Mt Hotham - The Washup

The day began at 3 am QLD time with a 3:25 getaway, the plan was to travel to the town at the bottom of the climb in the dark and start just as the sun was coming up. The trip there was about 25 k’s and a slight climb the whole way, I was well and truly warmed up by the time I hit the first incline that signalled the start. From the first 20 metres into it I was in the smallest gear and out of the saddle, I was about 5 minutes into the ride and my heart rate was 170 something and I was thinking this isn’t looking good. I pushed on and it was hard going considering I had the same gearing on for flat roads - if anyone plans on doing this sort of ride make sure you select the appropriate gearing beforehand. On the way up my Garmin was beeping and carrying on because my speed was so low the auto pause was coming on! I managed to turn it off and in the process the timer as well! It wasn’t till later when it was about to auto shutdown I realised; a few F words were forthcoming....
I finally got to the first hard section I had read about, ‘The Meg’. It is steep no doubt but it only lasted about 400 meters or something like that. I was standing and then sitting grinding the gear enough to just stay upright. When I made it up that I made some manly noises and told the mountain in no uncertain terms I was on the way up!
Around the middle of the ride there is a 9 k false flat that does give some relief but it also gives you a glimpse of the summit for the first time, not a good feeling when you think you are going ok only to see what you have left to get to the top L
I made it to a ticket booth that was unmanned, well so I thought! Next thing I hear is the familiar snapping of wings and old mate magpie was giving me a hiding! He was pretty pissed too (he smashed me on the way down too even though I thought I could outrun him). From there the climbing got harder and I thought to myself this must be the CRB Climb (they are signed but I thought I just missed it) and ground it out to the top of that section and I was pumped knowing I only had 1 more major climb to go. I push on revitalised with that knowledge. Sometime later I emerge from the tree’s to see the summit in sight, as I near the treeless wasteland I had a very steep decent and hit over 70 k’s going down it, I could see I had a steep climb coming but I wasn’t concerned as I was nearing the end! As I rocket past the sign it reads CRB Climb, engage low gear.....I can’t tell you what that felt like but it wasn’t a good feeling. As I look up the hill I see the climb ahead as it meandered its way skywards. This was walking pace stuff I kid you not. I just pushed on and ground it out until the road flattened out somewhat once again. I was happy with the knowledge I had finally conquered CRB and I only had the Diamontina Climb to go at the very end of the ride, and it was only 400 meters whereas the CRB was 1.1 k’s in distance! The wind is cold up there and the crosswinds were there but I didn’t really feel them, I was close now.
Another steep decent not long after CRB and another rude shock on the other side, the Diamontina. Too easy I thought it was just 400 meters or so, this was hard going and I was just doing enough to keep moving forward ( bear in mind I had been climbing for just over 2 hours by now). As I round the corner where I thought the finish would be there was another section to go, ok I thought that is it for sure. I eventually get there and you guessed it, another one was there. I had got the 2 distances mixed up and I was on the 1.1 k climb!!! once again the feeling of fear, dread, WTF, anger, the look of joy on all your faces and despair all jumped on my shoulder and said ‘matey you’re fucked!’
I just dropped the head once again and ground it out again and again until the summit was reached, what a feeling that was.
I go into the village to refill the water bottle only to find it’s a ghost town! Nobody is there at all. I had a little water left so I thought I only had to go back down so off I went. The trip down was scary at times but what an experience, it was just like the tour only bumpier roads! The roads are pretty good on the mountain really but at that speed any bump feels big. I make it back down to the little town at the bottom and there is some old mate just heading up, good luck I say to him. I can’t see anywhere obvious to fill up so i keep going knowing the 25 k’s to Bright is all slightly downhill. As I ride along the side of a running stream I think just stop and fill up with that, I planned to but it got away from me. After that I was seriously contemplating filling up with the water from a still puddle on the side of the road but by then I was only 5 k’s from the end.
An Epic cycling experience for sure.
The 3 peaks challenge is something I would like to do one day with some mates but make no mistake, it would require a lot of training to have a chance at finishing. I have heard of guy’s training for 6 months for that one ride, I can see why.

