MTB Blog Archive |
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Monday 31 January 2011
Some busy times for the three facets of the family - bikeshuttle, mtnbike and twowheeltours Saturday 26 March 10am Collection Car park across from Landmark Resort 10 Brisbane Rd Mooloolaba
This will be similar to our regular weekends, depart Sydney on Saturday morning and return Sunday night. All transport for you and your bike included, accommodation at the AIS and food food food. If you know of anyone that may be interested tell them to get in fast. We have sold four of the 10 possible seats! ---
Monday 25 January 2011 Tour Down Under 2011It is funny - today I heard from a guy who has been down to Adelaide for the past few years - he was going to write another report but he thought that everyone would think that he had just copied and pasted it from years past - 'every year is just amazing' he said and I could not agree with him anymore.Perfect weather, great riding locations, very people, excellent food and cyclists everywhere - what more could one want!? I could bore you with the day to day goings on of the time in Adelaide but that would be tedious. In sum I spent time on the road and mountain bike - all of it amazing riding! I look forward to bringing a week long trip for MTB'ers sometime in the near future. In regards to shuttling it was a huge success! We shuttled 14 bikes over from Sydney to Adelaide and brought back 17! Those three people who took us up on the return trip mentioned how difficult it was to transport bikes to such a large event! In talking to people, many had their bikes delayed and damaged - no airlines are to be mentioned here - one guy had his derailuer bent so bad he needed a new one! The trip over and back was without issue - then again I would never want to be a truck or bus driver. Doing this a few times a year is a hoot - I love a good road trip! Everyone appreciated the level of service and will be using us again in the future for their bike shuttling needs. We did work for Shimano and also a tour company down there - taking the issues away from transporting bikes is what we are here for. It was great to be invited along to the Shimano gig on one night where we got to meet a heap of the riders in a very relaxed environment - thanks to Greg from Shimano for the invite. It was also amazing to ride with the Liquigas-Cannondale team, their Monday recovery ride was just that. Nobody was in a rush, everyone was in a good mood and those who tagged along all had an amazing experience. It was fantastic to really be apart of the L-C team - even if just for a morning. Attending the L-C launch was also pretty darned amazing, having them talk about their day to day goings on, how many in their team, what a day entails and even their nutrition was certainly eye-opening. Also to meet the management team of the Cycling Sports Group Australia - it is good to know that we are in good hands and the future certainly does look bright for CSG. Thanks to Al, Lucien, Martin and Mario Stein for the invite and for making us feel so welcome. So to end it all up - Adelaide TDU - if you're a cyclist and have not been get your tyres over there! To everyone that made our trip so great (even Bongo the Emu) I salute you:) Till next time - Cheers - Will PS Haute Route Cycling Race - Aug 2011 - accommodation is being booked this week - make sure you get in early as we only have very limited spots. It really is going to be amazing! Tuesday 18 January 2011 twowheeltours and Ride Cycling Magazine heading to Geneva - Nice and all the Col's between This is the advert that will be placed in Ride Cycling Magazine in the next issue
For more information click here - you can also email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details. Wednesday 12 January 2011
Haute Route - the first edition Geneva > Nice - August 2011Some more exciting news has just hit the press!
Two Wheel Tours has just announced - 19 through 29 August 2011
An 11 day fully catered adventure, including entry to the first edition of the 7 day Haute Route, one of the highest and hardest cyclosportive in Europe
Premium accommodation over 11 days - including transfer to the event. Full daily mechanical and ground support with RIDE Cycling Review and Two Wheel Tour staff - including translators. Options available for non-riding companions and families.
TWO countries
ONE Swiss Canton and five French departments
FOUR hill top finishes four natural parks (Vanoise, Ecrins, Queyras and Mercantour)
FIVE alpine resorts: Megeve, Les Arcs / Bourg-St-Maurice, Serre Chevalier, Pra Loup and Auron
SEVEN consecutive stages from 21-27 August 2011
FOURTEEN cols and 17,000 metres of cumulative ascent 720 kms in seven stages
Climb the famous Col's such as
Col de la Colombière
Cormet de Roseland
Col du Télégraphe
Col du Galibier
Col d’Izoard
Cime de la Bonnette
Col de la Madeleine
Premium accommodation over 11 days - including transfer to the event. Full daily mechanical and ground support with RIDE Cycling Review and Two Wheel Tour staff - including translators. Options available for non-riding companions and families.
