SA Enduro Series – Fox Creek

Off to Fox Creek for a day of bikes, pretty hard to beat if you ask us.

We headed out to Fox Creek for the South Australian Gravity Series over the weekend and thanks to the great guy and gals at GESA (Gravity Enduro of South Australia) we did something we don’t normally get to do, race! We aren’t going to tell you our results but what we can tell you is what the race was like! It was great, end of story… okay we will elaborate further but it was great.

Being a legal network of trails in the Adelaide Hills anyone could ride there so as you can imagine Saturday before the race there were plenty of punters out practicing the course (which GESA had conveniently publicised prior). Roll on Sunday morning and after a riders brief (and a the odd sneaky course condition check) we were off!

If you don’t know this round was probably the most physical yet with some long climbs between stages (the downhills get used by Inside Line at the state downhill races) so just making sure you paced yourself was key. Off up the first climb to the first stage, as usual this is where the riders got split up into groups. It was the shortest stage of the day and got everyone focused on what they had to do, some slippery roots kept everyone on their toes. The slalom at the end was also a bit of fun!

No time to smell the flowers, there was racing to be had!

From here the riders got sent on predominately downhill courses; Bowl, Long and even Steep making a welcome return towards the end. A�There were also a few other parts, such as Green Smoothie that weren’t strictly downhill downhill but were great additions to the stages. If you raced elite you alos got the joy of doing another stage (6 instead of 5), which was ‘Pattos Curse’.

A good range of trails kept everyone chuffed.

A few scrapes here and there, all part and parcel of the sport.

For the results head over the the GESA Facebook page and you will be able to find them there, for use we weren’t overly bothered with the results. A day on your bike riding with mates means you’re a winner regardless!

Steve Marsh on a different bike from the one we saw at the Eagle round but still going fast!

There were plenty of photographers out snapping pics!

Again it was great to see the girls out racing (and being the track sweep!)

Some really good racing across all categories.

There was the opportunity to find some creative lines, finding a second or two here and there.

Shelly Flood took the women's race. — Shelly Flood took the women’s race.

Simon Buzacott took the men's win! — Simon Buzacott took the men’s win!

The next round heads to ‘Dazzleland’ at Mount Torrens which is going to be another great event no doubt.

Images: RFPhotographics (FacebookA�hereA�or follow on Instagram @rfphotographics).

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September 2, 2015

South East Queensland Downhill Series Round 6 a�� Beerburrum

After some early season venue shuffling, Sunday the 16th of August saw riders heading toA�Beerburrum in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for Round 6 of the series run by the Da��Aguilar RangeA�Cycling Club (DRCC). This venue is often met with mixed opinions and some of the more skilledA�racers wonder if ita��s worthy of the term a�?downhilla�� with the riders gaining minimal elevation on theA�shuttles up to the start gate. However this lack of elevation and technical terrain gives youngerA�riders and some of the less confident women a chance to hit some higher speeds and build someA�confidence for the final round and then the end-of-year goal of state champs. Entry costs wereA�slashed right down to $20 for U/15 and U/17 which no doubt was partly the reason for the bigA�turnout of the next generation of champions.

Giant Glorya��s are one of the most popular bikes in the SEQDH series and by the end of the day the Elite Mena��s podium would see three riders arrive there onboard one of the newly design 2015 models. — Giant Glorya��s are one of the most popular bikes in the SEQDH series and by the end of the day the Elite Mena��s podium would see three riders arrive there onboard one of the newly designed 2015 models.

Eventual U/19s winner Loic Fery leads the Ashgrove Cycles team out for their first practice run of the day.

The drop-in from the start is relatively straight forward, a few small down slopes that riders try toA�pump or pre-jump to transfer down for some extra speed mixed with some turns and jumps, thisA�continues for a few hundred metres until riders reach the much talked about blown out corners.

Ben Power was hitting practice hard and was without a doubt the fastest all morning which translated into the win for Elite Men. — Ben Power was hitting practice hard and was without a doubt the fastest all morning which
translated into the win for Elite Men.

Kim Bishop railing one of the most talked about turns on the track.

Sam Fraser hit this rutted out and dusty berm lower and faster than anyone I saw all day.

