How many of you ask your co-worker, friend, or crew if they want to go for a ride and they respond with “who’s going”? I take that two ways? Is that I’m not cool enough to ride with you. so you want to know who’s coming, or is it you want to make sure that the ride isn’t too fast or too slow? Nonetheless, I love a good group ride and with me going to Newcastle or what the locals call “Newy” for some work I thought I’d put together activities before and after my workload while I was down there. It’s also important to not take away from the rides that were already taking place so in an effort to make group rides bigger and better I made a ghetto IG poster that I was attending The FOX Australia group ride, and another group ride that was taking place on the Saturday before the SX. The Moto stuff was private on Friday but Sunday was more of a hey everyone I’m going to The Island if you would like to come join me and bench race. This is why I called it the My Two Wheel Life tour.

My main goal and focus for this trip was to get some legends like Daniel McCoy and Jack Moir on the Varg, but since I was down in Newcastle we were going to hit some local Mtb group rides and of course check out the Newcastle Supercross. I had been planning this trip for a month with Jena and the crew in Newcastle but to be honest The other great thing about this trip was that I got were to get to understand the community and what Newy is all about. On Friday I went to a private moto track at Jeff Brigg’s house where I met up with some heavy hitters Mtb EWS world champ Jack Moir, Daniel McCoy, Josh Green, Jake Gardiner and world class surfer Julian Wilson to enjoy a day of motos. We had some rain the night before the ride day, so it made for some epic conditions for all. Mason was able to moto with all the boys so as a dad it was a proud moment for sure.

After motos at Briggsy’s place I joined the Fox Australia/Drift bikes shop ride with Sam Hill, Jack Moir and over 100 local riders. I had Jena Slavin, and Mason with us and a bunch of epic humans. The ride left from the shop and hit the local trail network in Glen Rock reserve on the water. Great trails, great group of riders and good vibes were had. The highlight maybe a low light when I decided to go over the bars in a creek. I couldn’t do anything but laugh at myself as got up out of the water like a wet dog.

Jack Moir and Sam Hill took time with the Groms and even us old boys to do trains down the local trails.

 Saturday Morning, I joined the 35 7fiddy group ride. This was a 35-kilometer, 750 meter in elevation gain ride “was 850 in the end”. Shane Place from KTM Newcastle, and jake from Midcoast moto made it out on his Tazer S along with Jena and Mason The group was large about 90 riders mainly on e-bikes, but the group was great, and it was a great way to engage in the community. We rode some of the trails the day before but what a better way to see most of what Newcastle has on a bike then hit this ride. I was so proud of Mason for being the youngest on the ride and one of the few on an analog bike. Following the ride a nice cold Coke and a mega feed at the Bowls club made me want to go into a food coma but we were just getting started for Saturday.

 We went back got cleaned up grabbed Mason’s little buddy Rusty where we piled in a uber and went to the Newcastle SX where there was a great crowd and great racing. It was great to see Dean Wilson, getting more comfortable where he was able to take the win., and the other side of things it hurt to see Justin Brayton have a rough go. A highlight for the night was seeing young Nixon Darragh and Robbie Marshall some of local family friends kill it. Nixon finished 4th on in the CR22 85 class and Robbie Marshall finished an impressive 7th overall in the SX1 class. I wanted to say a BIG thank you to the Australian Supercross team for the hospitality and an epic event for all of us to enjoy.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday… The Vargs were loaded up and it was time to head to The Island motocross track. The Island is about an hour north of Newcastle and has had a lot of hype about it even before I moved here. Jason Baker and The Dream Traxx crew along with owner Tyson built this amazing facility with something for everyone to enjoy. Mason and Rusty had an amazing time hitting the jump track, roller coaster and the turn track on their 85’s. The Main track was under construction, but the junior track was open, and I was able spin some laps on it and wow was it fun. The soil was perfect, and it has some epic sections that were fun and challenging.  The facility could be one of the most impressive places I have ever been too. Stay tuned for a full review on the facility. We got our motos in people rode the Vargs and it was time load up and head the 6 hours north back to Queensland.

Mason and I loaded up and got on the road for the 6hr drive home and I reflected on what I was trying to accomplish with the weekend. Did I bring value to other riders or was I using them to prop myself up? I feel that I added value with awareness and a good laugh going over the bars in the creek. At the end of the day I just loved getting to meet so many great people from moto and mtb in a town I’m not that familiar with. I can say in confidence that the Newcastle scene did not disappoint. We had some great riding on both moto and mtb, great food and memories that will last forever.

Food

Jack Moir recommended a good Mexican joint called Antojitos Friday night and I can say it was really good. Cold Corona’s, Pacifico, and Jena approved of the Margarita’s

Accomodation

The Lucky Hotel was where Mason and I bunked up the first night and it was primarily just for the sake of price. The Lucky Hotel had so much character, great food and great comfortable beds. I highly recommend it for a night away with your partner for a good drink, and food.

The other night we stayed at the Holiday Inn and it’s hard to go wrong with the Holiday Inn

Bikes

Stark Future Varg

Intense Cycles Sniper T

Gear

TLD - Drift Short, Skyline Jersey

Nutrition - Ryno Power

Eyewear - 100% Speedcraft

Tires - Maxxis Recon Race

Lubricant/sealant - Maxima Racing oils