Cycling with our boys - 20/04/2011

The Box Hill boys in Bright

I had been very keen on the Bright mountain bike night ride tonight. I get very excited when I'm up here on a Wednesday night but the solid rain since lunchtime put an end to the idea.

Despite that, we got a fantastic ride in with the boys today. Steve, Lochie, Jack and I headed out to the Red Stag restaurant at the deer farm near Eurobin where we met the rest of our families. It was a very pleasant 15k ride and both boys made it with ease. Champions in the making!...



A couple of quite steep pinches near the end had them both in the hurt box but Jack and Lochie pushed hard in their smallest gears with plenty of hooting and hollering from the dads! They made it to the top with smiles on their faces and plenty of energy to get around the farm.

Three stags

The rain hit shortly after this so smashing out some high threshold stuff with the Bright boys was soon off the cards.

It was a great day for our boys though and some great exposure for Cycleworks in the north east!



This is Steve saying, "Cycleworks... number one!".






This is him walking up a hill trying to look like he's doing a mono. Shhhhhhhh.......

Endurance - 11/04/11

It’s always been something I’ve relied on as one of my strengths.

It’s the basis of my nickname and the thing that draws me to the events I enjoy (enjoy?) – 6 hour mountain bike races, Alpine Classics, Otway Odyssey’s and such.

But my endurance failed me this weekend. It troubles me to admit that I failed to stay awake to see the last 50k of the Paris to Roubaix. I will learn from my mistakes, but the move I made to lie horizontally on the couch at about 11pm was my downfall.

The error may not have avoided the final outcome (big Zs) but it’s always best to avoid the likelihood of failure by making the most efficient decisions throughout the pursuit of your goals.

I did however, manage to make a few efficient decisions this weekend. Starting with the subject of my last post – a day off on Friday to load the car and get the family up to Bright nice and smoothly. I was keen to do well in the Bright 6hr Enduro on Saturday.

And that I did, in the end...

For me it was second in the masters and sixth overall. I was very happy to have achieved this result with 11 laps of the 10.2k circuit in six and a half hours. More so, knowing that only 8 out of 70 solo riders managed 11 laps. Rod Stormonth, a workmate, pulled out a third in the masters and it was a pleasure to shake his hand on the podium – that’s considering I was standing above the '2', if I was on the '3' and he was on the '2' I wouldn’t have been so delighted! (Nuh, kidding ... course I would Stormy)

I admit I needed Dave and Mick to hold me up after the race. I didn’t have a lot left in the legs after that 11^th lap!

It was great to catch up with some of my Bright mates, including the bogans!....

I was glad not to have seen the above sign on the trail but I know this gun team went well despite their team name and kit!

Brendon and Aiden pulled off a second in the male pairs for Team Cyclepath.

Brendon looking fresher than me at the finish!

Full results can be seen here.

After smashing down a whole large pizza (each) at the Alpine Hotel after the race, Mick and I jumped in the car and headed back to Melbourne so that I could get ready for the Marysville to Melbourne on Sunday. Home at 10.30pm, into bed and 11pm – alarm off at 4am. Fun!

Mark, Steve and I had to be at the start line in Marysville by 5.45am yesterday morning for Mark’s run start at 6.15am. The atmosphere in Marysville was fantastic, despite the soaking rain overnight, and the runners got off on time in relatively fine conditions (apart from underfoot).

The race format was as follows:

• 20k run on trails and gravel roads – Marysville to Dom Dom Saddle - Mark

• 50k ride – Dom Dom Saddle through Healsville to King Lake – Steve

• 40k ride – King Lake to Eltham – Richard

• 15k run – Eltham to Bourke Road North, Kew - Fin

• 16k paddle – Kew to Dights Falls in Abbotsford – Marty

• 19k paddle – Dights Falls to Lorimer Street, Southbank – Simon

It was a magnificent race, extremely well organised by Rapid Ascent (who always do the Odyssey well). Our team is very proud to have pulled off fourth position in the Corporate Teams of Six category and Steve and I super-chuffed to have both pulled out the fastest rides in both cycling legs overall (in the money!).

