Well, it’s wednesday, and my arms are aching like crazy. Yesterday was fun. I went mountain biking up the local mountain, doing what I term ‘Hang Gliders Trail’, mainly climbing the mountain on the road, circle the top, ride across the face which I see every time I look out my window, then drop off on the access road down the left side of the face. A lot faster than what they would drive it!
It was great because it’s my first major ride this year, and highlighted a small problem on my bike - my disc brakes (mechanical) aren’t enough, so I’m looking at getting some Hope Mono M4’s, which have some good reviews…
Well, the end result of all that fun yesterday, my arms ache, mainly my triceps and the tops of my shoulders. Everything else is fine. Just back to domestic bliss today as I wash clothes, and I’ll probably go see my local bike shop to check my front rotor as it was well grinding yesterday on the road descent.

An exception from the normal reviews here - a review of an MTB DVD. ‘Roam’, a 16mm film by The Collective, a group of photographers, filmmakers and mountain bikers.
The film is an superbly shot tour de force, compared to the other dvd’s I’ve seen of MTB action. This one actually gives some roots to the sport, with action ranging from North Shore to Freeride to Dirt Jumping, plus some good ol’ fashioned Downhill and Singletrack thrown in. Also, almost as a last minute entry, an awesome Trails section is well placed.
The locations are superb, from North Shore, Whistler, British Columbia, to more obscure locations like Prague, Idaho, and the Lunn’s back garden. Check out the Lunn’s Dad!
Needless to say that I really wanted to fill up the ol’ Camelbak and head out for the trails… But it was late, and I don’t have the lighting kit.
The soundtrack is awesome, a great selection from the usual rock/punk/metal to dub and a bit of rap/hiphop thrown in. My personal favourite was ‘Bang Your Mullet’ by The Distillery. This can be found on the extras, under Singletrack, which is my favourite style of riding. (Mainly XC/Singletrack/Wherever). Other features include Airs, Making Of (as the photography is unlike anything I’ve seen before), Crashes (awesome) and some sponsor videos thrown in for good measure.
I’d watch this dvd again and again, and I am waiting for the next release from The Collective, and would definitely purchase their previous film, The Collective DVD.

10/10 for Quality
10/10 for Style/Photography
7/10 for Soundtrack (just a little too much thrash guitars for me)
10/10 for Inspiring To Ride©

If you love Mountain Biking, GET THIS DVD!
If you want to know Mountain Biking is all about, this DVD helps explain some of it. Overall, I’m happy that my hard-earned went on this DVD…

Well, I’m back up again… I’m happy to be single. And Proud! (maybe not as much as those gay guys, they have that pride march and all that…)
But I’m doing ok. It’s a process. Just like on Analyze This. ‘It’s a process’
I’m quite enjoying my new job. It’s tough and physical because of Warehouse orientation, so basically most of this week I’m picking and packing. We finish when the orders are done, so I never know when that is. There’s a couple of bike riders who get on the train, and we recognise each other. It’s like an enviromentally friendly brotherhood, sticking out like sore thumbs with our gear and, er, bikes.
Speaking of which, I should have my new Camelbak for the commute and weekend rides. It’s the Camelbak Blowfish, specifically chosen because of it’s ability to change volume, from small for trails, to larger for storing more threads. And I’m ordering more threads now, namely technical jerseys for wicking sweat away, and some waterproof tops for chest & legs.
Regarding being single (and PROUD!!!! - I am happy with this, but as a single christian, there’s not much reading material for someone who, let’s be honest here, is not that fussed on dating, so I’ve decided to do something about it. Make another blog. You can read it here - smc-singlemalechristian - and it’s all about my life as a single bloke. Hopefully it’ll take off and others could contribute, because us blokes, we don’t get much published regarding this area of our lives.
Well, back to online shopping, getting some threads and parts for the bike. I worked out 1768 miles per year, just for commuting!

Also, I always refer to my bike as a ’she’. Any ideas for an actual name? I always liked Mai or Kaori (ok, so they’re both Japanese, but that’s my thang)…. Ideas in a comment please.

Catch you on the flipside dude!

Well, it’s the new year and resolutions are made - do we really know what Resolution really means? This is a pretty cool descriptions pulled from Dictionary.com - 4.the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.
Why am I even going on about this? Well, I want to be fitter, and lose the belly. People have mentioned this to me, even from circles I never expected. How? Well, by starting the RCAF’s 5bX plan, which I went on before, and with some success, before cycling became my occupation. I would love to be fit again, and I am announcing it on my blog as yet another thing to keep track of…
So you on the interweb are my witnesses, and I will keep posting blogs to let you know how I get on…
On the music front, currently hitting the playlists are 3tronik, from Sutemos, and due to hit my earlobes in an ambient/noise kind of level are Drone Forest, but I”ll be reviewing once I’ve downloaded the collection… It’s late and electro music from 3tronik is starting to cut through my wine-addled head… Time for some zZz’s and then wake up to some 5bX
Peace out people.