Footprint: Chocolate Foot News, December 2011
Dear All
It's been a while between newsletters which we can only attribute to the craziness of the latter part of the year! Since our last Footprint in September we've run two events, three skills sessions, postponed one event, and introduced a joint social ride programme with Ride in Workshop. Topped off with a move from Nowra back to Sydney two weeks ago (and the associated culture shock!), we can sincerely say that we are ready for this Christmas break! Between Christmas and New Year we'll be heading off to as-yet-unknown destinations, but with bikes & camping gear packed we think we'll manage just fine!
2011 SRAM Singletrack Mind Series
Round 8¼ - 18 December 2011, Awaba Mountain Bike Park
It was the race that no one thought would happen, after being originally scheduled for April then rescheduled for November. Both dates had to be canned after near biblical weather events. But third time proved to be a charm as the Hunter region put on perfect weather last weekend for the final round of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series. Hunter MTB Association’s purpose designed trails and venue of Awaba Mountain Bike Park ensured that the 8¼ hour series finale would be an event to remember with over 11km of flowing trail, of which almost all was swooping singletrack. Many of you have hailed it as the best venue of the Series! We’re just relieved we were able to FINALLY take you there! Read the rest of the Chocolate Wrapper, our event report, here.
There were many great stories from the day but one of our favourites is about Laura Stone, who we've come to know via our girls' only social rides. Laura had only ridden a mountain bike six times prior to last weekend's race, and it was her first time using clipless pedals (yes, she even lived to tell the tale)! To top it all off, she and team mate Gaye Camm achieved 2nd place in their category. Go girls! We've since heard from several others for whom Awaba was their first MTB race to let us know that they are now hooked! Check out the feedback from competitors & supporters that we've received throughout the year - we're stoked to know that you're really enjoying our races!
Congratulations to all of you for your efforts throughout the Series, whether you've been on the podium, racing your mates, or trying out racing for the first time - and we sincerely thank you for your support. We'll be sending out a Series Wrap in the New Year.
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series on Cycling Central!
Tune into SBS's Cycling Central programme at 5pm on New Years Day to catch the action from the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series Round 8¼!
Give us your feedback and you could win a prize!
We've crafted a survey for competitors of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series to complete as we want to make the Series better than ever in 2012. Many of you have already given us great feedback over the year but if you could please take the time to answer this survey we'd be super grateful. If you fill out the personal details info you'll be in the running to win a draw prize! Click here to access the survey.
Winer of the $3,000 Golden Ticket
We're pleased to announce the lucky winner of the $3,000 Golden Ticket, courtesy of Bicycling Australia and Toyota. Each entry to the 2011 SRAM Singletrack Mind Series gave you a chance to win, with the Golden Ticket to be spent in the bike shop of your choice.
Trent Smyth from the ACT was absolutely stoked to receive the news that he had won the $3,000 Golden Ticket. He has since been talking with his favourite local bike shop, Lonsdale Street Cyclery, about the purchase of a Specialized Epic carbon 29er, a bike he could only ever have dreamed of owning prior to winning this fantastic prize. Congratulations Trent, and we look forward to seeing you riding your new bling at an event in 2012!
The awesome folks at Bicycling Australia and Toyota will again be offering the Golden Ticket prize in 2012, and we're stoked to be a part of it once again. Qualifying events will be announced in the New Year!
The Chocolate Ride - Women's Social Ride
The Chocolate Ride, our combined social ride with Ride In Workshop, which takes place in Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been hugely successful with two girls only rides so far (each attracting 13 riders) and a mixed ride. There’ll be many more to come in 2012 and the info will be posted here when available, and you can also join the Facebook group to keep up to date.
Put Your Best Foot Forward - Mountain Bike Skills Clinics & Training
While we've yet to launch our full programme of skills training (watch this space!) we're more than happy to offer one-on-one or small group skills training. What's great about this is that you'll have 100% of the instructor's attention focused on you, and can work specifically on areas in which you need improvement, on a trail of your choice, at a pace that suits you best. Give us a call (0457 084 552) or reply to this email to discuss if you or your mates want to step it up, gain more confidence, and have more fun on the bike!
