BBQ

@ mine @ 3pm.

BYO beer n Meat. I'll supply the rest.

Vein envy

Madeline Olive

Introducing the next generation of the 1750.

Coluzzi Ride

Ride was really good. left mine at 6:35, easy roll to Concord with Ryan and Al to pick up Scotty and a "Spastic strong" guy called rob. (Scottie's words)

Into town via a very quiet parra road. coffee at Coluzzi then roll out at 8am. heaps of riders, i overhead lots of people saying it was the biggest they'd seen in years. and it looked like about 40% of them were from LACC training rides! all of the Moretti guys were there.

Fairly easy pace the whole way, about 35-50kph, but you get sucked along and you don't really notice it. hardly stopped at all, most of the time we just rolled through red lights and thanked the drivers for waiting. Al peeled off every now and then with the pros for little detours. he had a great time. Did get a bit messy towards the airport with other riders we'd passed trying to hang on. i wasn't anywhere near the front for the sprint, the line of riders stretched out to about 100m long. 

We waited around for a few people who got punctures to re-join then rolled around down under the Taren point bridge and back into town on the freeway. I got told off for riding 3 abreast at one stage, now i know the correct Colluzzi Etiquette. Most riders turn off at various points and the group was down to 30 or so by the time we got into the city. We broke off from the bunch and headed through Redfern, Norton St and into Fivedock for a coffee (and i finally got my gelato, it was a bit to hot for a long black at that stage). Back at home at 11:02 (i'd told Emily 11), i was a bit exhausted at that stage, no breakfast and nothing but water on the ride.

Baby Bonus

Qualification Information

1. Who can get Baby Bonus?
Anyone silly enough to do the "deed" and actually follow through full term is entitled to the baby bonus.
2. What residence requirements does Baby Bonus have?
You must be an Austalian resident and member of the 1750 Sports commute.

Claim Information  

1. How do I claim Baby Bonus?
The baby bonus can be claimed at any time in the last week before birth on a Tuesday or Thursday. Special consideration may be made for cases that cannot be claimed on the normal day. Working hours are from 1750 - 1920 Tues and Thur.
2. How do I find out the outcome of my claim?
The outcome of the claim can be checked at Concord Hospital round about by poking or mere sensing the lactic acid built up in the legs. If consistent pain has been felt on the lead up to the Concord Hospital round about then payment may have already been made.

Payment Information

1. How much Baby Bonus do I get?
As much as you can handle.
2. Is there an income/assets test?
Yes. All eligible people must be:
a.       Cyclists
b.      Members of the 1750 Sports Commute
c        Australian Residents
d.       Willing to suffer
e.       Willing to chase and hold wheels
f.       Willing to take occasional bribes
g.       Willing to form alliances when required with other sufferies.
3. When are payments adjusted?
Payments are adjusted on the fly depending on the suffering being delivered and the responses to changes in pace. 

Current Customer Information

1. Do I still get Baby Bonus if I leave Australia?
No. Once you leave Australia you should refer to the Centre Link Guide on how to make claims on new bonus systems.
2. Does Baby Bonus get reviewed?
Yes. The baby bonus is reviewed on a applicant basis. The appropriate payment will be levied on application.
3. What should I do if my circumstances change?
If the outcome looks grim you should write to:

Centre Link Baby Bonus, Locked Bag 555, NSW 555.
If the outcome is favourable then the levy should be raised.

 

More Information

1. Can I appeal if I disagree with a decision made?
Yes appeals on unfavourable decisions will be heard if:
a.       The wind noise is low enough to make conversation possible
b.      The levy is slow enought to make conversation possible
c        You are close enought to make conversation possible
2. What other payments and concessions might I get?
If you are fortunate you may get a puncture for your efforts.
3. What services and programs can I use?
You may use any 2 wheeled, non reclining, pedal power service available.
4. Can I get a factsheet about this payment?
Yes. Every afternoon a role call will be made and tenders will be heard.
5. How do I find out more about Baby Bonus?
What all of that wasn't enough? In fact I'm surprised you read this far.

