Great Sandy NP - Cooloola Section

.... My original plans for Fraser Island didn't eventuate this Xmas thanks to the above weather pattern; a big low from T.C. Laurence and heaps of rain. I was still keen as a bean to get out on the fat-bike though, so instead headed to Great Sandy NP: Map

I headed north up Cooloola Way, then cut across Kings Bore Rd to Teewah beach, straight up the beach to the amusement of all the 4WD NY party revellers, cut back along Freshwater Ck Rd, and back via Cooloola Way; 2 half days of nice (but hot) riding.




Even with all the rain from TC Laurence, water in the Noosa River was low. Last time I crossed this bridge, I dangled my feet off the bridge into the refreshing tea-tree water.


In this beautiful stretch of forest, Sacarda's were in their element. They were singing in chorus, and in waves reaching a real crescendo. Awesome stuff!




4" tyres were a must closer to Teewah beach. Without them I would have been walking:(

Fatback Fever

Gotta love it:

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Cycling Mojo

Woohoo, finally it has returned:P I actually want to be out on the bike again.

7 solid weeks of eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, eating and sleeping ... well I think you get the picture ... since I finished my 10 deserts solo cycle epic. The old body has NEARLY caught up. I've jumped on my dually for a few fun frollicks (and yes I kept my clothes on) at Daisy Hill of late. I'm lovin' being back on the bike, but lots of work to do to regain some long lost fitness.

There aint much racing left in the season and it's already warming up, but I think I'll still get down Mullimbimby way for the Freedom marathon through Nightcap National Park. At least it'll be well sheltered. Beautiful forest that one.

Next on the agenda is my first big interstate race ... the Kona 24hr. This'll be an interesting experiment for me as I don't normally fare too well in the heat. I do prefer enduro's to be mid-winter. I know this may seem wierd for someone who voluntarily rides through deserts, but I did 'that' mid-winter.

Here are a few quick picks from my 10 deserts solo ride: more pics here. Website here.

More to look forward to around Chrissy: I'm planning another "fatty" tour around the northern reaches of cooloola NP and possibly also the lakes of Fraser Island. Who needs a 4WD when you have a Fatback:)

Worlds Apart

Speedway Cycles Fatback ... Down Under in Brisbane





After a few obligatory photos, I took my weapon of mass flotation onto the river loop. "Fat Albert" as I've nick-named my Fatback felt like a fish outta water on the road, but he sure got heaps of comments from roadies we passed en-route;) With lots of rolling resistance from low-pressure 4" tyres, the bike is still suprisingly fast. I can see it will be worthwhile retaining my biggest chain-ring. Now I can't wait to test this great bike on more fitting terrain.

Thanks to the guys from For the Riders for helping fit-out my fatty. I know I'm in great hands with For the Riders.

From above to below in the space of approx 3 months. 10 deserts and 7500km. Can I do it? I'll post a link to the expedition website in the near future. You'll be able to track my progress the entire way. Less than 4 weeks to go now ...

Fatties Rock

I have been looking at getting a Surly Pugsley. Pugsley’s are the original 4” fatty. They look like a MTB on steroids given their oversize tyres. They’re built to go places traditional mountain bikes can’t; places I’d like to go!

I’ve always got another adventure on the cards, so a Pugsley was high on my list of priorities. I’ve gotta say whilst I’ve always been a big fan of the Pug and the far-out places it could take me, my bone of contention has always been its weight. You see, I like adventure but I also like speed. At 2.57kg for an 18” frame alone, the Pug is no light-weight, even if a lot of this weight is quite justifiable when you consider the enormous loads these bikes are designed to carry for BIG adventures in crazy-arse terrain. I've been on the look-out for a light-weight adventure MTB, but without sacrifice to strength.

Enter the Fatback ...


This is not a bike we have heard much about here in Australia. Much of its use to date has been in the snow in Alaska and North America. Greg Matyas and Pete Basinger from Speedway cycles conceived this bike from years of Alaskan back-country experience.

Check-out their website here: http://speedwaycyclesak.com/pages/fatback.html

And below, Greg showing off one in the "flesh".

These bikes can do everything a Pug can do, and more.

Other than its light weight (full build possible at 23lbs), the obvious advantage of the Ti frame is its rust resistance. There’s not much point having a bike built for real adventure if it’s restricted on where it can go because of fear of corrosion on beaches etc. This is a real problem in Alaska because most roads are heavily salted to minimise ice formation. Fortunately Speedway Cycles can also accessorise with Ti options for a fully nuke-proof bike that’ll last longer in the back-country than I ever will.

Ti is also more compliant than CrMo steel, so the ride is not as jarring given these oversize beasts normally use their baggy tyres as suspension rather than suspended forks. The result is that weird and wonderful adventure can still be LIGHT & FAST. The 4” tyres also have plenty of clearance. The rear drop-outs come with 165mm spacing, so this bike is designed for the future with even bigger wheels in mind for harsher terrain. The drive-train is conventional, rather than off-set or “dished” like the Pug. Like the Pug, the Fatback also uses a 100mm bottom bracket.

They look schweeeeet, they look fast, and I can’t wait to get one. I know it will take me well off the beaten track. What are other people’s thoughts?

Oh, check out this link if you don’t already know what the Iditarod Trail Invitational is about. This should whet your adventure appetite:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/sports/othersports/24ultra.html?_r=1

Don’t our solo 24hr MTB & XPD adventure races feel kinda like junior girl-scout outings by comparison???

Seeya out on the trails, or “off the beaten trails” soon.