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Newsletter - August 2008 |
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What We've Been Up To
It's been a huge month in the cycling arena!
After being glued to the insomniac lounge watching Le Tour last month, we've now been re-adhered as the Olympic riding events. The men's & women's road races ran this weekend with Australia's Michael Rogers taking 6th in the Men's 245km Road Race. Sadly our ladies didn't fare quite as well with a mid-pack result. Next event will be the Men's & Women's Track starting on 15 August. Don't miss it!
A couple of weeks ago we excitedly watched with bated breath as Andy Fellows, one of our trainers from Queensland, competed in the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24hr Championship. Andy did us proud and came home with a category win in the Male 25-29 category ... read his race report further in the Training Blog. And what's more, the entire Aussie team did us proud bringing home 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Elite Male, 2nd in the Eite Women, 1st & 2nd in the Male 35-39, 2nd in the Male Under 25 & 1st in the Male 45-49. What an effort!
Another member of the AMBC Team is also making his name world famous. Trevor Kloeden, who two years ago, took out 3rd in the Male 50-54 at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24hr Championship in Atlanta, has had a dream to become the highest altitude cyclist in the world. Sounds crazy? Yep we agree.
With a plan to carry his singlespeed MTB up Muztagh Ata to an altitute of 7,100m & then ride it (with crampons & full mountaineering kit on) a total distance of 20m, Trev has been training for months! Unfortunately, the last report we had in from the Satellite phone has informed us that the climbing team has been significantly effected by altitude sickness including both their high altitude porters, so the climbing leader has decided that the original bike aim is now out of the realms of possibility. Regardless, Trev has still managed to carry the bike up to Camp 2 and have a bit of a ride through the snow. What a blast!
Although the Guiness Book of Records attempt is now out of reach, he & the team are making their summit attempt today having departed Camp 3 at 3am this morning. Onwards & upwards for Big Trev!
Keep riding! Cheers, Kim & Ben
Blue Mountains MTB Tour
13 & 14 September 2008
Another recce was completed in the chill of last weekend & it's looking better & better.
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Inside this Issue
Try Something New
ADVENTURE RACING JUST GOT FUN WITH THE TEVA ADVENTURE SERIES
& CORPORATE ADVENTURE CHALLENGE!
If you’re ready for a day of adventure with your mates then look no further than the Teva Adventure Series & Corporate Challenge. This awesome series will be kicking into 5 capital cities throughout Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth & Melbourne.
The day includes a combination of mountain biking, trekking, navigation and team adventure challenges that will test your ability to work together as a team, to strategise, and to have a whole load of fun along the way. It’s designed for those new to the sport, and this year, workplaces, clubs and organisations have the opportunity to compete against other teams in the Corporate Adventure Challenge.
So, if you’ve never been game to try adventure racing, this is the perfect event for first timers to come along and have a go at one of Australia’s fastest growing and exciting sports. All you need are 2 great team mates, a mountain bike & helmet and a sense of adventure!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your team mates and get ready to be part of one of Australia’s best Adventures! Find out more at www.in2adventure.com.au
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The tour is definitely shaping up to be an absolutely awesome event with over 30kms of singletrack already mapped out
plus riding through areas you wouldn't normally find on a normal weekend ride! We're planning routes for both novice & intermediate/advanced. What's more, given enough demand, we'll also put on an advanced route for the die hards who want to really go out & hit it!
Although there's chill in the air now, the coming of Spring in September means riding and camping conditions will be fantastic! Combine that with the local scenery and tourist destinations such as the Glow Worm Tunnel, Old Newnes Hotel, etc, & this will a weekend to really remember.
Check out the web page and video teaser for more info! And don't forget to book early! |
More singletrack, what a shame! |
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Training Blog
Naomi & the Croc
Another of Queensland trainers, Naomi Hanson has been shortlisted, along with Craig Gordon and Garrett Sherman, for a FREE entry to the Crocodile Trophy.
Who wins? Well it's up to you! Burning Trails is running this competition and you can vote for who you'd like to win!
Voters can also be winners! Everyone who votes is put into the draw for 1 of 4 individual race entries to the Yellomundee GP in October. Voting will stay open until August 20 (midnight) and the winner of the Crocodile Trophy ticket as well as the four (4) winners of the Yellomundee GP tickets will be notified on August 22. So let's support Naomi and vote for her.
