SpoonBoy

It’s been nearly 8 months since I embarked on the first C2C200, photos were taken, articles were written, and at the pen of yours truly, the little underground race found it’s way into Mountain Biking Austraila. Having come and gone off the newstands, I can safely publish the article here. Like a little hussy that she is, my sexy little Jet9 wanted in on the action too! so Ralph Stlyee, she’s been seducing the likes of XMAS Pat just get a piece of the glory: a 3 page spread no less!

so Thanks to John at Mountain Biking Australia for cutting me the PDF’s and letting me post both my C2C200 review and Pat’s Niner Jet9 review. I hope you like them!!

Currently, I’m in the possession of the new FreeLoad Pannier friendly deck for review too, but with a seriously short time frame, I’m not sure how thorough it’s going to be. I’ve also been spending a little time on the bike lately including another edition of the C2C200 so will have to be along shortly with a few write ups, but in the mean time:

Tomorrow We Ride!!

Happy Trails

Cheers
Craig

Well it’s Christmas, which apart from the usual stress filled work environment while we jam everything out the door does mean it’s time for a little beer, food and much frivolity! While my ribs are healing up nicely, they’re still a little tender so time on the bike has been a fair bit more limited than I normally would have around now. Time lost off the bike has been well spent though, tipping tasty food and beverages down my gaping throat!! :) I’m still a little concious about it all; pants are a little tighter and well, all in all I’m feeling a little spongier but mentally, the time off has been possibly a blessing…

With dynamic loads not entirely agreeing with me still, I decided to spend a little time in the Gym. the Odd thing is I’m actually excited about it, or at least about the concept of what it means. Getting back into the Gym is part of that road to recovery and not being a complete marsh mellow when I finally do get riding, so the simple task which I used to dread so much is now once again, becoming a regular part of my lifestyle. At least for a while anyway… ;) I always used to include a little Gym work over the years and thought it paid dividends, so certainly don’t think it’ll be a waste of effort this time.

It doesn’t stop there though! I also plan to include a little running and swimming at various times of the year. I figured last year some of my injuries and problems racing would perhaps have been better managed had I had a little extra “general” fitness. Something you don’t necessarily get I think from long km’s on the road bike. We’ll see how it goes though and I’m sure I’ll be stemming calls from the hecklers out there ;) I went for my first “Run” yesterday on a treadmill at the Gym (less impact, easier to control etc…) in a long time which was well, interesting, but it can only build up from there surely?

it’s all part of my “training” philosphy for the year: Do what I enjoy, when I enjoy it within the basic premise of the years “phasing”. While perhaps not a spectacular failure, my head really didn’t agree to the tightly structured plans I ran to last year at all…

…and while Christmas time is nice and all, that desire to escape it all on a bike is getting pretty strong! Maybe I’ll have another beer first!

Happy Trails

Cheers
Craig

Yengo National Park

The light patter of rain against the tent wall justified my lie in that morning. I had already decided to keep the day short but not for the reasons you may have thought. I figured from here it would be a hard push to make Newcastle in one hit and frankly, I was enjoying myself too much to end the trip over the sake of a little additional bragging rights.

The planned ride to Laguna would only be 80-100km’s but with limited food and another section through Yengo park with limited water, I had still origionally hoped to get underway early, even with a little lie in. Some how that didn’t pan out as I fumbled around camp packing, repacking, and fixing things, finally rolling out once again around 8:00. I did however leave with a new confidence in my navigation. After 2nd guessing myself constantly the day before only to discover I was always on track, every turn sign posted or not, was exactly where I predicted. The going was fast but the temperature was increasing quickly and before I knew it, it was starting to question my water supply. It wasn’t too long before I was out on Putty road (with my first and only flat) and refilling my bottles at a small creek just after the start of the Howes Valley fire trail.

I was making good time on the sandy trails and increasingly hot morning sun, but now running on emergency rations and so trying to keep to a pace that wouldn’t see me gobbing down high levels of food and water. The pace and confidence (and perhaps a little excitement) picked up a little as I passed the Big Yengo District right on cue; the improved road surface a sign that civilisation was not that far away and made the going a little easier. It wouldn’t be long before I took the incredible descent off the ridgeline down into the Yengo “township”. A small gap in my maps left me confused at perhaps the only intersection in the area but looking for an actual bed for the night, I took the advice of a local and headed to Wollombi instead of Laguna. Fast flat roads had me there quickly, rounding out the 100km’s for the day in a little over 6 hours.