You can see the full results here.

So then off I went to catch a train and bus back up to Porepunkah to catch up with my family who I hadn’t really seen properly for about 48 hours.

I sat down at 10.30pm to watch the Paris to Roubaix.

I lay down on the couch at about 11pm.

I ran out of Diesel.

I slept.

Someone won in Roubaix.

The pleasures of King Lake - 3/4/11

Just a very slightly sad moment yesterday when I had to give all my carbon back. These frames have given me great pleasure so it was with some regret that I returned them to Bikepro. Andy should have his shiny new model ready for me to collect in the near future.

I had the opportunity to remind myself of the properties of carbon as I rode the 15k or so on Duke's bike from Smiths to Warrantdyte. It prompted recent memories of the super-rigid material and full feed-back from the road.

With my now extensive experience on ti (tongue in cheek) I can say that as far as feel on the road, ti is to carbon what carbon is to alloy. Horny wondered at my description of my bike feeling like a lounge chair. It's fair dinkum that comfortable!

There must be something good about it coz The Duke has been on the web all day researching prices for a Lynskey frame!

And in case you're wondering, I did mention this to Karen today...


A group of twelve 6am-ers headed out to King Lake today for a wonderful day on the bike. The rain held off on a day where we welcomed Dev back for the entire ride and had Rocket and Cam in company for most of the route out.


The Smiths Gully General Store and Bakery welcomed us with their normal open arms and we enjoyed carbs and caffeine after smashing out a pretty big effort up the main climb.

What I particularly loved about today was the very long and powerful 6am-er train which stayed together for the majority of the climb and surprised many relatively fit clean-skin riders as they were over-run by a strong uniformed group.

Grouse! Our coffee and chat was well deserved.


120k road - pretty solid-hard.

Last day-light-saving commute.. sob, sob - 1/4/11

Today was my last chance for an extended commute home in daylight. No more daylight saving after this weekend and heading into the depths of winter. Very sad.

So a cruise to spin the legs after yesterday - out through Lower Plenty, Eltham, Research, Warrandyte and home. A nice cruisy 55ks on the Lynskey on a lovely sunny evening.

Cool.

Bugger it!.........Darkness

Warburton Road Race - 26/3/11

A silly assumption and a rookie error on my part stole a potential win from me today, but the overall satisfaction I have following today's race is the best.

In fact, the 113km race at Warburton is by far my most satisfying road racing result ever.

With a profile like this....

... there was no way I was going to be successful on the climbs against little, light fast climbers so I knew I had to come up with some other cunning plan.

The 6am-er planning during the week was extensive. After our discussions coming out of the hurt box on Tuesday, the emails flowed thick and fast. Approximately 157 emails contained everything from wit to shit but luckily included some serious discussion about how we would handle this race.

The first part of the plan was for me to roll off the front of the race very early - stay away as long as I could - allow the other 6am-ers in the bunch to roll without working whilst other riders chased me down... easy.

Since we're not really allowed to ride as teams, I'd better not go into too much detail!

I'd encouraged Aaron Christiansen to come along for a race earlier in the week and ran into him on the start line. After a bit of a chat I said, "Hey - I'm going to ride off the front of this race really early. You should come with me. Up to you. I'll need some help."

So by the 5k mark I was off. Within 2k I couldn't see the group and was happy to see that they'd let the big fella go, confident they'd catch me on the hills. By the 10k mark Aaron had bridged to join me so I was happy to know that I'd have some help for as long as we could hold it.

At the bottom of the first climb (19k) I said, "Let's just get to the top of this without getting caught."

At the bottom of the second climb (33k), after letting out a bit of a hoot, I said, " Let's just get to the top of this without getting caught."

Same at the bottom of the third (50k) and fourth (65k) but it was getting a bit of a joke by then and we were both starting to seriously think we had some chance. At the top of the second loop I looked back to see the bunch chasing hard about two k behind... strung out, riding fast. That worried me initially but I never saw them again after that.

