Footprint: Chocolate Foot News, June 2011
Dear All
Well, isn't the weather STILL the hot topic of conversation? We only just escaped the rain at the conclusion of Round 2 of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series in Nowra - it started bucketing down at 9pm that evening and doesn't seem to have stopped since then! Thankfully the weather gods also looked favourably upon the Rock Wallaby, who proved to be a tough critter to tame, but by all accounts fun was had in the chase.
Rock Wallaby Mountain Bike Enduro – Sunday 15 May 2011
For a first time event, the Rock Wallaby Enduro went pretty well, if we do say so ourselves! In brilliant weather (after a chilly start), an intimate but highly competitive field of 160 riders took on the course that was challenging but rewarding ... real mountain biking for real mountain bikers!
Congrats to all that tamed or were bitten by the Rock Wallaby, and big ups to all the Appin residents who helped with course design & preparation, marshalling, catering and logistics as well as Wollongong MTB Club for their invaluable assistance and use of their fine trails.
Event reports and results can be found here, and a selection of great shots by event photographer Dave Bateman are posted in the Gallery.
The date for the 2012 event has been set for Sunday 27 May, mark it in your diaries!
2011 SRAM Singletrack Mind Series
Round 2 - 29 May, Coondoo Road, Nowra
As Round 2 of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series approached with a decidedly wet weather forecast we wondered if perhaps we were jinxed. After having to postpone Round 1 at Awaba due to torrential rain and knowing that rain renders access to Coondoo Road difficult, we thought we might have been paying for our awesome run with the weather last year. But race day dawned with clear skies and throughout the day competitors wore dusty moustaches rather than muddy bums, not to mention massive grins from the experience that is the fine and flowing singletrack of Coondoo Road.
Results and event reports are on the website and also a summary of comments received from competitors, supporters and event services – thanks to all that have sent kind words, we in turn would like to thank all of you for the great vibe on and off track. Series rankings by CycleNation will be available on their website on Monday. And don't forget to check out the shots from photographer extraordinaire Dave Bateman, in the Gallery!
Round 3 - 26 June, Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra
A fortnight ago we headed down to Stromlo to preview the course for Round 3 and we had a lot of fun whilst shooting this course preview video with local riders. We're really excited about the course as it has something for everyone!
All the information for Round 3 is now up on the website and don't forget that early bird pricing ends at midnight on Sunday and it'll cost you an extra $5 per person to enter next week. Get your teams organised and get entered now! If you're needing accommodation, for the hardy souls then camping is available on the Saturday night for the measly sum of $5 (includes hot showers!), but alternatively we'd like to recommend our Round 3 accommodation partner Crowne Plaza, Canberra who are offering some great deals to our competitors. Click here to enquire or make a booking.
Facebook Competition - win an Avid Elixir Brakeset!
Some of you will know that at Round 2 each competitor was given a Chocolate Foot in their rego pack. The good news is that every rider will receive a yummy choccy Chocolate Foot at Round 3 BUT we urge you not to eat it immediately! After Round 3 we'll be running a Facebook competition where we want you to post a photo of your Chocolate Foot in action or being devoured. Whoever submits the most amusing piccy will win an Avid Elixir X7 brakeset, worth $440! Head to our Facebook page after Round 3 for more details on how to post a photo.
SRAM Technical Support will be tweaking bikes ably assisted by the official series bike shop City Bike Depot, and Hammer Nutrition will be offering samples of their fine product. There'll be a selection of Merida Bikes for you to test, courtesy of City Bike Depot, which will include a couple of road models in case you're keen for a lap or two of the crit track!
We'll have two major draw prizes of an Avid Elixir X0 brakeset worth $700 and a voucher from Merida Bikes worth $1,500! You must be at Presentation to be in the running to win.
Win a $3,000 Golden Ticket
Mountain Biking Australia magazine and Toyota have put $15,000 up for grabs to support MTB riders in Australia. Chocolate Foot have got a piece of the action and will be giving away a $3,000 Golden Ticket for one lucky winner to spend in the local bike shop of your choice. And all you have to do is ride! Enter any of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series events and you are in the running. Enter more rounds for more chances to win! Visit BicyclingAustralia.com/GoldenTicket for all the info.
Sponsor News
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Fuel Right Feel Great – Hammer Nutrition
Hammer Nutrition’s HEED has again won the 2010 Best of MTBR Award. HEED has won the Best of MTBR Award for the last five years! With more than 70 sports nutrition products reviewed, HEED was the only product to receive a 5 out of 5 rating.
All riders entering the Singletrack Mind Series races can purchase Hammer Products at a 15% discount on the Hammer Nutrition website. Purchase the products online then proceed to the checkout cart. Insert the code CHOC FOOT into the coupon section, check out, and your discount will be applied.
Jimmy Jack Wine
Here's a few words from Graeme Scott, Senior Winemaker at Jimmy Jack: "Had a blast riding in the Nowra Singletrack Mind, but it did expose a couple of weaknesses in my preparation. It seemed training was the main issue, so it’s back to the drawing board with a bit more sneaky training squeezed in between bottling some of our new wines. I can’t make it down to the Stromlo round, but rest assured “Jimmy” will be there for the presentations. Enjoy Stromlo and what will be a superb event, and I hope to see you all at Wingello (fighting fit!)."
Clubby Corner
Here are a couple of news items from the people that make mountain biking happen - the clubs.
Broken Hill MTB Club are racing on 26 June, on the Silverton Time Trial course. This course is 23km long starting on the outskirts of Broken Hill and winds its way along the old railway line to the small village of Silverton, an old mining village featuring the historic Silverton Pub which has been the location of many famous Australian movies. All riders welcome but we have a 13+ age limit given the distance of the race. See the club website for more info.
Central West Off Road Bicycle Club has been continuing to run regular local events at Orange and Geurie. Our monthly handicap XC races at Kinross Forest (Orange) have turned out to be a fun and popular format. Geurie's great tracks have been getting a good workout with 1 and 3 hour events, the next race is a 3/6 hour on 7 August. Also, don't forget the second Back Yamma Bigfoot 50/100km event on the 4th September near Parkes! www.cworbc.org.au
Highlands Trails - Trail Ales The crew who help build and maintain the great trails in Wingello State Forest (venue for Round 4 of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series), are hosting an evening of fine dining and fine beers on 29 July. Join them to sample some of Australia’s finest brews, hear ‘The Beer Diva’ talk about the finer points of beer brewing, tasting and evaluating and help Highlands Trails raise some money to continue our work in MTB trail advocacy in the Southern Highlands. Tickets are proving popular, so get in quick to book your ticket! See this flyer or the Highlands Trails website for more info.
That wraps it up for this month's edition of Footprint! Fingers crossed the weather improves over the coming days ... the good news is that Canberra hasn't been copping much rain so the Stromlo trails are in great condition - but it will almost certainly be chilly! We hope to see you there.
Cheers
Joe & Fi
