Hi there!

OK, it has been a while since our last email, so I guess it is time for a short little update from Escapegoatworld!

First off, we have added a few more skills day dates to our calendar for February, including our first Intermediate course we will be running at the brand new DENR trails in Craigburn Farm! (see photo below!) This will allow us to vary and improve the riding we cover in these courses. Dates are:-

• Core Skills – Saturday 4 February
• Intermediate skills part 1 @ Craigburn Farm- Sunday 12 February 

Full info can be found here, including booking details.

March is looking awesome, with a FULL GROUP over 11 of us heading off on our first New Zealand Jaunt.  Sorry, there is no room left, but we will definately be running a further trip later in the year, so let us know if you are keen. 

However, we are also planning to head over to the Bike Buller Festival  at Mt Buller. This isn’t an ‘official’ Escapegoat trip, but we have a little room in the van and trailer, and a few beds in the lodge, so give us a yell in you fancy joining us for some high alpine mtb action!

April is dominated by our 6 day Flinders by Bike adventure , which is happening over the Easter holiday. You’ll only need to take a day or so off work, so why not join us on a 200km ride around the most stunning areas in SA. There are only a couple of spots left on this one!

And finally, don’t forget about our 4th Alpine Epic trip in July - NOW is the time to plan your trip and book your flights- cheap airfares are still possible. And this year we are even offering a non-riding partners programme, so everyone can come.

OK, enough of my ramblings, time to hit the trails!

Cheers,

Ian, Deborah and Charlotte,
Team Escapegoat

Hi there << Test First Name >>

Firstly, it’s time for us to clear up a few things. No, I haven’t been kidnapped and replaced by a Spanish Serial Killer, it’s just been MOVEMBER, and I’ve been doing our bit for Mens Health. OK, so it is now December, and we can unveil the scary end-result…….

Yes, terrifying for sure! We’d love a donation for the cause – you can donate here…. mobro.co/escapegoat And if we hit $500 I will keep the Mo’ until the New Year, just for the fun of it!

OK, so what else has been going on? Well, spaces have quickly been filling up for our first New Zealand Jaunt to Rotorua and Taupo in March. We have just 2 spots left if anyone is keen, so get in NOW! It’s going to be an awesome 8 days on some of the best trails in the Southern Hemisphere.

Then, over Easter we will be heading off on one of our Flinders Ranges by bike trips! So why not join us on a beautiful 200km trip through the heart of the Flinders over Easter, with an additional stop at Melrose on the way home. It’s always a great trip, and a perfect way to explore this stunning corner of Australia.

Or, if you are even more adventurous, we have set the dates for our 4th Annual Alpine Epic to the French Alps, this years trip will run from July 7-21 2012, and as always is an almost all-inclusive trip. We will be returning to Samoens and the hospitality of Ann & Mitch at ‘La Ville Ferme’. We are offering an earlybird special of $500 off all bookings made before 1 January 2012, so make the most of the earlybird flight deals too, grab a spot now and save loads on your trip!

And to whet your appetite, we have just finished our 2012 Escapegoat Ride the World Calendar- this years edition has loads of photos from the Alps, The Flinders and the Adelaide hills, so why not grab a copy for yourself, and one for a friend! There are two versions, an ‘Extra large’ version at $24.50, and a‘regular sized’ one for $19.50 plus postage. Check them out, and why not grab a t-shirt at the same time!

Otherwise, it is business as usual over the Summer, with us running lots of our ‘Hills Vines and wines’ and ‘Lofty Descents‘ tours, which are a perfect way to explore Adelaide and the Hills. So, if you are visiting Adelaide, or have friends and family visiting, why not join us sometime! And don’t worry, there will be more skills day dates to follow in the New Year too.

And finally, we have just switched over our fleet of hire bikes, and have sold almost all of our old bikes. However we have One small 2011 Montari 3 to sell for $550. It’s a perfect bike for anyone starting out on mountain biking, and is ideal for someone 5ft- 5ft5′ in height (150-165cm!) Loads more info and photos here!