Sundays SOP CRIT - The 1750 Triumph

B Grade - 1st Place - Anthony

B Grade - 2nd Place - Robert

C Grade - 1st Place - Harry

Sunday 14-12-2008

8:00am C, D, & E Grade's 9:00 am A & B Grades

Strong westerly blowing. (Coming up the straight was hard work)

"C" Grade
In normal Haza style, I spent alot of time out the front. The last 3 laps I held back. Half way up the straight I gave it full gas. I was nearly caught on the line. First place was mine.

"B" Grade (Combined with "A")
First Lap, Rob had a 50m lead (where was he going??). For the rest of the race Anthony attacked and attacked. With a couple of laps remaining Anthony got away. Rob followed up, convincingly out sprinting the rest of them.


( 17:50 "A" Grade Riders not present )

OUT!

Back

Hands up if you missed me.

We used Trek S500s to get around. They use that Shimano Nexus internal hub gearing system, it's actually really good.

http://www.shimano.com.au/publish/content/global_cycle/en/au/index/products/comfort_bike/Nexus.html

Christmas bling

Blasphemer!

blas·pheme 

v. blas·phemed, blas·phem·ing, blas·phemes

v.tr.

1. To speak of (God or a sacred entity) in an irreverent, impious manner.

2. To revile; execrate.

3. To leave fellow worshipers for an "early getaway".

4. Harry Papadimitriou.

v.intr.

To speak blasphemy.

---

[Middle English blasfemen, from Old French blasfemer, from Late Latin blasphemare, from Greek blasphemein, from blasphemos, evil-speaking, blasphemous; see bha-² in Indo-European roots.]

---

blas·phemer -n.

Armstrong confirmed in TDF

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/dec08/dec02news

But it looks like he'll be working for Contador

HB - Group 2 - Haza's Stat's

Lap 1 - Av.HR.156 Max:181 Av. Speed: 40.5
Lap 2 - Av.HR.174 Max:180 Av. Speed: 42.1
Lap 3 - Av.HR.175 Max:185 Av. Speed: 41.5
Lap 4 - TOAST (start of Edwin Flack)

Lap 1 - Felt really good.
Lap 2 - Group was rolling around nicely
Lap 3 - Ryan turned it up around the station. Single line formed. It was the begining of the end. Approaching Edwin Flack. Still single line. Got in the left and gave it a go. Got to the front, legs said no more. Hit the eject button and headed for the gutter. Game over.

Joined Group 2.2 for the final lap.

BBQ Etiquette - The 12 Rules

(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the BBQ - beer in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory 3-metre exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman.
Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE BBQ.
(6) The woman goes inside to organise the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he flips the meat.
Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE BBQ AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed ‘her night off.’ And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there’s just no pleasing some women.

I wish I had a cross bike like this.

Todd Wells cross bike. 

For full details check this link:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2008/probikes/?id=todd_wells_gtr_typecx08

Saturday ride details

Meet: 3 Dent St, Epping
Time: 6:30am
Destination: 3 Gorges
Pace: We'll see

LACC Bunch Ride this Sunday 16th Nov, from Rhodes

from the LACC newsletter:

Albert Talone , Sydneys most popular meat purveyor , has a ride organised for this Sunday . The pace will be steady , and will regroup regularly for any stragglers . In fact Albert has said that he’ll push any strugglers (before they become stragglers) up any of the big hills to make it easier for them . Suitable for all riders and all are welcome

Roll out 6am Rhodes Shopping Centre - meet outside Gloria Jeans Coffee Shop
Rhodes/Dural/Berowra/Bobbin Head/Eastwood/Home
Come along, pace is cruisy..
Alberto Talone - Italian Legend

Outdoor movies at SOP

http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2009/Free/_item/event/MOVIES_IN_THE_OVERFLOW

These are back on. Suggest we go to some if ppl are keen.

Commitment

Somtimes winning is not pretty

Sprint photos..

Melbourne Cup Headwear

I call it: Dead Bird

News Flash!!! Al, Luke and Scott get beaten by Bob in a sprint.

And I got Photies to prove it!

 I can’t race for one week and…………………

So Bob claims he won a race. You all seem to be in the same race.

Luke clearly forgot to mention that in his race report.

And you guys are racing with him in B why?

1-Nov Race report

Fairly good turn out from the 1750 members, with Andrew taking the plunge and joining the club. Al was looking the business with his new Carbon rims and matt black Cannondale (see below).

