Christmas Pudding Races

Location: Heffron Park
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 26.3km (13 laps)
My Average Speed: 35.0km/hr (45:00 mins)
Placing: 7th in Bunch Finish (1 off front)
Conditions: Windy, SE, headwind down the main finishing straight, but tailwind on the back of the course, pretty strong. Temperature about 29C. Sunny.

Fairly big turnout for the last RBCC race for 2009. As many as 30 starters in C Grade meant a big bunch.
From the start a rider from Sutherland hit off the front. He gained about 50m on the first lap. I rode to the front of the bunch and brought him back into the fold. On the second lap he attacked again. This time I chased off the front, and the 2 of us managed to get about 100m on the chasing peleton. As I got onto his wheel, he kicked again and I was stuck in no-mans land for the next 3 laps, him not getting too far away, and me not losing ground to the peleton. Eventually, I resisted and fell back into the fold knowing I couldn't bridge across on my own and another 8 laps on my own would possibly prove fruitless. We never saw him again, winning by about half a lap.
Rider off the front on Lap 1

On the left, I begin chase

All back together - Lap 2

Apologies - no photos of me off the front - the photographer couldn't believe it, and missed the opportunity of a lifetime!

Once back into the peleton, I felt pretty strong, comfortable doing a turn every now and then, and chasing down the minor breaks that happened all race.
Coming into what should have been 2 laps to go, we got the bell. I was well place in about 6th wheel. At the top of the straight, it was going to be a bunch sprint of about 12 riders for 2nd place. I hesitated for a moment when I should have gone from a long way (300m) out. No-one would have been expecting it. Instead it turned into a bunch gallop where I finished 7th overall. Pretty happy with that. What was more surprising was the fact I was on the drops in the sprint. I hope this was a natural instinct after weeks of track riding. Still having 3 gears left I crossed the line fairly happy with my ride.
Mid-race - back in the peleton

Presentation Night
Friday Night was the Annual Presentation Night for the Club., I wasn't expecting to get any trophies this year from lack of racing, but went along for the commeraderie anyway.
A little bemused, I won a trophy for getting 3rd in the C Grade 1 Lap Time Trial in April (see club-champs-round-1)
Can't help bad luck sometimes, but I'll take it.
Rumour has it I've been promoted to B Grade for next year. Okay, now the miles and training have to increase if I'm to make any sort of impact there.
Smarty

Track Cycling

Well, as you are all aware by now, I've recently taken up track cycling. The new bike is fantastic, the set-up all but perfect for me. In some ways, I wish I could transfer the set-up over to my road bike.
In recent weeks we have been doing 70-80 lap (330m laps) of paceline work, followed by 3-4 lead-out sprints to finish off. The bigger guys are working me over a bit, but I'm finding it is pushing me along and teaching me more tactics than I could have otherwise imagined.
Tempe Velodrome - concrete track, 330m
I'm gradually learning how to handle the bike, learning to pedal far smoother than I ever have, and this is leading to a better ride on my road bike, too. I'm running a 50x15 (90inch) setup at the moment, but looking at getting a new 48 chainring in the new year so I can run from 81-96inches with my 14,15,16 cog combinations - although 96 is probably far too big for me.
Hopefully, in the new year, more riders will attend the sessions and we can get down to some racing. For the moment though, I'm content to learn and do laps learning more from those around me. For $5 a session, and pretty much one-on-one tuition, who wouldn't.
Smarty

Comeback Race 2

Ah, the blogs starting to flow thick and fast now! I must be getting a life back!

After a very calm and serene morning, I headed out to Heffron for a couple of races on Saturday. As I left home at 2pm, the wind just started to pick up, and by race time was pretty full-on - it is almost as if the wind wakes up when the clock strikes 2pm! But you wouldn't expect anything different for a Heffron Race Day, would you?
So what has happened in the last week. Well, along with almost zero sleep, a stomach bug that has me 3kg lighter in 4 days, and a very stressful week at work, and some personal issues, I set the bike up with the trusty Zipp Speed Weaponry fast wheels, and I'd say I was due to fly on the weekend. Either that or crash.

Race 1 - C Grade Club Championship Crit - 12km
Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Championships
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 12.2km (6 laps)
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, pretty strong, again. Temperature about 25C. Sunny.

