This Venue Hurts Me

[@steez8888]

When your feeling this way just remind yourself why you started riding. The core roots. 👌

[@malmtb]

And that is where the day landed. Just rolling around having fun 👍🏼

[@MTBMcPhee]

Each to their own. The grip definitely takes some getting used to, but personally I've been enjoying Stromlo more and more in recent years

[@malmtb]

Theres a lot to like, I agree. But my perceived ceiling on my own progression at Stromlo has got old. Its an issme, not an issue 😎. A massive strength of MtB is that it is always an 'each to their own' scenario. Thanks Craig 🤟

[@bodo_mtb]

I have been riding Stromlo for several years now. I do come from Sydney so it's not a short trip down the road but, while progression is important to me I have changed it from being at the forefront of my riding to something I strive for in the periphery. Sometimes, I just like the sensation of rolling down the trails, jumping what I can, dropping what I think I can and riding around those things that seems a little out of my league. Stromlo (for me) offers all the above; things I can do, things I can't and the fact that I had a day riding with my friends followed by a cold one at the end if reward enough for me. Also, I am 52 and 100kgs, so getting massive air requires more speed and compression than I am sometimes prepared to give.

[@malmtb]

52 and 100kg - yup! my point exactly, more speed and commitment than sense allows me to muster. As for the coldie at the end ... every day has a highlight. I hope I made it clear I enjoy Stromlo, it just may not be back. Cheers, thankyou Bodo 🤟

[@redbomberr4594]

53 and 110kg here, I've done Stromlo once and loved it. Yes, there was a few features I wasn't comfy enough to hit but I enjoyed every minute. Especially the Bent Spokes at the end of each day.

[@malmtb]

@@redbomberr4594 Stromlo is a crackin venue. Maybe Ive over ridden it? But for me, not necessarily anyone else - its lost its appeal. Enjoy 🤟

[@BikesnLikes]

Did you try Pork Barrel or Double Dissolution? When I first went to Stromlo I found that they, and Skyline were the trails I could have the most fun on, whilst trying to improve cornering and jumping elsewhere. Trebuchet came along at the perfect time for me as it adds a jump line that is easier than the others. If you aren’t having fun there then don’t go I reckon. For me, I always get a little bit better there and that helps me to enjoy it. Also the beers are good. Thanks for entertaining video as usual!

[@malmtb]

Yes Pork Barrel is great. Ive done it many times - but not this time. I stayed with the crew front side this trip. What I shied away from saying in this video, but said in the last Stromlo video is that whole park, to me, feels old and tired. Too many visits, not enough progression and too far to compete with other options Its an issme, not an issue 🤟 Cheers Ryan

[@redbomberr4594]

We did a Stromlo trip a few months ago. Took us 2 days to get any confidence with the trails. The 3rd was a blast.

[@malmtb]

3 days, thats luxurious! 🤣. Sounds like a great time 🤟

[@redbomberr4594]

@@malmtb We don't get the chance to go away often, so we like to give ourselves the most time we can on the trails.

[@malmtb]

@@redbomberr4594 crackin strategy 🤘🏽

[@AVGeMTB]

You raise some great questions. I feel the same about Stromlo.. I want to love Trebuchet because it has potential to be so much fun but you really do need to be great at cornering on loose over hard corners and know how to jump because they're so kicky! The cross country trails out there are a lot of fun but we have so many more within reach in Sydney. I don't think it is a bike park thing either, Wylde and even a lot of bike parks in Tasmania seem to build my confidence where Stromlo just destroys it!

[@malmtb]

Cheers, thank you. There's a range of comments coming in but is great to hear a few people get exactly what Im driving at 👍🏼. I think as the sport matures, fashion in bike parks is emerging. Maybe Stromlo is just old fashioned 🤷🏼‍♂️ where as Tassie and Narooma and even Wylde are more modern and in that - confidence building.

