Great Cycle Challenge 2024 - Ride #15

ACT Champs XCO

Afternoon Ride

Great Cycle Challenge 2024 - Ride #14

So as planned, I ended up swapping out my brake pads for some new ones. As much as I like running the AB graphene pads, they do cost a bit and the lifespan isn't overly great, so this time I went with the Cleanskin one's that Ive had kicking around for a while. Probably doesn't help that I do drag the rear brake quite a bit too. Also swapped out my front tyre for a new one. Hopefully this will stop me from sliding out so easily in turns.  

Having done the maintenance tasks before my ride I had to start my ride  by bedding in the brakes. So I started with a loop down Cotter road, past Maccas at Molonglo, over the Molonglo river and back before heading back up to Stromlo. Thankfully bedding in my brakes is an easy way to get up 12km for the Great Cycle Challenge.

I went for the straight up standard climb before heading down Rollercoaster to try out the new tyre on the tight turns. It worked a treat as I felt more controlled as I descended. Honestly the old one was about 18 months old with somewhere around 3,000 kms on it. That's if I've worked it out correctly.

A short climb up Magpie rock before enjoying the flow of Sunset and the second half of Pork barrel. Then up to Deep Creek before a snack break before dropping in to Terminal velocity. 

As I made my way up Shadys, I could see some guys from ACT parks walking along the track to Dead Gum dam and couldn't help but think it reminded me of when the main characters of "Spaceballs" are walking through the desert. If you know, you know. I got a chuckle out of it at least. 

Did my usual loop down Dead Gum Dam, up to Party Line, back around Double Dissolussion and then back up to Party Line. Somewhere in that time I decided that I would ride down to Scrivener Dam once I'd finished at Stromlo. But first I was going to do Blackberry climb and Luge. So I made my way over there.

I understand the importance of snacking whilst riding but bugs flying in my mouth are not part of my nutrition plan. Having finally got the bug out of my mouth it was time to leave Stromlo. But not without playing phone tag with the boss. So I stopped a short way up the rode called him back and tried to ignore the fact that I was getting swooped whilst on the phone. 

Finished up my ride with the planned crossing of Scrivener, where I dropped down beside the zoo. Once again giving the new brake pads a good work out. They performed perfectly. Along he fire trail for a bit before crossing the forde and grinding my way up the hill to the bike path. And just because I'm a sucker for punishment I crossed the Molonglo again o gring my way up the hill on the other side before finally heading for home.   

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Jonathon Campbell

Great Cycle Challenge 2024 - Ride #14

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Great Cycle Challenge 2024 - Ride #15

ACT Champs XCO

Afternoon Ride

Great Cycle Challenge 2024 - Ride #15

Great Cycle Challenge 2024 - Ride #14

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