Wollombi wasn’t the gold mine I was hoping, but I was able to do a little resupply and a cafe that was closing fed me up on minestrone soup she had made for her own family. After a long wait and a lot of help from Steve at the general store, I eventually found a cottage to stay at. Wollombi has a pub, camping, and is a tourist town, but isn’t generally open (bar a few cafe’s which close early) during the week. Arriving there Thursday, the town was mostly closed… I would later find out that the Laguna general store is *the* place to be midweek, and indeed my hosts for the night would pull themselves from there late to let me into my cottage. I should have stuck to my instincts.

Here comes the rain…

I had heard it on the roof through the night, the patter of rain falling hard outside. Not a good sign when you plan to head out through dirt trails the next day, and indeed it was still falling when I awoke the next morning. After a hunger interrupted nights sleep, I managed to get away a little earlier and was back at the Laguna general store just on opening at 8am. From here I would turn eastward into the Watagans and the start of the final run into Newcastle.

The run down Watagan Creek road was spectacular; High valley walls lined green pasture fields, interspersed with giant granite boulders, spectacular creek settings and the odd cow. Light rain would come and go, but surprisingly I wouldn’t notice it much, sometimes putting my jacket on if only to keep the mud and cold at bay a little. A little moisture made the roads tacky but also left some picturesque scenes as little water falls and runoffs developed. I found myself deep in the Watagans when the rain finally kicked in

Battling with my 1:100K map and flat batteries on my Garmin, I wasn’t entirely sure where I was. I nearly stopped the moto’s, who were darting in and out of single track in the forest, to ask when I was somewhat saved by a sign post. The road was starting to turn into a bit of a quagmire but the pines camp ground and Watagan forest road would only be 4km’s off where I could make the call. The rain continued to fall and I could hear my brake pads grinding away, cementing in my mind which way I’d be heading once I got there. After a wee restroom break, I headed south east back to civilisation and tar roads for the run into Newcastle rather than continue north along (the Dirt) Watagans Forest road

It was still raining while I road past Killingworth on the tar, a little content with my decission with memories of soggy mud filled 8hr races flashing into mind, but somehow feeling like I cheated by hitting the tar. The excitement of finishing was growing though, but equally I didn’t want it all to end. After spending the last 6 days almost entirely on dirt, the last 50km’s on the road into Nobbys Beach was almost an anti climax. I took a moment as I leant my bike on the hand rail by the beach, that smile of having completed something pretty special creeping in. Approximately 780 Km’s of mostly dirt in 5days 8hrs and 7mins; perhaps a soft target for any that may follow in my foot steps :) Turning my phone on the first time in 6 days, a barrage of messages came in, many from those watching my spot tracker as I rolled in. But my focus for the moment would be a shower, a meal and a bed before heading out for a little clothes shopping and a beer!!

Tech & Tips

I normally do this anyway, but I thought I’d jot down some thoughts that are still rattling around. I’m sure this may change over time since it’s been nearly 3 months now since the trip but I still have a pretty vivid memory of it all and all the issues.

The KISS Principle: The biggest lesson from this ride was around bags and gear. Keep it real simple; anything that requires strapping, tightening or repacking with thought is likely to be too complicated. While the FreeLoad rack worked a treat, the act of strapping my dry bag to it every day seemed to get more and more complicated. Add to it trying to cook, charge electrical devices and general bike work, and even after only two days, a tired, slightly addled brain just didn’t cope very well. so what’s the answer? this is what I was thinking:

• Bags: Frame, seat and handle bar bags I think are the way to go, permenantly attached with simple enclosures. There wasn’t a day where I didn’t have to stop, check, and tighten something multiple times. To me, that’s just plain annoying and sometimes, my head just didn’t cope.
• Electronics: Again Keep it Simple applies here: A computer that uses plain batteries and has a reasonable burn time. An AA to USB battery charger for my Garmin worked ok, but next time I’ll use Lithium ones if I can get them, and I generally found the performance was bad in the cold. I took to slipping the Garmin & charger into my down vest pocket while I charged it but took a couple days to figure that out. Reduce the amount of electronics you bring is the way to go IMHO. I didn’t use my phone as a phone between departing Canberra and arriving in Newcastle, but it was good to have and took reasonable photos. I didn’t take an iPod, and didn’t miss it. Between navigation and just plain looking at the scenery, i found I had enough to keep my mind occupied.
• Tent: The megalight was more than adequate, but at times overkill. A lack of proper ground sheet made sleeping in the many huts & shelters along the way difficult, and finding a 2x2m space to pitch the ‘mid was sometimes equally difficult. Again, pitching and packing it up every day was sometimes just a chore when all you wanted to do was sleep or get going. Where shelter and conditions allow, I reckon a bivvy and ground sheet will be the way to go!

Gear: I could list everything, but I’d undoubtably forget something anyway. All my gear worked fine though and I used everything I took bar my first aid (well I hit the painkillers a few times) and other emergency bits and pieces. The only thing I regret not taking was my Mains USB charger though if I was thinking straight, could have got away without it by charging up maybe at flynnys while I stopped there.

Food: I really underestimated what my daily food intake was going to be by day 3 or 4… it’s one thing to shop up on riding food, it’s another to get enough for riding, and your increased consumption. I thought I took a lot out of Lithgow but I was starving and had but 1 Gu left by the time I got to Wollembi

Make a list… and check it twice. The fuzzy brain experience was not something I was expecting. Anything outside of reading maps, distance arithmetic, satisfying bodily requirements or turning the pedals somehow became unimportant. The subsequence of this is when you had to do something, it seemed to take me ages to get my head into the right space. Next time, if I need to do something, I need to start a list on paper, or perhaps a laminated card and wax pen?

Summary

This truly was an incredible experience. Everything from the solitude, the scenery, the riding to the challenges that had to be overcome really did make for an amazing experience. The route had perhaps everything from a little snow, fantastic trails, hills, sand, mud, creek crossings and was a dead set joy to complete. A combination of the large sections of BNT and mostly well mapped dirt roads I think would make it highly accessible for others too, a route I perhaps would like to see evolve over time! It was somewhat of a rude shock to get back on a train and listen to the woes of those on it having just spent 6 days virutally alone in the wilderness.

I do plan to do the route again though. Now with memories of the route firmly sketched in my head and some perhaps alternate routes in mind, I think I could complete it in maybe 4 or 5 days but there are also many places I would like spend a little more time at where I rushed through in an attempt to make up time so we’ll see

Definitely one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had, perhaps opening the door for many more I think :)

Happy Trails!

Cheers
Craig

Home...

I had never felt like I’d put myself in harms way more than standing in the middle of Wollemi National Park. I had begun my push through the wilderness area a little late and soggy trails, vicious gradients and seemingly as many trees across the track as standing next to it were all making for some pretty slow going. Sunset was fast approaching, the weather had started to look really unfriendly and I had an ankle that was gradually merging with my calf. I started mentally going through how much food and water I actually had while I considered the very real possibility of spending the night still deep in the wilderness…

Nearly four days earlier I would only be just leaving Mt Stromlo. Blue sunny skies and a typical brisk Canberra morning air were a welcome treat for the start of a trip that would take me some 780km’s from Canberra to Newcastle, a route that would take in some incredible sections of rural, remote and wilderness New South Wales country side. I had never attempted something of this magnitude before and while I had plotted and planned this trip for months, there was still a hint of naivety in what lay in front of me.

Planning and Preperation

I can’t say what exactly brought about the idea, nor why I had chosen Canberra or Newcastle as the end points. There were numerous advantages to both towns though: A race in Canberra in late August meant I was likely to get a lift down and regular train services meant getting home was probably not going to be an issue. Hear say and conjecture also had the possibility of plotting a route through almost entirely on dirt at strong odds. After many hours pouring over topo’s and google maps I finally found a route through.

Mapping a route was in some ways seemed easy once I started calling land managers. Government agencies, including everything from the various National park offices through to the Livestock Health And Protection Agency (Necessary for some parts of the Bicentennial Trail) and Private Landholders a like were thankfully all incredibly helpful, but it would seem every phone call would result in yet another set of numbers to call. Still it was a necessary part of the pre-travel process, hopefully helping others to follow in my foot steps in the future and often (as was especially the case with Wollemi NP) highly valuable!