After this initial part of the track the pedalling starts, and it doesna��t end until the finish for the fastest riders. Thata��s part of the beauty of this track, the lack of technical difficulty may make it seemA�boring to some racers but in a racing sense the course is almost unbeatable for the battle to beA�had between competitors as the times are so tight at the end of the day. Riders have to create theirA�own momentum for any jumps or small rock sections throughout the remainder of the course.

Tim Abbott returned to the race scene after a long time between drinks and managed to take the win in Expert Men.

1/15th of Matt Searle as he puts down a few pedal strokes on one of the many flat sections on the track.

Nathan Cubit hitting the berms midway down through the course.

After practice on Saturday and plenty of practice runs on Sunday before finals, no turn was without a layer of loose dust and marbly gravel which kept the riders on their toes. — After practice on Saturday and plenty of practice runs on Sunday before finals, no turn was
without a layer of loose dust and marbly gravel which kept the riders on their toes.

Ben Power - full focus! — Ben Power – full focus!

Hugo Thompson scrubbing the first of the mid-track rock sections.

Cameron Cubit chose his Enduro over his Demo on the day - this track had a few riders changing from their DH sleds to a more trail oriented setup. — Cameron Cubit chose his Enduro over his Demo on the day – this track had a few riders changing from their DH sleds to a more trail oriented setup.

Ryan Leutton keeping it tight and low in practice.

The final third of the track is where riders initially start to get a small amount of gravity-fed speed inA�the form of some small rock drops but then ita��s straight into the pedal-strokes again through anA�endless array of turns where exit speed is key to getting through them smoothly.

Without much elevation the main vertical descent was gained through two rock sections after the halfway points.

The young guns were out in force and with a relatively straight forward track they were hitting all the lines that the big boys took.

You expect one of three things when Sam Fraser hits a jump: a whip, a backflip onto the podium, or thisa�� — You expect one of three things when Sam Fraser hits a jump: a whip, a backflip onto the
podium, or thisa��

Joshua Bosschieter tackles the final berm section of the track.

Full concentration painted on Ryan Biggsa�� face.

Jerry Armstrong jumping the inside line before plunging into the steepest part of the track a few turns later.

With races being won on 29er hardtails on this track in the past it was no surprise to see Mark Whiting ripping up the course aboard his 29er Remedy. — With races being won on 29er hardtails on this track in the past it was no surprise to see Mark
Whiting ripping up the course aboard his 29er Remedy.

The track then opens up to the most prominent vertical descent of the course where riders get aA�chance to get a bit creative with their line choice in an effort to hit the final long flat section with asA�much speed as possible.

The rock garden is the steepest part of the track - a�?steepa�� is probably an overstatement but there is plenty of different lines to separate the best from the rest. — The rock garden is the steepest part of the track – a�?steepa�� is probably an overstatement but
there is plenty of different lines to separate the best from the rest.

The simplicity of the track led to a bigger turnout in the Womena��s race than previously seen this season.

The final section of the track is where riders aim to stay off the brakes as much as possible and putA�in some final cranks to keep their momentum through the small drops and jumps before a final setA�of turns and the last minute dash to the line.

Loic Fery is no stranger to the top step of the podium in the local and national enduro races and he managed to climb to the top in U/19s on the day for his first win of the series. — Loic Fery is no stranger to the top step of the podium in the local and national enduro races
and he managed to climb to the top in U/19s on the day for his first win of the series.

Mick Dopson from Brisbane Mountain Bike Shuttles has no problem throwing around his carbon V10.

Jacob Reeves was able to claim second in Elite Mens and was only 1.7 seconds back from Ben Power. — Jacob Reeves was able to claim second in Elite Mens and was only 1.7 seconds back from
Ben Power.

Mark Whiting sending it over a section of roots on the final high speed section of the track.

Jordan Clements scrubbing hard on his way to third place in U/17.

Ben Power was the last man down the hill, an all too common occurrence this year.