Harry and Andrew rolled out with C grade and kept out of trouble, with Harry on the front every time the C train rolled by (except for the final time).

I rolled out in my first ever B-grade. Pace was ok-ish with the odd "break and reel in" every few laps. Nothing overly strenuous and much easier than my usual C-grade antics. This kept us in-touch with A-grade who were having an even slower ride. I made a couple of half hearted attempts at a breaking away solo and waiting for someone to hop across, but with a smallish field of 10 or so riders none of the 2 or more breaks were allowed to go anywhere. By 35 minutes I think everyone had pretty much given up on the idea of a break and the pace slowed considerably, rolled around with the HR sitting on a very comfortable 135 as A-grade passed us.

Whistle went for 2 laps to go and brought a few small accelerations but nothing serious enough to justify getting out of the saddle. My HR was sitting on about 150 as the Bell brought the final lap. Slow acceleration towards the the last sharp corner and I was in about 7th wheel. Bunch moved to the right on the bend before the straight and I pulled to the left to start my sprint, solo. Pulled ahead with about 70m to go and couldn't hear anything behind me. I was too scared to turn around so I kept the pace high till the line and managed to stave off any other contenders for 1st place. New HR record of 188bpm

A grade and Luke also did well in 3rd, just piped at the line by about half a wheel for 1st place in a fast and furious bunch sprint.

Photos: http://61.88.106.189/

get any that you want, they'll only be there for a few days apparently.

LACC Christmas. Party

28th nov. Register now!

Sent from my iPhone

1750 race update

Total entry fees: $75
Total prize money: $70

More effort is needed

Sent from my iPhone

...and for those new to racing. This is the course

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/LACC-Criterium-Tennis-Centre-SOP

Current weather forecast is 22c with a chance of showers. 

If it's wet, stay off those white lines!

SOP Crit is on

Sat 01 Nov 08, 1:30PM
JNR & ABCDE GRADES RACING AT 2.00PM SIGN ON BEGINS AT 1.15PM $15.00 ENTRY FEE
JNR 1.30 RACING
C,D,E GRADE 2.OO
A,B GRADE 3.00 SPRINT PRIMES TBA

3 sports - 50% off sale

There is an easy to miss triathlon shop on York St (opposite Grace Hotel sort of) They currently have 50% off all their cycling clothes. They have quite a lot of Castelli which I understand to be good gear. Anyway thought you might be interested.

http://www.3sports.com.au/

News just in - Bob drops Ryan up Bobbin Head!

He may be known for the largest Quads in the Southern Hemisphere but they were no use for the current Masters 1 National Champion on Saturday morning. The drama unfolded midway up the climb. Bob has obviously been working on his alpine ascents. Spurred on by a fresh Harry and a eager newbie Andrew, Bob delivered one of his standout efforts to leave Ryan languishing.

Time will tell how the punishment will be returned. Viva le Schmycledan!

Saturday Ride Details Released!

Harry's at 6:07

Bob's at 6:10

Al's at 6:30

Hornsby Pool at 7:00

3 Gorges, home via Akuna bay.

2009 Tour Stages Released

http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html

Team time trial is back.

Last hill climb is the second last stage.

Much shorter individual time trials (two of them)

Not a great course for Cadel and I think Sastre will suffer without the CSC team riding for him. Looks like Contador is a clear favourite.

Bob's HB Report

Group 2 for me, along with all the usual Group 1 riders (Luke excepted). Pace was too much on lap 2 after the Group 1 riders decided to go Group 1 after all. 60% of the group fell off, might have been a different story for me if I’d been closer to the front but I was in no mood to close those gaps from the rear. Legs felt good, but a little drained after the weekend shenanigans

Rode in the groupetto at what was still a pace right on my limit. Andrew made me suffer twice with his “super turns”, But it was good to see him off the back on the last flack, very good in-fact. Had enough for a solid sprint, didn’t look back to see if anyone else contested, I was sprinting for myself.

Tonight I think it’ll be a gear overhaul. I seem to have left them all at the coffee shop, I couldn’t find any on the way into work. :/

Cycledan tonight, Schmycledan if Andrew shows!

Tuesday Homebush report

An overcast and blustery morning saw a less than spectacular turnout. It wasn't looking good when Group 1 was called and only a few of the usuals rolled out. No particularly strong legs, I knew I was in for trouble but for some reason I chose to join them anyway.

