mountain bikes - work - 3D - motorbikes - computers

About the author

To place my comments on the rides in perspective, here is some info about me.

By deity, who would have ever believed it? I've actually cracked it for a half century. I'm 175 cm (5'9") tall and weigh around 85 kg (depending on how much riding I do!). I ride at least once a week or I get cranky. I regularly ride around local fire trails and single tracks. My health is generally sound but I am not superfit by any means.

I guess I'd classify myself as a trail rider - I ride all sorts of tracks, but when they get too tough, I'm not too proud to walk - to quote Clint Eastwood - "a man's got to know his limitations". I enjoy technical riding, but enjoy being out in the bush looking at a view even more. I'm definitely not an eXtreeeeemmm d00d!! and my reviews are aimed at new to average riders rather than eXtreeeeemmm riders.

2005 was a horrible year bikewise. I kept breaking derailleurs and hangers on my Giant NRS2, so pinched my son's old Mongoose VRS3 - until I snapped the swingarm. Then I pressed my venerable ATX 760 back into service - for a while. Doing an out and back night run (solo) on the Oaks, I snapped the frame completely, the headset separating from the down and top tubes. 10 kms is a long way to walk when you're carrying your bike and are battered and bruised... Lucky for me I was only travelling slowly with my lights off, not fast with them on like usual. My wife took pity on me, and now I own a Kona Coiler, which has proved very strong and capable, if heavy. I also have a hardtail built from a mixture of old parts from the Pit and a Diamondback Topanga frame (my second Topanga).

My first mtb was an 18 speed, 18" rigid Graecross - heavy steel frame and steel wheels, but it did have cantilever brakes and index gears (for the rear). I still have this bike, and used the seat from it till only recently - after breaking two more expensive seats... Next came a 21 speed, rigid 20" Diamondback Topanga - nice bike, CroMo frame, alloy wheels, LX gears, but a bit big off road. After many kilometres, I bought the ATX. This lasted 7 years of heavy use before upgrading to the NRS - a good bike, but not sturdy enough for the abuse I dished out.

Any reasonable quality mtb in good condition will take you safely on all these rides - you don't need the latest and greatest, although you will need good brakes! You should avoid bikes with "Not suitable for off road riding, stunting or jumping" stickers - they really aren't...

While suspension is not essential for any of these rides, I strongly recommend front suspension for the improvements in control and comforts you'll receive. In fact, I reckon duallies are better still, the advantages oputweighing the disadvantages of complexity and weight.

I grew up in the Blue Mountains, spending my childhood in the Lower Mountains, and adulthood in the Mid Mountains. Much of my childhood was spent exploring on trailbikes but almost all of those tracks are now closed to all motor vehicles. Mountain bikes were the obvious option - environmentally friendly as long as you don't skid, and great fun.

I have personally ridden every ride reviewed and any opinions and times taken are based on my own experiences - yours might be different! I try to ride all tracks reviewed once a year - and the Oaks almost every week - say hello if you see me... I don't look much like my picture anymore, when my hair started to disappear the ponytail had to go - it was starting to resemble a comb-over, and I've even lost a little weight.

As you may have guessed by now, I enjoy writing, and have been a regular contributor to mtb and computing magazines. More about my writing.

another fAt hIpPy production

Standard disclaimer:

Like all outdoor activities, mountain bike riding can result in serious or fatal injury. Your bike must be in good condition and suitable for off road riding. Track conditions may have changed since these reviews. There may be dangers on tracks that haven't been mentioned in these pages.

Don't ride beyond your ability. If you fall off it's your own fault.

Unless otherwise stated, all thoughts, comments, opinions etc expressed herein are mine, and should not be taken to represent anyone else. If you don't like anything I've said, sorry, just change the channel.