OK, that’s all for now, have a great festive season!

Cheers,

Ian, Deborah and Charlotte
Team Escapegoat

Ex-hire bikes for sale- $550 each!

we have 1 small, 2 Medium and 1 large Montari 3′s to change over in the next few months, so take your pick- the idea is that we never have bikes that are older than 12 months in our fleet.

This photo is the small, all look the same. Each one is slightly different with minor scratches and stuff. All bikes have been covered with tape since purchase, and are in good/excellent working order, having been cleaned and checked after each ride, and serviced when needed. The bikes have on average been used once a week or less over the last 9 months, and mainly used on our winery tours and lofty descent trips, although we did just use them for a week in the Flinders too.

These have been superb bikes, they are great mountain bikes. After my bike was stolen a few weeks ago I rode one of these for a whole week up in the Flinders, and was really impressed with them. Hopefully the 2012 bikes will be as good.

Spec is:-

Frame: ADT 6061 Formtech Alloy
Fork: RockShox Dart 2 100mm Travel with Preload & Rebound Adjust & Lockout
Front Derailleur: Shimano Altus
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Brake Levers: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc
Shifters: Shimano M310 24-Speed with Shimano Outer Casing
Crankset: Shimano M311 Octalink 42/32/22T
Brakes: Shimano M445 Hydraulic Disc
Hubs: Shimano RM65
Cassette: Shimano HG30 11-32T 8-Speed
Handlebar: Alloy Riser 31.8mm
Grips: Kraton Lightweight
Handlebar Stem: Alloy Ahead 31.8mm
Pedals: Alloy Platform MTB
Rims/Wheel Set: Alex SD-24 Double-wall Alloy 32H
Spokes: Stainless Steel
Tyres: Kenda Kadre 26x 2.1″ Front & 26 x 1.95″ Rear with Superlite Tubes
Saddle: Zero Zekta
Seat Post: Alloy Micro Adjust 31.6mm
Bottom Bracket: Shimano ES25 Octalink
Headset: Cane Creek Semi-Integrated Aheadset 1-1/8″
Chain: KMC Z-8

Many of you will have heard that BikeSA have had to make the hard decision to cancel the upcoming Mawson Marathon due to a lack of sponsorship and entries. We ourselves are very sorry to hear about this, as we were all set for another trip to the Flinders Ranges to assist BikeSA running this event by acting as route marker and neutral support along the way.

As such, and in agreement with BikeSA, we have decided to offer a limited and small supported trip to allow riders who were entered onto the Mawson Marathon to still ride the route. We appreciate many riders may already have arranged accommodation, flights and more to participate in this event, so hopefully this allows at least some people to still ride the trails, with minimal upset to their original plans. The trip leaves on Tuesday 16 August, and finishes Sunday 21 August, and will follow the Mawson stage race schedule as described by BikeSA

Our supported trip will cost $595 per person, and includes:-

• Transfers from Adelaide and back
• full vehicle support along the way
• Luggage transport each day
• breakfast and lunch supplies daily
• detailed trail advice and route support
• guiding/rider support on the trails if required and basic maintenance support along the way

In addition, for those that do not already have accommodation planned, we have an extra accommodation package priced at $295 which includes comfortable accommodation each night, and a warm meal. Accommodation will vary but is likely to be shared cabins, bunkhouses, shearers quarters, and similar basic but comfortable accommodation. Of course, feel free to camp or do whatever you already had planned instead! This trip will be offered for a minimum of 4 people, and a maximum of 20.

Due to the LATE NOTICE of this trip, we need expressions of interest to join our trip ASAP! The exact details of the trip will vary depending on numbers, and full details will be confirmed after numbers are confirmed.

BOOKINGS MUST BE CONFIRMED BY C.O.B. ON TUESDAY 2 AUGUST to allow us to organise this trip in time! Please email us at info@escapegoat.com.au or call us on 0422 916289 NOW if you are keen to join.