Family Outing

WELL, WELL, WELL! YOU CAN DRESS 'EM UP!
Just wanted to share a photo with you all of the boys dressed up for their cousin's wedding in Canberra on 22 November. I think they look great.

CORC round 8 Thredbo

Round 8 saw the opening of Thredbo (about bloody time that white stuff melted). As it was Ian's annual AEFPU fishing trip to Tuross, Kerry took the reins and did the trip on Saturday for practice with all going well. Then backing up for another day on the mountain for the stressful day of race runs. Andrew came down first in the U13's in a 7.24 and revealed he had a stack with his main rival David pinning a 7.09. Thomas pinned a fast run in the U15 at 6.14, 9 seconds ahead of second place. Second run and Andrew laid one down with a 7.05 and this was good enough to take out 1st place by 4 seconds!! Go Andrew. Thomas maintained his good form on his second run and rode a smashing time of 6.12 to come in 11 seconds ahead of second, this time placed him 1st in the 17s, second in 19's and 5th in elite men. He says he is looking forward to the Gold Coast in 2 weeks.

Andrew Takes out Thredbo by 4 seconds

While Dad was away fishing we were having fun up the mountains

This was my first trip to Thredbo and defiantly not the last I loved the fast rough track with lots of arm pump. I had a crash in my first run but lucky to have a great second run.

Thomas Wins Round 1 of the National DH series in Adelaide

Thomas' Take on the track; The track was heaps of fun to ride with a few jumps and a couple of cool bridges and a heap of good burms and a teco rock garden. The track was great for the loads of cheering spectators that lined the track all the way down, they also had the music pumping which made for an awesome atmosphere. The race was really well organised and ran like clockwork.

Friday and Saturday were jam packed with practice runs and sectioning of the track.

Sunday, we woke up to the sound of rain which fortunately cleared after breakfast. After a couple of cruisy inspection runs of the track which was now nice and tacky after being blown out and dusty all weekend. Thomas kicked back in the luxury of the Wicked Van to wait for his start time at 2.45pm.

Seems that the practice combined with pre season bike and fitness training paid off.

Race run went according to plan with Thomas pinning down the hill and recording a time of 2;12.54 much to the delight of Nathan Rennie who was commentating at the finish. This time won him the U15's by 19 seconds. To put this time in perspective here are some other stats:

his time was the 35th fastest out of 247 riders, he placed 3/32 U17's 7/44 U19's and 27/73 in Elite men, not to bad for a 13 year old.

Check out the track and keep an eye out for Thomas in the first few minutes.

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/46093/

Next Race is at the Gold Coast on 30th November.

One section of the rock garden

Adelaide Nationals

Our Fully Pimped out ride in Adelaide!

On Thursday 30 October Thomas and Ian flew out of Canberra Airport, with the Harrison's from Berridale, headed for Adelaide for the first of the National Rounds for 2008/09. After a bit of heated discussion with the girl at check in who was going to charge us $48 excess baggage, we managed to get it down to $16. Amazing what happens when you stand your ground.

Anyway, all was well after arriving in Adelaide via a stopover in Melbourne with all their luggage including bikes, phew!!! Picked up the Wicked van and they're on their way. "BEST" is in reference to English soccer legend, George Best, from what I've been told.

Walk the track on Thursday arvo, good lot of practice on Friday and Saturday. Will have a full update when they arrive back home on Monday. Go Thomas!