Check out the latest Spoke mag, issue 41. There are heaps of great articles and photography, and also a piece on me on pages 22-23.

So I skipped work for a week and headed over to Golden Bay. Stunning. Beautiful weather and amazing photography. Got a wee bit of riding done over there which was very scenic, and spent much time hiking around with my camera. Also had a 3hr cold water leg soak whilst up to my undies photographing some great scenery. Ran along the beach, and did some yoga facing the sunset.
It was great to get out of the studio and enjoy the country, although now I must work nights to catch up!

Southern Riding?

Lake Moananui, early morning, 50 meters from my front door.

I have been a bit slack with the updates recently. This NZ summer I have been staying away from the race scene a focusing on my weakness's and doing quite a large pile of work. Having minimal output last year with my painting due to the two big jobs and time overseas racing, I am feeling the need to put more work out there. On the other hand, I have had the chance to dabble in running, easy weights, pilates, yoga and now some squash. My coach has also been trying very hard to get me inspired to swim in the pool.
However at this time of year when we get our first snow falls down south I am finding it very hard to stay in my studio, and am considering a road trip south. The light, changing colours and unpredictable weather always make great photography. Also running and riding some awesome mountain ranges and new trails in the process makes so much more inviting. Where to go is the question? Meander down the west coast or head east and into Otago?

Jamis Dakota D29 Review

This summer I test rode the Jamis Dakota D29er for a few months. Previously I had been riding the Jamis Dakota XCR a 26" bike. After a few rides to get used to the cornering I set up a short XC loop with lots of terrain variety to test one ride against another. The first hard lap I rode the 26" felt sharp and pulled out a good time. On the second lap I rode the 29er, while at race pace it 'felt' harder, like I was pushing a bit more dead weight, my lap time was actually about 20sec faster.
So I compared both bikes on sustained super tight downhills, the 26" came out much faster with more sharper handling. However on straight sweeping descents the 29er came out to play, and I could free wheel more yet hold speed.
Climbing was also a similar story each bike suited different terrain. The 29er was great on rough climbs and fine on long climbs. The 26 felt more responsive on punchy climbs.
I really liked the 29er for the fact that it rode rough single track with ease and made drop offs seem smaller. I also liked the fact that the BB clearance was slightly higher and I felt I could really lay the bike down around corners. The 26" was superior for tight, fast, quick reaction downhills and had faster acceleration.
Overall I would say each bike suited different terrain and different riding styles. I would recommend the 29er for endurance racing and rough open terrain. However I prefer the 26" for XC racing as it feels more responsive and twitchy which I like. Though it would be a hard decision on which bike I would take back to Colorado as the 29er would suit the back country terrain well. For the NZ races you will be seeing me on the 26".

Jamis Xenith Team size 51 For Sale

It would fit a rider 160-180cm tall.

FRAME

Ultra-high modulus carbon fiber, Omniad fiber lay-up, SST tubing diameters, 1 1/8-1 1/2" head tube, BB30 OS BB shell

FORKSL ultra-high modulus carbon fiber, full 1-pc monocoque with 1.5" hollow crown & carbon dropouts

WHEELS

Mavic Cosmic Carbon SL wheelset

TIRES

Vittoria Diamante Pro folding, 23c

DRIVETRAIN

Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 derailleurs, Dura-Ace 7900 levers and FSA SL-K Lite

B30 crankset, 53/39

BRAKES

ETShimano Dura-Ace 7900 calipers with Shimano -Ace 7900 STI levers

COCKPIT3T Ergosum Pro 7050 alloy handlebars, 3T ARX Pro stem, 3T Doric Team carbon fiber seatpost & Fizik Airone CX saddle

Retails for $9999.99

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=369093677

So, I have been very busy. I have converted another room in my house to a studio. Due to the fact that I am undertaking a 3.1m x 2.4 meter commisson, I need to have more working space.

The second studio, has my Dec exhibition coming together in it, while in the big studio I am prepping (high drama stretching raw linen) and preparing the big one.

I between this madness I have been enjoying the odd ride or two and even had a crack at some running. It has been raining here for ages with a couple of stunning days thrown in between, so the running is less time consuming and more pleasant to do in the wet.

The legs hurt most rides. A lot. I am forcing myself to pedal with a better technique so lots of ouchies. I don't see myself racing any time soon, as I'll be flat out with work until christmas, then I'll be moving studio.

So later this summer after all the big jobs are done and the tax bills paid, I might have to get out the race gear and get fast.

Working working and working. The weather is raining raining and raining and I am a busy bee until christmas!