Rain, rain, rain...

After somehow escaping the usual deluge at Wildside, we're back in a drizzly Sydney. Unfortunately Thredbo, our next port of call, is coping it too...looks like it'll be a wet few days of testing down there!

We're heading to Australia's longest chairlift-accessed downhill track to put four 2010 downhill bikes to the test - joining us Dodo, Cannonman and Oli, and of course Jordan LoColemotive. It should be interesting to see how these bikes perform! We've got the Scott Gambler 20, Commencal Supreme DH, Giant Glory 0 and the Mongoose Boot'r Team.

The Commencal looks top notch; they've dropped weight and height out of the bike by running a BoXXer instead of last year's rattly and stocky Marzocchi 888, plus they've ditched the cheap chainguide of 2009 in favour of a proper MRP. Last year we gave the Giant a hard time for its heavy frame weight...not this time around! The Glory frame has been completely revamped, dropping over a kilo. The highest level of spec on test too could see the Giant up there. The Mongoose, which actually won our shootout last year in a bit of a suprise victory, remains essentially unchanged aside from a very bling white and gold paintjob. The Gambler looks like a beast! There is more metal in that bike's toptube than in most frames in entirety. With 230mm travel and low, slack geometry it'll be a high speed freight train.

We've got a bunch of other cool stuff on test at the moment too. After years of wanting to do so, I've fitted up an adjustable seatpost to my Pivot - it's the new Specialized Command Post, three height positions and air sprung. Looks good, weighs a lot, but I've switched out my tyres to counter some of the weight gain! I'm now running Specialized Purgatory treads front and rear. I loved these tyres in our shoot out this issue and also on the front of the Stumpjumper I recently tested, so I thought it'd be good to see how they go long-term. I've set them up tubeless, they sealed fine but plenty of sealant leaked out of the sidewalls.

Other funky stuff? The good folk at SCV just sent us a bunch of 2010 Marzocchi forks to shoot (not to test...bummer!). Fingers crossed Marz has kicked the production gremlins that have soured their name for the last couple of years. The old Bombers were so good, I want to see Marzocchi riding high again!

Time to go. Peace out y'all.

- Chris.

Aaahaahaaaa!!

This is Pedro. He and I are comparing overbites. Trust me, there's nothing more comforting than the warm soft embrace of an alpaca when you have a bad hangover....oh, Pedro.

Take a walk on the Wildside

Wooeeee! Back from Wildside! What a ride - this is a must do, seriously. From the mist shrouded plains of Cradle Mountain to the sea spray of Strahan, it's 100% epic. We'll have all kinds of cool stuff for you over the couple of days, so hang tight....

Photo: Andrea Deka

Who's Who?

First person to email me and correctly tell me which picture is our deputy editor, Mick Ross, and which picture is Harry Potter, will win a copy of our Places That Rock Special Edition - send your answer to ambed@acpmagazines.com.au

1.

2.

This is where I will hurt.

Training is cheating. That's why I will be the only real winner at Wildside......(sob)......oh god, I wish I'd done some training....this is gonna hurt so bad....

- Chris.

Testing/flogging.

What's coming up?
We head to Thredbo in a couple weeks to trail the latest off the shelf rigs from; Giant, Specialized, Mongoose, Scott and Commencal. Pumped.

An Orbea Alma C30 is on it's way, and we'll also be writing up the new Commencal Ramone hardtail.
The 2010 long term fleet is almost complete, with only the Yeti 5C and the Niner RIP to round out a great bunch of bikes.

The new Manitou R Seven forks are fitted to Chris' Scott Spark, and the Rockshox SID XX on Mick's Pivot (with new Push valved Fox RP23 shock).

Also coming to Tasmania for the Wildside with us are the new UST tryes from Onza, the 2.0" Canis, 2010 Hayes Troker Trail brakes and Specialized Pro shoes. Loads of cool stuff to put to test. Stay tuned!

Back in time.

Australia Day long weekend meant plenty of trails for me, although poor Chris was stuck bikeless on the beach during a family holiday force fed delicious food by his caring mother (sucker).
One day saw me shredding the technical all mountain trails with Captain Cannonball and the next I'd take a ride I have not ridden in over ten years. Back when suspension and v brakes were only a dream we would spend hours on the train to head up the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, feeling like young explorers we would load our backpacks with biscuits, tubes and disposable cameras to ride the epic trails far from home; Andersons and Oaks, then turn off to the Lost World or St Helena's.
Quite a contrast the two days were, but it was a great day sitting in the saddle for almost 5 hours as I cruised the newly graded (and horribly soft and sandy) Andersons trying to remember the way. Alive and well I surfaced at Woodford and turned into the Oaks Firetrail before spliiting down St Helena's. Again it had been graded so my memories of wild rocky trails vanished into the 90's. Rad day, back in time, but i should have done it on a rigid.