While all that was going on, my attention to gear certainly wasn’t lacking. I had many a weekender under my belt, and for the purpose of heading out overnight most of the gear I had was adequate. With the mileage targets I had in mind and the areas I was passing through, it was time to take that gear to the next level. A new weight weenie streak had set in, looking at everything from sleeping bags to spoons. I’d also looked at how I was going to carry it all, ordering a couple of Revelate Designs bags (which unfortunately didn’t arrive in time) and toying with handlebar bag options in the hope of avoiding using a rack. Every bit of gear I took I considered carefully, packed, repacked, and reconsidered right up to the nights before my departure. I think my preparation on this front showed finishing the ride having used every piece of gear I took and never wishing I had brought something else (except my USB charger, but that’s another story ;)

And finally were my water, services and emergency plans. I was carrying a SPOT Satellite emergency and tracking beacon which somewhat forced me to prepare an emergency plan; looping in friends and family to my route, emergency procedures and possible extraction points. I’d also considered carefully where I would get water, services and shelter on and off route should things really not go to plan. I didn’t really need either in the end, and recent rains had meant water was never an issue but it certainly added to my level of confidence going into sections of unknown or sketchy services.

My own little Grand Depart…

Joe Ward was determined not to let me slip away quietly, announcing over the P.A. to the crowds as I rolled out of the Stromlo car park. They were there for the Chocolate Foot 8hr race, I was about to embark on something much bigger than that…

The first two or three days were to be relatively straight forward. following the well documented and mapped Bicentennial trail from mount stromlo seemed simple enough, but the lasting results of the bushfires some 6 or 7 years earlier and the ongoing growth and construction on the outskirts of Canberra had me scratching my head repeatedly. Still, while a little slower than I expected, I was out on the open road soon enough, passing through Gundaroo on my way to Taralga, or would that be Crookwell? It proved to be a recurring theme but I had quickly realised I had underestimated or miscalculated the distance for my planned first day stop. 170km’s on the dial and just on dusk, I decided to avail myself of the services the Crookwell township would have to offer rather than push the 40km’s to Taralga in the dark.

Falling a little short of my target from the outset, I had hoped for an early pre-dawn start on day two help make up some lost time. It would be closer to 7am that I would finally roll out the door giving me just on 10 1/2 hours of daylight. The target today would be Lithgow, or at least as close as possible but with the extra distance and reduced daylight window of the late start this would probably prove to be a tough ask.

Some Crookwell Bakery treats and small re-supply in Taralga would set me on my way on a route that would take me through the back of Kangara Boyd national park, up over 1300m’s of vertical, past fields of snow muddy trails, the odd slightly dodgy re-route and finally Just shy of Jenolan Caves. Underestimating the terrain and more geographically embarrasing moments had wasted time though, amplified by my desire to stick to the Bicentennial trail rather as much as possible than simply trying to rejoin it when I got lost. It was getting late in the day but left with the decision of camping at Jenolan or heading north along the trail towards Hampton, I chose to press on. I was not prepared however for what lay ahead; Steep, loose, rocky and eroded, For the first time in over 300km’s I found myself walking up the hills of Jenolan state forest. It looked straight forward on the map but if nothing else it would show just how much could be hidden inside a contour. The light would start to fade by the time I started making good progress again but it wouldn’t last long before everything would seem to come undone.

The trail notes said “Overgrown Single track, follow the tapes”, what it should have said was “random bash through thick bush, don’t bother”. There was a legal and a not so legal way and the bush bash was well, the legal way. Funnily enough the guide gave a great description of an alternate route through private property just 100m’s to the west as if pre-empting the inevitable. An hour later, beaten, scratched, and sporting a fresh ankle injury, I would finally give in, bash west, and rejoin the fire trail, covering barely 3 km’s. heading north in the dark was now also… inevitable. The route was relatively simple from here but the darkness added a fresh set of challenges as eroded descents became just that little more hairy. Low on water, tired, and just a little hungry, camp sites and trails alike would turn into marshlands as a slight air of desperation set in. Taking a punt, I left the Bicentennial trail and headed north up the highway to a picnic ground, barely 10km’s short of Hampton, in the hope of water, shelter, and toilets. Thankfully, the punt paid off…

Half Way…

I awoke to fresh frosts and a swollen ankle. Some 340km’s had been ridden so far and I was just short of half way, but fresh doubt had set in. Lithgow was only 30km’s away with a chance to resupply and asses my ankle. It also gave me a chance to pop into Insane Cycles to say hello to Flynny! Rolling past the wind turbines and through fields of Hampton I would make the decission to keep the day short, to roll as far as the famed Glen Davis camp ground, to a hot shower and a good rest.