Round 6 saw Ben Power claim his 5th win of the season (after 5 starts) in Elite Men and no doubt ifA�he hadna��t have missed a round earlier in the year he would have an unassailable points lead but asA�it currently stands there are a few riders like Ryan Leutton and Jacob Reeves who have theA�possibility of overtaking him in the overall at the final round in a few weeks time if he slips up.

Undefeated from the 5 rounds that he has raced this year - Ben Power has every right to be smiling — Undefeated from the 5 rounds that he has raced this year – Ben Power has every right to be smiling

Images and report: Cooper Messery Photography (FacebookA�hereA�or Instagram @cooper_messery)

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August 23, 2015

SA State Series a�� Round 5 a�� Eagle

Saturday's weather was questionable... — Saturday’s weather was questionable…

Off we went to Eagle Mountain Bike Park for round 5 of the Inside Line SA State Series, there were a few choice additions/changes tot he track and the way it was bunted. The steep chute coming into the bridge a third of the way down the track was catching a few people out! Especially during practice on Saturday when conditions were less than ideal, in fact a lot of riders were of the opinion that a few runs on Saturday were enough before they headed home to start the long task of cleaning up!

For all the results head toA�www.insideline.com.au

As always RFPhotographics gives us a visual recap of the action;

Changing conditions are all part of playing bikes! By racing may riders were coming off the mud tyres back onto their dry set up.

Different parts of the track responded differently to the weather, the clay turns at the bottom were slipperier than most for the majority of the weekend!

The jumps at the bottom are always a favourite though, for riders, spectators and photographers!

The chute before the bridge a third of the way down was really testing riders, especially the hard left hander at the bottom before the lip, here Simon Buzacott drags a foot!

Sometimes it didn't all go to plan though! This rider just missed out on heading a lot further down the hill near the bottom as he missed the track! — Sometimes it didn’t all go to plan though! This rider just missed out on heading a lot further down the hill near the bottom as he missed the track!

There was a hip hop crew on hand who were shooting their next album cover, the album is called 'All about the lifestyle' or so it seemed... — There was a hip hop crew on hand who were shooting their next album cover, the album is called ‘All about the lifestyle’ or so it seemed…

Racing as always was competitive across the categories.

Shelly Flood was again at the pointy end of the elite female's field! — Shelly Flood was again at the pointy end of the elite female’s field!

Some riders were more successful with the style than the time, some had both!

At the end of both days there was a fair bit of this going on! Some riders/teams were set up with a wash in the pits!

See you at the next round!

Images: RFPhotographics (FacebookA�hereA�or follow on Instagram @rfphotographics).

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August 20, 2015

SA Enduro Series – Eagle Park

Adelaide has a lot of cycling options, if you are into that lycra, skinny, wheeled caper then the Tour Down Under is the pinnacle for you. However, if you are into mountain bikes, which we assume you are because you are reading this then Adelaide has a lot going on for it, one of its greatest assets is Eagle Mountain Bike Park. Located 20 minutes from the city centre, the park has a range of trails and played host to round 2 of the Gravity Enduro of South Australia (GESA) series.

There was some great riding had over all the stages.

Leading up to the event the weather was reflecting the current winter season but come race day it had cleared up, make no mistake there was plenty of water left around though. It didn’t dampen the spirits of the riders though.

Iced coffee! No it is just the left over water on the track... — Iced coffee! No it is just the left over water on the track…

If you are a regular at Eagle then stage names such as Sunset Boulevard, Top Deck and Overlocker will be familiar to you. If not then think of single track, with a mix of rocks, built up corners and fun rollers. The transition stages were wide fire roads that, whilst not impossible, did have a few people getting off and walking.

The reward for the uphills was a series of rewarding downhill stages.

The results are as follows;

Elite Men:

1. Cameron Ryan

2. Simon Buzacott

3. Curtis Dowdell

Elite Women:

1. Shelly Flood

2. Anna Puckridge

3. Moira Love

Junior Men:

1. Matthew Taylor

2. Sam Walsh

3. Sam Walter

There was a good turn out of riders across the categories and the organising committee put another great event together. We have a few more pictures from the event below, enjoy.

Aussie downhill legend Steve Marsh with one of the most impressive moves of the day. The majority of riders were going around this rock, a few of the elite men were riding up on to it and dropping off. Well, Steve came in at full pace and used the first rock as a lip and jumped the whole lot! He washed out in the next corner but he had previously been riding this out. Very impressive.

