REGO open: https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/secure-volunteer-home/secure-planned-activity/?id=b4f8effc-2873-ef11-a4e6-00224898035a

For more information, click on the rego link.

10 year anniversary celebrations FREE ENTRY - that's right to help us celebrate, come join us, no charge.

This will be a fun social evening at Lystefield. We'll be on the timing machine to record those laps for you!

Rego here: https://entryboss.cc/races/23252

For more information, click on the rego link.

Come help make Lysty a great place to ride. 

REGO open: https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/secure-volunteer-home/secure-planned-activity/?id=6f2c2f6a-2873-ef11-a4e6-00224898035a

REGO open: https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/secure-volunteer-home/secure-planned-activity/?id=b4f8effc-2873-ef11-a4e6-00224898035a

For more information, click on the rego link.

10 year anniversary celebrations FREE ENTRY - that's right to help us celebrate, come join us, no charge.

This will be a fun social evening at Lystefield. We'll be on the timing machine to record those laps for you!

Rego here: https://entryboss.cc/races/23024

NOTE: rego will close at 7pm Thursday 7th Nov - ***NO ON THE DAY ENTRY***

For more information, click on the rego link.

Thank you for your support, we will be coming back to this event and may make some adjustments to make it even better!

We have in the planning some Fun Friday Night Lazy Loops Races on the cards, so keep an eye out for these events.

Thank you!

LDTR Committee

PS Please feel free to DM the club if you have some great ideas on how we can make the event better and how you can help volunteer to make it happen.

 LDTR club members: Special club member entry fee and a hugely discounted race fee for non-club members.

 3 hour or 6 hour racing format - you chose

 If you're into a more casual style of racing, we also have Teams Event as a fun way to ride and hang out with your mates

Solo entry: https://entryboss.cc/races/21965

Teams: https://entryboss.cc/races/21966

Full Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43943380

Junior

Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44091735

Come join a fun team of diggers on the trails and meet others in your MTB community

Upcoming Dates:

Sun 21st Jan:

https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volunteer/public-planned-activity/?id=d824828d-cba9-ee11-a81c-002248923efc

Sat 10th Feb:

https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volunteer/public-planned-activity/?id=25055a03-cca9-ee11-a81c-002248923efc

Sun 3rd Mar:

https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volunteer/public-planned-activity/?id=85453768-cca9-ee11-a81c-002248923efc

Sat 23rd Mar:

https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volunteer/public-planned-activity/?id=584251cb-cca9-ee11-a81c-002248923efc

Sun 14th Apr:

https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volunteer/public-planned-activity/?id=d6ec9524-cda9-ee11-a81c-002248923efc

Register for the February ride here: https://ldtr-mtb.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/56592-lysty-trailblazers-february-ride

Come help get the trails tidy ready for spring, no experience is necessary, young people are welcome with a parent or guardian

To Register: https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volunteer/public-planned-activity/?id=e6abe7e5-049f-ed11-9ac4-501ac5cade35

Come help us get the trails back into shape.

To register: https://www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/Volunteer/public-planned-activity/?id=229c9a56-099b-ed11-9ac4-501ac5cade35

LDTR Lysty Chicks Lake Mountain Adventure, Sunday 5th February

This ride is for intermediate and intermediate-advanced riders, who are capable of most terrains. (Intermediate is based on ability, technical skill, and endurance)

This event is made possible by our dedicated volunteer ride leaders and Change our Game to promote women's participation in sport.

https://ldtr-mtb.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/47242-lysty-chicks-january-ride

to come.

Everyone is welcome to join us on this ride (not just for the chicks) we'll be hitting the fire trails.

Thanks to ride leaders Yvette Diamond and Sarah Jade for making this ride possible during the year.

Come join us on the trails, Saturday the 3rd of December with Break the Boundary Inc. & LDTR MTB for an all-inclusive ride for everyone.

Who is this ride for? EVERYONE

What level rider do you need to be? doesn't matter, we'll have a range of levels, and we can help find the perfect group for you.

Please register to attend:

https://ldtr-mtb.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/47166-ride-with-us-all-inclusive-ride-at-lysterfield

We'll start with a meet and greet, then hit the trails, we'll then meet up for refreshments after the ride back at the information building (former Trail Mix Building)

***If the MTB single trails are closed we will still ride, we'll check out the Fire Trails because bikes can still be fun!***

Hydration is possibly the most important thing to consider on a longer ride. At best, your performance will be tied to good hydration. At worst, you could potentially do yourself damage by not drinking enough. How much you carry and how you carry it will depend on personal preference and how much you tend to need on a ride. I tend to err on the side of caution and carry more than I’ll need, but some are happy to run closer to the line.

