Getting back on the bike!

Prospecting Australia

Help Support Prospecting Australia:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Goldpick

Goldpick

Chris Johnson
Joined
Nov 7, 2013
Messages
8,636
Reaction score
12,617
Location
Mount Gambier
I haven't been out detecting recently as I have been out doing a bit of mountain biking in an attempt to regain some fitness, and to have a bit of muddy fun. I haven't picked up a bike since my late teens, so jelly legs were the order of the day after traversing some steep hills, the missus had her fair share of mishaps ending up on her side after forgetting to get off when stopped. :D

Without spending silly money, I went for a Specialized Rockhopper 29" hardtail, sort of an entry/mid level MTB, and the missus got a Specialized Myka 26" cycle, about the only model we could find that was low enough for her.

I've already ordered a set of Rockshox air forks to replace the current cheapy Suntour coil forks, a popular upgrade on this model, and some decent Shimano platform pedals, ditching the low grip stock resin ones.

All up, having some great fun around the local pines, plenty of tracks and trails to investigate - my legs are going to be damned sore tomorrow. :)

1430302892_img_20150429_193556.jpg


1430302929_img_20150429_193619.jpg
 
I used to ride my mountain bike everywhere as a teeny bopper, did quite a lengthy trip from Mount Gambier to Portland and back, camping along the Glenelg River on the return trip. I pretty much stopped riding when the helmet laws were first introduced in the late 80's, though as an afterthought they really are an essential piece of gear. Guess I didn't like the helmets of the time, they looked like something out of Tron, and weren't exactly comfy. :)
 
Usually I end up like that at about 2 in the morning. Don't think the liver could handle starting that early in the day. :D :lol: :D

Not sure if they still make those rediculous luggage holders to go on the back of your bikes. If you could mount your detecting gear and a picnic lunch you could have the best of both worlds. :cool:
 
Wally69 said:
Usually I end up like that at about 2 in the morning. Don't think the liver could handle starting that early in the day. :D :lol: :D

Not sure if they still make those rediculous luggage holders to go on the back of your bikes. If you could mount your detecting gear and a picnic lunch you could have the best of both worlds. :cool:
Click to expand...

Yep, they still make those front and rear racks for pannier bags for touring. Must admit I was just thinking about a jaunt around the Vic goldfields with an SDC 2300 on the back, might be a good way to explore some spots. ;)
 
Great stuff. I own a 26" GT Avalanche myself and
Have had it for a few years. Very nice bike to
Ride.

Just be very careful with the bike shoes because
They take a while to get used to.

What happened to your mrs happened to me when
Crossing over a footpath as a car popped in front
Of me it got in my way, distracted me I slammed
On the brakes feet were still clipped In and then fell
to my side on the nature strip and Just missed getting
hit by passing traffic.

The bike shoes I have are the specialised ones and are
the runner types.

The only thing i suggest is getting some good maxxis
Tyres. I use the Maxxis Aspen. Its an awesome grippy
tyre. You will notice the grip straight away.

My brother has a 29".

Its really good fun...
 
I love MTB riding.
I shared this story with a friend a while ago.

I was heading home from being on the bike for about 20kms and I was heading along a bike path that had a few bends and an underpass that travels under the highway.
Now I am a solid 90 odd kgs and a short arse at about 176cm, so I'm built like a solid AFL rover carrying a bit of extra padding. Lol I'm riding my $500 hardtail MTB which is good but nothing fancy and wearing shorts and a tshirt,
so I've headed under this underpass that is approx. 60 meters long, you enter from a sharp right hand turn and exit at a sharp left hand turn, the track then goes for 1km up a hill.
I've come out this underpass at about 10-15kms and with no warning what so ever there is a dude on his racing bike screaming down the hill and boom.
We have had a head on crash.
He was travelling that quick and me coming out of the underpass on a sharp left hander, I didn't see him and he didn't see me.
The main impact has occurred front on with my right shoulder and chest, I stopped dead on the spot, spun around 180deg and landed on the bike path, completely winded and gasping for air.
Old mate was 6ft, maybe 70kgs wet, in his 30s and riding a carbon fibre racing bike, worth 1000's and he was kitted out in his lycra and clip in riding shoes.
Well as Im laying on the ground gasping for air and laughing from pain and the crash, my head resting face down on the ground, I peek over to old mate. Here he is about 10 meters from the crash site laying in prickles and moaning like he is dying and tears running down his face.
I laugh even more, choking on air, then struggle to my feet. I ask if he is ok. He can barely speak, saying his neck and shoulder and back and ribs are all hurting. He then asks "what did I hit". I nearly lost it laughing.
He finally gets up, no broken bones or blood, but he is in severe pain by his own admissions, but covered in prickles, all sticking to his colourful lycra.
maybe 10-15minutes pass while he is getting himself together, then he turns around and takes photos of the bikes and asks me for my details because he wants to make a compo claim and its all my fault.
I laughed lots more, I told him look buddy your ok, you will live. it was an accident, no ones at fault as far as im concerned, now if your ok, im going home.
he checks out his bike and the carbon fibre is all twisted. His bike is f#@ked, my bike has snapped a gear cable and the handle bars were a little out.
He keeps complaining about how sore he is and his bike is totalled. Begging me for my details for his claim. I offer him an ambulance and tell him again he isn't getting my details, no ones at fault. He said he didn't need an ambulance and didn't want me to call anyone so I walk off for home.
Well I can tell you 2days pass and my shoulder and chest are still sore from the shoulder charge, so I can only imagine how sore old mate is. Yet every time I think about it I just laugh more.