Unfortunately, due to a washout earlier in the year, a shortened Crit was held before normal Saturday racing. I was a little concerned about the shortened format, with a lack of racing expecting a fast and hard race. From the outset, I was on the front and thought, "Lets blow this race apart". Mid-race (okay only 3 laps, but the pace was on) I was feeling really comfortable. Coming up to the bell, I had the field stretched and ready to produce that rarely seen, but often talked about, Smarty Surprise Attack, when, pffft - rear puncture at 45km/hr! Race over. Bugger!
Calm at the start

Race 2 - Saturday Race - 28km
Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 35.3km/hr (48:30 mins)
Placing: 12th in Bunch Finish
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, pretty strong, again. Temperature about 25C. Sunny.

So after replacing a $16 tube with a nice little glass slash, I thought I'd give the afternoon race a go as well. Why not.
So the race started as any other. I dropped my chain and went straight out the back end of the peleton. This wasn't meant to be my day. Even felt like doing the bike discus at one time. Luckily, the pace wasn't too fast and I got back on before the end of the first lap. I settled onto the back of the bunch and felt quite comfortable. The pace wasn't overly fast and I could counter any changes in pace - maybe the first race warmed me up properly. Unfortunately, the 30 strong bunch was really tough to work through towards the front, and a bit hairy at times too. I managed several times to get into the front 8 riders, only to lose ground when the front riders sat up into the wind. I just decided that today I would finish with the bunch, no heroics of last week and see how I fared.
So, quite quickly 8, then 10 laps passed, then the bell-lap. Still hanging on, feeling quite strong, I forced my way through the field at the netball courts only to be pocketed. Backing off and going around lost me a lot of ground, but I sprinted the full length of the straight catching many in front of me to finish 12th. I'll take that, this time.
Typical sitting in.

And again...

This comeback is going to be up and down me thinks.

Sculptures by the Sea

On Sunday, I had arranged to go and see Sculptures by the Sea.

The weather didn't seem too bad when we met at 12:30pm, and, with Golf Umbrella in hand as insurance, we decided to brave the elements to put a little culture in our lives!

Between Clovelly and Tamarama the weather looked like it may hold off, with only a little light rain falling. Unfortunately, it did get harder and put a bit of a dampener (pun intended) on proceedings as we got to the Bondi end of the exhibition.

We headed back to Bronte for a coffee and chat for a while before heading home. Could have been a great afternoon, but for the weather. Couldn't believe the day before and after were almost perfect. C'est le vie!

Below is one of the photos from the exhibition. If I get a bit of time and the weather is okay, I hope to go back and get a few more photos of some of the other sculptures I really liked.

Comeback Race

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 34.6km/hr (49:30 mins)
Placing: OTA
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, pretty strong. Temperature about 25C. Sunny.

After far too long off the bike, and racing being non-existent since April, I thought I'd throw caution to the wind and have a race straight away. In previous years, I've trained hard to get fit before heading back, but have suffered anyway in my first race. May as well get the "Sufferfest" over and done with.

So the race started as any other. I settled into the bunch and felt quite comfortable. The pace wasn't overly fast and into the headwind along the back of the course was okay for me.
On lap 8 there was a kick in pace that strung the bunch of 28 starters out in a single line. Down the finish straight doing 45km/hr in single file, there was an abrupt drop in pace that had me go from mid-field, straight through the bunch to the front. Bugger!
Ah, what the heck. Drop the shoulders and plowed on getting a maximum gap of about 15 metres on the peleton, but it closed down quick enough into the headwind. But no-one came through. One-and-a-half laps later, I was till on the front, but now slowing a little, there was an attack from the bunch, and unfortunately, the lack of racing meant I just couldn't accelerate fast enough to stay with them. Out the ar$3, dropped after 10 laps.
Still managing to keep going, I finished race distance, about half a lap behind the winners.
This comeback could take longer than I first thought.

November Already

Well, it has been a really long time since my last entry, but unfortunately not much to tell. A couple of things spring to mind:

1. Bike Layoff
Since my last post, I had a lengthened layoff from the bike - work enforced. I actually had from mid April until late September without stringing more than 2 rides a fortnight together. So much for my year of racing. Well, I'm back on the bike again now, and knocked over about 800km since the resumption. Still a long way to go, but we'll get there!