It was tough going, only 2 or 3 of us were willing to do more than a turn a lap. And after about a lap I was thinking that there was no point toasting myself as Group 2 would be rolling by soon.

That happened up Edwin Flack lap 3. It was a bit of a relief despite the shame of it, but anyway no time to worry about those sort of issues. Pace was good.

It was pretty normal going without any real attacks. Alastair and Easty were looking a bit devious bus Scott was having none of it.

Up Flack for the last time Alastair was looking twitchy. I was expecting the usual inside run and found myself on his wheel. We came fast round the bottom corner and Scotty attacked. Al saw me hovering on his wheel and passed on his displeasure - I believe I heard the word "dirty dog" in there somewhere. That was enough, with the insult ringing in my ears I jumped to chase Scotty. I caught him just before the last corner, rounded the corner fairly untidily and sprinted in the 53x13.

Scotty didn't contest and I didn't have anyone too close to me so I was happy to claim the cafe cred. Shame I didn't go to the cafe afterward.

Around the Bay - 250km

The ride:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/AROUND-THE-BAY-250KM-ANTICLOCKWISE

Feeling a little nervous before the start, with my longest ride in the last 4 months consisting of a 2.5 hour burn up Bobbin Head with Luke and knowing that this one was going to take 7.5 hours at absolute best. Weather forecast was for northerly winds followed by an early morning south westerly change with drizzle. Could this be a tailwind all the way around?!?!?!

Got ready and went to bed at 10pm for a 05:00 start. Pillow felt like it was a sack of plastic bags and the temperature in the hotel room was all wrong. Didn't help the sleep and by my reckoning I got a total of about 4 hours.... awoke before the alarm and got dressed for the race. Stuffed my self with food and headed out the door, to greet the early morning southerly change. No we know, by early they mean 4am , not 10am when you want it.

Left father's "oldies" group and met up with some of the lads from the Hunters Hill splinter group (a funny story that one) and headed to the race start. Crowds were quite manageable, just a few people unfamiliar with bunch riding slamming on their breaks every now and then. Much easier to deal with at the start of the day when you've got your wits about you. Along the freeway at a decent kip ~38kph, but broken up by the on-off tactic from the local roads authority. They made the route take each exit and entrance from the free way, with a set of lights thrown in. Still, better than the route through nowhereville they took us through last year. Towards the end of the freeway section the group split up so it was just Bill and John with me and the rest falling behind. Opting to play it safe at the early sages of the ride.

Heading out of Geelong and taking the split to the 250km route the groups started to thin out. Bill took the bit between the teeth and really picked up the tempo. Caught up to a good group and then started working with a few strong riders. They turned out to be rather strong riders, and when they took the front the pace quickly picked up. 35........37.....40......42........and goodbye...... the combination of the rolling hills and bumpy energy sapping bitumen roads had taken it's toll, John popped moments after me, followed much latter by Bill (who may have just been waiting for us to catch up). Silly stuff to be doing a few hours into a rather long ride. We slackened off a little bit and finished the trip round Portarlington at a slightly more comfortable, but still uncomfortable, 34kph average. Bill was in the best form doing most of the lead work with short turns from John and myself.

Rolled into Queenscliff at about 10:10am and just had enough time to grab some lunch and head to the 10:30am ferry across to Sorrento. Ate as much food as I could stuff down on the trip over the bay (sandwich, cake, muesli bar, gel, powerbar and bag of nuts). The prm0ised drizzle arrived as we disembarked the ferry and made for a miserable 40min. Damp sandy roads sending damp sandy spray into the eyes. However, this didn't last too long and the sun came out. enough to dry the glasses and clean up the roads. Feeling rather comfortable and getting to a bit of a groove before the two big (by Melbourne standards) hills hit, and hard. Bill was feeling great and led the charge with John and I struggling to hang on. Which we just managed to do.

Bill, frustrated by the slow pace, then proceeded to lift it, which lead to the dropping of John, and then there were two. Towards the 200km mark I found myself actually feeling really good and Bill and I started trading turns, hopping from group to group, averaging about 36-40 kph. As we approached Melbourne with some 10k to go I was feeling even better and had excess energy with a seriously short amount of bay left to use it. Down on the drops and sprinting between the lights into town, I managed to drop Bill just before the end and even put in a ~700W sprint for the line. nice!

