Fuzzy Dunlop
Unleash the inner wombat
Just back from a couple of days riding the Grampians. Stayed in Stawell 2 nights, as is was half the cost of staying in Halls Gap, and my camping gear has not arrived from OS yet.
I had not ridden in significant sand before and had forgotten just how sandy the roads are out there. Its real outback-like roads in places and even the good roads have sections of sandy washboard and deepish sand that induced some posterior puckering on numerous occasions. The sandy washboard was the worst, with the front wheel bouncing all over the place and the rear struggling for traction. Standing on the pegs helped a lot and a got a lot of practice.
On the second day I decided to air down the tires to 26 PSI, from my staple 36r/34f. This was a GREAT move and really improved traction and handling, and in turn gave me a lot more confidence on the sandy and deep gravel sections. It ironed out all but the most severe washboard (pun intentional) and made cornering a breeze. I did get this weird wallowy marshmellowy sensation as the bike moved around and of course the handling and turn in was rubbish on the tarmac. I also lived in fear of hitting potholes as the couple I did hit gave me the uneasy sensation that road was meeting rim.
I kept the speed down under 80 as I was also a bit concerned about how fast I should go on reduced PSI on Anakee IIs. Anyone have an opinion on what speeds will damage the tire at low PSI?
I did Mt Zero road, Serra road and Glenelg River road as well as all the twisties I could find. Missed a wallaby by inches on Roses Pass road with only some reaction braking saving my hide.
To get to the park, I took a route south of western highway. Lots of straight roads the got progressively flatter and sandier.
Sheep ganged up to prevent passage
Communications tower on Mt Zero Road
Cliche Grampians pics of The Balconies
Read's Lookout
Baroka Lookout
Wartook Reservior
Halls Gap
Major Mitchell Plateau
Victoria Valley
I had not ridden in significant sand before and had forgotten just how sandy the roads are out there. Its real outback-like roads in places and even the good roads have sections of sandy washboard and deepish sand that induced some posterior puckering on numerous occasions. The sandy washboard was the worst, with the front wheel bouncing all over the place and the rear struggling for traction. Standing on the pegs helped a lot and a got a lot of practice.
On the second day I decided to air down the tires to 26 PSI, from my staple 36r/34f. This was a GREAT move and really improved traction and handling, and in turn gave me a lot more confidence on the sandy and deep gravel sections. It ironed out all but the most severe washboard (pun intentional) and made cornering a breeze. I did get this weird wallowy marshmellowy sensation as the bike moved around and of course the handling and turn in was rubbish on the tarmac. I also lived in fear of hitting potholes as the couple I did hit gave me the uneasy sensation that road was meeting rim.
I kept the speed down under 80 as I was also a bit concerned about how fast I should go on reduced PSI on Anakee IIs. Anyone have an opinion on what speeds will damage the tire at low PSI?
I did Mt Zero road, Serra road and Glenelg River road as well as all the twisties I could find. Missed a wallaby by inches on Roses Pass road with only some reaction braking saving my hide.
To get to the park, I took a route south of western highway. Lots of straight roads the got progressively flatter and sandier.
Sheep ganged up to prevent passage
Communications tower on Mt Zero Road
Cliche Grampians pics of The Balconies
Read's Lookout
Baroka Lookout
Wartook Reservior
Halls Gap
Major Mitchell Plateau
Victoria Valley