2. Mates Coming & Going
Hamster
Well, the Hamster was in town last month for a fleeting 2 week visit. He managed to get 2 rides in with the boys - hopefully he will update his blog with the details shortly, and I'll post a link. The first week we headed down to Far Kurnell (don't say it too quickly) for an 80km round trip. Ham suffered, but managed to keep it mostly together. The next week we had a social ride with a Pacific Highway run and a Bobbin Head climb for a coffee at Turramurra. Both enjoyable rides, and a great catch up. We also managed a few social outings, where many a beverage was consumed - even by me!
BTi
Next BTi informed us of a 3 month transfer to Las Vegas for work. He left in late October and will return mid January next year. I think the idea is to make this a permanent position, so we could lose another of the boys overseas shortly. Lets hope not, because France 2010 beckons.
Guys, miss you heaps.

3. Track Cycling
Well, after the excitement of track cycling mentioned in my last blog entry (yeah, I know it was in May), I went out and bought myself a second-hand track bike. Nice bike, and for you folk (and you know who you are!) you will notice the bike is NOT white. Came with carbon cranks and a 50x15 and 50x16 setup on the flip-flop hub.

I had my first training session last week, and had a ball. Still a lot to learn, but looking forward to tomorrow night to give it another run. All I really need to do to this bike is get some alternative gear setups so I don't blow-up being over-geared or end up spinning-out being under-geared. Maybe a 48 chainring and a 14 cog will do the trick. Time will tell.

4. 2009 Gong Ride
Well its that time of the year again, and the Gong Ride has come and gone. About 20 riders from work participated, so a pretty good turn-out, but we are looking to build on that next year.
I left home at 5:30am, and we (myself and some guys from work) were delayed a bit at the start so we didn't get away until just after 6:30. The weather was fantastic. We had a tailwind all the way down, which is always good, and kept the temperature down enough to be pleasant. I was really happy with how I rode. 2 hours 50 minutes for the 84km journey, and considering the start was really slow with so many riders, I still rode almost as fast as last year. Its made me more determined to increase my training and get into racing again before Xmas.
Oh, nearly forgot: when I was riding along the new bridge section at Coalcliff, I glanced to my left over the ocean - which looked very inviting. To my amazement, and those around me, there were 2 humpbacks breaching and tail slapping just out to sea. Unfortunately, too far out for a photo, but it was spectacular. Awesome!





We had a fantastic barbeque at the finish and it really capped off the ride well. Everyone seemed really happy with it. I'm glad the extra effort getting this organised paid off.


I had to give a lift back to a couple of guys, so we didn't leave down there until after 2:30pm and I got home just before 5 - mental note Dave, this is still a better option as you would agree. As I said, a long day, but one I have really enjoyed.
Till next time, ciao.

Dunc Gray Training Session

As a celebration of a mate and work colleagues (Gerard Rummery) 40th Birthday in late April, he hired Dunc Gray Velodrome and a coach for a few hours of track cycling fun, and luckily I was invited along. This was my first time on a fixed wheel bike, so it was going to be a lot of nerves and excitement to start with, but what a venue to learn on!
Here is my trusty stead for the day. It costs about $20 to hire the bike which is then setup for you by the coach - all you need is your own pedals and shoes. Having a Cycling Australia licence also discounted the cost of the day.
For those in the know, this was the only bike in my size, and appropriately "white"! I felt at home from the start. Gearing was for junior riders 48x17. Very small, but plenty of fun.

After entering the centre arena, Gerard tests his track stand technique.

A break in proceedings. We had just finished some skills training that takes you to the top of the banks at either end of the track. For the record, they are 42 degree inclines. It is interesting that in the region of the red line, the bank is noticeable and you can feel uneasy. As you get higher up the bank, I felt more at ease. Maybe it was the proximity to the angle transition at the duck boards? Who knows? Another point for the uninitiated, when cruising around at the fence, don't look down the slope, it is then you realise how high up you are and how steep the banks are!

What a load of crazy fun track cycling action was had at Dunc Gray! Big, hilarious excitement for all, not mention the lactic overload due to very small gearing and trying to out-do each other.