For more information
visit: twowheeltours.com.au
Ph: 0430 121 776
 Tuesday 4 January 2011 - Gear Up Girl Women’s Weekend Happy New Year all you riders out there in cycling land!
News news news ... there is a heap going on for all our companies, bikeshuttle, twowheeltours and mtnbike!
Some of the exciting upcoming news for mtnbike will take place during the second weekend in Feb. This will see our fourth Gear Up Girl Weekend! There are limited spots still available but this is an opportunity for ladies to get on their bike, learn some skills and meet some other riders who are like minded individuals.
Here are some testimonials from our recent GUG trips - 'Hi Will - Firstly thanks so much for an absolutely fantastic weekend. The whole trip was so well organised - transport, accommodation, food, bikes, skill sessions and of course the rides!!' Nov 2010. 'Thanks so much Will for taking us on a memorable adventure which was so well organised ...' Wendy May 2010. 'Will, I thought the whole experience was excellent. Very professional, yet informal and fun. The progression from skills session to Sparrow to Secret to Stromlo was very logical ...' Nicole June 2010.
We are also offering skills for those who cannot get away on a weekend:
Skills Sessions 2011 - In February we will be running a four skill session set at Moore and Centennial Park.
Details are:
Evenings of Tuesday 1, 8, 15 and 22 February
Cost $50
Time 6:15pm - 7:30pm
Equipment - we reccommend that you at least have a comfortable pair of cycling shorts, a helmet and a working recently serviced mountain bike.
Parking - Session 1 will take place at Moore Park Golf Course
Meeting place - in the car park over near the grassy area, away from the club house.
Numbers are limited to the first 10 ladies - payment confirms your spot
Please note that a wavier must be signed before the session starts
Monday 27 December 2010 Bikes in tow ... not quite to EU just yet! For those Sydney-siders who do not want to pack their bikes, put it in a cab, drag it through the airport, pay excess baggage then set it up in Adelaide before being able to ride we have your solution. (By the way - you'll have to do it all again to get the bike home.)
A new company called bikeshuttle has been born to take away the stress of moving your bike. In January we will be heading from Sydney down to the Tour Down Under in Adelaide. Bike need to be dropped at either Cheeky Monkey in Randwick or Bike Bug in North Sydney on Thursday 13 January. The bikes will be placed 'as is' on our custom made trailer, fully covered to keep away the rain and sun and proven over many trips that we have done in the past year and a half.
The bikes will be in Adelaide on Saturday 15 January at Bicycle Express which is in the heart of Adelaide. Remembering that there is no need to reassemble your bike you are free to literally ride away from the store. No need to get the tape measure back out to make sure your seat is exactly back at the right height.
Enjoy the week following the Tour and riding around beautiful SA. Come the end of the Tour, Sunday 23 January, bring the bike back to Bicycle Express and it will be lovingly placed back on the trailer and headed back to Sydney. You can collect your bike on Tuesday 25 from your original bike drop off store. The cost for this service is $210 - click here for more info
Sunday 19 December 2010
News just to hand - BEN HENDERSON TRAINING WEEKEND - this is the perfect weekend to learn and train with one of Australia's best. Ben is just off winning the Opening Round of the Jayco Australian National Series at the You Yangs in Victoria. The weekend will be a busy one and there are ONLY 10 spots available. This will be the perfect training weekend, especially if you're one of the lucky ones with an entry in The Mont, April 9 - 10. More details can be found here.
Monday 6 December 2010
December is here and while there are no trips in January, we're keeping busy with other tasks. Our next trip to Canberra, the first weekend on Feb, is already half full so if you're thinking about it act now and click here to book. For the next few weeks we'll be offering skills sessions for Girls Only at Moore Park. These sessions will go over cornering, braking, balance, obstacles and many more skills. Another group of sessions will run in January. Then later in January we'll be heading down to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, we'll be running a bike shuttle for those who don't want to travel with their bike. It is also an opportunity to ride some of the trails down at Eagle Park with some good friends, can't wait.