Change of Plan

Well men after laying eyes on Mt Hotham I knew I had to change the plan and climb it. It is a sight to behold, and it was calling out to me 'come on no neck, have a crack', and have a crack I will. By the time some of you read this I may still be climbing it! I depart from bright at 3:30 your time to travel the 25 k's to the start of the climb, it is highly recommended as a good warm up.

I'd say wish me well but I know none of you would ;)

The Big Bopper

What is Fear? As I struggled up the steeper slopes of today’s ride I was having a good hard think about it. Whereas shagged muscles just hurt fear can manifest in many ways. I guess there are many fears but my biggest one climbing isn't the fear of a rock slide or being cleaned up by a car (that does enter my mind at times I will say), but rather the fear of failing. For me on the steeper sections when my heart rate goes nuts I find my mind saying ‘stop you’re about to pop’ over and over, I guess it's a survival mechanism of the primitive part of the brain. Now I’m no guru at keeping these thoughts from appearing, but I have found that repeated use of the F word out loud does go in some way to keeping them at bay.
I have found that if I can control my heart rate via my pace enough to keep it below 200 it makes the climb a little better. This does have a downside of course that being you are on the climb longer, which of course means different demons come in to play. Climbing is a whole new ball game I’m finding.
Anyway I didn’t come down here to climb mountains, but they are everywhere we seem to go so why not I thought.
Mt Buffalo is about 1300 meters up I think and about 21 k’s long, so roughly double most of the rides I have ridden so far. Today I climbed for more than an hour in preparation for Buffalo and while I had moments of doubt when looking at a road that just kept going up and up, it has gone someway to making me think I’m in with a chance if I ride it the right way.
In about 30 hours from now I guess I’ll know :)

Mt Donna Buang

Up early once again after the storms down here last night, on the positive side the wind has gone for now. The wind down here yesterday was cyclonic, it was mad. The climb started about 150 meters from where we are staying so that was my warm up....I think it was about 640 meters in the end and about 7 and a bit K's up. I only got out of my easiest gear once on the way up....Towards the top I was making some grumbling noises and a few choice words popped out as well, it made me feel better. The clouds were thick and the road was that wet it looked to have slime on it. Bigger ones to climb in the next few days though :(

I'm on strava now so check out my rides if you want (not sure if you can as I haven't looked at it and how it works but I'm assuming you can). Strava is awesome, look into it if you haven't already.

Victorian roads suck overall though, no shoulder (except near where Cadel lives) and they are very narrow. I hate to say it but NSW have the best roads by far - that we have driven on so far.

Oh yeah and near Melbourne the rider awareness signs are massive.

Apollo Bay Ride - GOR

Well what a ride, up and into it by 5:30 (southerner time) and about an hour before the first vehicle went past me; this is riding some of the coast line on the Great Ocean Road I might add!

I went from Apollo Bay to Kennet Point i think it was before heading back and up Skenes creek road for a nice climb (if there is such a thing). The scenery is something else. The trip back down the mountain was awesome even though I was stuck behind a cement truck with a f$%^wit driving it who wouldn't let me pass. Of course I went straight to the coffee shop for a recovery drink.

The Ship Wreck Coast Ride

A sleep in after a failed attempt at a ride early this morning, I got up and opened the door to see if the wind had stopped, I went back to bed...I managed to sneak in my ride late this afternoon and let’s just say it was probably the most impressive ride I have ever experienced. Incredible scenery combined with massive headwinds and inclines where I was in the smallest gear I had just grinding it out. Being attacked by a dog while in that gear into the wind up a hill was a bit underhanded I thought, bloody thing bit my shoe too; he got a spray of my water bottle for his trouble. On the positive side when I got to the Great Ocean Road I had the wind behind me and I was in my top gear and feeling like a pro! I am very impressed by the attitude of drivers down here as i have already stated, but when half the farmers I passed today waved I thought this is great. The scenery is magic and the lack of traffic on the little back lanes is such a welcome change. We ran into some friends from Tannum today, go figure! and they said to watch out the closer you get to Geelong because there are bikes everywhere...I'm excited :)

Couple of shots from my ride which was about 50 k's. The shots with water in the background is actually the tops of the 12 apostles!