All in all a great day, no flats mechanicals or other incidents with my energy levels fairly good all day. The "300g Bag of Snakes" guide to ride nutrition worked out superbly.

So, if you need good conditioning for long rides. Don't do long rides. Do the 1750!

Stats: 248km, 7hr 45min, Avg Speed 31.8, Max Speed 66, Avg HR 141, Max HR 170.

Thursday's HB Report

HB report - Todays word of the day, "toast"

Only myself and Rob present this morning. Group 2. Al was still recovering for his threshold weed removal training. Ryan was MIA. Luke was driving

It started as a very large group. First lap felt slow, Second was the same. Third lap Southerton attacked. He took of leaving large ruts from his aggressive attack just after the pool. Pavers where flying. Once the dust settled he was gone with some other guys chasing. Robs butt was bouncing about 25m in front of me, the rest of group 2, swarming behind me. I tried to reel in the attack, in no mans land, with no help. At the bottom of Edwin Flak I hit a new PB, I was toasted. Group 2 caught me, didn't even try to get on, my legs where having nothing of it. By the time I got the Aquatic Centre, there was Rob. Group 2 got the better of him as well. Caught up to him, we both cut the corner at the station and rejoined. In the distance there was a glimpse of Group 1. Rob was out of the saddle again, trying to chase them down. On Edwin Flack I could smell was burnt toast, it was Rob. I stayed with Group 2. We passed Rob, and 25m in front of us was group 1. We all hit the gas and caught them at the top of Edwin Flack. By the time we got to the Aquatic Centre I was toasted again. Rolled over the line at about 30 km/h.
Stats for the session.

MAX HR 191 (PB) AV. HR: 166. MAX Speed 51 km/h, Av. Speed 38.5 kn/h

2019 report

Rather dark. No one else showed. I won all the sprints. Hurrah!

"Your" V "You're"

Another one bites the dust

Kohl positive for CERA - Tour de France king of the mountain competition winner Bernhard Kohl (Gerolsteiner) becomes the latest rider whose blood samples show signs of EPO.

http://www.velonews.com/article/84274/kohl-positive-for-cera

Monday night 1735 report

Hazza n I gave ourselves well earned Monday night EKOs. Bumped into Anthony who had taken the mother of all EKOs and simply not gone to work. We were out done. He rode with us to the hospital to rub it in.

Sprint was won by bob-no-chance-to-fix-the-gears-on-the-commuter-Southerton after Anthony gave up (may have been unaware there was a sprint on) and Hazza gave up trying to get around Anthony. Luke, Al and Ryan not showing also helped.

Mmmmm wall bike.....

Thursday's schmycledan

With the usual Protagonists missing and Scotty making a guest star appearance it was never going to be the punishment that Al was calling for after the Col attack this morning. Gentle roll out dodging the general chaos that is Pyrmont till the ANZAC switchbacks. A repeat of this morning's attack after the last hairpin put a struggling Anthony straight into hurtis-boxis-maxis and managed to surprise Scotty enough to get past without him grabbing the wheel. A valiant effort from Harry meant that we all re-grouped on the pedestrian bridge.

Anthony, clearly not recovering well from the morning, blunted any further attacks until concord where the pace steadily rose on the hill past the shops. A Gentle 90% effort along the flat to the roundabout had Andrew isolated and the field down to two contenders for the hospital sprint. Harry took the lead heading into the final hill and had my box gift wrapped and almost sealed.

Was this to be Harry's day?

Oh so close. In preparing my box he neglected to notice the large amounts of lactic acid creeping up his legs, into his eyes and dribbling out his nose, just running out of puff as we went over the hill. Not quite managing to shake his group 2 nemisis and letting himself get dogged for the sprint.

We'd have done Chatham, but with no Al or Luke to show us the way we were fearful of getting lost or something. So we gave it a miss.