Even with McDonalds for breakfast I would roll into lithgow tired and hungry. I had hoped to be here the night before to waste little daylight time with the resupply but it wasn’t to be. With an addled brain, somehow a quick shop would drag out to well over 2 hours. Next time I will make a list as I roll in rather than relying on my own memory but you live and learn. A bag full of food, fresh batteries and more anti inflamatries for my ankle and I would continue my trip north. Stupidly, I did not take the opportunity to recharge any of my electronics though…

The climb up the State Mine trail was slow and sticky, but ferns and rock overhangs would accompany me all the way up making it a pleasant climb, opening up to spectacular views of the wolgan valley at the top. A seemingly quick trip through Newnes state forest would have me descending black fellows hands fire trail; a rocky techy fire trail descent that had me grinning from ear to ear. Half way down the trail opened up to the oasis that I can only assume was Black Fellows. Gigantic fern and moss lined rock structures jutting out into a small clearing left me in awe but conscious I still had quite a trip to go, I took a handful of photos before leaving, resound to go there again.

Crossing the floor of Wolgan valley, I found myself once again off the bike as I walked up the other side. Four wheel drives and trail bikes had seemingly ripped the trail up, making it virtually unrideable but it was relatively short, and opened up at to fast and flat trails across the valley rim. The trail skirted along the cliff edge, occasionally opening up to a small clearing giving you spectacular views up and down the Valley. An equally spectacular descent down through Baal Bone gap would drop me into more fern and forest lined trails before spitting me out at the Crown Creek fire trail for possibly the most hectic fire trail descent I’ve ever done. Virtually stopping on each water bar was possibly the only way to control the bike; touching the rear brake on the loose steep descent would only see rear end swing out like a pendulum. None the less, the descent was fun and left me with yet more incredible natural Australian bush to ride through.

The day...

in

...Pictures

Finally leaving Gardens of Stone national park, I would waste a little time trying to find the trail amongst a series of similar farm gates and confusing cues but a late afternoon sun spreading warm colors across the capertee valley would leave me feeling seriously contented with the day as a tail wind kicked me down the last of the trail into Glen Davis. Three awesome descents, some incredible scenery, an early day, food and a hot shower; if I’d ended the trip right there I would have been a happy man.

Wollemi…

Despite the best of intentions, I hadn’t managed to get away out of Glen Davis as early as I’d hoped. I knew I had a long day and wanted to take advantage of the cooler morning to keep my hydration needs in check. Still, it was barely 5 degrees as I rolled out towards Glen Alice. A quick bathroom break and I was heading north again for the climb up to Grassy Mountain.

Grassy mountain was on the other side of a couple of private properties, and after a quick chat with the owners, I was on my way up the 4-500m climb to the top. My ankle had settled down somewhat through the night giving me confidence to push on, but the 30+% gradients weren’t doing it any good at all. More fern & forest lined trail was the only saving grace for what was mostly, a walk up a cliff face. Stiff, Cold breezes would be the first signs I was reaching the top, opening up to yet more truly incredible views up the Capertee Valley

Proving yet again how much terrain can be hidden in a contour, the ride from here was well, lumpy but soon joined Army road for a faster run through (dare I say it) Fern and native bush lined trails. Some contemplation how I would cross the rather tall final gate only to realise it wasn’t locked and I was turning east towards Wollemi National Park.

It had taken me much longer to get here than I anticipated. Combined with a late start, my swollen ankle, and less food stores than I would have liked, I hesitated about continuing on, considering a trip to Rylstone/Kandos to resupply instead. It would only be 40 or so Km’s across the park though and with it just before lunch time, I pushed on. I really hadn’t anticipated what lay ahead!