Here's some video footage from the day. Gives you a bit of a sense of the scene taken by one of Gerards mates, Stuart.

Barry, Our Trainer
A font of track cycling knowledge + folklore. He had some great tips and training beta for us, but he also had some terrific anecdotes about cycling and cyclists he'd come across. Here he shares some of that Old Guy Gold with the eager young pups: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSKcwyTx1ts

After the training and lessons were done, we were set loose to do some hot laps just to burn ourselves out. Here we started out doing a 4km Pursuit, as each tired and dropped off, we waited until the leaders came around again, jumped back on and kept going until the legs just couldn't keep the pace. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbw-QNvGbbI

Fantastic morning ride. I reckon we covered about 15km, but on small gearing it left the legs feeling very heavy indeed.

Time for a track bike this summer?? Very tempting. Very tempting indeed! Even considering switching over those old Shamals to track wheels. Stay tuned.

Race 3, 2009

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 36.3km/hr (46:45 mins) (Ave lap 3:20)
Placing: 8th - bunch sprint for 3rd (2 away)
Conditions: Windy, S, headwind down the main finishing straight, but tailwind on the back of the course, consistent, no gusts. Temperature about 23C. Overcast.

After the Club Champs 1 Lap ITT (see previous post), I stayed around and did the usual Saturday race at 4pm. After warming back up again, the legs felt okay, but noticably a little stiffer than earlier. I had also left the Zipp wheels on, and now would be interesting in a bunch race how they handled the wind and cornering.
On the start line, Gerard Knapp gave me a tap on the shoulder. GK rejoined the Club recently and has had the occassional race. Today we were both in C Grade together.
From the gun, I settled to the back of the group, lantern rouge, while the legs got properly warmed up to race pace, and I conserved as much as possible for later in the race - good plan. After 2 laps, there was trouble brewing at the front of the race and I had to move forward just in case a breakaway tried to form. On lap 3 this is exactly what happened. 3 guys broke off the front in what would almost prove to be the break of the day, as 4th wheel cracked and lost ground tailing everyone off with him. Stuck in 6th wheel, I started the chase, and was gradually bringing them back, but with little support. On the 4th lap, the break started to faulter a little and it all just about came back together when another rider attacked, bridged to the front rider, and we never saw those two again, but we wound in the others. After all the attack/counter/chase of the previous laps, I believe GK got dropped, and we later lapped him with 2 laps to go.
I spent a lot of time on the front of the race after lap 4. Very little help, with most intent on a bunch sprint for 3rd. Not me, I wanted to shell as many as possible, and almost succeeded serveral times but for lack of help. Too often, I would be on the front into the block headwind down the finish straight only to have someone sit on my wheel, or worse still, sit up as they got to the front so it all came back together.
In the end, it did come down to a depleted bunch sprint for 3rd, where I had very little left in the tank and rolled across the line in 8th place, holding off 2 others trying to come over my shoulder.
Still, I enjoyed the race and spending time on the front doing the majority of the work can only make me stronger. But better still, the 2 in the break (10 laps off the front and slowly catching B Grade) will likely be in B Grade next week.

Club Champs - Round 1

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Championships
Grade: TBC (Gradings for 2009 done off this event)
Race Distance: 2.02km (1 lap)
My Average Speed: 38.05km/hr (3:13 mins)
Placing: TBC
Conditions: Windy, S, headwind down the main finishing straight, but tailwind on the back of the course, consistent, no gusts. Temperature about 23C. Overcast.

Let me start by saying the following - "C'est la vie"....