Greetings from the far south

Folks bloody cold and windy down here at the bottom of OZ! Of course I didn't bring any cold weather gear so I have had to man up and brave the conditions. First ride on the great Ocean Road tomorrow morning and while I'm excited by the prospect the cold wind isn't getting me too excited, maybe it will be calm...They certainly respect riders a lot more down this way without any doubt, sure there is the odd idiot so the lads that I have ridden with say but I'm happy to say I haven't come across any just yet. I've managed a ride in Dubbo, Ballarat and Warrnambool so far with more rides planned as I try to tackle Mt Buller in the high country next week some time! Standby for some more pics :)

Busso IRONMAN

This weekend Luke, Arpit and Clem will start the 2011 WA Ironman, will they all finish?

Wishing you all the best and hoping you all end up with a finisher medal around your necks. Just put the recent shark attacks and hot weather out of your minds as you prepare and you'll be fine ;)

2011 Rockhampton Cup on Wheels

This weekend the Rocky Cup on Wheels will be held and is a great evening of non stop action. There are some locals racing with Kev being of special note as he rides with us on Thursdays :)

There are a few people heading up for the Friday night to watch and returning late that night, just contact me for further info. You just need a chair and there is plenty of tucker there. Racing starts at 6pm Friday night and 3pm Saturday.

The Dogs Breakfast Ride

Well the Saturday ride this week was nothing like last weeks relatively easy ride. Craig, Vaughn and I (no G) left the Coffee Club at 4:30 while Ryan and Myron 'The Greek' left Gladstone at the same time. The 2 early bird groups met at the usual place on the highway before heading back to the Tannum Coffee Club to pick up the 6am starters. I think we had 12 in the group (no G) all up so a healthy number. Luke dropped a bottle almost first thing so he was behind the 8 ball straight up, Ben waited for him to try and get him back to the pack. The pace was bang on at 30 on the trip to the big roundabout so everyone was pretty comfortable. Once the bunch got to the dam road it was 2 x 2 and all was good with the world. The first 2 riders peeled off with some instruction and then Daryl and I swung out off the front after doing our little bit and I was thinking the group were looking the goods; this is where things got ugly....Ryan and Dylan were the next 2 and the pace went up a few notches resulting in mayhem back in the pack as riders were spat out the back. I decided to drop back and we quickly reformed a group behind the pace setters and cruised to the dam at a steady pace. The pace setters wound it back and stayed out in front of the second group by 100 meters or so. Then came the mighty dam hill.......after the hill there were many groups spread out far and wide. On the return trip Ben put the hammer down like never before and rocketed away from the group (what was left of it) at an alarming pace.

I'm pretty sure by the end of the ride Vaughn was a spent unit from all accounts and I'm certain he won't leave it so long between rides next time :)

Next weeks ride we will split into 2 groups at the start of the dam road to cater for different paces.

The week that was

Thursday saw another good turn out with 11 riders turning up for the roll around Tannum. Once again the group rode around the Tannum loop with the pace a little firmer this week with no new starters in the main group. Just a reminder that the Thursday ride isn’t about smashing anyone so make sure the ego remains in check throughout the ride ;)
Saturday was a perfect day for riding, well early in the morning was with a crisp feel to the air and no wind. Jonathan and I rode towards Gladstone via the highway to meet Ryan and John before heading back to Tannum to pick up the 6am starters. Once together the 8 riders cruised to the Dam at a nice relaxing pace. The mighty Dam hill soon claimed some scalps and the group splintered from here. Upon the return to the coffee shop Jonathan displayed a new way to dismount the bike…..jump the gutter he did, land it he did not J Funniest thing I have seen for some time I might add, people at the coffee shop probably thought so too; it didn’t end there either. It seemed like if your name started with a J you had to fall off at the coffee shop. John leaned the wrong way with 1 foot out of the pedals and down he went as well! Special welcome to Kriss as it was his first ride with us, you did well.

Addiction?

It’s fair to say that bike riders (most) love coffee, but some people just take it too far sometimes.
On a recent trip to Ipswich, Kaye (pictured) was heard to ask Troy at the Yellow Jersey Bike Shop for a coffee cup holder for the front of her bike, resulting in a strange look.

