Thredbo State DH Round #1

Danny Bonello....deep in pre race thought

The weekend of the 4th and 5th of April 2009 saw the first round of the NSW state DH series hosted by South East Mtb Co. The turn out was pretty impressive with over 250 riders spread across the categories. There was even a category for people making a statement against rear suspension. Crazy.
The rain that had fallen in the days prior to the event had left the track in a condition that could only be described as ideal. It seemed as though there was more grip than people could deal with. I even witnessed one man weeping by the side of the trail. He later told me that he had never seen such glorious dirt pass under the tires of his cycle and the initial feeling it created was overwhelming for his emotions.
With the Oceanas having been held at Thredbo three weeks prior, the organizers knew what they were dealing with. They were so relaxed that they decided no one needed a race plate until race day.
The atmosphere is always so good at Thredbo races. With the chairlift running all day, everyone was at ease about their practice schedule, while still being anal about scouring the hill for places to wash fractions of time from their race runs. With the fastest times being in the early to mid six minute area, this track really does beat riders up so self control is always needed when hoping to conserve energy for Sunday.
Race day saw the sun revealing itself even more than it had on Saturday, though up top the wind had really picked up. This made it pretty tough for riders to stay warm for their runs as the temperature was hovering between 5 and ten degrees. The track was was no area for concern a,d remained just and tacky as Saturday, but was showing the results of some pretty greedy braking techniques.
At the end of the day it was Tim Eaton who was fastest down the hill in both his qualifying and final run. Ricky Boyer managed to snatch second place ahead of AMB Feb/Mar cover boy Cody Eichorn. A big congratulations to Tim, as this is a well deserved win. Times and results for all other categories are not something I have stored in my head, however I have no doubt that there is a website with a full list of results waiting to be viewed. Also check out pointoffocus.com for all the official photos from the race.
The next round of the NSW state DH series will be held at Ourimbah on May 2nd and 3rd. Be there, because it will be fun.
Danny Bonello

09 Riders Invitation Jam

Tom McPherson X up backflip

I got invited to the 09 riders invitation jam down at frews on the 14th of March. Only 10 riders in NZ were invited (INCLUDING ME!!!!!) and 5 gravity pros from the USA.

I completely tacoed my rim on practice day trying X-up flips on the super booter. I just landed a bit sideways but it made for a cool photo. Unfortunately I didn’t get to ride in the comp but had fun chilln with all the riders.

Till next time
Tom McPherson

8 Day Multi Day Tour

It was after a downhill session with my mate Rob and another regular campaigner, with beer in hand at a pub, that a cunning plan was hatched to hit some trails in New Zealand. It was around early 2008, and we were keen to see what the land of the long white cloud has to offer.

Mountain biking medias such as 'Dirt Magazine' and 'Drop In TV' have painted such awesome landscapes of the place, it seemed criminal not to make the effort and see what its all about.
We were aware that there were established outfits dedicated to multi day trips in New Zealand, however we had certain expectations of what type of riding we were wanting to do. We both had bikes that had 6+ inches of rear suspension, so freeride/ all mountain / downhill riding was what we were up for. We were looking at around 7-10 days of being in NZ, and we did not want to be wasting much time on dud trails, or hunting around for tracks scrawled on a pamphlet or magazine.

....After looking at several options, and making initial enquiries, we decided to go with Freeride NZ. We opted for an 8 day multi day trip in the south island, and concentrating around the Queenstown and Wanaka area. With plans in motion, the plane tickets were purchased, and I was about to embark on my first mountain biking holiday.

Wanaka Heli Biking With Freeride NZ

The Trails...In terms of being able to gauge the type of riding that we were up for, I would have to say that Dan was right on the money each and every time. The rides were so varied from each other each time, riding National downhill tracks at Clyde, super slippery runs in Dunedin, or brake burning descents in Alexandra. There were moments where I was riding the trails and couldn't help but think that I was riding on things that you only see in the films and magazines. It's so inspiring to see that there are so many great trails out there, and certainly makes me more keen to travel with the bike.I could write volumes about the trails that we rode over the eight days, but I fear that I would just not do it justice. Those who have ridden the south island would know what I am talking about, and those have not yet but are thinking about it, I would seriously encourage you to hook up with Dan and the crew from Freeride NZ - you would not be disappointed.

Mark trail riding in Alexandra

The People...Part of what made riding the tracks a lot better was the fact that we had a chance to ride with local riders on their home turf. As Dan explains, it gives us tourists not only a chance to be able to interact with riders who are in the area, but also so we are not just coming into someone's home turf, ripping up their tracks, and then ducking away like ships in the night. It was great to have a chance to talk to this guys about all manner of things like how the trails developed in the area, line choices, and even reliving old war stories about riding that they have done in places like Whistler. I met some great people in my travels, and would gladly show them my local trails if they ever came to Brisbane.

Rob riding in a forrest near Dunedin

The 8 day multi trip experience with Freeride NZ was all in all, quite unforgettable. I found myself being challenged, pushing my personal boundaries of my riding, as it is not often that you get that feeling of danger day in day out. A big thanks to Sarge, Tom, Quinton, Kelly, Ashton, Hunter, Naomi, Kev, Tristan, and Russ for sharing their time with us on the trails. Also a big shout out to Dan and Glenn for making the trip all that it was - can't wait to catch up with you guys again!