After getting to Heffron a little earlier than expected, I registered and was 7th on the start list. I went out for my warm-up and did my mandatory 6 laps, getting used to the wind and prevailing conditions. While a bit windy, but atleast consistent with no gusts, the Zipp wheels didn't feel bad and I decided to go for it with them on.
After what I considered a good warm-up, the start time came around, and the first rider set-off. When I rolled up to the start line, the next to start, the time keepers noticed a small problem with the timing, so they delayed my start by about 5 minutes to get this corrected. I was completely focussed, and now I started to cool down and think about other things.
Anyway, after sorting the timing issue, we restarted.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go!
Out of the blocks I felt really good, and started to hammer down the short straight leading into the "squircle". Looking up, there were 10 people walking side-by-side down the track. Yelling at them, they just stopped and looked at me, oblivious to the dangers of me bearing down on them. As I got closer, they still hadn't moved out of the way, and when two kids decided to run across the track, I was forced to brake from a building +40km/hr down to about 18km/hr to miss them. You can imagine the words that came out of my mouth! That section is just so important to set-up for the rest of the lap. Race over....
Getting started again, the angry pills had kicked in, and I got going pretty quick, but the momentum was lost. Down the back straight with the tailwind I could only get up to 45km/hr, and then, entering the front 400m straight into the block headwind, I gave it everything sitting on 38km/hr. At the line, the legs were just turning to jelly, so timed perfectly.
Finish time 3:13. Take off about 5 seconds for the delay and I could have broken my PB of 3:08 done a few years ago in perfectly still conditions.
While I was offered a re-run by the Commisaires, my legs and lungs (pursuiters cough) were just not up to it and so the 3:13 stands. Good thing is, I know I was much faster than that.
"C'est la vie".

Latest Happenings

Not much to talk about really. Been riding, working, riding, sleeping, working, not necessarily in that order or priority. Seems like an endless merry-go-round.

The last few weeks I haven't raced due to either prior commitments, poor weather or lack of enthusiasm. But I have been getting out with the Club on the Sunday Waterfall ride. These rides are now just plain fast, what was once a very quick ride (back in Centennial by 9:15am) is now very much the norm. The last 3 weeks we have been back in the Park sipping coffee by this time. And, I've been doing work on the front of the bunch each week, and doing turns in the paceline back to Sutherland. Needless to say I'm getting stronger and faster each week. While not at the top of my form, I can see it from here, and know what needs to be done to get there.

Last weekend BTi and I did a Saturday roll out to Kurnell. It was good to get out for a slightly more casual and social ride for a change. Before setting out, I put the Zipp wheels onto my bike to give them a good roll out. BTi is still suffering with his neck, but this doesn't seem to deter him from riding, even though he obviously suffers by the end of the ride. Naturally, breakfast was compulsory at the First Drop. Riding home after brekky, GK drove past, and gave us a bit of a serve via text message - secret miles he claimed! Of course, I left my camera at home for the day, so sorry no pics.

This coming Saturday (04 April 09) is the first of the Club Championship rounds for the year - the dreaded Heffron 1 lap - 2km of all out effort (I can almost hear Hamster saying "Only 2 more back breaking kilometres to go" in that dodgy French accent). Gradings for the year will be based on this, so lets see how I go. I'm hoping to go close or better my personal best of 3:08, and that should put me into B Grade again. I've got some form on the board, and the Zipps are primed, so now it is just up to me to put in and "have a go" on the day. I've come up with the following cunning plan - "Go hard, and then go harder". Will update next week with the result.

I've also started to put together a plan for Open Races this year. My first target will likely be the Cootamundra Haycarters in early May. A group from the Club is going down at Easter for a sneak view/recon of the course, and then for the race a few weeks later, so it could be a couple of good weekends if I can get onboard.

Race 2, 2009

Race Report
Location: Heffron Park - Club Racing (Cat 4)
Grade: C Grade
Race Distance: 28.5km (14 laps)
My Average Speed: 35.7km/hr (48:00 mins)
Placing: 6th - bunch sprint
Conditions: Windy, NE, tailwind down the main finishing straight, but block headwind on the back of the course, although not as bad as previous weeks. Temperature about 27C. Sunny.

After a few weeks off due to weather (see previous blog) I was a little nervous at the start. I settled into the back of the bunch early to get the rhythm of the race.

After 3 or 4 laps a few riders were starting to feel the pinch so I moved up into the middle of the bunch so I didn't get tailed off. I gradually moved into the top 6 riders at the front of the bunch after a minor split happened on lap 6, and I wanted to make sure I was in the break if it happened and stayed away. Unfortunately, after bridging across and doing the hard work, it all came back together again about half a lap later. On laps 7 and 8 I did one big turn on the front of the bunch, for 2 full laps, stretching the field out. When the next rider attacked on lap 9, the bunch started falling apart, but I was in the lead group of 10 or so riders.

