/// 2006 Giant DH COMP

[Jesterarts]

Went out to Lysterfield today. It was a good day out but a bit bitter sweet.

Just stayed on FM and my plan was to see if I could set a new PR.

First run, I don't know what was wrong but the bike felt all wrong and I ended coming off. At the bottom, I fiddled with the rear rebound as it was bucking me a bit from the rear and I thought that might be an issue.

Started pedalling up to discover a loose non drive side crank. Luck for me by the time I got to the top there was a bloke going past and he let me borrow his multi-tool. I think his name was Tim or something. Good egg.

2nd run down the hill the bike felt a lot better and I pretty much nailed it. But again, at the bottom, loose crank.

So I borrowed someone elses tool again and sorted that out.

3rd run was equally good, a little sketch on the little jump that is on a slight left hand bend where you basically land between 2 tree's.

Looks crank at the end of that so I called it a day.

This is the real bitter part coming up. I usually get to the top of FM, start Strava and ride. But today I just had it on all the time. Big mistake!

I seems to have picked up my time having a little rest at the top and added that to my times down FM. So I was putting in 9min or so times! Grr!

What makes this more frustrating, my last PR my speed peaked at about 31kmph while today I peaked at 35kmph so there was a chance I could have set a new PR.

So have to go tomorrow again and sort that out. Just need to put some locktite on the crank bolt and let that sort itself out tonight.

In related news, my efforts with the bearings while not all that successful, make a huge different. The bike felt a lot easier to pedal and wanted to roll more.

Can't wait to get the new bearings in there now.

 

[Jesterarts]

Mmmmmmk!

So the new bearings arrived during the week and I immediately installed them.

Changing the bearings in the hub is so easy! I cannot believe I was originally thinking about taking the wheel to a shop and asking them to do it for me.

Bearings:

Out with the old and in with the new:

In the hub:

Hopefully I will get a chance to test things out tomorrow.

 

[Jesterarts]

So, went to redhill with a mate today with the goal to overcome some issues I have with gaps.

Overall, success.

Videos from the days events:

[YOUTUBE]4QAXOm95kC0[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]xeaXFVbErzA[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]-Xfo93Mbx80[/YOUTUBE]

On the downside, the result was:

Also managed to put the slightest buckle in my rear rim! #0's are tough, but not tough enough to deal with someone who rides "full retard" I guess.

 

[Jesterarts]

Jersey and latest goodies just arrived from Mountainbikesdirect.com.au

At least I sorta look the part now.

 

[Drawnnite]

nice job on the gap jump.
certainly one of the hardest things to overcome.
still trying to get up the skills to gap doubles and the likes on the BMX without always reverting to dropping the wheel and manualling.
once you get it a fair few times itll feel much more comfortable and youll be able to judge other jumps and the likes.

so have you thought about entering any DH races yet?
Baw Baw that's coming up is pretty fun (aus day weekend).
skillwise, some parts are fast and flowy, other bits are a bit harder, but nothing over the top.

Jersey certainly matches the stackhat. good combo.

let us know when you're keen for a ride again.

 

[Jesterarts]

Yeah I am probably done for the summer. My wrist still isn't fully recovered from the various crashes.

Plus it's too stinking hot.

Though depending how it pans out, might go to Bad Bad on a non event weekend.

I am not ready for any comps yet as I am still finding my limits. Usually by crashing.

Plus I am quite competative by nature, so there is a high chance would push myself beyond what I should and damage myself proper, which I cannot afford.

 

[Jesterarts]

Sold and gone...

 

[Jesterarts]

Owning the top...