Check it out at www.burningtrails.com
Andy & the World 24 Hour Solo Championships
Check out the race report put together by Andy Fellows from his comprehensive victory at the World 24 Hour Solo Champs in Canmore, Canada last month.
"26th-27th July saw one of the worlds largest 24hr mountain bikes race held in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
The course was super hard, brutal climbs, technical descents, but did have some good cruising fire trail where we would be able eat/drink. It shared no similarities to any Australian 24hr course! The descents were rough, rooty & off-camber, if it rained the level of technical difficulty would increase. The best way to ride it is fast & don't brake, fly over the top of all the wet roots. It's around 20km loop, with a feed zone at 10km. Get this, the total elevation gain per lap was around 700m. The winner will be lucky to hit 400km.
The clocking was ticking down & heart rates where rising as the sound of a helicopter was heard overhead signaling the start of the 2008 24hr World Solo Championships. A quick dash saw competitors run 400metres to their bikes before a 7km prologue down into the town of Canmore.
As to be expected the top guys went off like firecrackers, lapping in incredible times just over an hour (these times would eventually blowout to 2hrs). My plan was to take it easy & hopefully pick up a few places as the race progressed due to other riders burning out! For me the biggest thing about riding race like this is finding a sustainable rhythm, one which you will be able to keep for the duration of the race & sticking to it. Some laps would feel great & others will be shockers, but overall consistency is the key.
The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day with blue skies & moderate temperatures as we hit the 4hr mark. Sometime after then (exact time is hard to recall) we had a light shower, just enough to settle the dust and make for good riding conditions although from that point on there were some serious grey clouds looming in the valley threatening to open the heaven above on us. Around 7pm it opened up & the entire race course was hit by solid rain for an hour, the wind had picked up and I recall riding along seeing a bolt of lightning come down & strike the mountain behind me.
This awful weather caused a dramatic change in the outcome of the race. It completely changed the trail; many tree roots rideable in the dry became too dangerous for many to ride, the climbs became walks, the track widened as riders looked for better lines through the bog holes. It was at this stage the race leader Tinker pulled out with an eye problem handing the eventual victory to Aussie, James Williamson.
The rain eased off as we hit the 10hr mark and lights were switched on, the beauty of racing in the North American summer is that we only had 7hrs of darkness! Around midnight it rained again, only harder & longer. With my AY UP lights on full beam I could see it was turning into a race of survival for the headstrong as conditions turned nasty! People were dropping out left, right & centre, the slow & steady tactic was starting to work.
It was a long demanding night, and when the sun came up I was expecting a lift in my spirits, determination and energy levels. Well, I can safely that I (& many others) didn’t get any of that! It was depressing knowing that you still have to ride for another 5hrs. On the up side, at least the track was drying out & could actually starting riding the course again, although after already climbing the equivalent of Mt Everest any extra is bonus!
After 23hrs 52 minutes, 300kms, and 10,500 metres of climbing I crossed the finishing line. With hard work comes satisfaction, & with commitment comes rewards. The ‘24hrs of Adrenalin’ was my Everest & I had concurred it! A huge shout out to my awesome support crew: Barry, Andrew, Alistair. A racer is only as strong as their support crew. Another thank you to AY UP Lighting, Black Sheep Imports, Bern Helmets’, Pow gloves, Blackheart, Salomon, BSC. Also a notable mention to AMBC for giving me such great bike handling skills! ;-)"
Upcoming Dates
NSW
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Help Na take on the Croc!
Andy's World 24 gallery
Other News
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service
Our selected charity organisation, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is again holding the Walcha Mountain Bike Teams Challenge on Sunday
26 October 2008.
Over one day, teams of 3 can opt for the Extreme Challenge covering approx. 98kms or the General Teams Challenge covering approx. 76kms. With prize money on offer
for categories where there a minimum of 6 teams enter, teams are guaranteed of a great time. The Challenge is being run in conjunction with the Walcha
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24 August 2008 ~ Learning to Fly
For the experienced rider who'd like to find out the fundamentals & techniques of downhilling. This course will give you the confidence & the skills to start taking on bigger jumps, more air & more speed on the DH trails!