With 4 laps remaining, the attacks came thick and fast when we had the tailwind, but I didn't feel in any danger at that time. On lap 12, a young rider and myself were on the front driving the bunch, but unfortunately we couldn't get away. Coming up to the bell, the usual attacks occurred, but they were easily covered by the time we hit the headwind on the back half of the course - it was going to come down to a bunch sprint.

Exiting out of the netball courts, I found myself a little boxed in, and when the jump came, I lost about 4 bike lengths. Still, I managed to get free at the top of the straight and gave it my all chasing the leaders, even though the race was already lost. The good thing was that I was slowly catching them so my speed is slowly coming back (max speed 55km/hr). At the line I'd finished 6th and about 30-50 metres behind the winner.

This week I felt far more comfortable in the bunch than my first race. I felt I paced myself well, moved through the bunch when I had to, read the race, and cornered better than the first week which was really pleasing. It feels like everything is coming back together and now my confidence is up for next week. Maybe I'll even have a go at creating a breakaway.

Sydney Weather - make up your mind....

Well, its been a few weeks since my last confession - I mean blog. So what has happened. Well, lots really, and not much at all. Confused - me too!
It started out to be a good month. I've been training pretty hard, and got in the miles as needed. After my first race, I was really keen to get back into it. But lately the weather has had more of a say in that.
7th February 2009
Sydney absolutely scorches. At about 2:30pm I checked the weather, and its 38C outside - yep on a calibrated thermometer. Not wishing to push my luck, I decide to give racing a miss for the week.
14th February 2009
Rained, rained, and plenty of it. Racing is cancelled due to the track being flooded in some places.
21st February 2009
Rained in the morning, and then as if right on cue, 2:30pm down she came again. I waited a little longer, bike already in car ready to go for a 4pm start. BTi called and said he wasn't going to spectate, and it just got harder. In the end I didn't head to Heffron, but heard the following morning on the Club Waterfall Ride racing was again cancelled.
So. I'm looking forward to some more settled weather, and some decent days so I can get my butt back into racing. Yes, I'm frustrated.
Club Rides
Lately I've been heading to Waterfall with the Club bunch, and let me tell you, the pace has been on from the start. A few weeks ago, they changed the roll-off from the front of the bunch. Instead of the front two riders rolling off (one left, one right) to the back of the bunch, everyone now rotates as if in a massive team time trial, rolling from front right, to front left, to second wheel left etc, etc, after doing a 5-10 minute stint on the front.
Yesterday, the bunch was sitting comfortably on about 40km/hr heading out around the Bay. I dropped my chain at the top of Taren Point Road on the way out. I was forced to chase (my fault) and just got back on the bunch at the highway after Sutherland. I then got cut off from the bunch at the highway when another rider baulked at the crossing after the lights, and a stream of traffic meant the bunch got away again, this time I didn't get back on until I reached the Service Station back at Sutherland. Coming home, was quick, with an occassional slight tailwind, but we were back in the Park at 9:10am, and I'd averaged over 34km/hr for the day.
All good training, and the weather looks promising for next Saturday! Well, so far.

Back into Racing - Race 1, 2009

Well, after missing regular Saturday racing at Heffron Park since July 2005, I was back on the weekend. A little nervous to be back, but hoping for a good ride. I was given a start in C Grade - back where I left off.
As per usual at Heffron, it was windy, blowing a solid Nor'Easter, which meant a great tailwind down the main finishing straight, but also a block headwind on the back of the course.
Race Distance 28.5km, my Average Speed 34.3km/hr
(not bad given A Grade was under 38km/hr, B Grade just over 35km/hr)


I felt like I had a good race, and paced myself well. I cornered really well after the first 2 laps, which was really pleasing. I had to chase a few times when the bunch split up, but was okay to bridge across. Unfortunately, I mentally switched off with 2 to go and missed the bunch jumping on the B Grade breakaway that had just passed by - illegally of course. The pace was then a little too high for me to get across into the wind on my own. That was the only disappointing part. Still finished in the top half of the original starters, and about 45 seconds after the winner.
Good news was BTi was in my corner offering support. Not sure why he yelled out "attack Greggie, you've got 'em" after only 4 laps of 14, but I'm sure it was a tactical measure to put everyone else off. Thanks BTi. Good to see you are on the mend - as slow as it is.
BTi telling the Commissaires I've been doing heaps of miles and shouldn't be in C Grade
I hope it isn't as windy next week, to test my legs out even more. And maybe the Zipps....

