Ride Day Postponed

A bit of fiddly knee surgery had delayed the ride day that was pencilled in. Sorry to dick you all around. But the day will happen in the next few weeks, so please keep an eye on the site for the upcoming date. Gotta do a bit of juggling – you know the family stuff – but all’s good, and I will get a few extra track marks on the altered trails before too long; and share a beer or two as well.

'Y&J' has received some construction work last Saturday. Mum was at work and the boys and I made 'Y&J' flow a lot better and maintain speed as it snakes through the natural bush.

‘The Ellerington’ will be getting a berm on the Western end this weekend, to help in hitting that last corner at point three of a negative G force. I am trying a different method of making a berm – now that I don’t have a bobcat sitting in my driveway, but if all goes to plan, the 2 tracks will be smooth and fast come Sunday evening. I call it part of 'save the brake pad' foundation, and like saving the whales, it will make the world a better place.

And, to cap it all off, I have found this photo on some dodgy old CD when my last hard drive fried itself. It was taken last time I was at the Ellerington – Majors Creek on a coast ride from Canberra.

And the Resches was cold; and it was good! My three at least!!

Mr Fairweather finally gets it!

It took a postcard from an old mate of the BSS&SS's to get the message to our South Coast associate.
If the sightings and the reports are correct, Mr Andrew Hearne (aka Mr Fairweather) swapped his sunscreen for his rain jacket and braved the elements on the weekend.
"I got muddy", Andrew said excitedly,"and it even rained when I was out. It was really really cool and dirty".
Thanks to people like Chopper, Andrew is developing a range of riding experiences. Soon we will teach him to do a big skid.

Wombat 1 - Col 0

First blood has been drawn in the 'War of the Trails' at Burkeville.
Currently, Mr Wombat is drinking ice cold Crown Larger while snacking on BBQ chicken wings, all nice and snugly in one of his many holes.
Colin Charles Burke however, is laid up in bed, left leg in traction, whacked to the eyeballs on prescription drugs, with a dislocated knee.

On Wednesday morning - Colin went left to dodge the wombat poo on one of his North Shore ramps; changed his line; pushed him wide; ended way out of control. The wombat snickered; Col turned to see who was laughing; landed wrong; and popped his knee from its socket. Mr Wombat backed up; flicked dirt in Cols face; snickered again; and off he trotted.

Whilst some may say that the wombats win was a shallow victory; Colin has always been shit on those obstacles. Other will say that a win is a win, and currently the wombat sits on top of the competition ladder.

All I know is that the 'War of the Trails' at Burkeville has only just begun.

The challenge has been set

Rain, hail or shine, Andrew Hearne, AKA Mr Fairweather, will be travelling up from the Bay this weekend to smack the butt of any and all the single speeders that Canberra can muster.
In a taped phone conversation earlier this morning, Andrew set the challenge to all local riders to 'muscle up' and ride at this weekends CORC race at Kowen Forrest.
"I am fit, hard and ready to race" Hearne announced."I have changed gearing for this weeks course, and I will be on fire. LOOK OUT!".

Lets hope that the weather predictions of fine and sunny come true, and we will see Andrew deliver on his promises.

Singleator problems

I need help. Running a dual suspension single speed relys on a spring loaded chain tensioner to take the slack when the suspension is active. When the spring is new, it works like a treat, and provides all the advantages of a dual suspension and the simplicity of a one gearded bike.
Where the problem lies, is that after about 4 months of riding, the spring tension rel ax's, and when under load, the chain skips through the jockey wheel on the singleator. It annoys the shit out of me.
I have spent the big bucks on the Surly singlator - but can't get a replacement downward spring, needed after 6 months. I have tried the cheaper versions, and they just seem to get to the 4 month time frame and throw their hands in the air. I have tried installing an old Shimano 105 rear derailleur spring, but that doesn't have the same grunt either. I have been recommended to go to speciality fasteners and get a stainless steel spring manufactured - and currently that seems to be my best option.
Can any one else help me out with a suggestion, or a decent brand?

Mr Fairweather

It has now been confirmed that the Batemans Bay Chapter is water soluble. When a little bit of the wet stuff falls from the sky, Mr Andrew Hearne changes his name to one of his many alias; 'Mr Fair-weather', 'Mr Snuggles', 'Mr I'm going back to bed'



The 6:22am phone call created the beginning of a complete new chapter in the book of shadows for 'Mr Fine and Sunny', as his reasons NOT to ride flowed effortlessly off his tongue;
".....it's still dark outside"
".....it's really raining"
".....I have to straighten my hair"

Doctor Harden-Up has given him some Viagra for future rainy days.