Mountain Biking

I spent a lot of my childhood years on a bike and being lucky enough to crow up in Bundeena I spent a lot of those bike hours on dirt. Back then it was whatever bike you had around and working. On finishing high school and entering University I found myself with a little more time on my hands and started doing longer bike rides. I took over ownership of my brothers mountain bike and started exploring more of the RNP, upgrading components on the bike as birthdays and cash became available.

After finishing University in 2001 work soon took over and the number of free hours dramatically decreased. It was a couple of years later in 2003 when managing weight started to become harder I decided it was time to get back into mountain biking. My brothers mountain bike had gone the way of the Dodo so it was time to purchase a new bike. After doing some research I decided to go with an entry level “disc brake” mountain bike and purchased a “Giant Yukon”. I rode that bike until the later part of 2008, after which it was put out to paster and given to my younger brother to abuse. She was a faithful steed and never let me down, but it was time for some new tech.

Giant Yukon 03

I was lucky enough to move onto a new mountain bike and upgrade to dual suspension all mountain bike. After much research and deliberation the GFC and the diving Australian Dollar forced my hand, it was time for a decision. I decided on a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 08. The Stumpjumper is light years ahead of my old bike and made riding a whole different experience with its 120mm of dual suspsension goodness, a light frame, hydraulic disc brakes and 5″ rotors.

Specialized Sumpjumber 08

At the start of 2010 the Canberra job I was working on moved out of town. Turned my 14km (no roads requried), 40 minute commute into a 22km (mostly roads required) +1hr commute. I trialled using slicks on my Stumpjumper for a while, but soon decided I need a road bike if I was going to keep commuting. Having spent some coin on my Stumpjumper I didn’t want to spend to much on a roadie and went looking for an entry level bike. In the end I settled on a Fuji Newest 1.0, with the Shimano Tiagra shifters swaying the decision.

Newest 1.0 Road Bike

I never thought I would be much of a roadie and saw it as a way of keeping up my commute to work, but I have enjoyed the speed and different riding style required.

South Sydney Mountain Bike Trails