Al's Thuesday HB Report

had a good workout today. back is feeling better with every day. wrist still looks like a bee stung it. 

went out with group 1 after the too comfortable group 2 on tuesday. legs were very willing today. gijs was in attendance as well as a few other new faces. pace was medium-fast with scotty slacking in 2nd group. joanna was getting dropped every lap. i felt good enough to sprint every lap and holding a 50m gap to the start of edwin flack. keeps things interesting. on the final sprint i started from the back and had a dice with ivo. i was pulling him back but not fast enough. he squeaked over the line ahead of me. avg spd 38km/h, avg hr 179 (spent quite a bit of time on my own), max hr 190. 

bob turned up at the coffee on the mad-one. he had the audacity to attack with fresh legs over anzac (out of the saddle all the way).
schmycledan! 

Southerton's reply:

When I got over the top of the Col-de-ANZAC and no one came through I knew straight away that tonight could be painful....

Tuesdays at Heffron

Has anyone thought about heading over to the Tuesday evening crits at Heffron Park. Racing starts at 6pm. I think if we were rolling at 5:30 we would make it.
It's meant to be pretty hard and pretty fast. If you're keen, let me know.


View Larger Map

Off season training

With summer on it's way and in my case a second kid on the way I have been doing a bit of research on how to train efficiently for next season. Given that I probably won't be doing any 6 hour base building rides, what should I be doing?

This article on Pez had a few interesting ideas. The myths of offseason training;

• Myth #1: Riding a fixed gear improves pedaling efficiency and leg speed.
• Myth #2: Small Ring Only!
• Myth #3: Long Slow Distance

Full article here »
Quite challenging to my general understanding of training principles, particularly the idea that long slow distance is a waste of time. What do you think?

Carbon Wheels < $1000

Perhaps you need somewhere to direct the savings from the interest rate cuts or maybe you have a baby bonus on the way. Check these out, carbon wheels for under a grand. Sound dodgy? They are Australian made and they won this year's Grafton.

http://www.bouwmeesterwheels.com

Ride Reschedule

Monday morning is looking like a good time. Suggestions on where?

what about something like this?

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/208886

should take us a couple of a couple of hours. I need something long-ish

Infringement Notification: Harry

Friday's not quite gentle, but not very fast either, ride home was challenged by Harry today, who chose to attack up the hill towards the hospital.

Clearly the events throughout the week (and I'm thinking of Tuesday here) weren't enough for Harry who felt like we all needed additional softening on the softest of all days, Friday. Are we seeing a new aggressive side? How long before Harry gets some boxes to put us all in?

Stay tuned...

What's this? LA on moustache bars!

Hey Haza, check this out you are in good (sort of) company with your moustache bars. Could this be the look for TDF 2009.

Grafton - recognise this one?

Need cheap wheels?

According to Cell Bikes,
Looking for a set of road wheels that are strong enough for commuting, training or taking you from A to B for less than $100?

The Swift Star Arriv's are the answer!
$59 - for two wheels.

Might be worth a try!!

For your next 5 hour ride

http://www.powerade.com.au/default.aspx?s=powerade-no-sugar

Mmmmmm, what happens when you take these with you on your next epic session.

Some of the crew

Pavlova Report

Mmm. Pavlova is a great desert for a BBQ. And I must say that Bob puts on a great BBQ. However for the uninitiated of you, if Bob ever asks whether you would like some more, say no. Even a small piece in Bob’s eyes constitutes the last quarter! Too much for me. Normally.

Bobs greatest mistake was putting a challenge in my desert bowl. I just have to finish it. And it goes like this………

Opening salvo, 45kph over ANZAC bridge courtesy of the Schmycldan Grand High Priest Davis. Considerably reckless but none the less indicative of the night to come and an effective tenderiser. Effective in the fact that it shattered the already nervous group so badly that there was no point using Lilyfield Road as a softening device. And so it went.

Harry scored a new PB over the bridge with 189. A sign that he was going to be finding it tough during the course of the ride.

My planned attack also didn’t eventuate due to some slack riding around the Rowing shed from those behind and some over zealous riding from Anthony ‘C Grade Champion’ Pulvirenti on the front. Anthony was up for a big one and rode some nice tempo through a couple of phases, including taking bit between the teeth around Canada Bay. My normal stomping ground. So by the time we got to Concord shops there were some tired legs.