We put as much time into the bunch as possible on the descents and dug deep on the climbs to minimise the losses. The flat and undulating were hurt-box turns of only two. I've never ridden so consistently hard in a road race in my life before but it was worth every bit of pain.

That final 12 percent pinch followed by the gradual climbing to the finish line really put me in the blender and when Aaron hit me with 200 or so to go, I didn't respond in time and rolled across the finish line to take second.

Aaron and I rolled up the road 200m and turned back to the finish. It would have been within a minute that the chasing group came flying across the line in a sprint with Duke at the healm to take third.

Bloody fantastic result for the 6am-ers, showing that we have the strength to race at this level with confidence to dominate the races and take the places.

Now speaking from experience, an early attack with 108ks in a two man break has got to be the best way to ride a bike race. Incredibly satisfying result.

Interestingly, I dropped my chain three times, twice having to get off to fix it. Coming down the last climb we were held up by a D grade rider who was holding up a couple of cars then our lead car - grouse! A couple more such incidents would have had the bunch up are buts just before the finish line rather than just after it.

A good plan - a bit of luck - a bit of determination - a bit of effort... all ads up to a good result.

Three laps of the loop at the end.

Hurt Box - 22/3/11

Once again I found it easy to get out of bed at 5:10am this morning. Seems ridiculous doesn't it? But the thought of rolling down the road with my mates within half the hour and heading off for an hour of pain is just too exciting. And yes... I am 44!

A great turn out for this ride which is proving to be as popular as anything for the 6am-ers.

And for good reason. It's hard, adrenalin inducing and good for everyone (or most I should say). Love it.

The race planning discussions over coffee were vibrant and the plan for Saturday was further developed through approximately 123 emails throughout the day.

Let the games begin!



70k road - 40k hard - 200 metres flat out!

Commute home on the SS Road - 18/3/11

I love Fridays. Sleep in til 7. Breakfast with the kids. Off to school early for band practice. Nice relaxing morning and a wander into work compared to most days.

When I got to the end today though, I really didn't feel like getting on the bike to ride home. Weariness nearly got the better of me.


But I jumped on for 40k of big gear madness on the SS road bike. I finished off with five 1k hill repeats to put myself completely in the blender.

I feel pretty strong at the moment but can't help feeling I need to do more interval stuff. I made sure I felt the pain with these ones and I imagine they'll do me good.

Might just go and have a little snooze now!

- 40k SS Road - solid
- Just a smidgen under 100kg and really trying to get it lower. I just like lollies too much.

Fatties - sleep - North Road - 18/3/11

Was nice to get back to Fatties last night and then back it up with North Road this morning. As much as 8 hours between hard rides hurts, I can already feel it doing me good.

Ouch... nice DOMS.

4 hours pretty solid mountain biking last night. Nearly stayed with Neil through Hans's (nearly but not quite!.. better than I've done before.)

70 of hard this morning on the SS in the North Road bunch.

Hurt Box and consulting the oracle - 15/03/11

Ok I admit it... I got a little bit too excited going up Rickett's today simply coz I could see Horny was in significant pain. I saw his face was contorted and I could hear his heart beat sitting just under 200 so I hit the gas. Really... who could blame me?

I'm sorry boys.

I have personally consulted my oracle Yetti for objective opinion and forgiveness if required.

I did back off and allow the group to come back together over the top, but not before being castigated by Brenton for doing something I've had a couple of goes at him for in recent months.

"Don't attack through this ride!", "Pull ya head in whipper snapper!", "Get back in your place young fella!" - are just some of the phrases I've aimed at him lately throughout The Hurt Box. So he didn't hesitate to give it to me for hurting him so. Poor little man.

It was another great day at the 6am-er Hurt Box with a good solid turn-out, some hard riding and great company. Except for El (aka El Mantes, Bob) of course. The poor fella ended up getting a cab home after blowing out somewhere around Black Rock and not yelling loud enough.