[@spaghett832]

Stromlo is my local - I have local legend on strava on several of the loops (i.e pedal up, send it down) Here's my 2c: * Carolynes/Vapor/World cup are only for the big boys. I've done them and if you want to clear it you need big balls. It's not "fun to roll" at all. * Treb is a test of jumping ability. If you can jump your bicycle it's a baby trail and it's super fun. All of the corners are so big and easy. Though I will say the top bit of treb you have to run extremely fast to clear some of the jumps and some I haven't cleared yet - not from lack of trying either! * The west side of stromlo is WAY better balanced. Sunset B, Pork Barrel and Double Diss are all really really fun trails that are fun if you send every feature or if you roll it all. * Western wedgetail is probably the best overall trail I've *ever* ridden since the upgrade. If you are in town again DM me on this account and I'll take you through my loops, though be prepared to do a lot of pedalling!

[@malmtb]

Cheers Spaghet. Agree with you summation of the trails. The back is easy and way fun and most of the front is too big. I think my next visit will be without shuttles, to encourage me to stop and session what I should. But this of course will probably limit me to half a day 🤣 Next visit? I'll let you know 🤟

[@Jbjmtb]

A very interesting question you pose Carl. Obviously everyone is different. If it was me…..I would go back, and concentrate on one trail that you just keep lapping to build speed/confidence and incrementally increase. Or even go and tick off features individually. I do have the same feeling at my local, but I’ve ridden 2~3 hrs away to come away feeling not so much less satisfied but a to do list that’s ever growing.

[@malmtb]

Cheers Jules. A growing or shrinking to do list is fine by me. Stromlo has a stagnate list and that's deflating. 4 hrs is a long way to go to repeat one OK trail, but I hear what you're saying about focus 🤟

[@Roofusone_]

You might just be trying to progress on the wrong trails, sunset boulevard is a great track for berms and cornering and the evolution jumping area/quarry is a great place for airtime. There are plenty of other trails that dont get used often and ways to link the hill which make it feel entirely different but each to their own, hope you can come back one day and conquer the hill !

[@malmtb]

One day 🤟. Narooma, Mogo and others first 😎

[@DMMTB]

Yeah I came away from Stromlo with what I thought was going to be a video not worth putting out but after going through the footage and ended up with a decent edit .... hopfully!

[@malmtb]

I think the true test is - did you have fun on the day? With progression always in my mind - I felt more frustration than joy. Hope your Stromlo day was different. Thanks Dave 🤟

[@DMMTB]

@@malmtb I'm still fighting the demons from GV especially on my own hitting bigger gaps but finished the day on a positive getting the big jumps I showed you

[@malmtb]

@@DMMTB yeah you did really well Those internal demons are hard to outrun

[@shred-hermtb9113]

Everyone is different and rides different, they have different fears and comfortability areas. Do what makes you happy. If you want to conquer some of the things you might not be good at then go back and conquer one at a time until you get it. Keep on shredding Carl 🤙 🤙

[@malmtb]

Thats it right 🤟 Fun first, progression next. Those features aren't going anywhere 👊

[@huckyeahmtb]

I was just there for the first time the other weekend, and I was there to answer the same question. Is it hot or not! I only had a very limited amount of time, but I really enjoyed it. Maybe it was the new venue effect, but it kinda suits my riding style.. It didn't help that the wind could have blown a dog off a chain. Great vid mate 🤘

[@malmtb]

Cheers Huckster. Part of my issue is having been there so many times. What I can do Ive done and there feels very little left to tackle, that I have confidence to tackle. If its a day of rolling around with mates - I can do that closer to home 🤷🏼‍♂️. First visit - enjoy many more 🤟. For me its a venue Ive exhausted (not conquered)

[@RotormanMTB]

An interesting and enjoyable video. While I've only ridden Stromlo twice - 1st time was on a hard tail (I good trail one with great geo) and the 2nd time on my Sight. From my own experience, Stromlo is - what I can say.. the term for overbiked but relate that to over trailed? It's a lot to take and for me, progression has taken a back seat as I CAN'T get injured as I'm carrying family health issues that need me to be healthy (and why I've not had any videos out for a good long while as funds for a new camera are redirected) - so my take on my next Stromlo visit will be this - Chill, relax, enjoy. BUT to some degree I can totally related to what you're saying.

