XC and All mountain Unicycling weekend- Canberra Australia 2011

[napalm]

Hey Ash, Glad you are going to be able to make it!

I would prefer not to advertise this event through the AUS for a few reasons

1) Anything sanctioned by the AUS needs to be covered by AUS insurance- which means all the participants need to become members. I know most of them probably already are, but nonetheless- i want to make it as easy and hassle free for the people coming here to ride.
2) I would prefer to have fewer riders that are capable of putting in big days of riding. I don't want to end up babysitting newer riders who can't hack the distances/terrain/speed I hope we will be covering. I really do enjoy spreading the muni love with new riders- but not on every ride.

Feel free to spread news of this event to people who you think could handle it- they are more than welcome. Just remember- beginner riders are not going to have a fun time at an event like this.

mark

[ImFalling]

I'm probably not (yet) capable enough to be riding with you folks, but... You mentioned 40kms/day, can you elaborate on the speed at which you will be covering this? Would it be a 40km block, or 20kms in the morning, 20km in the afternoon?

I could be tempted to come along on the 5th/6th Nov.

[napalm]

Hi Graham,
I would like to do 2 rides a day- one in the cool of the morning and then one in the evening each day. They would probably range from 15-25km per ride. On a fairly technical trail I normally average about 12-14km/hr. With a group the speed would probably drop a bit.

At places like Stromlo MTB park it would be really easy to see how the pace suits you- and if it is too much, you can use the really well marked trail system to have a great day on the trails at a more leisurely pace. All the other locations require a bit more in the way of guidance (so people don't get lost).

We could overcome the guidance issues with ground markings (or smartphone gps if you are technologically inclined) so that it is not too bad if the main group splits up into smaller riding groups.

You would be very welcome to come along. Riding with other people is a great way to upskill and i'm sure you would have a fun time.

mark

[corbin]

too bad i don't live closer!
corbin

[napalm]

Hey Corbin! It would be great to ride with you again some time- are you headed to UNICON next year? It was great meeting (and riding) with you at Wellington and would be sweet to do it all again in the Alps!

mark

[unit]

how did i miss this thread... probably a good thing seeing as it sounds like some intense riding will be done.

maybe next time

[ImFalling]

I might give it a miss this time Mark, hopefully I'll feel ambitious enough to ride with an advanced group in 6-12 months.

[crisb]

Hey Mark,

Just clarifying:

Originally Posted by napalm

1) Anything sanctioned by the AUS needs to be covered by AUS insurance- which means all the participants need to become members.

Not sure where you got this idea from, exactly. It's really the other way round - if you need your event to be covered by insurance (usually because the venue wants to see your policy before allowing your event) and you want to use the AUS insurance policy for this, then it needs to be an "AUS event" and then participants need to be members (if not already).

The AUS has no problem promoting "non AUS" events on the website/newsletter etc. If you don't want people to know about it, then that's fine too..

Cris

[napalm]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for clarifying that for me. I had always thought that it was the other way around and had, as a result, always been a bit hesitant about organising social rides because of the (agreed: minimal) hassle of getting everyone to be an AUS member.

My reason for not wanting to advertise through the AUS was driven by a concern that people might turn up, not wholly prepared or able for the type of riding that I have planned for the weekends. Thinking of it now- that seems a bit shortsighted. I am sure that if the weekends and their purpose are effectively described then that problem could be avoided. If I were to email you an accurate description of what will be happening on the weekends i have planned would you be ok to post it to the AUS members?

It would be a shame to have people miss out on this opportunity to meet other riders and have some great days out on the trails just because they are not in the circle of riders I personally know.

mark

[napalm]

Bump!

The first of two weekends is approaching fast- I hope everyone is as excited as I am! Jamey- what time on the Sunday do you think you will be in Canberra?

mark

[dmacuni]

Hi Mark,

I should still be able to make it on the Saturday of the second weekend. Will be arriving in Canberra sometime on the Friday, staying with a mate. Will be in contact closer to the date to work out ride details.

Cheers,

Dan

[unicycle6869]

Right now I'm 50/50 on making it out on Sunday due to an injury. Last week I was doing Manly Dam and had a good stack on a new line. Big bruise/cut on my ass, re-injured my knee again from last month and the worst part was a bruised rib. Everything seemed to be doing just fine until I fell off my 12 foot uni while working and made by ribs worse. Doc says I should take it easy till it starts to feel better so I'll see how I'm feeling in a few days and let you know. If I do come down it'd be either Saturday night or really early Sunday to make the start time so let me know a time so I can plan accordingly. Surprising enought it doesn't seem to hurt when I walk or ride, it's the sleeping that sucks balls.

[napalm]

Hi jamey- sorry to hear about your series of unfortunate stacks. I hope you are recovering well and able to make it down this weekend. If not, thats ok- there is always the weekend after! The first weekend looks to only be rob, myself and Scott Lynch (Canberra)- so the start time on Sunday is negotiable. If you do come down- would you prefer to ride at Stromlo (where uninats was held) or my local haunt of Majura pines?. Either place has an awesome selection of trails- the only thing separating them is the exposure. Stromlo has no tree coverage where as majura has a lot of shade.

mark

[unicycle6869]

Originally Posted by napalm

Hi jamey- sorry to hear about your series of unfortunate stacks. I hope you are recovering well and able to make it down this weekend. If not, thats ok- there is always the weekend after! The first weekend looks to only be rob, myself and Scott Lynch (Canberra)- so the start time on Sunday is negotiable. If you do come down- would you prefer to ride at Stromlo (where uninats was held) or my local haunt of Majura pines?. Either place has an awesome selection of trails- the only thing separating them is the exposure. Stromlo has no tree coverage where as majura has a lot of shade.

mark

Either place, maybe see what day is hotter and do the shady trails on the hotter day? If I do make both Sunday's I'd love to mix it up and try each place once....

[napalm]

Awesome weather predicted for the first of 2 weekends of sweet Muni action in the ACT.
Saturday: 6-29 degrees with a foggy start
Sunday: 11-32 degrees with a chance of a late afternoon shower.

Saturday we will be riding at Stromlo, and possibly Black Mountain in the arvo.

Sunday we will be up at Majura Pines/ Mt Ainslie for the day. (It is literally 5 mins pedal from my house so we duck back for lunch/breaks throughout the day if people want them). Jamey, if you are going to come then it would be good if you just came straight to my place in the morning. It would be good if you could be here by 10.00am. Feel free to stay Sunday night too if you wanted to do some more riding the following Monday.

Cheers!
Mark mob: 0403048631