Probably a bit amiss of us not to notice his flat but geez Bob, we're 6am-ers! We will always come to your aid when you need it. No need for a cab when you have a mobile phone and we're just up the road.

Good riding, good coffee, good toast, good company. Thanks fellas.

For me it was a big day Saturday, a big day Monday and then a big day today with another 40k home. Just a wee bit twired and needing a bit of a rest.

Full day of recovery tomorrow in order to ready myself for the Fatties bunch tomorrow evening. Miss them. Can't wait.

100+ k - single speed road bike

One of those really great days - 14/03/11

80ks with the 6am-ers, Moomba parade with the family and a sunny river ride with the kids.

What more could you ask for!?!

Our now regular viewing grand stand at the Melbourne Town Hall for the Moomba Parade.

Lunch at Fed Square (Why is it that when boys turn 11 they go into that
"I'm only ever going to scowl for a photo" stage?)

Happy with this dragon.

We tried for all the way home from the city but made it to Studley Park Boat House. Not a bad effort after a Triathlon yesterday. Good work Jack and Lucy.

Jack doin' it easy - Horny doin' it hard

Jack today (story below)

Brenton yesterday

I took great pains (and delight) to get this covert shot of Horny yesterday morning in order to show exactly how knackered he was.

Steve Martin and I hid behind this van for what seemed like an hour or so before Mick and Horny appeared....(ok - maybe 10 minutes).

And I shouldn't really be so cruel because the shot below shows exactly how tired he was. You don't just go away and not ride for 7 weeks and then expect to come back firing on all cylinders (although Brenton did!).

Climbing The Wall - 6th climb of the day at about 90k mark

He had been discussing this day and route on-line incessantly for weeks and was determined to get through it. This despite my efforts to stop him when he was clearly smashed after the Selby-Menzies Creek climb where he was showing some initial signs of wear-and-tear.

But Brenton's given a lot of thought to his Giro ride and he did very well to get through it all in the end. These two shots are earlier along the Selby-Aura Road, an absolutely beautiful roll which we should ensure the whole 6am-er group get to sometime in the near future.

Gorgeous road

We made it in the end and enjoyed some good times at the Black Kettle. I'm sure Brenton will be back riding at full strength within a very few weeks. He was very hard on himself yesterday and the way he felt will define his focus over the near future.

Fabio, Lumpy and Taylo enjoyed a different route yesterday morning having joined us for the first few ks. I loved catching up with Steve as we had plenty of time to talk whilst waiting for Horny and Mick!

I hear the Sunday ride went well today with a return appearance from Smithy. He'll also be as determined as ever, so it won't be long before we're all being pushed up those climbs big-time.

Depending on how you look at it, yesterday's ride contained the following climbs in this order:

• South end of mtn on side roads (Janiesleigh, Glassford, Olivette, Hughes) to Tremont
  
• Serpentine Road
• Wellington Road to Aura Vale/Cardinia
• Selby-Menzies Creek-Kallista
• David Hill Road to Monbuk
• The Wall

I couldn't ride on my normal Sunday morning today because we were off as a family this morning to St. Kilda for the Weetbix Tryathlon (sic) for Jack. He couldn't get to sleep until mid-night last nigt due to his anticipation and was first up this morning at 5:30am.



Jack did this last year but at the much shorter distance as a 10 year old. I felt he matured significantly this year participating in the longer distance for 11-15 year olds (200m/6k/1k). I was so proud of him and he looked really strong through each discipline. As you can see above, he cruised through the ride (of course, my boy!).





So Weetbix defines itself as the 'Breakfast of Champions'. Jack, you deserved your medal and your breakfast after your fantastic efforts of today.

Brenton, you got smashed by a 44 year old. You can wait a few weeks for your Weetbix.

Road commute

In through an extended suburban loop this morning - 35ks.

Out through a longer semi-rural loop tonight - 55ks.

Geared road bike - solid ride - no special efforts.

Hurt, hurt and hurt some more

I bounced out of bed for The Hurt Box this morning. The forecast was good!