Thursday Nov 3

Well the first Thursday roll was a great success with 11 riders enjoying the relaxed pace around Tannum. The meals served at the Surf Club afterwards deserve a special mention because they were sensational to say the least.
It was great to also see that the group stayed together and didn’t bust up (except when the women stopped to pick up someone’s bottle), although the G was itching to stir things up on the home stretch. Speaking of the G please make sure that your bottle cages are up to the task because it wouldn’t be a pretty sight to see someone go down due to an ejected bottle.
One last thing….if your riding gear has seen better days and is becoming a little on the thin side please consider your fellow riders and leave them in the drawer for rides when it’s dark….there were 2 offenders and they both were on Trek’s!

Thursday rides are GO again.

This Thursday will see the return of the Thursday afternoon roll. This ride is as easy as you could want and is a perfect ride for new riders as the pace is very easy. Great social ride that ends with enjoying a cold refreshing drink on the deck of the Tannum surf Club. You will still need some lights to get home after a drink or 2 as the days are still that little bit short.

The week that was....so far

Well another big weekend just finishing up for quite a few of our local athletes. First up Muz is over in Korea and by now has finished another Ironman. I wish I could tell you more but the athlete tracker doesn't work, well for me in any case. Stay tuned......

The Gold Coast Marathon has been run and won also with a lot of locals heading down to suffer like fools, why would you want to run that far for fun? unless it was to finish an Ironman :) Once again I'll get some more info during the week once I have heard all the stories.

The Tour has begun and Cadel has had lady luck smile on him for once during the first stage. Still there are many late nights ahead and many miles before we know who will be in yellow at the end of the month. As they say you can't win the tour in the first week but you can lose it......

This weekend there is racing at Rocky, a Kermesse no less. A Kermesse is a race that is a set distance and number of laps over the established course; in case you didn't know ;) This will be my first attempt at road racing and I can't wait.

The Muz

All the best to Muz as he sets off for another tilt at qualifying for Kona, this time he sets off to Korea in search of that elusive qualifying spot. I'm sure everyone would agree this is your time Muz, your due. July 3 is the date so make sure you check in on how he's going through out the day.

June Update

Well Ironman Oz has come and gone and the first Challange Cairns has also been run and won.
While it may be the quieter time of the year for Tri's the roadie season is well and truely alive and kicking. I'm having my first crack at a road race in a couple of weeks up in Rocky and am really looking forward to it. Funny how you can hurt yourself training (as in pain from so much effort) and look forward to the next session within 15 minutes of it finishing. Good luck to Dylan who is down south at a bike training camp for up and coming young fellas, he sure is coming along quickly and getting stronger every ride it seems.
Sunday morning saw a good turn out of 9 riders and that was without any of the usual riders turning up! It should be a good sized group the day everyone turns up. It was by far the tidiest the group has almost ever ridden I'm sure of it. In the end Brad smashed all comers in the sprint at the end.
Check out the training rides on offer as there is something for everyone.
I'll try to keep a weekly post going to keep things ticking over.

Quick round the grounds

Well Mooloolaba has come and gone and another great weekend had by all. I'm pretty sure most were happy with the times they finished with. News Flash - Team Cervelo took out the 2 fastest times of the local yokels on the bike leg in trying conditions :) Ironman is only 31 days away now and is all consuming for those involved now. These next couple of weeks are the last of the big distances we will see until the big day on May 1 so they are a must do. More importantly the will see the end to ridiculously early morning training for most. I for one will not miss waking up looking at the clock and the first number starting with a 2!!!!! The Thursday ride continues and lights are a must pretty much from now if you stay for a drink at the club house.

2 Hundy Conviction

Well it wasn't the best weather to be riding on the weekend, in the mornings in any case but it didn't prevent another couple of 2 Hundy rides from being completed. I'll pat myself on the back first as I had to lay down the ride so the pressure was on the G to step up to the plate. Left at 3am, started pissing down, and I mean hammering at 3:02 :( It eased and just when I thought it was passing that's when the storm hit....In the end it was a pretty easy ride given the sun was hiding behind the clouds, unlike others of late where it has come out and cooked me.

