going to tape these to the down tube later. I slacken all my clamps and this gives enough slack to do this. If you don't have enough slack to do this then you'll need to remove the clamps from the bars.

8. Use the pipe insulation to cover the frame and forks. You'll need to cut it to length and shape it to fit around the disc mounts etc. Tape the protection into place to stop it moving about.

9. Fix the handlebars to the downtube, outside the insluation. Make sure that the brake levers and shifters are in a position that ensures they're protected; if you're not sure take them off because a broken brake lever is going to be expensive!

10. Tape the front caliper in between the fork legs. Make sure that the tape isn't going to touch your disc pads. Put a spacer between your pads to stop them being compressed, some brakes come with spacers but a couple of 50p's taped together works for me!

11. Fit a spacer between the rear dropouts to prevent them being crushed. I use a section of wood which I cut to shape and tape in place. I'm going to drill a hole through it next time and use my QR's to keep it in place.

12. Add your pipe insulation to the rest of the bike. Tape the rear mech and brake caliper into the rear triangle so that they're protected. Remember to fit your pad spacers, I always forget.

13. Now the dropouts are spaced, all the main bits of frame are covered, nothing sticks out to get caught and damaged and all the insulation is fixed in place.

14. Cover the rest of the bike in the bubble wrap. I wrap it all over the frame so that it's totally enclosed. Now fit it into your bike bag. Make sure that it's all quite evenly spaced and that there's nothing sticking out too much that is likely to get damaged. The test for me is would I be prepared to throw it about and stand on it, because that's what the baggage handlers might do.

All that takes me about 45 minutes the first time and about 30 minutes on the way back. A beer helps.

Good luck!

Source: www.basquemtb.com/views-holiday-bike-packing