40kph winds + north-easterly = hard on the front + easy on the back (in both directions) = a bit of fun for everyone!

And it really was good. Solid, smooth and fast turns all the way with everyone still together at the end. Including Pistol Pete who still had a smile on his face at Kerford Road.

It's just a ripper ride with ripper company. What more can I say?

I felt I needed just a bit more today though, so I rode a solid 35kph home via my road single speed kind-of flattish route (coz it's really hard to ride up hill!).

Just over 100k on the SS road bike. A good solid day.

'nongs

There's no better way to describe today's ride than a Classic 6am-er day in the 'nongs.

Every ride is good but as I've said before, sometimes I just get home thinking, "That was just fantastic!" In-fact usually I'd throw a naughty word in there somewhere but mum and Aunty Jan read this so I have to be good.

This is the first of two re-groupings at the top of Sky High this morning. Mostly still smiling.


On our second visit to Sky High someone was heard to inquire "What now?", to which Brave felt the need to respond, "I think we should EAT FOOD."

Fair enough you might say? At that stage I reckon we'd done at least 1500m of climbing and not at a very relaxed pace.

As for 21 Tooth's comment as we looped down to pick him up 300 metres from the second Sky High summit - "Did you want us to go to the top or turn around here?" I simply leave you with this...

Mick... You're a 6am-er. What do you reckon we want you to do?
(It won't be long and he'll be first up anyway)

In between Sky High visits I got to check out the descending characteristics of the Lynskey. My first real chance. It's a lovely bike to ride and I'd say going downhill is a strength. It's forgiving (like a BMW GS1150) and just screams at you to crank it over further in the twisty bits. At one stage I had Bender and El Mantese listening to my heart beat and my breathing as I tweaked the breaks to stay away from them in a sharp left-hander. Once again, brilliant.

Ok. I'll shut up about the Lynskey now.

This is a shot of the group getting back together at the bottom of the descent to Montrose. A couple of us took the opportunity to have a nature break as others observed the local div-van wander past and stop.

I later advised that if they pull us up to chat about it just ask them what the offenders were wearing.

It was a rare day where pure 6am-ers were in attendanence. Not a clean-skin in sight and everyone in blue and yellow. Identity may have been a slight issue, however if required I'm sure those at fault would have fessed.

Reasonable coffee and excellent fellowship at the Black Kettle invigorated a smash down the 1:20 followed by some nice solid turns most of the way back.

As Duke was later heard to Tweet... Fantastic ride in the nong's. That's what the #6amers is about, good solid riding, sweat on the brow, no teammates left behind & a coffee :)


Route:

• Burwood Hwy - Mad Mile (Upper FTG) to Belgrave - Kallista - Perrins - Olinda - Mt. Dandenong - Sky High.
• Down the Tourist Road to Montrose - York Road - Inverness (Slaughterhouse) - Up the Tourist Road - Falls Road - Ridge Road - Sky High.
• 1:20 - Mountain Highway - Burwood Highway to home.

Climbs - one big one or:

1. Mad Mile (Upper FTG to Puffing Billy round-a-bout)
2. Belgrave to Kallista round-a-bout
3. Perrins Creek
4. Olinda Crescent - Tourist Road - Ridge Road to Sky High

- then one big one or:

1. Slaughterhouse (Inverness Road)
2. Tourist Road - Falls Road - Ridge Road to Sky High

Plenty of pain in the hurt box

The camaraderie of Tuesday morning is the main reason for my attendance at The Hurt Box.

The riding is good, but the thing that gets me out of bed at 5.15am on Tuesdays is the thought that I'll be cruising down Warrigal Road within half an hour, chatting away with my mates.

Thirteen of us turned up to ride this morning.

We had the jeepers scared out of us by a truck with a big horn on Boundary Road, a pillow to bunny hop on Nepean Highway (go figure??) and a brick wall to slam into as we turned into the wind on Beach Road.

The quality riding in our bunch is a bonus and this particular ride always provides some value to everyone.


Road - Single Speed - 70k solid