demo man
29-01-2007, 06:52 PM
I've seen scblack lurking around these forums for a while. He's not one to get into big fights or stir up too much shit, so he may not be as well known as some of the other members, but he is certainly a valuable member of Farkin. A super nice bloke and an interesting one at that.
So, meet scblack.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/demo_man/100_2171.jpg
Who are you (name, bikes you ride, age, etc.)?
Lyle O’Keefe – age 37. Bikes are Santa Cruz Bullit, and Giant STP Zero. Married with a cutie 20month old daughter, and baby number two due March.
I love nothing more than getting the camper trailer out for camping in the real bush, and exploring on one of my bikes. Drinking a good beer or fine wine round a campfire will do it for me.
When and why did you become a member of Farkin?
Well current name membership began July 2004, but was a member for nearly a year before that under my own name. I didn’t know back then people used different names. I had just bought a Jamis bike (suggested by my little nephew Cletus) and was looking at sites to find trails for riding. I forget the one I looked at, they had good coverage of Ourimbah, but that site died, and I had to find something for rides. I had never been a member of a website forum before, and my initiation of sorts on here was a barney with Ryan after the 2004 Federal Election. Never really left after that. Some of my best friends I have met on this site, it is truly a great atmosphere and a good community.
What made you choose that username?
Username was initially my own name, so that had to change, and I did not want to be BullitRider or something. The SC is for Santa Cruz and it is Black, so out came scblack, which is anonymous enough, and if I change bikes does not matter.
Who is your favourite rider of all time, and why?
Don’t really have one favourite rider, guys like Rennie, Kovaric, Hannah, Vouilloz, Hill are fantastic riders and I attempt to learn from their riding. When I was a teenager (BMXer), Dean Crisp was the guy I looked up to and bought one of his frames, and racing gear.
Do you have a hero? If so, who, if not, why not?
Not really, Don Bradman if I had to say anyone. He was the greatest sportsman of all time I reckon, and he was a true gentleman on top of it all, and that I truly admire.
I have never really had a hero in my life, but always got inspiration from different people in different things. People like Dennis Lillee, Ayrton Senna, Paul Keating, Robert DeCastella, Kerry Packer, Nick Farr-Jones, David Campese among many others have influenced and inspired me at various times. I think what I learnt early on from people like these is that nothing comes easily, and never without putting in the hard work required. I have never had anything given to me on a platter, all the achievements I have had are a result of many many hours – up to years - of preparation. I have just gained inspiration from various people at times when the slog appears too hard.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/demo_man/zzz_mtb_16.jpg
What’s your favorite section of Farkin and why?
Off-topic. The many hours that I have spent chatting and arguing in there on quite a few topics have been great. Swapping ideas with people like Johnny, RCOH, Wombat, Rik, Ja-har, Onarampage, TonyG, Atomizer, S. and others, has been great.
I can be pretty opinionated, and am well educated, but I have to admit that the guys above have taught me many things, and really opened my mind to ideas and concepts I would have pooh-poohed not long ago. The wealth of knowledge among people on here is huge – it is a resource I would hate to lose.
What is your job, and the most interesting thing about
it?
I am a CPA Accountant, and work in the investment & management of people’s wealth – big business, trusts, tax, super all that sort of thing.
The Investment side of things is the most interesting thing about my job. Setting up the correct structures and strategies which can achieve the desired objective is what is truly satisfying about my job. Anyone can be an expert in hindsight, but using analysis, foresight, the right tools and sometimes some bloody big balls to get things right BEFORE opportunities arise is what really gets the heart racing.
So how long have you been ridding and why did you
start?
A pretty long time!
I started racing BMX when I was about 14 until 18 when I got a car and started drinking (not really the truth, I started drinking at 14, but you get the idea). Riding since then has never left my blood. Back then my most memorable rides were bashing around in the bush trails with the BMX. I was essentially riding DH with my BMXs. No shinnies, no armour, no helmet, no disc brakes, how the hell I didn’t kill myself I’ll never know.
Got a really early GT MTB in the nineties, and gave that away when I bought a Jamis Durango SX in 1999. Rode that basically around Red Hill until I saw a Ten news story which happened to be the original All-Terrain-Mountain-Bike-Challenge (what became the Red Bull Ride). I knew instantly that was what I always wanted to do on a bike. So I went out and bought a Kona Stinky DeeLux, and cut my way downhilling on Grizzlies at Red Hill and Oxford Falls. Upgraded that to a Bullit, and got an STP to give the 4X a go.
Long trail rides in the wilderness or short stints on your local trails?