The G was given 'no chance' by his peers especially with the rain around. Credit to the big man he came good and provided the all important photo to prove he did it. With only 40 odd days until Ironman now these 2 hundy's will cease to exist shortly, unless there is a physical challenge thrown out there :)

Double figures!

That's right folks, we finally hit double figures last night with 10 riders turning up, eventually.....

The ride was a good pace and mostly tidy.....with the exception of the top of Old Tannum hill on the return where there were bikes spread out all over the road! The main offender knows who I'm talking about....I won't mention her name though... :)

On a serious note we do have to keep it tidy and avoid spreading out across the road. As that goose on the motorbike that passed at us minutes earlier doing at least 180 showed, most motorists show little respect for us.

There might be a change of scenery next week, stay tuned.

Monday TT

Folks if you want an honest flat out ride than the Monday afternoon TT is for you. It's only a short one at just over 18k's from the Esplanade to the Highway (turn around the traffic island)and back. It's a handicap system with the first rider away at 5:15pm (person who will take the longest time). Nominate your time if you're new and see how you go. Once you have your first time under your belt the Dodgy Handicapper keeps records of times and will nominate your start time from your previous times next time you turn up.
Good idea to have your lights on for the trip home afterwards with the day's getting shorter too ;)

Thursday Wrap

Well today's ride was the biggest yet with 9 riders fronting up. It started out well with the group looking very neat riding 2x2; must have been the 2 wise men on the front ;) Not so pretty towards the turn around with bikes all over the road, but we'll get there.

Great ride with some sledging at the triathletes on the hills (I'm not a triathlete when I'm on my roadie) to stir things up towards the end. Looks like next weeks recover drinks will be even more to look forward to with some healthy hot greasy yummy food being put on by the club(no not for free).

Hope to see you there.

Thursday Wrap

The pace was on today at the pointy end and with Kay sticky to Craig’s wheel like her life depended on it. Once the group came back together at the turn around it was a much more relaxed pace back; except for those 2 women who don’t have competitive streaks that shot off into the distance!
Welcome Graeme and Gary also as it was their first Thursday ride. Special mention to Big K and the G who were conspicuous through their absence yet again!
Looks like the days are getting shorter very quickly now as well so lights will be something to dust off in the not too distant future for the ride home from the club.

Frogs races start up agian for 2011

This weekend sees the Rydges races fire up again and there are sure to be some big fields for the remainder of the season. I hear there are some new racks as well!! complete with some dodgy welding ;-)

Thursday Ride

Well folks we hit a total of 7 riders tonight!!!........ well sort of in a way. While there were never 7 in the group all at once we did have 7 at some stage. Must say sitting on that deck over looking the ocean is special.

2011 Hell of the West

Hard Men....Harder Race!
All too much for the young fella

Check out that temperature people!

Looks a little worried doesn't he....

Well it was a big race and an even bigger road trip. I'll keep it brief but everyone finished and survived the mighty headwinds that were promised. Muz smashed it and scored 3rd place in his age group. The G had a very solid hit out, Luke improved a lot and seemed to do it easy and I was just happy to raise my arms over the line. Special mention about the sewage pond we swam in, it was nothing short of disgusting. This race is so well run though and the locals treat you like you were Lance himself, I kid you not, awesome volunteers there.

Thursday Ride

The Thursday arvo ride continues to impress those who turn up by just how fast a beer disappears after a ride. At least the men weren't outnumbered by the women last ride.....

Thursday Afternoon Ride Kicks Off for 2011

Well a turn up for the books with the women folk out numbering the men, great to see. It was a perfect afternoon for a ride but as we headed out there was a large ominous dark cloud out over the dam that seemed to be slowly but surely heading our way. Richelle was late but caught up and was believe it or not unable to talk after the effort she put in to catch up!!! :)
We made the turn around ahead of the rain and headed back to the Surf Club for a well earned drink. As we readied to leave down it came, luckily it wasn’t around long and soon cleared, but not before most got wet.
Bring on this Thursday.