The Dolomiti Superbike is a race has appeal in a way that is distinct from any marathon I have raced before. Like many races I don’t know much about, most of the appeal is let loose by the name alone: it’s big, it’s tough, it’s Euro, and it’s in a beautiful part of the world. […]
Archives for July 2012
Stu Spies Blog: Rebuild
Iʼm not the first, I wonʼt be the last, and this may be the first of many, but in the space of a week my world was blown apart with, quite literally life-altering news, word came from home my Dad was severely ill. Tickets booked, cursing that I have to wait four days for a […]
BC Bike Race: Thrilling edition wraps up in Whistler
The 2012 BC Bike Race closed at a party on the finishing line at Whistler’s Olympic Plaza lawn with the sunshine reflecting off the remaining summer snow of the surrounding mountain peaks. As riders crossed the line, getting hugs and medals, their tears mixed with the sweat and dust caked on their faces from the […]
Matt Duggan’s Blog: An eventful few days…
With the weekend prior to the Black Mountains 3 Day mainly consisting of dragging my bike through a field of mud at ‘Mountain Mayhem’, it’s safe to say I was certainly looking forward to actually riding my bike for a change. Arriving at the campsite Friday evening for the time trial, I was keen to […]
Briars Highland Fling entries set to Open
On Tuesday 10 July entries will open for Australia’s biggest mountain bike marathon the Briars Highland Fling (10-11 November, 2012), also the final round of the Real Insurance XCM Series. With a reputation for fun, varied and challenging courses, The Fling attracts both Australia’s elite level riders as well as a 2000 plus strong field […]
A return to Awaba
At briefing a lovely young guy sidled up to me. ‘You’re a great rider’. He said. ‘Who me? Thanks!’ Still got it. ‘Yeah, I really liked your blog.’ Oh. Writer. Never mind. All that stuff I said in my previous post about the Rocky Trail Enduro was wrong. Different location, different sort of track, and […]
BC Bike Race: The mix of emotions as Whistler beckons
Yesterday riders of the BC Bike Race awoke to the sun peaking over the ‘Chief’, a solid dome of granite, standing a reassuring 417 meters above the tents of base-camp. Nestled by the protective ‘Chief’ and Garibaldi Peak, the atmosphere of the traveling pageant that is the BC Bike Race obtained a sense of peace […]
Dolomiti Superbike: Aftershocks in the Dolomites
Mountain biking didn’t start in Europe, and I’m not well placed to argue who actually invented it. But Europe has thoroughly embraced mountain biking in its own way, and the Marathon (XCM) format is hugely popular, especially in countries like Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic, to name but a few. Some […]
BC Bike Race 2012 coming down to the wire
With hump-day out of the way, riders got to touch their tires to classic Sunshine Coast singletrack on the 40km course from Sechelt to the BC Ferry terminal of Langdale. With over 1,400 meters of climbing, earning those turns was no easy task but the rewards included the one-of-a-kind 7km singletrack descent down ‘HWY 102’ […]
Bike prep for Marathon racing
Where does preparation begin? Is it before the race season starts, with a training plan? Or is your racing more experience based, so does it come down to planning travel and race experiences around your region, state, country or the globe? Last minute or weeks out – it pays to make sure your equipment is […]