Jindabyne Training Camp

After a few weeks off the bike due to business trips and the like, I headed off for the annual Randwick Botany CC training camp in Jindabyne. The 3 day camp includes rides up to Dead Horse Gap (and up the other side for those that are keen to do what is arguably Australias toughest climb), Charlottes Pass, and the Dalgety loop, and there is the warm-up ride for those that arrive early.

Having enough of work and the hectic travel schedule, I headed down a day early and prepared for the days ahead. Driving through Cooma in the late afternoon, I was confronted with an awesome thunderstorm. And the winds had picked up considerably over the last 100km or so. Arriving in Jindabyne, the storm had quickly passed, thanks to the wild winds.

Day 0. Warm-up Ride: 1:50 ride, 45km, 600m climbing
Waking up early, I was hoping the winds from the previous night would have abated, but unfortunately this was not the case. Winds up to 60km/hr and gusts much higher than that (up to 90km/hr were recorded at the local weather station) were the order of the day.
Finally, people started arriving at about 11:30am, much later than the expected time. By the time a group had assembled, it was a late start, about 1pm, as we started up the road towards Perisher Valley. As the winds grew stronger, we turned around and Rennix Walk, about 6km short of Perisher. Decending was tricky as gusts blew everyone over the road. It wasn't consistent from any direction, making it even worse. Still, a good first ride after 3 weeks to get the legs warmed up for the weekend.

Day 1. Dead Horse Gap: 3:15 ride, 82km, 1400m climbing

With almost everyone now assembled at the base camp in Jindy, todays ride was to take us up to Dead Horse Gap, and for those inclined, take on what is arguably Australias Toughest Climb. The winds were still blowing, and sometimes felt stronger than the previous day, maybe due to being a bit more exposed on this route.

The assembled masses.
On the way out, we were somewhat protected from the winds until we came to the summit of Crackenback, where we were almost blown off our bikes. Climbing was hard because you are going 13-16km/hr and gusts almost stopped you dead or blew you over.
Here the bunch waits for stragglers at the top of Crackenback
Finally at the top of Dead Horse Gap (about 8km beyond Thredbo), the winds were pretty horrendous, so I, along with a few others such as Chris White, gave the decent and climb of Dead Horse Gap a miss for this year. I was disappointed, but also realised that 3 weeks off the bike, and the prevailing conditions would probably mean the next couple of days would be a real struggle if I had done it.


Decending was a real headache and quite challenging when you are being blown all over the road. On the return run, some of the big gusts confirmed I made the right decision, but I was still able to crack 80km/hr on some of the smoother decent sections. When those that did take on the extra climb returned, all but a few indicated they wished they had taken the early return option.

Day 2. Charlottes Pass: 3:15 ride, 82km, 1700m climbing

Finally, the winds have dropped, and it turns out to be a picture perfect day with clear blue skies, so I wasn't as nervous on the bike, and my legs felt much better. I dropped my bunch on the way out about 25km from Charlottes Pass, solo attack of course. About 5km from the top and just after I passed solo through Perisher Valley, 3 riders bridged across to me, and we finished about 5 minutes ahead of the next riders and about 10 minutes on the main bunch.
Decending today was a lot of fun - the long sweeping decents made it pretty easy going. I was chasing most of the way after I had to stop at Perisher Valley to get a wasp out of my helmet - little bugger wouldn't come out and was crawling around. At least it didn't sting me, unlike the one on Marie Blanc in 2006.


Day 3. Dalgety Loop: 3:15 ride, 83km, 1200m climbing
Another special day. Very little wind, sun shining, and today would be a much flatter day, with generally rolling hills.



The main decent was probably the steepest drop I have ever ridden - and that includes the Forclaz. Unfortunately, Bucko and Knuckles set up a rolling road block so I couldn't get around them, but I'm not sure I wanted too anyway. I don't remember it being that steep the last time I was down here, but I would hate to go the opposite direction. The rolling hills on the ride were not as hard as the previous days, but taxing on the legs nonetheless as there were so many of them.
So, another training camp over, and about 290km in the legs, things are starting to come back together after a few weeks off the bike.