Cheaper hydration packs

Under $100

These are an entry point to hydration packs while they’ll carry water and gear, they wont last for years like the better ones. There’s going to be a variety of sizes and shapes, but as a whole they’ll be on the smaller side with a cheaper bladder and bite valve, less comfortable straps, no air flow for your back, and no anti movement straps. They’re a good place to start though if you’re not committed to the sport yet but looking to venture out for longer rides. Usually places like anaconda and decathlon will have a variety of budget packs to look at.

Mid range hydration packs

$100-$200

These are a step up in quality and will normally give you years of service if they’re looked after well enough. They’ll come in almost any size you could want, most will have back airflow features and anti movement straps, as well as the nicer bite valves and anti bacterial bladders. There will usually also be spare parts available for wear and tear items like bite valves and bladders to make it easier to keep the packs for longer. They’re generally a sound investment and are definitely worth the upgrade from a cheaper pack once you’re riding frequently.

High end Hydration packs

$200+

These are the all singing, all dancing best-of-the-best packs. They don’t necessarily hold more water or gear, but they’ll generally do it more comfortably and have all the bells and whistles. They might not be worth the expense for some people, but the comfort and extra features might sway you so they’re worth looking at while shopping. On top of the mid range features, you might expect to see magnetic valve holders, bladder insulation, excellent anti-movement straps or even different methods of strapping or weight distribution.

Bottles

The old bottle might have limited storage capacity, but its much lighter and can be stored on the frame where the weight will have less of an impact. Weighing less appeals to some but they may struggle to fit some dual suspension frames and leave you with less options for other storage. Bottles are a relatively simple buy, some are a bit nicer than others though. A basic bottle wont set you back too much and usually do exactly what they’re meant to. You can get bottles with squeeze valves, insulation, dust/mud caps if you want something a bit fancier.

Nutrition/first aid/repair gear

Another thing to consider when choosing a pack is the volume of extra storage depending on what you want to do. We’ll delve into this another time in more depth, but its something to think about. More storage space means you can take more stuff, but also the pack gets bulkier and heavier as a trade off. If you prefer a small pack or bottle, you can always tape or strap things to your frame so there is more than one solution.

"Do I need a Fullface Helmet”

You see that enduro rider out there kitted up in a RAD looking fullface, and start wondering if that’s something you should have. You’d get one just to find out, but damn, they’re expensive!

Short answer – ride in what makes you feel comfortable, and its usually money well spent when you’re talking about protecting your head (I’ve got a helmet that probably saved my life).

Long answer – there’s a few distinct helmet options out there, and a lot of brands doing them, and they’re all a good option depending on what you want out of a helmet. I’ll run through the main types and what benefit each has, it’ll probably make decisions harder to make but at least they’ll be slightly more informed decisions.

Cross Country

Generally very light with great ventilation, covering the bare minimum of head area

Provided they have the Australian standards sticker on it, they meet all protection standards and will generally hold up to most direct impacts. They’re designed for where keeping cool is important due to heavy pedalling, and less protection is needed due to generally less technical trails.

Trail

A little heavier duty than a cross country helmet

Less ventilation, and starts covering more of your head going down to the base of your skull at the back and sometimes even over your ears. These still feel reasonably cool and do provide a bit more protection than an XC helmet due to extra coverage. The extra weight and loss of a few vents doesn’t bother most people, but its always a personal preference thing.

Fullface with removable chinbar

Fairly similar in build to a Trail helmet with the addition of a removable chinbar

The additional removable chinbar allows conversion to a fullface. These are a great option for versatility, providing more protection and confidence while being able to take off the chinbar for less gnarly riding. They’ll usually be fairly expensive though, and if you have aspirations to race in gravity enduro or downhill events, you may get knocked back if the chinbar is removable.

Fullface enduro

Have an always on chinbar

Permanent chinbar and usually cover more of your head than a detachable chinbar helmet does. They are stronger, bulkier and heavier, with stronger chinbars, but have excellent ventilation still and use lightweight materials to keep them as comfortable for all day riding as possible. They lose some of the versatility of a removable chinbar, but gain extra protection as a result.

Fullface Downhill

Prioritise protection at the expense of ventilation and weight

They’re still bicycle helmets so they’re not excessively heavy, but you’ll definitely feel the difference if you try to pedal around much in one. They’re designed for belting down a hill and not much else, protection is without comparison.