Canberra great value for biking, just have to watch out for the Lycra wearing pros. They bounce. Lol
 
Great story lambs I'm still laughing. The photo kicked off giggles the story got me a belly laugh. Great share gents.
 
Yep, dusted off the old roadie and evicted all the spiders about 3 weeks ago.
I haven't ridden it for 15 years or so, I used to ride to and from work in the days when I was racing dirt bikes.
Anyway a couple of mates have been bugging me to go for a ride with them.
The old tyres were a bit "how you going" so I called the local bike shop and asked if they had any 700 x 20c's. There was a pause then the guy said "mate, no one uses those any more" Bla bla bla......... so I hung up and got some off ebay.
So first up we headed to Penrith lakes and did a couple of laps on the flat and I was surprised how well I did, a bit wobbly afterwords but not too bad considering the amount of time off the bike.
Next thing I know a week later they have me fitted up with a mountain bike and we are off to Wylde moutain bike trail at Cecil Park.
Managed to do the 6km loop and then bailed out. They did 2 laps of the 12km loop at break neck speed while I had a little nanna nap in the car. ;)
I have also de-spidered the kayak and given that a couple of outing as well.
Do I feel any fitter? well not yet, that will take some more time I think. :/
 
Interesting setup, would good for when the muscles say enough for the cruise home - how much does that weigh with the motor and all? :)
 
Wolfau said:
Great stuff. I own a 26" GT Avalanche myself and
Have had it for a few years. Very nice bike to
Ride.

Just be very careful with the bike shoes because
They take a while to get used to.

What happened to your mrs happened to me when
Crossing over a footpath as a car popped in front
Of me it got in my way, distracted me I slammed
On the brakes feet were still clipped In and then fell
to my side on the nature strip and Just missed getting
hit by passing traffic.

The bike shoes I have are the specialised ones and are
the runner types.

The only thing i suggest is getting some good maxxis
Tyres. I use the Maxxis Aspen. Its an awesome grippy
tyre. You will notice the grip straight away.

My brother has a 29".

Its really good fun...
Click to expand...

The pedals I bought were Shimano SPD Trekker clipless units with the platform on one side, and spd mounts on the other, still have to get some suitable shoes to suit. Bah, I thought modifying cars was addictive, bikes are just as bad. ;)
 
The ones i use are the shimano spd A530.

One side clips on and you can use the other
Side as a Normal pedal if your in high traffic
areas and you want to safely get around.

These pedals can get dangerous to use in
High traffic areas as you need to focus whats
Around you and at the same time you need
To think about what your doing and when
To twist/move your feet to unlock the pedal.

The shimano shoes i use are similiar to those
Below. Just make sure they are a little hard
At the front so they protect your feet.

http://www.wiggle.com.au/shimano-m0...Euq3HKBb_dm|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360667418au

If i can recall properly i hit about 50km/h when
my bike was new on a steep downward hill. It
was fun but Scary at the same time.

Hitting between 25 to 30kp/h on concrete bike
Paths is when it starts To get fun. Having bike
shoes helps and having the right tyres as mentioned
Above does as well.

The other things that are handy Include a camelback
Back pack and fingerless mountain bike gloves.
 
Goldpick said:
Interesting setup, would good for when the muscles say enough for the cruise home - how much does that weigh with the motor and all? :)
Click to expand...

yes, is great for the ride home Goldpick. Not sure on exact weight but the bike rack does flex a tad. ;)
 
Great stuff Goldpick, I see your back in the Mount now, plenty of good rides around here. Up and around the blue lake is good and maybe up to the tower once you get over the jelly legs. Out in the pines looks the go though...good stuff! We will have to do a trip to the Vic goldfields soon
 

Latest posts

Top