It really has been an amazing year, going full time, two trips to Europe, the launch on bikeshuttle and also twowheeltours has been epic! 2011 looks to be a promising year, our usual trips to Canberra are certainly picking up, many store trips, continued work with Gear Up Girl, trips around Australia and EU will also keep me busy. There is also that bike deal on the cards so happy days are ahead.
Thanks to everyone for their support in 2010 - from the repeat customers to the stores and suppliers around town the future looks bright for the three companies that are now up and running.
Take good care all and have a Happy Christmas and safe New Year.
Monday 22 November 2010
Perfect weather, magic trails, entertaining guests and mountain bikes made for another amazing weekend. The weather report last Monday was for cloud and rain ... come Thursday the report had changed to Sunny and mid-twenties! When we rolled into Sparrow Hill on the Saturday Pete was there to lead us through some skills. Time spent going over how to corner, brake, balance and dealing with obstacles is always a part of the weekend and necessary as mtnbiking generally has all these parts on each trail. As one of the riders mentioned 'I've not thought about work or my wife since we started' ... all in the aid of staying on trail! It was then time to head out on trail to check out the famous sweeping bends of Sparrow Hill, one word AMAZING! After a hearty lunch it was into town to grab a cold drink then check into the AIS.
It wasn't long before we were all out on trail again, the little track is a tad more sandy than Sparrow but the boys all learned their limits when hitting those corners. During this session we go over a few sections a few times to practice cornering, looking ahead and body position. All the boys definitely improved during this session.
I could go on and on about this great weekend but I'll sum it up in a few more sentences. Drinks after all you can eat dinner was fantastic, a balmy night in Canberra drinking a range of beverages. Sunday was another perfect day and the boys certainly enjoyed Stromlo - even with a few spills the smiles on their faces were had to hide.
To see some of the pix from the weekend hit here. Until next time - Dec 4/5 - can't wait! Tuesday 16 November 2010
What an amazing weekend we just had! Another Gear Up Girl (GUG) trip done and dusted. We had a fantastic group of ladies on the trip! Canberra continues to offer us great single track and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed what was on offer. We were so very fortunate with the weather, just as the bikes were on the trailer, and all covered up, down came the rain! We were comfortably under a large awning eating our lunch and just smiling at how lucky we were! It is hard to believe that our this was our third trip of Girls only and what a success they are, in 2011 we will have 4 trips for GUG.
February 12/13 May 14/15
September 10/11 November 26/27
To see some pix - click here and here
We have another trip this coming weekend then ONE more before Christmas - December 4/5 - if you'd like to come along.
Friday 5 November 2010 An amazing few weeks, there are rumours of a bike sponsor coming on board and we've signed up three more store trips for early 2011! Renegade Cycles, Bike Bug and Clarence Street - they are all on board to take a trip South. Even the rain in Sydney can't dampen the spirits. I'm also about to launch another company, www.bikeshuttle.com.au. This will be uploaded in the coming weeks ... what is bikeshuttle ... good question, this past weekend I ventured up to Noosa for the triathlon, since we have our amazing bike trailer we were able to transport bikes, bikes and more bikes. This means that riders don't need to pull their bikes apart and worry about pulling their bikes through airports etc. Just drop them off and the next time you see them they'll be 'as was' and ready to ride. We've also got Commonwealth Bank on board, we're going to shuttle their bikes after the MS Sydney to the Gong ride. Things are great and we're on the move!!
Monday 25 October 2010
What a great weekend! Dare I say that it rained again in Sydney while we were railing trails in Canberra!? This was Turramurra Cyclery's (TORC) training weekend where 21 riders rode Sparrow, Stromlo and the secret track. The first ride of the weekend saw the one and only Ben Henderson leading out the charge. Ben is in the full training mode at this point in time getting ready for the National Series, good luck Ben! After a solid ride and a hearty lunch we headed via the coffee stop to check in at the AIS. Since this was a training weekend the riders were only allowed a brief rest before we were back out on track. One of the riders during the session mentioned "this is Mecca" and it was … lots of smiles at the end of this ride! Back to the AIS for all you can eat dinner then out to O'Connor for a few quiet ales. To read more click here. To see some of the photos from the weekend click here
Come Sunday morning 6:15am there was a sprinkle of rain but that didn’t stop one particular rider, Michael Israel and little old me, who went for a slog. After the 'clearing the cobwebs ride' it was back for all you can eat breakfast then out to Stromlo. I know now why there weren't many riders out that morning ... they were all prepping themselves for the trails out there, Cardiac Arrest and Hammer Head were top of their lists! From there, many of them continued on and used up their full allotment of time (2 1/2 hours) out on track.