Canada! In January?

After a good break over Christmas and New Year, and plenty of not-so-secret miles, I returned to work to discover I was to be sent off to visit a supplier in Canada. In the middle of our summer, meaning the middle of their winter.... And training and ALL social activities would be temporarily suspended. Bugger!

The days leading up to my departure were 35C, 38C and 41C respectively out at the Office. Flying out on the Thursday, Sydney was a respectable 25C again, but I wasn't looking forward to the minus 20C (-20C) I was going to be greeted with just east 160km of Toronto. Hamster, enjoy your winter, mate, you can keep it! Although it was fantastic to experience just a few days of it.

View from my hotel window

Workwise, it was a very successful trip, and one made even the more worthwhile with the hospitality of the suppliers staff, which was truly fantastic. In fact, I'm hoping I get the opportunity to go back one day soon, perhaps when the weather is a little bit warmer.

Picturesque Lake Ontario - the serenity!

Returning home, I was greeted by +30C temperatures, which I'm still trying to aclimatise too. I'll get there.

The day after arriving home, I was off to the Upper Hunter Valley for a mates wedding. Great weekend, great wedding. Good luck, Sean & Brigid.

Now, where did I leave off...??

Jamberoo Classic

Sunday 4th January 2009 saw the 6th Annual running of the Johnny Warren Jamberoo Classic ride, a charity ride for the Sydney Cancer Foundation. Starting at Sutherland, the ride is broken into 3 stages:
Stage 1: Sutherland to Otford
Stage 2: Otford to Wollongong
Stage 3: Wollongong to Jamberoo
Click for a larger image

Stage 1 (28.9km, 59:53 secs, Ave Speed 29.0km/hr)
Fair going. A bit of cyclist traffic to navigate along to Waterfall and into the Park until clear air meant some faster turns, particularly on the climb out of the Royal National Park. Was the first time I've been involved in a paceline on a climb - interesting experience. Regrouping at Otford Cafe was a good chance to refuel and take on extra fluids.


Stage 2 (30.3km, 55:58 secs, Ave Speed 32.5km/hr)
Taking the drop from Otford was great as always - quick, and very few riders around to slow us down. I got away with two other Randwick Botany riders and I held the front pretty much all the way to Wollongong (yes, I was on the front and driving - unusual but true). I actually eased up a little at one point to stop dropping riders from our small select group of about 12 riders. Stopping at Wollongong to regroup, the sun was now out in full force, and a tailwind was starting to pick up.
Willy recovers in the shade ready for the final stage
You can tell I'm having a good day - I'm smiling!



Stage 3 (37.2km, 1:06:09 secs, Ave Speed 33.7km/hr)
This was awesome! I got away with the front bunch just behind the safety car. In amongst these guys were some A Grade riders who really drove the pace. The course was fairly flat, but unfortunately, there were lots of traffic lights heading south, but the general speed was between 40-45km/hr when we were rolling. And I even got to do a turn on the front. This was tops, and the bunch kept getting smaller and smaller. From Albion Park, the course turned inland via "Swamp Road". Unfortunately, the safety car led my bunch the wrong way and we missed the turn-off. As we backtracked about 200m, I lost the stronger riders and had to make my own way, stranded between the lead bunch and the next group - no-mans-land. I expected this to be a shocker, but instead I was powering along this gently undulating valley road picking up riders that had dropped off the lead bunch. The tailwind had really kicked in by now and sitting on 40km/hr was comfortable all the way into Jamberoo.
Finish Line - the Jamberoo Pub - no ananas here unfortunately.

The only unfortunate part of the whole day was BTi having to pull out on the morning of the ride due to ongoing issues after his crash. The intention was always to get the train back to Sutherland. This was a bit of shambles, and I ended up getting a courtesy bus back to Albion Park Rail and having to wait for about 90 minutes for a train, and then stand for 2 hours with my bike due to the train being full.

All in all, this was a great ride. Sometimes it was a bit hard to find directions, but the weather and tailwind certainly made for a good day on the bike. I'll do it again, but I'll make sure I have definite arrangements at the finish.

Smarty