Techy tech tech.

The taleneted Cannonball that is Mr James Hall took me down a mad new trail, techy, wet, slippery, steep, blind and wild. the new Trek Remedy long term test bike ate it up. The word 'animal' sums up the Remedy, it simply eats trails.

Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Killer place for a Marathon.

Here are a couple short vids of the Mawson Marathon trail. Riding around the east side of Wilpena Pound, and ripping through some fast open singletrack with Andy Bell (Kona) and James Williamson (Giant), fast guys. It's classic Aussie outback scenery, with plenty of animals bouncing across the trails along you, emu's, kangaroo's, eagles, snakes, the whole lot. It's up there amongst the most remote trails i've ridden.

Feel like taking a ride or racing through some crazy South Australian mountain range? 350k's sound like a good distance? Check out the Mawson Marathon this June 8-12.
From Blinman to Melrose you can ride it cruisy style over four stages, race it over four stages or race the entire 350km in one go. The terrain is hot, dry, demanding but absolutley spectacular. We'll have a full writeup in the next issue, but untill then log onto www.bikesa.asn.au for all the info. We will be there for sure, not only for the marathon race but also because the final stage rolls into the rad town of Melrose, oh yes, we all know how good Melrose is..

Mawson Marathon

Mick gets back this morning, from a three day trip aroud the Southern
Flinders Ranges, SA. He was there with Bike SA, checking out the
course that'll be used for the 350km Kona Mawson Marathon in June.
Sounds like it was pretty special - rumour has it, Mick lassooed a
wild emu!

Nationals 2010, dusted and done.

Whew, what a weekend!
The day started off with the action packed short track cross country, Rowena Fry and Sid Taberlay taking out the two titles. The mens race was wild, Lachlan Norris of the Porsche Drapac team attacked like mad but probably worked on the front a little too long and Sid managed to get around him and the others to win.

Next was the DH, with a bit of rain keeping the dust down for the final practice runs the track was blisteringly fast.
The most exciting part of the day was the elite mens final, Chris Kovarik landed himself in the hot seat with only Sam Hill to come, Sam dropped in only meters from the finish line, throwing away what could have been. Chris' wife Clair Buchar was the fastest in elite women.

The weekend's just about done, and it sure was a cracker of an event. Eagle Hill MTB Park is great, the crowd was pumped, and the pits were positively buzzing with people and cool new bike kit. It's looking like the Nationals are returning to form and becoming the nations biggest event again. Bring it on.

I was lucky to have sit down and interview Mike Sinyard, the founder of Specialized Bicycles, a great guy with loads of great stuff to say. The full story will make its way into the mag soon.

Who will win the DH?

There is a lot of doubt in the pits today as who will wear green and gold from tomorrow.
Seeding runs took place this arvo with Sam Hill taking fastest time ahead of Chris Kovarik... Hmmm, who knows.

Cross Country National Champions!

Fry again, McConnell a first.
Tasmanian Rowena Fry made it back-to-back titles in the cross country race and Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell of Victoria took out the men's event at the SRAM Australian MTB Championships in Adelaide today.
Elite men – cross country

Daniel McConnell (VIC)
Lachlan Norris (VIC)
Joshua Carlson (NSW)
Sid Taberley (TAS)
Aiden Lefmann (QLD)

Under 23 men – cross country

Paul van der Ploeg (VIC)
Cal Britten (ACT)
Daniel Bruansteins (VIC)

Elite women – cross country

Rowena Fry (TAS)
Heather Logie (ACT)
Jenni King (VIC)
Joanna Wall (VIC)
Jodie Willett (QLD)
Under 23 women – cross country

Rebecca Henderson (ACT)
Sarah Holmes (SA)
Therese Rhodes (SA)

Nationals are go!

AMB arrives at the Eagle Park Mountain Bike Park in Adelaide for the SRAM Australian Mountain Bike Championships.
It's hot, dry, dusty and packed.
Caroline Buchanan and Luke Madill took out the Four Cross on a track reminiscent of a downhill track, loose and wild.
Cross Country next, I'll keep you posted.

Cover ups

Ooo, what have we got here?
JC putting the final touches on the next issue. Who's on the cov?
We can't tell you yet, but he does look a little like ET in this shot!

Downhill Bike Shootout Coming Up...

We're heading to Thredbo. With five new 2010 DH bikes. It's going to wild. Read all about it soon.

Photo: Tristan Cardew.

Mobile

Hey hey! Our first mobile blog post. Looks like we will be updating
the blog as-it-happens. Look out CNN!

Want a job with AMB?

