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I love a sunburnt hardtail.
Influences come from many a place. A flicker, chirp or whiff that conveys a feeling and experience. Singlespeed’s have influenced my riding since the turn of the millennium. I knew I’d be forever broke as a bike messenger if it involved maintaining a geared drivetrain year-round through London’s woefully wet winters.
The Hunt 1000 is an intense bikepacking route through the Australian Alps. This video, produced by Hunt Bikes, really showcases this breathtaking event. For a more in-depth and personal look, be sure to read Jorja’s recap from last year!
Our mate FYXO down in Melbourne, Australia embarked on a bikepacking trip to the High Country and made this video. If you’re looking for more information and photos, head to FYXO!
Take note, US-cities!
When it comes to cargo cage portage, there are a lot of options, yet Australia’s Curve Cycling has developed something unique, thanks to their team rider Jesse Carlsson‘s efforts.
The Rocket Pooch is a system that combines a titanium cargo cage and a roll-top bag, via a 4-point velcro mounting system. The bag itself has expanding pockets, including a hidden stash compartment inside, and is completely waterproof.
Curve is currently having a pre-order for the Rocket Pooch, with a November delivery. The Rocket Pooch will set you back $229 AUD. Pre-order now at Curve.
Our friends down in Fairfield, Australia at Bastion Cycles pulled together a real treat for us. This “Fall Forest” themed Crossroad frame has been hand-painted to resemble an autumn forest, filled with leaves, flashing colors across the carbon and titanium frame. Read on for all the details and photos below.
Race to the Rock touts itself as one of the most difficult ultra-endurance races in the world. This documentary looks to showcase the event’s beautiful landscapes while focusing on the struggles faced by the contestants.
During the ENVE Open House framebuilder exhibit, one builder traveled further than the others: Mark from Prova Cycles in Melbourne, Australia. I’d never seen a Prova in person. Instead, I’ve had to check out his work via the lens of FYXO and the Prova Instagram. Mark learned at the Bicycle Academy in the UK and has been really putting in work on his brand. Let me tell you. It shows.
ENVE has been supporting frame builders, both in the US and internationally for years now and has developed a symbiotic relationship with these artisans, who choose to put their forks, bars, and wheels on customer’s build kit lists. With this catalog of talent at their fingertips, they decided to have an Open House to celebrate not only their factory and offices in Ogden, Utah but the frame builders who choose ENVE to build out their complete bikes.
Continuing yesterday’s coverage are Beautiful Bicycles from Sklar, Falconer, Sarto, Sage, Argonaut, Moots, Retrotec, Legor, Bastion.
The 14th annual Melburn Roobaix took place recently and this recap video does a great job at showing the vibes at this legendary fun ride.
FYXO offers a look into the workshop of Mark Hester’s Prova Cycles.
Australian Kook Inc. Adventures: GRONK 690
Words and photos by Jorja Creighton
gronk – Urban Dictionary
Australian Slang, (noun) A person that is totally lacking in fashion sense, motor skills and/or social skills. Usually a total moron, an extremely unpleasant person or an unwanted guest.
Sometimes: A likable idiot or Bogan (especially in Queensland)
1. No wonder he can’t get a girlfriend, he is such a gronk!
2. Why would you “steal my car for the weekend,” you gronk!
The Jagungal Wilderness is my favorite place to take guests in Australia. Come to Australia for sun and sand? Too bad…I will give you a historically inaccurate tour of the Australian Snowy Mountains in late springtime. Where it may or may not snow, hail or cook you.
Our girl Jorja takes her job working at the Crust Bikes OZ HQ very seriously!
Cycling Tips recently featured some of Andy from FYXO‘s favorite zones to ride in the Victorian High Country.
Up the Bluff: High Country Bois
Words by Chris Sansom and photography by Tom Rooney
If the stakes were higher than normal that weekend, the scene in a regional hotel bedroom with six partly drunk men wasn’t any indication. Listen closely and you’d have heard the nervous excitement as we re-lived Jurassic Park for the millionth time. We’d committed via packed Instagram thread to another Winter Solstice ride, with the ante well and truly upped. Eight raised a digital hand, the number surprisingly only dwindling to six at shit-hitting-the-fan time in spite of snow forecast at 800m. Time to trawl the drawers for those special pieces of clothing designed to keep toes attached and fingers from emulating smashed frozen sausages.
It was a ride like this that changed my life in Australia and now, FYXO has organized an event that will open up that experience to all! Head to Gravel Camp for more information.
Trail Angels on the Hellish Hunt 1000
Words and photos by Jorja Creighton
The Hunt1000 is a brutal ride. “A 1,000 km journey through the rooftop of Australia along backcountry trails, across exposed high plains, through snow gum woodlands, and among tall native forests. The trail links Canberra to Melbourne with limited resupply points and some of Australia’s best high country campsites.” – Hunt Bikes
Lovely… but that description does not include the tears, the sense of panic, search for escape, and loss of confidence the route brings – but like anything that makes you want to quit bikes – it’s worth it.
2018 Handmade Bicycle Show Australia: KUMO Dirt Tourer
Photos and words by Andy White
It wasn’t that long ago that Kumo first took his flame to the flux and gave birth to steel machines. Keith has always had a distinctive style, and while early framesets focused on road and track, the frames he is most passionate about producing are a reflection of his first true love. Riding out into the bush, self-supported and free of distractions.