The land of the 'long white cloud!'

Cheers,

Mark and Rob

Wow what a day...

How do you make the travelling to pick up a friend from an out of town airport fun... down hill runs with a turn around time that is so quick and the riding so good you begin wondering just what if this plane doesn't arrive, can i stay and keep riding!? A jam on a newly built 'trick booter' and some more down hill riding with another group of friends.

It all happened this Saturday with Kevin Fife, Kelley McGazza, Jarrod Hepburn, Ben Finney, Russ Horne, Irish rob and Jamie Thompson.

Locations: Remarkables, Mini Dream track and Clyde

Here are some pics of us on a jump designed by the Queenstown boys for learning/perfecting tricks

Dan

Shoosh Cycles Lucky 13 Hindon downhill

Its Back and better then ever... The Hindon down hill race!

A popular race throughout the 90’s. For those of you who don’t know where Hindon is its about half and hour inland of Dunedin. Here is the low down from our race we here at Shoosh Clyles held recently...

Only the few who had raced there a few years back knew what to expect. Hindon isn’t you’re your standard taped off single track flying through local forests or a track carved through tissues. But wide open farm paddocks carved in corrugations like a huge piece of roofing iron. That made great natural jumps and a challenging service to descend on at speed. The track was marked out with ski type gates, so riders could pick whatever line they wanted. There was whole paddocks full of different lines to choose from between gates. Apart from the paddocks there were fast gravel roads a cheeky rock garden here and there and a tight steep section to finish. After a few practice runs it was back up the top for BBQ sausages/onions and drink (all covered in the $25 rego). The Reper pit bike boys had there ramp set up for a freestyle display and some pit bike racing for a bit of lunch time entertainment. They also put on a best trick comp off the moto ramp for any riders that wanted to give it a go. Conner from Invers took it out with a sick 360 and a back flip. He scored him self a new set of sunnies for his effort.

Then onto the race runs, There was the usual 2 timed runs they went off with out too much carnage. Followed buy a free for all run (for those who don’t know what that is don’t worry I didn't’t either until the race!). It started with a le mons style run to your bike. After a bit of pushing and shoving. About 40 riders tried to get round the first bend all at once, That’s when the carnage started. There were groms getting spat out left right and center. The wide-open track made for some exciting passing maneuvers and the most fun I have had at a DH race, as well as a lot of other riders from what i heard. At the bottom Emerson's brewery had a tent and a keg handing out beer (yes that’s right just handing it out complements of Sarge. Exactly what you need after a downhill race. And its funny how beer tastes better when you don’t have to pay for it.

What a way to end a great days racing. Not a grizzle could be heard from any of the riders. As word gets round next year there will be an even bigger turn out. There are talks of there being a lot more prize money to be won. That should entice some of the Christchurch boys in to making a weekend trip to Dunedin.

And why not. I have never been to such a good value race. Where for $25 you get lunch a few beers moto display and a race. Make sure you have a look at Vorb TV episode 5 there’s a good we section on the Hindon race and if your down in Dunedin for Uni or Nationals come in and take a load off, get your bike fixed or just talk bikes with me at Shoosh cycles on Cumberland st. That’s the one way north just before you hit Stuart st if you get to countdown you have gone to far.

Cheers, Woody

Rockstar Energy Drink Farm Jam 08

Tom McPherson

Hi Tom McPherson here…

Just got back from Farm Jam 2008 near Winton and it was amazing! The Rockstar Energy Drink sponsored comp is for mountain bikes, BMX and moto’s. The event is put together by the ‘Southern Freeriders’.

Practice day on the 27th was sick with Chris Beverland throwing down pendulums and a big session on the Super Booter. There were loads of 360 attempts and even a Backflip from Luke McCombie and Quinn Nicholls.

Jam day on the 28th was windy so only the BMX line was riden. Brett Frew and Kelly McGarry were shredding it and Luke McCombie did plenty of Tailwhips. Elmo Cotter and Phil McClean impressed with solid runs and I learnt Back flip’s to dirt.

Brett Frew

Big ups to Connor Harrison who was riding sick until he dislocated his shoulder doing one footer x-up flips into the foam pit.

All in all awesome fun bring on next year! Thanks to Shoosh Cycles for supporting me and Koarse FX for the photos.

NZ 2009 Race Package

Do you want to compete in the New Zealand Mountain Bike National Series this season (2009 Raboplus NZ MTB Cups)?

Freeride NZ in association with BikeNZ will be making it a little easier for everyone with a package deal that includes accommodation, transport to racers, local shuttling and breakfast for a low $80 per day!!

This includes North Island/South Island rounds and the National Championships...If you can only join for part of the racing schedule that is fine, just let us know the dates that suit you.

Hopefully this makes for an easy alternative to getting organised for two months of racing this summer!

Check out the poster here:http://www.bikenz.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=3231

Numbers are strictly limited so contact Freeride NZ with any questions or confirmation of joining.

Free Call. 0800 RIDING
info@freeridenz.com

www.freeridenz.com