There certainly were a lot of smiles when they came back to the newly re-jigged trailer. Lunch, shower at the AIS and on the bus. Sleep (for the riders), coffee, McDonalds (!) then back at TORC headquarters. It was an amazing trip with some very good riders. Thanks to Simon for gathering the troops and also to Laurie for helping out last minute. To see some of the photos from the weekend click here.
Other news … don’t forget that twowheeltours has been launched and we have some exciting European trips on the horizon for both road and mtnbike adventures
Friday 8 October 2010
Shame on me, almost a month since I last wrote!! So much has gone on since that last entry. First things first, I should review the trip we had last weekend.
On Sunday night I was asked how much rain we got in Canberra over the weekend. My honest answer was 3 maybe 2 minutes of rain while out riding. Granted it did rain at night, while we were all sleeping, and also after we had packed the bikes into the trailer on Sunday afternoon. To hear that it rained all weekend in Sydney was just awful:) Needless to say a dry weekend in Canberra is a great one, especially when the trails are all prepared for upcoming races. Thank you to the crew that came down it was a great group and a heap of fun … they’ve already booked for 2011!
Now to try and recap the trip to Switzerland! During most of September I was in Switzerland checking out some new ride sites for future adventures, both for mtnbike and also twowheeltours. I was fortunate enough to be travelling with a great group of friends, all super fit and able to ride everyday for 2 weeks straight, what more could you ask from friends.
We spent time in Stein an Rhein and also over in Scuol. The riding in both areas was quite different. Stein an Rhein is a beautiful area situated right near the German boarder and in what could be considered to be the lakes district. There is also some great mtnbiking in the area to be had. Many thanks to Heinz et al for all their hard work in making us feel at home and showing us around. A week of riding there, plus eating/drinking/taking photographs just wasn't enough time! I can't wait to go back (this will be said again later in the entry!!)
The second week we headed East over to Scuol, this lovely town is situated near the Austrian and Italian boarder. Using this as our base we departed everyday for a week in different directions. They only have a few chairlifts operating in the area so fitness was a key factor. Then again, for all the hard work that you do there is plenty of REWARD on the way down. There is also a heap of traversing trails in the area, SO much flow it is ridiculous! I can't wait to go back!! More photos can be found here.
Some great connections were made and now I'm happy to pass on that in 2011 we will be taking a trip to Switzerland to ride some more ... check out twowheeltours.com.au for more information.
Now that I'm back in OZ for a long period of time, I now promise that this will be updated far more frequently! Safe riding and see you out on trail soon!
Monday 6 September 2010 Just a quick recap from the weekend just passed - it saw a few firsts - first of the firsts was the fact that we didn't ride on the Saturday. We usually ride no matter the case but it was raining cats and dogs down there! After putting it to a vote, ALL the riders decided to give it a miss and have my guided tour of
That is the beauty of riding in
Come Sunday the rain had stopped and it was time to get muddy. We got out for a 6am ride which was a hoot. After the ride it was tim to hit the all you can eat b’fast. They’ve gone up market at the Australian Institute of Sport, they’ve even got chorizo on offer for b’fast! Next stop Mt Stromolo. There was quite a bit more mud out at Strom but there is something about riding in those conditions that will always be entertaining.
Big congrat’s to Richard and Michael who did two laps of Strom, true troopers. Come lunch time, although it was sunny, the wind was whipping and viciously cold. Out at Strom they were holding the Junior National Criterium Road Championships, those poor buggers dealing with that WIND! Due to these conditions we decided to dine in the van and head back to the AIS – thank goodness they still haven’t installed water efficient shower heads!
Next you know we were full of coffee and headed back for
Pictures from the weekend can be found here – enjoy
Monday 30 August 2010
The trip in late August was great to get back to
A few other things have been keeping me busy as of late. Our jerseys have arrived and they look amazing! Thanks to the boys from Ride Zannox for the design and delivering an amazing kit! I’ve never had such a good chamois!
