Just a small snippet of riding along enjoying what we all wish we could do. Between juggling a day to day job in order to fund the dream of training,riding and racing my bikes across the globe.
A massive thanks must go out to the guys @ NSDynamics / Cycles Devinci / Rowney Sports for helping me out with this dream. Enjoy.
Since last season after discovering what Saalbach has to offer in the way of trail riding networks it was definitely first on the list to head back there and hang out with all the crew from last season and meet some fresh faces. http://www.saalbach.com/en/
Europe certainly has its public transport in mind with it been so easy to head all over the EU.
With certain carriages set aside for bikes. Makes life easy with traveling with a bike.
With the valley connected so well with lifts its hard sometimes to get you climb on unless venturing out. With only a few lifts on at the moment it was a good time to climb for the decent on some fresh early ridden single track nessled out on the ridge lines and knife edges.
plenty of snow still laying around for playtime.
SOLID CREW IS ALWAYS A BONUS.
Its hard no to be trendy when you are hanging out with a solid crew overlooking the Austrian Alps on sunset. Now for the 30+ minute decending to get some food.
With the bag packed and bike dialled it was off for 3 day mission from Rosenheim, Germany to Saalbach, Austria. With the 3 day ride i managed to cover 230kms of trail and racked up 7300m of elevation all whilst slaying justice on the Devinci Troy.
Was definitely a long ride with a lot hurt climbing the alps of Austria but,
DAME U CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE VEIW.
Headed back across the boarder for the Bikes and Beats festival in Saalbach Austria.
After entering in 3 events it was a lot of riding but hell of a lot of fun.
Dual Slalom - After shredding the trails all day i managed to just slip in for a qualifying run which I used as my first practice run of the course and making into the finals I was pumped. I was knocked out in the first round of heats but i was happy with this as the 40+ Kms of single track i had done that day where taking its toll on my legs.
Day 2.
The Scott Gang Battle with 75 people mass start. I went from been mid pack to catching the lead group buy the mid station in the 12 minute downhill and no matter what words I yelled in German or Australian that was the order in which it would stay. Crossing the line in 10th Elite i was extremely disappointed and annoyed.
I MADE NO FRIENDS THAT RACE.
Day 3.
With the 3rd of riding unlimited trails I was feeling the hurt trying to front the line for the Fox Enduro challenge. The 9.5km trail dropping 1100m is a unreal trail. I put it all in and crossed the line in 5th position which I must say i was extremely happy with considering some of the names below mine.
Was also good to meet the Germany Devinci bikes Distro (Shooker Imports) The guys there are unreal and provided me with a rad place to hang out and talk to people about the bikes and a lot about Australia. A big thanks must go out to them for the help.
Shred group shoot.
Random Saalbach / Leogang Hangs.
Spent a week just cruising round Saalbach and leogang hanging out with mates and just shredding.
Austrian National DH Champs
I fronted the line at the Austrian National Downhill champs just for a bit of fun.
With the track been a complete was out it was crazy ride. Best was to describe it really just riding in a cake mixing bowl. Switching to flats for the first time in years it was time to party.
Quailing in 13th was ok but I knew I could get more out of it.
Finals time came around and with only laying down on the job once in my run I finished off strong into 9th position.
Massive thanks to Sepp @ Cosmic imports Austria for arranging the race and the pit support.
Trist Kogle Summit Sunrise Climb.
With a 3:30am start Michelle and I hiked to the summit of Trist Kogle for sunrise. Positioned at the end of the Saalbach Hintergelem valley it was a unreal site to see. With a hand full of German and Austrian climbers we had break at the summit then started to the day.
Schladming dates.
Random Schladming downhill day with a rad crew of ppls.
Recently had the opportunity to work with good friend Petri of Petri Films and shoot some pics on my Devinci Troy trail bike. We shot for a few hours just sending the little bike then we hit up DA'Burger in the Valley.
Not going to lie when I make the call that they produced the raddest burger to date. Having the opportunity to meet the man behind the burger madness and get creative to shoot in "Da Burger was defiantly a high light to the day. So stoked to sign the wall and chill out with some rad people.
Any body in Brisbane town should defiantly be hitting up Da'Burger for a visit.
Such a blast working with Petri and James and I am hanging for the doors to be opened latter this year. With my European adventure only a week away it was good to catch up and drop some pics for all the people that support me.
