Great Ambitions?

Well well well, look who I saw checking out the opposition at the Giro......

Gran Fondo update

Thought it timely to throw some more details out there with new riders already feeling out the ride for this year. At this stage I’m working on the assumption we have the 1 large group like the last couple of years but we’ll see if there may be 2 groups in time. The plan is to leave Calliope IGA at 4am (yes that's early) so we get to Biloela for a good breakfast by 8 with a couple of stops along the way. On the range the stronger riders will wait at the top of the longer climbs so everyone can do their own pace when climbing.  

Once at Biloela we have our first long break and enjoy breakfast and of course some well deserved coffee. Where we had breakfast last year the service was pretty slick so we shouldn’t need to order early.   

From there it's off to Jambin for a quick check on everyone before proceeding to Dululu for lunch. The support vehicles will meet us along the way on this section for some cool drinks dependent on weather conditions. Once we get to Dululu it’s the second long break with great pub meals and very cold refreshing drinks ;-) 

From there we head to Mt Morgan for a quick cool drink before heading down the range to Rocky. We should be there around 4pm all going to plan.

If you're not sure about the ride I can tell you while yes it's a long way, it's not a hard pace so you don't so much smash yourself, more so you will get tired (obviously) and your butt will get sore. So long as you keep up the food and drinks up the others will keep you going ;-) 

With some luck the day won’t be too hot and the wind will be kind.

2014 Great Divide Gran Fondo

 

The 2014 Great Divide Gran Fondo isn’t all that far away so it’s time to start getting into shape.

Starting very early from Calliope on Saturday the 6th of September, we travel a total of about 240klm to Rockhampton with many stops along the way. The trip heads out to Biloela for breakfast before eventually ending up in Rockhampton.
The pace isn't crazy and will average around 26klm for the entire ride; of course if we have a tailwind it picks up and a headwind it slows down. At first the slower pace is very easy but by the end of the day for some it will feel like 40!

This will be the 3^rd running of the ride and I’m sure all those that have done the Fondo previously would agree it’s a great day out; a bitter sweet experience for some lol.
For those thinking there is no way I can do that distance, if you train enough you will surprise yourself. The training for the ride doesn’t require 200k training rides every weekend but you will have to do some regular rides over 100k to make sure you’re a little seasoned; especially your butt!. You don't have to pull turns on the front and you won’t be asked to, you can sit in and stay out of the wind the whole ride if you want. If the speed is getting to you we will also slow a little to get you to the next stop. Generally we ride as a bunch to look after the weaker riders but if numbers allow the group will split and regroup at each stop, it’s more a call on the day scenario. While it may sound a great idea to have 2 groups from the get go we do have to consider the support vehicles as well. As the ride gets closer and numbers clearer a call will be made.
Speaking of support vehicles we do have them and they will carry your drinks and food for you but if you have a significant other it's good if they can come along for the trip, they will have a great time. The recovery/support teams from the last couple of years have had plenty of fun along the way.
We generally stay the night in Rocky with a group dinner at Sizzlers. If you're interested get in contact with me.

Mark

mark.ruthenberg63@gmail.com 

Port Mac Ironman

Great work Scotty Wilson! Scott's first Ironman and I'm sure it won't be his last. There will be more to come from Scotty upon his return.
Scotty wasn't the only Grinder yesterday at Port! Brad Booth (pictured below) also did his first Ironman! Well done gents. Both these guys finished within 10 minutes of each other after getting out of the water a minute apart.

Rocky Crit Racing

Road Racing returned to the Crit circuit at Rocky yesterday and the Fox came away with his first win. The Fox dropped down to C Grade to gain some more experience riding around people and looked way too comfortable all race; needless to say this venture into C Grade will not happen again. Waiting to the finishing straight he came around the only rider in front of him and cruised on by to the finish line. Worth mentioning there were 25 riders in C Grade! Very popular! 

This week there were enough A Graders to split A & B to run them as individual races. B got away first with a cracking pace that didn't relent and it wasn’t long before there were only 4 riders left from the initial dozen or so starters. The average was 41khr from I’ve been told with all riders sharing the work, in saying that Cat Newell pulled some big turns and this was again after riding Mt Archer beforehand! This explains why the group lapped the rest of B Grade and caught a pretty slow A Grade race. The A Grade race was a bit of a mixed bag with Lou going a couple of laps early after a misunderstanding and pulling out not too happy. Joel Callaghan came away with the win kicking away from Russell Tucker and Mick Newell cruising into 3^rd. 

How do you wind down after a race? Climbing Mt Archer seems popular :-)

Results:
A Grade:

1. Joel Callaghan
2. Russell Tucker
3. Michael Newell
4. Kevin Ronan
5. Matt Tennant

B Grade:

1. Tom Doering
2. Mark Ruthenberg
3. Catriona Newell
4. Bailey Goltz
5. David Edge

C Grade:

1. John Earl
2. Lachlan Mathers
3. Troy Weir 
4. Tineeke Hopper
5. Lara Tucker

D Grade:

1. Caden Ruff
2. Emmy Howe
3. Kirsten Woolley
4. Xavier Answer
5. Kayla Brady
6. Tori Waerner
7. Amy-Lee Woolley