A ride to the playground.

Sunday the sun broke through the clouds so dad took me on a bike ride to the playground.

It was a fun ride to get their traveling through the back allies of Balwyn.

I took a big tumble when my front wheel got stuck in a hole.

Fraser was leading the way to the playground and i couldn't get their fast enough.

At first i played on the slide.

Then i played on the swing.

The rocking Kangaroo was so much fun.

Then dad left me hanging on the monkey bars. I could have hung their all day.

Leaving the playground i had another big crash.

All was good though. Dad said it i have to keep my hands on the handlebars until i get a bit older.

On the way home their was heavy traffic on the footpath. i had to pull over to let the pamphlet trolleys past.

Dad has also been teaching me to cross the road safely. Looking right and left checking for cars.

I always practice my curb hoping when crossing the road.

The final stretch home was flat out. I was even out pacing Fraser.

We went so fast on the way home we had to wait for dad to catch up and open the gate.

Ergon Grips.

With work flat out leading up to Christmas i haven't had time for updates. I have however been prepairing for the Kona 24 hour next weekend. For the last couple of years i have been searching for the ultimate grips with some good finds but nothing that improves performance until now.

Jeff found these Ergon grips and gave them a try at the Scott 24 hour and couldn't believe how good they were. He said i just had to give them a try, so i did.

The diagram shows how the design of the grip improves comfort. Been and endurance MTB rider, comfort is one of the things i was looking for in a grip, the Ergon delivers this.

What really surprised me was how they improved riding performance. Let me explain. Because the grip supports the palm of your hand it seems to relax your fingers so you don't grip hard, your fingers just rap around. When it comes to descending fast or flying through single track the only way to do it is by staying relaxed and letting the bike flow. Because you are not griping the bars you have this relaxed feel. By not griping the bars you also push down on the outside of the bars through corners keeping the front wheel from sliding out.

If you don't believe me drop by the Giant tent at the Kona 24 hour and i will let you test ride a pair. you will be convinced.



Also available is a bar end version although i haven't tried them yet. They are available for triggers or twist shift.

Mitch's first big ride.

I am almost 2 now and have been training up for my first enduro. Today dad decided i was ready as i hadn't been having my day time nap and getting up way to early in the morning. He said i was in great condition and would have no trouble completing the gruelling 5km loop that we have been running in the afternoon's.

I waited in the starting chute, full of beans.

The first decent was a bit hairy but i managed to hold it upright down the gravel path.

Out onto the footpath where i put my head down and drove into the wind.

Crossing the big grassy park was tough.

This is the beginning of the big climb 1km long.

A final burst over the crest of the big climb catching dad unexpectedly.

Steeling the break on dad and going for home.

Road crossings were difficult but my skills are getting better every day.

The home stretch. Dad had no hope of catching me it was a downhill finish.

It appears though dad was smarter than i thought as i fell asleep in my high chair after some food and drink completely spent.