Sponsor News
Nutrition Education by Hammer Nutrition
Every rider needs access to the best Endurance Sports Nutrition available. Choice of exactly the right nutrition is extremely important – no riders want to suffer during their race.
To purchase MTBR award winning Hammer Products at a 15% discount on the Hammer Nutrition website, select the products online then proceed to the checkout cart. Insert the code CHOC FOOT into the coupon section, click apply. Check out, and your discount will be applied.
The Body Mechanic
Have you noticed how boring it is to stretch? If you are anything like me, by the time I have had a coffee, cleaned the bike, showered ... I have generally forgotten I ‘should’ stretch, let alone feel like I want to. However is it necessary or even beneficial to stretch after riding? For that matter, is there a better time of the day or week to stretch? Grab a copy of the latest two editions of Mountain Biking Australia magazine to read The Body Mechanic’s strategies for making stretching easy, regular and strategically smart. Or contact
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to arrange your bikefit review or physiotherapy session.
Jimmy Jack Wines
Our new Estate labels are here, and to celebrate this we have a great deal - it's in with the new and out with the old. If you buy a straight or mixed dozen that includes any of our new label Estate, Jimmy Jack or Reserve Range, you choose 4 bonus bottles from the following: 2008 Chardonnay, 2010 Verdelho, 2009 Late Harvest, 2009 Rose or 2008 Petit Verdot. It is strictly while stocks last. Check out the full range at www.jamesestatewines.com.au but the best way to order to get your 4 bonus bottles is to give us a call on 02 6547 5158 during business hours. Pedal on!
James Williamson Enduro Challenge 2012
Registrations are coming in fast for the second James Williamson Enduro Challenge to be held at Wingello, NSW on 11 March 2012. This is a not-for-profit event, held in memory of James Williamson, the Australian and World Solo 24 HOUR champion who died in March 2010. All proceeds from the race go into junior development. The first junior training camp was successfully held at Canberra in November 2011, giving 22 juniors from the Southern Highlands and Canberra Off Road Cyclist Clubs the chance to learn from four of Australia’s top mountain bike riders – Niki Fisher, Jenni King, Shaun Lewis and Dylan Cooper. Check out some of the action here. See www.jameswilliamson.com.au/enduro for further information on the Enduro Challenge.
Clubby Corner
In clubby corner we like to give a leg up to the people that make mountain biking happen - the clubs.
Central West Off Road Bicycle Group are currently working on a race specific course at Kinross Forest, purpose built to be fun for both newbies and the experienced rider. We have actually achieved the impossible and found a way up the hill without climbing. Check out some of the pics on the CWORBC website. These new trails will be featured at CWORBC's brand new event, the Ginja Ninja 250. This 4hr10min enduro takes place on 5 February 2012 and there's also the Saturday Night Dash the previous evening, so why not make a weekend of it? Check out this flyer for more info.
Wollongong Mountain Bike Club will be holding a social ride on Wednesday afternoons at Appin. Meet at the Appin Scout Hall, Burke St, Appin at 5.30 each Wednesday during summer. We will be riding the regular track and a few other single tracks. For more info call Scott on 0418 421 747 or see www.wmbc.asn.au.
MTB Wagga bases most of it organised rides and races around Pomingalarna Reserve, which is literally on the edge of town. Open to the public for bicycle use, the tracks at “Pomi” are renowned for providing a smooth flowing ride with some decent climbs and descents for good measure. The club has been the main driving force in the area's maintenance and use of sustainable trails. With around 20km of track network the courses can be modified to suit the club's varied races from 90 minute winter events, criterium style summer events or take in a magic 13km loop for our main event, the Wagga 6 hour. For 2012 this event will again be held early March (10th & 11th) and attract around 200 riders. Anyone wanting to ride in Wagga, for race or recreation is more than welcome to stop in at Pomi and experience what attracts people from as far as Sydney and Melbourne! www.mtbwagga.asn.au
That wraps it up for the final edition of Footprint for 2011! Don't forget you can also keep up to date with us on Facebook. Wishing you all a very merry festive season, we hope Santa brings you the bike bling you're after and you kick off 2012 with many happy days in the saddle!
Cheers
Joe & Fi
