There were 106 people who came and rode at the Open Day, plus some of the marshals rode around for some laps. There were also heaps of Sunday racers there on Saturday getting in some practice, so all in all a really good turnout.

Astoria Paranoia wrote: Yup, me
Sessioning Slimline was plenty fun for me

What he said, the course is totally awesome, slimline and boars next were my favourite bits.

XCguy wrote:Did any vorbers come out to the Open Day that wouldn't have considered racing?

suse really enjoyed the open day - in a 'I'm so glad I'm not racing this' kind of way. And when we talked to Mark Inglis Mrs when we were out marshalling she seemed to have enjoyed having a blat on the track sat too!

other people we talked to on the open day - the general consensus seemed to be that the downs were more technical and the ups gruntier than they expected. It has to be one of the few 'xc' courses where doing laps down the intermediate tracks in vic park is perfect practice!

Slim wrote:
Watch out for some mods on the slimline for next year, I am going to go on a berm building spree some time over winter!!

that'd be nice - it was a huge dust drift down there by the end of the morning race. Though in some ways the fact that it's not bermed is what makes it interesting

actually I'd say if you're going to build berms anywhere start with the 2nd corner in the s-bend, beautiful wee berm on the first one so you can carry speed around, but then flat/off camber on the 2nd

wgtngrl wrote:
Why do I love that course so much ????

cos it hurts so gooooood!

I just realised from your avatar which rider you were in the elite race - sorry for not cheering you!!!

Slim wrote: There is no way I'd race that course and part of it is named after me!!

come on slim - it's not THAT bad!!! I reckon you and Shailer should enter next year

danose wrote:

Slim wrote: There is no way I'd race that course and part of it is named after me!!

come on slim - it's not THAT bad!!! I reckon you and Shailer should enter next year

Exactly. If Danose can ride it... it aint that bad!!

XCguy wrote: Just wanted to share this email we received with you, as we thought it summed up the Open Day and what we wanted to acheive nicely.

"I just thought that I would say a quick thank you very much for the open day a the vulcaniser. That is the most punishing, fun and entertaining track that I have been on. It showed me my lack of fitness in a very short period. I really appreciated the open day, as going on that track for a race would be even harder and possibly beyond me. So the open day was the perfect way to have a blast in a not too serious way. Thank you very much, and I hope that we can have some more days at that wonderful wonderful track. "

Did any vorbers come out to the Open Day that wouldn't have considered racing?

Couple of guys I used to work with who have recently got into mtbiking did a lap and had pretty much those sentiments as well!!

Slim wrote: There is no way I'd race that course and part of it is named after me!!

danose wrote: come on slim - it's not THAT bad!!! I reckon you and Shailer should enter next year

I've raced it more times than you

My skills are better used elsewhere now and I still get to ride it

wgtngrl wrote:Why do I love that course so much ????

Because it's real. It is the essence of mountainbiking. Designed by bikers, built by bikers, for bikers. And it's never seen a group of walkers (unless they had grubbers and spades), let alone motorbikes and SUVs. Kashi said it was one of the best tracks he's ever been on, and that was two years ago.

Clarky wrote:

wgtngrl wrote:Why do I love that course so much ????

Because it's real. It is the essence of mountainbiking. Designed by bikers, built by bikers, for bikers. And it's never seen a group of walkers (unless they had grubbers and spades), let alone motorbikes and SUVs. It is pure, It is awesome. Kashi said it was one of the best tracks he's ever been on, and that was two years ago.

and exactly the sort of trail I used to wish they would run mountain bike races on because it is a course where the people with real skills do well rather than those who are fit but have no real riding skills!!

Bob when she spoke on the podium said something along the lines of... "this is what a mtb race should be like.."

yFy