sawystertrance

Ja I agree he has to learn the PR game. I thought it a touch cocky to start talking about the Championship looking good so early in the season. This after his second win, but then again, he is 20! I think hos acknowledgement of his team this week shows that he is indeed learning.

Don't feel bad. Guess, just guess who I've supported for the past lifetime. If you want to talk about disappointing. Back to the MotoGP. I was mightily impressed by Binder's TV interview just after the race in which he thanked his team and said he couldn't have done it without them. I was disappointed that he didn't acknowledge them last time around but this time he did and it shows maturity and the kind of appreciation needed to succeed in what is, after all, a team sport. The affection they have for him was evident after the race. Long may it continue.. Nice one Brad.

New Avatar? Sore loser?

I don't think Binder is ready yet. It's a huuge jump from GP3 to GP. Just look at how Jack Miller is struggling after doing so o well at GP3 level. Give the young fella some time - say another 3 years - to come up through the levels and he'll be there I reckon.

Wonder why KTM don't compete in MotoGP top level. Any ideas?

Isn't it a mole snake?

Bloody Brad. I went to Virgin yesterday and ended up doing 43 mins on the stationary bike just cos I had to watch the race! Good to see he had his strategy worked out. Early on I thought it was a mistake to lead and show your strengths and weaknesses to the guy tailing you. I think if you're going to take the lead early you have to run away with it and not allow somebody to sit behind you and work you out. BB changed his tactics and waited to swoop 2 laps from the end. Good thinking.

No sign of any pine trees for seeds?

And my favourite - the Flying "W"".

Heyyyyy. I did my PADI cert at West Palm Beach. Did the initial dive in ice-cold water in some swamp. Not pleasant but West Palm was good. The guys were developing underwater microphones and earphones. Wonder if they ever took them to market..

"Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put." -Winston Churchill

I noticed that there are a lot of broken branches and sticks lying on the rocks. Perhaps he rode over one and lost control because some of them roll at 90 degrees to your path when you ride over them and next thing, you're down. Happened to me at Tokai.

That's frustrating for you. Let's see how good my directions are: In through the gate, first left through the next little gate and up about 300m. Take the first left at the first left turn available. (Still jeeptrack, not single track). Climb patiently and in fact the road leads through two sections of the canaries. You will see the entrance top the lower part on your right. Keep going. The road takes a coupla turns and goes under a water pipe feeder thing which looks like it is used for filling water trucks. Pass that and when you get to a t-junction, turn left. About 500m further on, the entrance is on your left, opposite the exit for the upper part which comes out onto the road at this point. Feel free to climb further if you like to do the whole ride. I haven't done it since the fire but I know some guys who have. I have some photos of the climb if you like. Like me know.

At Jonkers. It's the only trail I know of which has some trees which survived the fire. I thought it was gone but am so glad to have re-discovered it. Overdosing on it now.

A great ride in the Canaries in the sun..It rained it just enough to be damp and cool...

Good question. They seemed burnt at the bottoms but the crowns were green enough. I did wonder why they stayed - perhaps it's because they serve a recreational purpose? Go ride Canaries soon just in case. I must say, it was great to be there. I was - as far as I could see- the only person on the trail and it was just so quiet and peaceful. Could hear every bump and grunt...

Yup. Like finding a long-lost mate. That's what MTB is to me. Trees...And climbing, of course.

Some shots of the Canary ride..

It may all be about progression for you...for me it seemed to be about just making it down..

I somehow knew you'd be happy to see this Myles. Glad to see you enjoyed the Red Trail last week. My knees are still knocking from my ride down it... We're different kinds of riders, you and me....

I was chuffed to discover Canaries largely survived the fire and I could ride through trees again! And Jonkers was looking majestic after a quick burst of rain.

Da man...

Red Route at Jonkers.

Drove to Muratie and Delheim yesterday to take a looksee. If you're the sentimental type, don't go. It's tragic to see what it looks like. Lots of it was still smoldering yesterday and there were even some parts till on fire. I sort of get the impression that it may still be salvable with a lot of work but I wonder if the will exists to do it? After all, building trails doesn't come cheap and the owners have lots of other expenses to consider now. Only had my GoPro with me and will post what shots I think are worthwhile. Here's one..the remains of one of the trails overlooking the car park