My passion is mountain biking, though I still class myself as a newbie.  There's nothing better than belting through the bush and getting out of my daily head space for a while.  Fun stuff.

I'm keen to hook up with some guys and girls - any age and skill level - for regular trail play, with an emphasis on having a laugh and getting fit. 

Daisy Hill is handy for me but I can travel anywhere (Saturday arvo or Sundays are good), or any nights 8pm to midnight for suburban rides or rollerblading or both.  I'm also in Yeppoon one weekend a month so I'd like to meet up for a ride there too.

If you think any of the above sounds like fun, don't be shy - Say hi! 

OK, now to the important stuff - my 5 little bikes! [does a happy dance]
 

2006 Haro Extreme X7
Cost:	Initial: $1995 Mods: $900
Purpose:	All Mountain
Construction:	Aluminium 6061, Hydro-formed top tube
Suspension:	Front: Marzocchi Drop Off II, 180mm travel Rear: Manitou Metel R Coil Over, air assist, rebound adjust
Weight:	18kg
Gearing:	Changers: 18 Speed SRAM Crank: Truvativ Ruktion 24/36, Truvativ Howitzer bottom bracket Pedals: Pivit Flats Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR (modification) Cluster: Shimano XTR (modification)
Rims:	Pivit RM20 Double Walled Aluminium 6061
Tyres:	Mud/trail (front): Michelin Hot S Red 26x2.20 Mud/trail (rear): Continental Diesel Pro 26x2.50 Sand (front & rear): Kenda Nevegal 26x2.50
Brakes:	Hayes Sole Hydraulic, 8" rotors front & rear
Mods Planned:	Dual pin brakes.  Lights.
Comments:	Frame quality and finish is magnificent and the top tube styling is a thing of beauty in itself.  Ride comfort is excellent though a little soft but I still need to tune the suspension.  I'm pleased to see top-end Marzocchi shocks on this model, but disappointed with the SRAM X7 rear derailleur and cluster.  A tooth snapped off the tinny sounding cluster on the first ride out which was only an intermediate XC in the mud at Daisy Hill.  Next day, the crap SRAM chain kinked up and wouldn't come straight again.  Sorry SRAM, you've lost a client. Have replaced cluster, chain and rear derailleur with Shimano XTR.
2004 Felt 75
Cost:	Initial: $1799 Mods: $450
Purpose:	Road Bike
Construction:	Aluminium 6061, Carbon Fibre Forks
Weight:	7.5kg
Gearing:	Changers: 27 Speed Shimano Tiagra Flight Deck Crank: Cyclone 32/42/52 Pedals: Shimano SPD Front Derailleur: Shimano 105 Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105
Rims:	Mavic CXP22
Tyres:	Continental Sport 1000
Brakes:	Felt, Shimano levers
Mods Planned:	None
Comments:	A light, compact, and very fast bike.  I'm not a big lover of road bikes and it's taken me a few hundred kilometres to get used to the Felt.  Now that I have though, I love it.  It's never missed a beat.
2006 Giant Speeder X
Cost:	Initial: $205 (EBay import made for the Korean market)
Purpose:	Road Bike & Wind Trainer
Construction:	Steel
Weight:	13kg
Gearing:	Changers: 18 Speed Shimano Crank: generic Pedals: Wellgo Rat traps Front Derailleur: Shimano SIS Rear Derailleur: Shimano SIS
Rims:	Giant Aluminium
Tyres:	Kenda gum wall slicks (stamped Giant)
Brakes:	Shimano alloy dual-control (70's style) levers
Mods Planned:	None
Comments:	OK look, I bought this bike new on EBay so I could mount it on my wind trainer instead of the Felt, but when I unpacked it, I loved it!  This is clearly an old style Giant frame and so are its components, but it's beautiful.  It's reminiscent of my first serious bike, a '78 Malvern Star, the only road bike I ever felt safe on.  The Giant will go on the wind trainer but she'll definitely see the road as well.
2003 Haro V3 Hardtail
Cost:	Initial: $850 Mods: $750
Purpose:	Cross Country Tourer
Construction:	Aluminium 7005
Suspension:	Front: Rock Shox Judy TT Rear: NA
Weight:	15kg
Gearing:	Changers: 24 Speed Shimano V Deck Crank: Shimano Sora 30/42/53 (Customisation) Pedals: Shimano SPD/Flats Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora (Customisation) Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rims:	Weinmann ZAC19 Double Walled
Tyres:	Road/Trail: Geax Evolution Kevlar 3D 26x1.90 Mud (front): Tioga Factory XCR 26x1.95 Mud (rear): Tioga Extreme XC 26x2.10
Brakes:	Tektro Side Pull
Mods Planned:	Fit discs and hydraulic brakes off Haro X7.
Comments:	An excellent bike both on-road and in the bush.  Solid frame makes it great for jumping, and despite its bulk, I've pushed the V3 past 70kmh on-road running 50/50 Geax tyres.  The 53 tooth Sora crank is brilliant for the road but its large diameter is a worry when jumping stacked logs and rocks.  Overall, this is a well built versatile bike with excellent components as standard.  Note though that the 2006 version of the V3 has had its componentry downgraded.  I hope this trend doesn't continue, as Haro build a great frame and I'd willingly pay more if the components were of the same quality.
2006 Giant ATX670 Hardtail
Cost:	Initial: $320 (EBay import made for the Korean market)
Purpose:	Cross Country MTB
Construction:	Aluminium 6000 Fluid Form
Suspension:	Front: Giant Rear: NA
Weight:	14kg
Gearing:	Changers: 21 Speed Shimano indexed Crank: Shimano Pedals: Wellgo Rat traps Front Derailleur: Shimano Tourney 24/32/42 Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tourney
Rims:	Giant Aluminium
Tyres:	Road/Trail: Giant XC Elite (Kenda) 26x1.95
Brakes:	generic Side Pull
Mods Planned:	Fit SRAM X7 off Haro X7 if and when Shimano breaks.
Comments:	Frame quality and finish is exceptional and ideal for serious XC riding, which is why I bought the bike.  Running components are basic but at least Shimano, while other bits like the ultra light Promax seat post and Giant gooseneck were a pleasant surprise.  Very happy thus far.