Rode 25kms today and spent the whole time adjusting my saddle. It turns out that my saddle’s been too far back (not height, not angle, but seat rails) and this has slowed me down so much. Moving the seat forward an inch has placed me over my cranks (and not behind them), and after a slight increase in seat height there’s so much more power and response as a result.

The Reign’s feeling fast again.

I’ve also decided to give up old skool 2 finger braking so I’ve moved my levers and shifters inwards on my bars and I’ll be forcing myself to 1 finger brake from now on.

Also. I’ve been thinking the suspension, even though it’s set for my weight, is too soft too so playing with that, and damper settings will be next (and I’m surel it’ll take a while to perfect).

Super nice day today, and since World Youth Day has taken over Centennial Park, Suga and I decided to check out Bicentennial Park. We found it pretty frustrating having walkers, joggers and kids all sharing the same path, and in both directions, not to mention the path didn’t seem to loop so well (we ended up at Rhodes Ikea then on the road outside some industrial estate only to have to turn around and go back?). Anyways on the way around we saw some archers and then Suga spotted some dirt jumpers (whoo hoo!).

I spent the day fine tuning the gears on the Reign.

The course looks so cool.

I had about 5-6 goes, a dude there told me to practise on the 1st jump. I didn’t manage to get air time long enough to land on the 2nd down transition but after a pedal slip on the 4th go (and having the pedal pins once again dig into my shins) I lost a bit of confidence and called it a day, great fun though.

Suga having a go!

What a beast! No need for words!!!

My Reign frame is back from Gripsports! She’s satin black now… shit, did I just call him a she? Awesome.

Just printed off 100 JDMST T’s and a few Bike T’s for biker pals (you know who you are, email me!) :)

OK I finally got to do the Dam today (thanks again Jing for lending me your Reign!) to test out my new Met Parachute helmet + 661 chicken elbows + knee pads. I should have worn my 661 knee/shin pads as those fucking nasty pedals got my shins again today. I was super dissapointed with the pads I did wear though, not that they move much but they really dig into my skin and feel uncomfortable. I hope they get more comfy with more use.

The Met Parachute on the other hand was awesome. It’s light, airy, easy to get my Camelbak drink straw in there and I feel more confident with it on. Massive thumbs up from me.

The Reign’s frame shape straps on to the Thule rack really well, sooo sturdy. Thanks Shimano for the free stickers, more than happy to RPRSNT!

Charlie and his STP + matchig shoes. Kids these days… (lol).

Nailed this nasty little uphill today on my 2nd attempt, got it now… I’m chuffed.

Charlie loves the jumps on the DH section but the Reign’s just so awesome here, overtaking him on a different line felt too easy (felt like cheating). I’m dedicating myself and leaning into corners a lot more now, pretty happy with that and generally happy with how I went today as I cleared a few sections I hadn’t done before (even the nasty climb out of the bottom which was massively satisfying).

Got a call from Jon at Gripsport today to say my Reign frame is painted, and will be sent back to me tomorrow. It’s time to rock ‘n’ roll!!!

I just insured my Honda Jazz online with these guys (an online insurance company). Suoer cheap, great web site/user interface (simple, just how I love it). Awesome :)

Getting whiter (take that Michael Jackson). Funn bars for Suga’s Talon.

The ride on Saturday was great, but all that effort, fitness wise, was wasted as Suga and I just proceeded to non-stop eat all weekend.

We caught up with Zi and Gloria, Charles and Anna at PRIME at Sydney’s GPO. I’ve eaten there a couple of times, and always went for the $155 wagyu (which is amazing), this time I went for the lesser grade $85 cut and fuck it was shit. Full of chunky fat bits, made me feel sick. It feels crap to pay out of your ass for shit service and a bad meal. Zi was super pissed. I’m sure he didn’t sleep well that night lol. I’ll not eat wagyu again this year.

Some bottles were $2000+.

Love the fancy ducanter. This $70 bottle was super nice.

On Sunday we had a relos lunch at Suga’s place. That was always going to be decadednt. Wagyu was served too (lol), the smell of it alone made me feel sick.

Salmon + soy + nose bleeding wasabi FTW.

Love them or hate them. I love them.

Mornay! I’m not meant to eat cheese (I’m a soy boy), but I couldn’t resist.

We caught Kungfu Panda, it’s always refreshing to see animation on the big screen. Fun movie but the ending was a little too rushed.

More food at Nino’s, Bondi Westfields. Fun night, the pasta was insane. I’m a huge pasta fan, and haven’t had pasta as fresh as this in years (go the angel hair with balmain bugs). Dinner with my family’s always hilarious. When my mother gets together with her two younger sisters it always ends up in dirty jokes and much belly laughter. Nicholas, my cousin who finished high school last year, was on a high from going to his first ever trance club (in Melbourne). Seeing him attempt the Melbourne Shuffle outside the restaurant in the mall was hillarious. Of-course I told him to not go there, ’cause the Melbourne shuffle is gay.