Sunset Boulevard saw riders ducking, weaving, going over, around and down!

Cameron Ryan took the Elite Men's win after another battle with Simon Buzacott. — Cameron Ryan took the Elite Men’s win after another battle with Simon Buzacott.

Shelly Flood took the Elite Women's win in the sunshine. — Shelly Flood took the Elite Women’s win in the sunshine.

The next round goes to Fox Creek, see you out there!

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August 1, 2015

SA State Series – Round 4 – Fox Creek

Fox Creek Long was host of Round 4 of the Inside Line South Australian State Series. It did involve sideways action of the good kind!

Fox Creek in the Adelaide Hills, that is where round 4 of the Inside Line South Australian State Series took place, a cold A�and wet lead up to the weekend turned into a weekend of clear skies (it was still cold!). Track wise it was ‘Long’ that was used and was riding as well as it usually does. A few Victorian riders made the trip over for the weekend and took on what the course had to offer, quiet successfully we might add with the Vicos taking home a few gold medals!

Stunning... (ly cold?! It is an outdoors sports though so no complaining!) — Stunning… (ly cold?! It is an outdoors sports though so no complaining!)

There was lots of sideways action on display!

The crowd loves the sideways action of course!

Infact it makes the whole event feel a little better when there is a crowd cheering on the riders.

If you have seen the video footage floating around then you would understand why the most out there whip of the weekend went to James Chambers.

We want to talk about the females who rode on the weekend, always great to see and something we want to see more of! Sport women was hotly contended with Casey the Ballarat MUD rat taking the win over Sue-ann who usually braaps a BMX.

Elite women was won by Philippa, whose light setup proved a fast roller on the tacky Fox Long track. Moira desperately flogging more speed out of the “Beast of Glory”, to take second place from Laura Kelly, who retired early due to Master Kellys untimely hospital visit.

Moira and her 'Beast of Glory' riding into second place in Elite women. — Moira and her ‘Beast of Glory’ riding into second place in Elite women.

This rounds reporter on all things that involve the fairer sex, Curbsidechucky coming through the waterfall section and the jumps following it.

As for the men’s racing it was the Victorian import, Darcy Coutts, who took the under 17’s A�win by around 4 seconds – impressive work! As for the elite men it was Conor Clancy taking his maiden elite win. For all the results head to the Inside Line website and see them there.

Darcy Coutts popping off the waterfall and on his way to victory in the Under 19's men category. — Darcy Coutts popping off the waterfall and on his way to victory in the Under 17’s men category.

Conor Clancy snagged his first Elite win, a well earned result!

Hanging out with your mates at the races, good times indeed!

Ian 'The Buffalo' Jones getting rowdy in practice, what is out frame here is the tree he hit! Ouch - but he was okay folks! — Ian ‘The Buffalo’ Jones getting rowdy in practice, what is out frame here is the tree he hit! Ouch – but he was okay folks!

In fact it was the Buffalo's second podium in as many races (even after having to do a rerun for not breaking the start beam properly). — In fact it was the Buffalo’s second podium in as many races (even after having to do a rerun for not breaking the start beam properly).

Superstar mechanic Aaron Peltarri was kicking around the pits before he heads back overseas to help fellow Inside Line club member Troy Brosnan win some world cups!

Getting an adjustment wasn't just limited to the bikes themselves! — Getting an adjustment wasn’t just limited to the bikes themselves!

The next race heads to Eagle Mountain Bike Park. Thanks to Curbsidechucky for the women’s race report information!

Images: RFPhotographics (FacebookA�hereA�or follow on Instagram @rfphotographics).

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July 22, 2015

South East Queensland Downhill Series Round 4 – Cedar Creek

Round 4 of the SEQDH Series run by the Downhill From Here crew saw riders heading north of Brisbane to a private property between Mapleton Forest Reserve and Kenilworth where they took on Hella��s Descent. The track starts with an open, high speed section of drops and doubles straight out of the gate.