I also attend Bikes for Bush which is a shared vision between Art Equity and Pegasus Racing to promote indigenous health through cycling. An amazing initiative where some beautifully painted
I’m also pumped to know that on Sept 11 we’ll be flying over to
Tuesday 17 August 2010
What a great weekend has just been had, time up in Port Douglas (PD) is NEVER dull! We went up to relax and to explore, again. Granted I've been in PD a few times as of late but this time there was a definite reason for the trip, to add another destination for twowheeltours (TWT). With the cold weather of Sydney behind us we headed on the quick jaunt North. Upon arrival the weather was warm and the trip from Cairns to PD was bliss. That road along the coast really is one of beauty. Dinner of good old fish-n-chips can never steer you wrong ... then again when did F+C's turn gourmet!?
I could go on with the tales of the days but that would just fill space. All I know is that next Sept we'll be taking a trip up to road and mtb for a few days. Not to mention a day on the reef, eating at the best restaurants and seeing other natural beauties, luxury at its best.
I'm still working on the TWT web site but that is all part of the adventure.
Saturday 7 August 2010
My last two rides I've been dive bombed by Maggie's! Both times different places, both on some of my favourite routes ... now I want to keep riding these routes but what am I to do? I'm NOT going to wear an ice cream bucket on my head with painted eyes on the back but what's a rider to do!? email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
if you've an idea!!
Friday 6 August 2010
Ok - I've been home for an entire week now! I've been out on the bike once and it felt great to be cycling back in Sydney. All that being said I even got swept by a magpie, which I'll take as a good sign as this means Spring is on its way! That means less layers and more day light, all positives for both mountain and road biking. The amazing part about riding in Sydney is the views that you get to take in while out and about. Need evidence - here it is:
Monday 2 August 2010
Six weeks … where to start!? How about with the good stuff:
The rest of the
Spain including San Sebastian – still an amazing city, just the way I remembered it from 12 years before, I’m getting old!! Big thanks to Gorka for an amazing stay and for showing me around. The riding on both mountain and road around there is truly beautiful.
French
Now the bad stuff --- only the girl sitting beside me on the trip home, not able to contain her coughing attacks, most directed at me, was able to shun my trip albeit ever so slightly. There is another story which occurred in
Older newsletters:
First Winter Weekend of the Season June 2010 - Beauitful Canberra Clear and Crisp!
GUG Review May 2010 - What fun these two weekends were!
Trip GUG #1 May 2010 - Our first ever Gear Up Girl Weekend
Trip 9 April 2010 - Ben Henderson and another three trip traveller!
Trip 8 March 2010 - our first three trip traveller!
Trip South December 2009 - time to find some more trails
Before Christmas I decided to spoil myself and hit the road to check out some of the mountain bike trails and decide which single track trails between Sydney and Melbourne should be added to our bag of mountain bike trips. The itinerary was pencilled in, then the accommodation was booked and there was no turning back! Come that Tuesday morning I was off, headed out and smiling to myself as all those on the M5 were heading off to work and I was headed off to play in the dirt.
The basic seven day itinerary was Goulburn, Albury, Beechworth, Mt Beauty, Mt Buller, Castlemaine, day off. Tathra, Manna Park/Mandini, Bermagui, Batemans Bay/Mogo and Nowra.
An amazing time was had at all the places. Christmas came just in time, a chance to eat my weight in food, all in the need for recovery and time to relax. What's more I met some great people along the way and what's even better is that we've not added a heap of new places to ride. To see a few more of the photos from the trip check out the Gallery.
Trip 6 December 2009 - last trip before Christmas, what perfect weather and amazing riding
Trip 5 November 2009 - Ben Henderson leading the skills session - he is truly amazing! Trip 2 Trip combined with CORC 3 hour race at Sparrow ... 3 HOURS!!
Six weeks … where to start!? How about with the good stuff: The Spain – San Sebastian, still an amazing city, just the way I remembered it from 12 years before, I’m getting old!! Big thanks to Gorka for an amazing stay and for showing me around. The riding on both mountain and road around there is truly beautiful. French Now the bad stuff --- only the girl sitting beside me on the trip home, not able to contain her coughing attacks, most directed at me, was able to shun my trip slightly. There is another story which occurred in |
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