Yep - we're looking for someone to join the team!

AMB is looking for a....National Advertising Manager

Australian Mountain Bike magazine requires a National Advertising Manager to join the Action Sports sales team. Based in Sydney, the successful applicant would be responsible for all advertising within the magazine and associated publications. With a history that spans over 13 years, AMB is Australia’s largest and most respected mountain bike magazine, covering all aspects of the sport, and is currently experiencing unprecedented growth.To be successful in this role you will be driven and dynamic, possessing a strong passion for mountain biking. The right applicant will have an understanding of magazine publishing and a proven sales track record. Experience dealing with direct clients and/or experience in the bicycle industry are also preferable but not essential. You will be a confident presenter and be able to think outside the square to develop and present winning, creative proposals to clients. Working side by side with the editorial team will be key to the continued success of this title. If you enjoy working in a fun, fast-paced, vibrant, results-driven environment, this role is for you.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your CV to me, Danny Lavell, at dlavell@acpmagazines.com.au

Fly far, land soft

Have problems with crashing to the ground like a sack of proverbial poo?

Sounds like the next issue may be for you! AMB headed bush to capture some images for issue #106, including our 'How To: Land Softly' feature. Mick threw himself off all kinds of things for Tristan's lens, proving that even bearded men can ride smoothly. Check out this fantastic iPhone photo captured by Chris! Wow, what a photographic genius! It was far more impressive in real life....

AMB Summer Cup

Some pics from Round 2 of the AMB Summer Cup series. The second race in this presitgious series took place during the Pat Campbell Farewell BBQ, at Balls Head, Sydney. This round was taken out by Dodo, with a ripping time of 28.6 seconds.

The Summer Cup rules are simple - one bike, two thongs, lots of corners. Fastest rider wins, though time penalties my be applied at random if a racer is judged to be taking things too seriously.

Above: 1. Cannonball keeps his feet up round the drifty uphill right hander, while the adoring fans look on from the Opera House. 2. Oli K, always a threat here at Balls Head, making the race bike look like a kid's toy. 3. The Ed, definitely taking things too seriously and moments away from losing some skin - check out the death grip! Commited! 4. Spin, the thongless Croat, barefoot and wild - look how close he is to running over a child and two dogs! Sick!

All in all, a good day's racing. Thanks to Dodo for the shots!

- Chris.

Breaking News

A little something from our recent trip up to Forster! Courtesy of the Great Lakes Advocate.
http://www.greatlakesadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/magazine-team-blown-away-by-local-trails/1715285.aspx

Open the floodgates!

We've made the call to enable comments on the blog! If you've got something to say, whack it up! But please keep it clean, civil and friendly....or Jordan will get you.

Rubber Cruise

Phew, we've just knocked over a couple of good cruisy days of tyre testing, riding trails around Sydney's Royal National Park, as we put 20 pairs of the latest 2.1" - 2.3" endurance/trail tyres to the test. It's pretty hard to go wrong nowadays, as we found out, there are few truly bad sets of treads out there (a few medicore, sure). Hopefully next issue's huge write up will help a few readers work out which tyres will be best for their riding style.

Tomorrow arvo AMB shuts up shop for the year, we'll be back to work on Jan 4 to put the finishing touches on our Feb issue. In the meantime, we'll keep on updating the blog and do all we can to get some quality riding under our belt (and a few beers and puddings too). I've just bought a new set of forks for my DH bike and had my shock PUSH'd by Dirtworks, so I'll be hitting up some DH action. Mick's stoked to take hold of a new Trek Remedy 8 long term test bike tomorrow too, so he'll be like a kid in a toy shop I'm sure. Jordan will be out on the roadie, putting in the kays to try and burn off the marriage and honeymoon spare tyre! Rumour has it that his new wife told him he "looked pregnant", but we're sure his recent training frenzy will have him back to welterweight status in no time.

Now, go shred those trails people. Show the corners no mercy, take your fingers off the brakes and give yourself a scare. Summer's here, work and school are out, go explore and make the most of it. Yeeehooo!

- Chris.

Moerengi Track, Whirinaki.

Wooooooo yea, we were privileged to ride the newly opened Moerengi Track just out of Rotorua. This ride was a true adventure, hours of hours of amazing ancient forests and enormous old growth trees, passing tall waterfalls and crystal clear drinkable streams.

Here Mick leads Pat Campbell and Chris Jiffwood blindly down sections of an 8km full speed descent. Stoked!

Taupo, NZ. Check it.

On our trip to Rotorua, we took a day to ride a few sweet trails around Lake Taupo. Check out this video of a trail named W2k. Holy crap, how good does it look! Watch Micks rear wheel and the amazing lack of traction from a bad tyre selection choice. Funny stuff.