Shuttles to the top are always fun when your driver is Bob Davis, 63 years young and still racing downhill. — Shuttles to the top are always fun when your driver is Bob Davis, 63 years young and still
racing downhill.

The racers were throwing down a bit of style at the step down double early on in the track.

The a�?pencil techniquea�� was pretty common off this lip as riders tried to get a spotting on their landing before railing the next berm and shooting off down the track. — The a�?pencil techniquea�� was pretty common off this lip as riders tried to get a spotting on their
landing before railing the next berm and shooting off down the track.

You dona��t see too many Canyon frames going around Australia but this guy knows how to throw his around. — You dona��t see too many Canyon frames going around Australia but this guy knows how to throw
his around.

Warrick McNab squashes the final drop of the top section before taking on the switchbacks down the face of the mountain. — Warrick McNab squashes the final drop of the top section before taking on the switchbacks
down the face of the mountain.

The track then dives down the face of the mountain where riders had to try carry their speed through an endless series of tight, steep switchbacks littered with roots and rocks as well as off camber root sections and rock gardens.

Ben Power going high across the off-camber roots as he prepares to drop-in on a series of switchbacks. — Ben Power going high across the off-camber roots as he prepares to drop-in on a series of
switchbacks.

. Hayden Poptie attacking the inside line, the other options were to thread a slower middle line or drop off the outside. — . Hayden Poptie attacking the inside line, the other options were to thread a slower middle line or
drop off the outside.

More off-camber rooty goodness for the riders to attack.

Recent rain has left a lot of vegetation around the track and transformed the normally dusty track into a grippy, tacky trail that the riders were railing hard throughout practice before it got chopped up a bit prior race runs. — Recent rain has left a lot of vegetation around the track and transformed the normally dusty
track into a grippy, tacky trail that the riders were railing hard throughout practice before it got
chopped up a bit prior race runs.

A lot more a�?enduroa�� bikes have been seen throughout the series as technology innovations allow these smaller travel bikes to take on the downhill scene. — A lot more a�?enduroa�� bikes have been seen throughout the series as technology innovations
allow these smaller travel bikes to take on the downhill scene.

100% concentration down the whole track. There was no respite for riders with the endless turns, roots, and rocks. — 100% concentration down the whole track. There was no respite for riders with the endless
turns, roots, and rocks.

Early practice was a bit slick with the dew on the track but this soon translated into grip as the track dried out a bit. — Early practice was a bit slick with the dew on the track but this soon translated into grip as the
track dried out a bit.

The final section of the course opens up to a small field of high speed, flat and off camber turns before dropping into the last forest section featuring a high speed long-and-low gap before a transfer over into the finish-line step up.

Ryan Leutton was unable to gain a podium spot this round and relinquished his overall lead to Ben Power. — Ryan Leutton was unable to gain a podium spot this round and relinquished his overall lead to
Ben Power.

Loic Fery styling it out over the finish line step-up.

Big whips and nose-heavy landings were on order for the final jump

Sam Fraser: upside down and sideways in his final race run on the way to 5th place.

Ryan Leutton went into this round leading series overall for Elite Men but was unsuccessful in gaining a podium finish. Ben Power took his third win from three races and seems unstoppable on his way to taking the series overall. Lisa Matheson and Tracey Knight continued their dominance of the Open Women, taking the top two steps of the podium for Planet Cycles once again. The highlight of the day was Sam Frasera��s cork flip on the finish-line step up in his finals run and to add to it, he managed to claim the final step on the podium with that run!

Open Womens Podium: (2) Tracey Knight, (1) Lisa Mathison, (3) Jasmin Street

The Planet Cycles girls seem unstoppable this year.

Elite Mens Podium: (4) Cameron Allonby, (2) Harry Bush, (1) Ben Power, (3) Mat Tape, (5) Sam Fraser. — Elite Mens Podium: (4) Cameron Allonby, (2) Harry Bush, (1) Ben Power, (3) Mat Tape, (5) Sam
Fraser.

When you backflip your way onto the podium, you can celebrate as much as you want.

That’s a wrap for this round!

Images and report: Cooper Messery Photography (Facebook hereA�or Instagram @cooper_messery)

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June 30, 2015