we had a really amazing trip (I sound like a teenager) but one thing both natalie and i really missed while we were away were our bikes. especially since we did our own little tour of the alps before we set out on the big lap. we are planning a similar trip to our favourite riding spots before school starts again which means that we both have to work on our fitness and regain our confidence when the going – better: riding – gets really rough.
naturally it’s not only the rider who has to be well prepped: the bikes must also be in top shape. to this end i asked my friend greg, who happens to be the resident suspension wizard here in sydney to have update by fork a little bit, by installing what is called a vorsprung luftkappe.
the luftkappe is a negative spring that sits inside the hairspring and apparently totally transforms my somewhat ageing pike.
two comments: watching greg for was an eye-opening experience. the precision and care he exhibits during the disassembly and the reassembly process is exemplary. a suspension part leaving his workshop is in all likelihood better than new. secondly the luftkappe really does work: small bums seem to have completely disappeared from the trail. i need to spend a little time with the shockwiz to dial in the fork but i am impressed with the performance so far.
canberra, thredbo, bright, falls creek, here we come!