Rocky Crit - Rd 3

Sunday just gone saw the 3rd Crit of the 5 race series in Rocky at Parkhurst and the racing was just as hot as the mercury. In B grade young Brendan and Vaughn (the one that actually rides his bike ;)....) were still in it towards the end but I didn't see the end as I was warming up with Kev; plus the results haven't been posted yet........In A grade Dylan and Brad flew the flag once again and it was a similar result to the last race with the exception of having 2 pros in the race. Dylan torched himself at the end of the race to drag Brad back on the last lap but the 2 guns were as you would expect in control. Champion effort by Dylan and Brad though because while the other A graders popped off they were the only 2 to not give in. After seeing Brads socks I think somebody should show him 'the rules'....I'm a little concerned he is having some isues.....

In C grade the pace was hot and from the get go so there was no time to settle in. Kev and I flew the flag for our area and I must say Kev looked the goods until he did a fret and had a rest for a lap (I will point out not riding at all for 2 weeks is not good preparation) before rejoining again. I had a crack at getting away but being unfit it became very apparent after a couple of laps away my time in the sun was not going to be this day. I did have another go at the end and lead into the last corner but got burgled coming out of it and had to settle for 4th. If you haven't been to a Crit go and watch a race in Rocky, it is fast and furious and with the lap distance of about 800 meters you don't have to wait long to see everyone come past. They also run 2 grades at the same time so there is plenty of action.

Thursday & Sat Rides

Thursday we had 11 riders turn up for the roll around Tannum with the usual suspects attending. Given the different riders that have attended the ride should they all turn up on the same day we would have easily over 20 riders in the group.

Saturday saw 5 turn up at the Coffee Club and a new rider called Gerard, he looks familiar for some reason.....The pace was perfect at 30 k's (after Graeme calibrated me) and the day was cool and made for riding. We picked up Sean out near the dam and he rode with us back up the dreaded hill (in his big chain ring) before we turned for home after a brief stop at the caravan park. I would like to add that Daryl went up the hill at the dam like a mountain goat and made it look easy, watch him...... The pace back was nice and easy until the new fella got on the front at the nursery. I think i looked a few times and saw 40 or so and the pace eventually burnt Gary and he dropped off near Wurdong. From the roundabout Sean set a comfortable pace before a 'suffering the effects of the night before' Michael pushed into the headwind to the golf course. Of course the ride ended at the usual spot. Kris turned up late after having trouble getting out of bed - maybe he was doing some secret training?

Catching up....

Hi All,

Been a while since I updated the blog but please don’t forget anyone can send me a story to put on if you don’t have editing permission.
Thursday rides are back in full swing with last week the best turnout for a while with about 10 riders enjoying the roll around Tannum. Regular Saturday rides are a little harder to organise with so many people training for different things. I think we should have a Saturday ride to the Dam as a regular ride to build the size of the group and get people used to riding in a bunch. If anyone wants to they can ride before meeting up to get some extra k’s or keep going if they don’t like early starts; just a suggestion.
The Rocky Cycling Club held its 2nd criterium a couple of weeks ago and has another this weekend. Essentially a ‘crit’ is a short (but furious) bike race held on a smallish circuit with different grades racing for a set time plus 3 laps. Great racing and great to watch.
Locals racing in A Grade last race included Dylan, Brad from M1 and Lew who is from Gladstone as well. It was a frantic pace evident by Dylan fading right at the end of the race but getting back on for the finish. Lew ended up second with Brad 3rd and Dylan 4th. In B grade locals Brendan and Gary found the pace a bit too hot and faded. In C grade there was Kev flying the flag for Boyne Tannum. The pace was pretty hot for C grade (so Kev told me) along with the temperature which resulted in Kev having had better days……Vaughan from Gladstone took out C grade and has been bounced back to B grade where he belongs.
Next race is this weekend if anyone is keen to have a crack, check out the Rocky Cycling Club site for details.