[@malmtb]

Cheers Rotorman. Biking is a luxury in large part. Power to you and the health of your family 👊 Stromlo - its biggest disadvantage ...... the venue competition has increased enormously Ride for joy 🤟

[@RotormanMTB]

@@malmtb Thanks man, appreciate it.. one day at a time. Oddly, we'll be in Canberra more often (for the wrong reasons) soon. 3-4 months and we'll be a lot better. Progression awaits :)

[@malmtb]

@@RotormanMTB i hope many good times await 👊

[@glenstretton2882]

Totally fair enough comments and thoughts! I'm a local and I love Stromlo but you're right: many of the trails feel a bit dated - too hard or too easy, whereas places like Narooma have really modern designs which allow you to feel like you can gradually step it up. Next time you come, send me a message and I'll show you some *ahem* special Stromlo trails which will make you fall in love with the place all over again.

[@malmtb]

That sounds very tempting Glen. Like I said, I dont want to feel this way about a nostalgic and special venue. Thank you 🤟

[@NoelJennings-go6zf]

Interesting video Carl,and yeah,the only reason I go back to wylde is because of my grandson,damn progression 🚴🏿😁👊👍🤔

[@malmtb]

Progression, a goal or a curse? I think there's a video in that 😎. Cheers Noel

[@ptwtf]

I kinda get it. For me it was only a stopover on the way to Thredbo. The actual terrain is pretty shit. I could never see it as an actual destination. The facilities are incredible though(plenty of free money in Canberra) Now that I’m riding an emtb maybe it’s worth another crack but geez compared to Sth Coast trails.

[@malmtb]

Where on exactly the same wave length 🤘🏽. Stromlo is worth a revisit - especially with an eeb. Thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@DingleBerryMTB]

Your grip issues, let some air out of your tyres. Run a Cushcore if you're worried about your rims. Simple fix. Everything else you're concerned about, just means you have to go there more. lol

[@malmtb]

Cheers Mr Berry. I run cushcore and yes possibly had my pressure a little high. But I need to tackle my weaknesses individually. The venue competition has has got a lot tougher in recent years. When looking at a full day away, or a weekend, Stromlo is no longer the go to 🤷🏼‍♂️ Im saddened to say

[@DingleBerryMTB]

@@malmtb Yeah for sure. Understand that. I run 22psi, sometimes i will lower the front to 20. Don't be sad about Canberra, its a Cold Hell in winter and a Hot Hell in summer! haha I moved away from there a couple of years ago, never want to go back.

[@someflipswhoguy]

faces all ur weaknesses, see what u think needs improvement or where u struggle most, watch some tutorials and then rock up next time and try the skills you learnt

[@malmtb]

I hear you. But tackling my weaknesses individually feels right to me - especially where a venue like Stromlo integrates all of them. Thanks 👍🏼

[@someflipswhoguy]

@@malmtb yeah one by one would be better instead of having ur mind focus on many things which can overwhelm you and cause bad riding

[@malmtb]

@@someflipswhoguy exactly! Its hard to rail a berm when Im thinking about the gap in 10m. Cheers 👍🏼

[@Arykperry]

Why would you want to ride mountain bike yet not 200% see that trail as something you need to conquer ? I just don’t get it at all. If your idea of success on the bike is to just roll down a trail with the brakes dragging then just go ride the bike path in town. I have no problem when a slow rider gets in my way on the downhill if they are actually working on the skill set, in fact I’m happy to lend a hand in getting anyone advanced through the various skills required. If you’re just on a Sunday cruise …… in my way I’m gonna have a major problem with that cuz you then don’t need to be up there. I think you need to go back with a determination to shred that place an conquer all of it !!

[@malmtb]

Lacking determination, yeah that was part of it. But my lack of mojo, stemming from really low confidence on this terrain combined to deflate that determination. I wasn't just rolling down dragging brakes - but neither was I pushing it. This middle ground is the frustration I find at Stromlo. Why push an unsettling trail - there's better venues to choose from now 🤟