Low Flying

Not much happening around here this week. Another solid week of work left me feeling pretty run down by Friday and sure enough I have developed a bout of the dreaded "Man Flu". I am hoping it isn't a particularly virulent strain but am taking it easy in case I have the version that floored a mate a few weeks ago.

So, how do you take it easy when "infected?" By taking a morning off trail building and rolling along behind an excited bunch of 8 to 12 year old kids on muddy trails.

Not single track, just fire roads but it was still enjoyable.

While I wasn't trail building this morning I was still keen to see what the lads had done so we headed the kids ride across to Cornubia to check on the progress and help with the sausage sandwiches.

The main gully crossing is a very special area. We are trying our hardest to cross it with absolute minimum impact, only making the trail corridor just as wide as it needs to be.(above) Looking left from this spot you see a beautiful moss covered stream bed and fern laden gully.

This trail will allow riders and walkers alike to better appreciate the environment we actually live in.

The kids thought it was pretty cool too judging by the smiles on their faces as they inspected the work.

There were quite a few new faces in the group which was great to see. Ash, from Nerang, came along to lend a hand and share his experience. He added some nice rock armouring to the gully crossings.

Derek is working on a technical trail feature right at the start of the trail. This trail "qualifier" will sort the men from the single speeders.....

We soon got onto the serious business of eating sausage sandwiches at the BBQ. Once again the kids were a great help in this area!

Oh, and the low flying part? Watch this snippet from the British Superbike Series. Anyone that has ridden one of these road racing monsters knows how stupidly impossible this is.....

Miss-almost-11 got to ride her new bike today. Someone was pretty pleased with herself about it too!

Cheers and thanks for checking in.

Feelin' Fine

The man flu has gone just as quickly as it came and I am feelin' way too damn good...

I have managed to roll about 100 km (62 mi) of trail under the wheels since Sunday which is probably too much considering I want to race this weekend. But who cares? The weather has been great and I am healthy again!

We have some trail care this weekend, then Sunday is the annual Karingal 4 Hour which is always a fun day out, as long as I don't overdo it. I will try to take it easy like last year.

Bring it on......

Re-Fuelled

Well after much ado and six weeks of phone calls she is back. She went away as a cracking young thing with olive skin and has returned to me with a dark tan. Woo Hoo!

Not only have I scored a new frame, but as the rear shock pivots have been moved for 2010 I must have the Fox RP23 DRCV shock that fits this frame! Add to this the fact that they found my fork stanchions to be "worn beyond limits" (aviation term) and I effectively have a new bike with the wheel set being only two rides old.

Isn't it purrdy? I can see one of my cars in the reflection.

She has a pretty face, don't you think?!

Now normally I would have had the bike covered in mud by now but unfortunately I am holed up at home sipping chicken soup and wiping my dose with what feels like sandpaper.

After much skiting about not having had a cold this year, I have been struck down finally. It means five days off work (with the loss of the considerable overnight allowances a 2 and 3 day pairing bring). It also means my family get to put up with me suffering what I am sure is Avian/Swine flu but my wife brushes aside with a sideways glance as "Just Man Flu". I am only sick once or twice a year. Surely I can mope around looking for a tiny bit of sympathy?

Here is hoping that next time I am on here I can show some action shots of the new Trek sporting the new improved healthy me!