For now, its short stints on my local trails. I live in Baulkham Hills in Sydney which has a great little area of bushland within a short ride from home. It has 8 little downhill trails, linked with some very nice singletrack. Thus I have good riding literally on my doorstep, so don’t have to go far. I basically only ride DH and 4X so long trail rides are not my thing and as I said above have a young family, so taking out the time for a days ride has to be carefully managed.
Ford or Holden?
Pffft, Ford or Holden - don’t make me laugh. I am proud to be able to say that the first two cars I ever owned were Porsches, so that’d be where my loyalties lie.
I currently own a Ford Escape 4WD so all the tree hugging hippies can kiss my smog. :)
Whole Milk or lite?
Whole Milk, full strength beer, vintage cheese, good wine. Why go lite crap?
I don’t do stuff in half measures.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/demo_man/lyle2.jpg
Last time you were approached by the police?
Quite a few years ago – I am a law abiding fella. I rode somewhere for a haircut, so didn’t wear a helmet, and was pulled up by a cop. He let me go without the fine.
Just don’t tell them about that door in Coffs Harbour, Johnny. ;)
Best and worst MTB moments?
Best – winning the Masters 4X Series medal from WSMTB this year (for the second year running).
Worst – the week before the 2004 National DH at Lithgow, messed up the generation gap, and was knocked unconscious for 15 minutes or so.
We now know who the National Champions are, but who are your picks for the overall series wins?
DH-Amiel Cavalier, 4X-Alex Lloyd. demo edit: Terry Scarr won the MTNX series, Amiel is leading the DH series with one round to go
I really do hope Ja-Har gets up for the Masters 4X series win.
How do you see the Aussie mountain bike scene changing in the future?
I think the numbers of riders now fronting for DH racing is going to have to prompt some real professionalism in the running of the events. That is not a go at the people who run events as they are now, but each race is essentially run by a couple of people from each club, and there are always a few factors at each race that really did need to be handled much better.
The problems that occurred at the Lithgow National recently highlight this need. Some ground rules need to be applied, the critical needs identified and general things tightened up, so races can run without relying on one or two people, and continue even if there are some problems.
I know little money and lack of people to run events make this difficult, but it will have to improve for the sport to grow stronger and bigger than it is.
When will you stop riding, and why?
Probably never, just ride a little slower. I need the adrenalin rushes from good riding.
Who would you like to hunt down with a paintball gun?
Any idiot who blusters on through ignorance and stupidity will cop a shot straight between the eyes. Those who cannot argue a topic in a civilized, thought out manner will cop their shit back with interest. . I do not suffer fools gladly.
Who would you love to see become a member of
Farkin?
I really don’t know. It’s great as it is.
So, meet scblack.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/demo_man/100_2171.jpg
Who are you (name, bikes you ride, age, etc.)?
Lyle O’Keefe – age 37. Bikes are Santa Cruz Bullit, and Giant STP Zero. Married with a cutie 20month old daughter, and baby number two due March.
I love nothing more than getting the camper trailer out for camping in the real bush, and exploring on one of my bikes. Drinking a good beer or fine wine round a campfire will do it for me.
When and why did you become a member of Farkin?
Well current name membership began July 2004, but was a member for nearly a year before that under my own name. I didn’t know back then people used different names. I had just bought a Jamis bike (suggested by my little nephew Cletus) and was looking at sites to find trails for riding. I forget the one I looked at, they had good coverage of Ourimbah, but that site died, and I had to find something for rides. I had never been a member of a website forum before, and my initiation of sorts on here was a barney with Ryan after the 2004 Federal Election. Never really left after that. Some of my best friends I have met on this site, it is truly a great atmosphere and a good community.
What made you choose that username?
Username was initially my own name, so that had to change, and I did not want to be BullitRider or something. The SC is for Santa Cruz and it is Black, so out came scblack, which is anonymous enough, and if I change bikes does not matter.
Who is your favourite rider of all time, and why?
Don’t really have one favourite rider, guys like Rennie, Kovaric, Hannah, Vouilloz, Hill are fantastic riders and I attempt to learn from their riding. When I was a teenager (BMXer), Dean Crisp was the guy I looked up to and bought one of his frames, and racing gear.
Do you have a hero? If so, who, if not, why not?
Not really, Don Bradman if I had to say anyone. He was the greatest sportsman of all time I reckon, and he was a true gentleman on top of it all, and that I truly admire.
I have never really had a hero in my life, but always got inspiration from different people in different things. People like Dennis Lillee, Ayrton Senna, Paul Keating, Robert DeCastella, Kerry Packer, Nick Farr-Jones, David Campese among many others have influenced and inspired me at various times. I think what I learnt early on from people like these is that nothing comes easily, and never without putting in the hard work required. I have never had anything given to me on a platter, all the achievements I have had are a result of many many hours – up to years - of preparation. I have just gained inspiration from various people at times when the slog appears too hard.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/demo_man/zzz_mtb_16.jpg
What’s your favorite section of Farkin and why?