13-14 September 2008 ~ Blue Mountains "Adventure Weekend" MTB Tour
Join us on an adventure weekend riding the trails and singletrack that the Blue Mountains offers. We've uncovered some hidden singletrack treasures that shows off the scenery, views and beauty that is the Blue Mountains. Don't miss out!
20 September 2008 ~ Fast & Furious
For the confident rider who is looking to move into serious XC riding or racing. This course focuses on building and maintaining speed and momentum. A great stepup from our Trailbreakers course!
21 September 2008 ~ Knobblies
For riders who have ridden a couple of times & feel that they're more advanced than a novice but not yet ready to go to the more technically
challenging trails. This course refines skills & gets you riding the trails!
21 September 2008 ~ Wobblies
Specifically designed for the first timer or anyone wanting to give this sport a try. The course will ensure that you gain a better understanding of mountain biking, and you will leave with the knowledge and skills to make you more confident.
28 September 2008 ~ Trailbreakers
For the weekend rider who has ridden alot but wants to learn how to take on those technical sections. This course focuses on technique & skills,
& you will end up riding technical sections better & faster than you had before!
QLD
20 September 2008 ~ Chix at Speed
For women who have confidence on the trail but feel that they're ready to start on the more technically challenging trails. This course gives you
the skills & confidence to start tackling the technical trails & build up some speed!
4 October 2008 ~ Trailbreakers
For the weekend rider who has ridden alot but wants to learn how to take on those technical sections. This course focuses on technique & skills,
& you will end up riding technical sections better & faster than you had before!
5 October 2008 ~ Knobblies
For riders who have ridden a couple of times & feel that they're more advanced than a novice but not yet ready to go to the more technically
challenging trails. This course refines skills & gets you riding the trails!
Check out the website for more dates as they come up! |
Wine, Food
& Craft Festival which provides a fantastic opportunity to make a holiday of it! Click
here to find out more!
Also being organised is the annual 8 day Mountain Bike Bash held 19th-27th September 2008. This year the bash will visit Warialda, Moree, Wee Waa, Narrabri, Baradine,
Boggabri, Gunnedah, Quirindi & Tamworth with every rider having to a minimum of $500 sponsorship for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, this a worthwhile & rewarding
experience. Click here for more info.
Our Supporters
We gratefully acknowledge the support of:
Activate Outdoors
Assorti
Bicycling Network
Italia Spring Tour |
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AMBC Shop
iRule's men's top, the fast looking TORO is a new addition to the iRule stable of clothing. As with all iRule's clothing, this moisture-wicking and very comfortable top offers the new shoulder pockets, 4 rear pockets and a longer zipper for cooling options. Designed specifically for the MTBers, adventure racers and multisporters .. this is a great value warm weather top that will take a beating!
Also check out our shop specials on all runout stock ... huge savings on both the women's Rave and the men's Neo shirts. Both priced at $80, this is a huge saving on RRP! Limited numbers and sizes available, so get in quick!
If you're looking for a last minute gift, these certificates are sent by email as soon as we've received confirmaton of payment, & make the ideal
gift for that friend or family member who has everything!
Check out AMBC Shop
Opportunities
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AMBC Shop
iRule TORO
A steal at $80! |
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As we expand & grow, we are finding that we need more people to help us!
Trainers
Don't let them burn out! We need more trainers in NSW and SE Queensland to with great technical riding skills plus brilliant communication skills to join the AMBC Team. All
trainers undertake the AMBC trainer program which qualifies them as an AMBC training professional.
Interested? Then give us a hoy...
T: 0427 207 937 or E: info@ambc.com.au
AMBC
We offer a range of courses for all levels. For more information about our courses, check out our website.
No date that suits you? If you've got a minimum of 4 people, we can run a course at a date that suits you. Just give us a hoy!
T: 0427 207 937 or E: info@ambc.com.au
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Partner Blog
Minuteman Press, Brookvale
“We at Minuteman Press Brookvale realise that everyone needs a high quality business card. The key to ensuring that your business is a success is to 'never leave home without one'. So with that in mind we would like to offer all new clients an extremely well priced business card for this month only. 1,000 business cards in full colour front with a high quality gloss glaze and black print on the back for only $120! Don’t hesitate and call now on 9905 4042. Conditions apply.”
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