Starting with another 4-500m climb, my first challenge was navigation. Having only a 1:100k map of the area, I was left often wondering what were new trails, old trails, and just plain unmapped trails. That being said, I used a full compliment of skills to find my first turn only to discover it sign posted. The climbs, often steep and at other times, just plain loose or covered in tree fall, often had me off the bike, each time aggravating my ankle just a little more. The descents were not much better but at least gave me a little respite as I navigated the trees. As I got further and further in, it was clear my progress was much slower than I had expected and it looked like the weather was starting to close in. Constantly second guessing my dead reckoning, I began contemplating the concept of spending the night in the wilderness, or worse, looking for extraction. Now well entrenched I had started to panic a little as I ran through what food and water I actually had left (not that much given I had at least another day to Laguna).

I’m not sure why it hadn’t occurred to me earlier, but left with a feeling I’d finally missed a turn, I stopped and grabbed a GPS fix with my phone only to discover I had not only missed the turn (and still don’t remember it!) but was completely off the map! I was at least on the right trail and would only have a few km’s to go before the national parks gate and well freedom :) The Eastern side of the park was a little drier, had less tree fall and was generally faster going though with every stick I crossed, the words “watch for snakes” many had left to me rang in my ears. Confidence was restoring but the last remnants of day light were failing and i was still some 2 hours from my campsite for the night. It was though a welcome site to see the National Parks gate and my turn at the Three ways Junction.

Again, with only 1:100k maps for the area, I wasn’t entirely confident in my dead reckoning. You were never sure if that trail you passed was the one on the map, or something entirely different. Night fall added the new challenge of darkness and wildlife but the pace was at least high as I skirted along the ridge line. Detail lost in the map vs the realities of the trail added constant confusion and I would stop once more to get a GPS fix only to discover I was still making good trail. My fears of missing a turn were abated with a sign post, and a 2nd to sheepskin trail, almost exactly on my dead reckoning. The site of The Sheep Skin Hut campground, complete with hut, toilet and most importantly Tank water, brought a definite sigh of relief for what turned out to be a long day. Dinner was rationed as I broke out my emergency calories in preperation for the next day…

(to be continued)

It’s been a long time scheduled, but I finally managed to get some happy snaps of my shoulder done this morning.  X-Rays of the shoulder itself and an MRI of my C2-T5 spine section in an attempt to find out what’s going on in there.  I won’t know the results till I see my Sports Doc again next week but given I’m a little symptimatic at the moment, it’d be good to get this sorted once and for all.  Unfortunately, they didn’t come on a flashy CD like my last lot so it’s a bit harder to put them up online.  With the amount of friends and family in the health profession,  I’d reckon it wouldn’t take long before it became diagnosis by Wiki ;)

In the mean time, my ribs seem to be heeling well and I hope to (actually) be back on the bike this week.  I’m getting through the day without pain killers now and only popping a couple at night before I go to bed.  Still I yearn for a full nights uninterrupted sleep as the odd random roll overs are waking me with a start!!

So Time to start plotting my next moves with a little more earnest.  I’ve decided to drop my program with Fenner’s squad.  I really don’t think I want to be the numbers focussed rider I need to be to get the best out of it and with 12 months on the program, I really don’t think it was for me.  That being said, while I could stick to it I really saw the benefits of his approach, agreed with his ideology and will take much of it away with me for the future.  So Thanks Mark, I’ve certainly learnt a lot.   I also seemed to spend a lot of this year recovering from injury, so I’m hoping once these ribs heal and I sort this shoulder out, that’ll be the last of it and 2011 will truly be “about me”

And what’s coming up then?   In some ways I’ve already plotted my next 12 months.  With so much going on in the mountain bike world these days it’s easy to do!  but I’m loosely plotting the following:

• Port Macquarie 12 hour
• Cobra Mountain 100miler
• Tasmanian Trail
• Dirt Works 100
• Mawson Marathon
• C2C200
• Sydney 12hr
• Canberra to Newcastle (I want to try for 4 days!)
• Highland fling 100 miler

Slot in a bunch of  chocolate foot races or the like and we have ourselves a calendar.  2011 here we come!!

Happy Trails

Cheers
Craig