Off-topic. The many hours that I have spent chatting and arguing in there on quite a few topics have been great. Swapping ideas with people like Johnny, RCOH, Wombat, Rik, Ja-har, Onarampage, TonyG, Atomizer, S. and others, has been great.
I can be pretty opinionated, and am well educated, but I have to admit that the guys above have taught me many things, and really opened my mind to ideas and concepts I would have pooh-poohed not long ago. The wealth of knowledge among people on here is huge – it is a resource I would hate to lose.
What is your job, and the most interesting thing about
it?
I am a CPA Accountant, and work in the investment & management of people’s wealth – big business, trusts, tax, super all that sort of thing.
The Investment side of things is the most interesting thing about my job. Setting up the correct structures and strategies which can achieve the desired objective is what is truly satisfying about my job. Anyone can be an expert in hindsight, but using analysis, foresight, the right tools and sometimes some bloody big balls to get things right BEFORE opportunities arise is what really gets the heart racing.
So how long have you been ridding and why did you
start?
A pretty long time!
I started racing BMX when I was about 14 until 18 when I got a car and started drinking (not really the truth, I started drinking at 14, but you get the idea). Riding since then has never left my blood. Back then my most memorable rides were bashing around in the bush trails with the BMX. I was essentially riding DH with my BMXs. No shinnies, no armour, no helmet, no disc brakes, how the hell I didn’t kill myself I’ll never know.
Got a really early GT MTB in the nineties, and gave that away when I bought a Jamis Durango SX in 1999. Rode that basically around Red Hill until I saw a Ten news story which happened to be the original All-Terrain-Mountain-Bike-Challenge (what became the Red Bull Ride). I knew instantly that was what I always wanted to do on a bike. So I went out and bought a Kona Stinky DeeLux, and cut my way downhilling on Grizzlies at Red Hill and Oxford Falls. Upgraded that to a Bullit, and got an STP to give the 4X a go.
Long trail rides in the wilderness or short stints on your local trails?
For now, its short stints on my local trails. I live in Baulkham Hills in Sydney which has a great little area of bushland within a short ride from home. It has 8 little downhill trails, linked with some very nice singletrack. Thus I have good riding literally on my doorstep, so don’t have to go far. I basically only ride DH and 4X so long trail rides are not my thing and as I said above have a young family, so taking out the time for a days ride has to be carefully managed.
Ford or Holden?
Pffft, Ford or Holden - don’t make me laugh. I am proud to be able to say that the first two cars I ever owned were Porsches, so that’d be where my loyalties lie.
I currently own a Ford Escape 4WD so all the tree hugging hippies can kiss my smog. :)
Whole Milk or lite?
Whole Milk, full strength beer, vintage cheese, good wine. Why go lite crap?
I don’t do stuff in half measures.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/demo_man/lyle2.jpg
Last time you were approached by the police?
Quite a few years ago – I am a law abiding fella. I rode somewhere for a haircut, so didn’t wear a helmet, and was pulled up by a cop. He let me go without the fine.
Just don’t tell them about that door in Coffs Harbour, Johnny. ;)
Best and worst MTB moments?
Best – winning the Masters 4X Series medal from WSMTB this year (for the second year running).
Worst – the week before the 2004 National DH at Lithgow, messed up the generation gap, and was knocked unconscious for 15 minutes or so.
We now know who the National Champions are, but who are your picks for the overall series wins?
DH-Amiel Cavalier, 4X-Alex Lloyd. demo edit: Terry Scarr won the MTNX series, Amiel is leading the DH series with one round to go
I really do hope Ja-Har gets up for the Masters 4X series win.
How do you see the Aussie mountain bike scene changing in the future?
I think the numbers of riders now fronting for DH racing is going to have to prompt some real professionalism in the running of the events. That is not a go at the people who run events as they are now, but each race is essentially run by a couple of people from each club, and there are always a few factors at each race that really did need to be handled much better.
The problems that occurred at the Lithgow National recently highlight this need. Some ground rules need to be applied, the critical needs identified and general things tightened up, so races can run without relying on one or two people, and continue even if there are some problems.
I know little money and lack of people to run events make this difficult, but it will have to improve for the sport to grow stronger and bigger than it is.
When will you stop riding, and why?
Probably never, just ride a little slower. I need the adrenalin rushes from good riding.
Who would you like to hunt down with a paintball gun?
Any idiot who blusters on through ignorance and stupidity will cop a shot straight between the eyes. Those who cannot argue a topic in a civilized, thought out manner will cop their shit back with interest. . I do not suffer fools gladly.
Who would you love to see become a member of
Farkin?
I really don’t know. It’s great as it is.