Alastair opened the throttle to about 80% up Majors bay road and we went flying around the golf course and tacked onto a tow behind a ute. Luke got dropped early which was probably a sign of the effort required to be on pace last night. That was sweet for me as it wasn’t hurting too bad behind the ute, but as I got set to have a go up the final hill Alastair had another big dig. 2 extra gears higher were needed but the attack was not enough to drop me. As we went over the top a counter attack was on my mind but I realised that Al was pretty much done. All fast twitch fibres spent, there was no need so I dog him in the sprint. It was a half arse effort as there was no real glory in that one as Al had done all the hard yards trying to drop me.

Chatham road was next on the menu. And Al once again provided and awesome bit of tempo work. Luke must have been relieved to be holding onto that one. But I think vengeance for the sprint was on Al’s mind. So I dogged him again over the top of Chatham Road. LOL. That last sprint over the top hurt a little. ;)

All in all though I think Al gets the points last night. Huge efforts and a really fun ride!

Bob. I hope you learnt your lesson. That is all.
P.S. Lets have another BBQ. Yeah!

Tuesday HB report

Recovery is on the way! 

Slightly delayed leaving home which left me with the dash-for-cash to HB just in time to see the Group 1 roll by at the end of their first lap. Strung out single file with Al, Ryan and Luke all to busy (or full of contempt) to even give me the nod as they shoot past, not wanting to waste any precious energy on a hello, wave, slight nod or blink. mmmmm Might let that group go and jump onto Group 2....

Group two pace was healthy with a fairly good consistant speed, HR seems to be coming back into line only 5-10 bpm above what it was 3 weeks ago. Harry was in good form but called it a day at the end of the fourth lap, content to let the group slide buy. Increase in pace on 5 lap saw a few more people call it a day and some serious gaps start to appear in the pace lines. Up the flack and roll over for the last time at the crest of the hill. Poor positioning through the corner in 12th wheel but manage to reel them back to a close second place finish out of the 8 or so who wanted to contest.

Retribution

According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. Isaiah 59:18

We all knew it was coming and Alastair was not shy in dishing out the punishment for this morning's sins. I suffered, Ryan perhaps not so much. I should have listened to the Mrs who had warned me this morning, "you shouldn't mess with the South Africans".

Armstrong's Down Under hopes not over

Lance Armstrong's return to the professional peloton in Australia's Tour Down Under has come under question due to an International Cycling Union (UCI) anti-doping rule. Reports that his enrolment in the required out-of-competition testing pool fell just shy of meeting the UCI's rules to compete in the January event were confirmed by Armstrong in a telephone call with several journalists, including Cyclingnews' Laura Weislo, on Monday.

Speaking from the small town of Marfa, Texas, Armstrong confirmed that his official enrolment in the system came August 1, 2008, but that he held a conversation with UCI president Pat McQuaid declaring his intentions "sometime in July". The UCI's anti-doping rules state that any rider coming out of retirement may not resume international competition unless he 'notifies the UCI six months in advance... and is available for unannounced out-of-competition testing at any time during the period before actual return to competition'.

Armstrong's August 1 enrolment would fall two weeks short of six months prior to the January 18 start of the Tour Down Under, preventing him from competing if the UCI were to take a strict interpretation of the rules. Armstrong said he is confused about the UCI's inconsistent application of this rule. "When it comes to sport, you always have rules, and we're not asking for any exceptions. But they don't always apply this rule. We all remember Mario Cipollini coming back at the Tour of California this year. This rule did not apply to him."

He also said he received conflicting information from McQuaid, who informed him the rule would only apply for world championships and Olympic Games.

Armstrong said that he has made himself available to the United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA), and has already been visited by the anti-doping testers sometime at the end of August. He's optimistic that he may still actually be able to race at the Tour Down Under, but admitted he hadn't had time to talk to McQuaid or UCI anti-doping chief Anne Gripper about the situation.

"I'm very excited to come [to Australia] - more importantly than with regards to the comeback and racing, we have a lot of stuff we can do in Australia; with the people, the government and the youth, when it comes to cancer awareness and prevention." Click here to read the full feature

HB Report

T’was a good sized A group this morning so I decided to get things off to a good start by attaching from the first corner. Not too hard but it was fun making Mark work for longer than he preferred to get the second pace line back up the front so he could roll off. There was some good pace making for the most of it though on lap three as I rested a little for the last two laps (planning my strike) I noticed the pace lifting off again so some more light digs were issued.

 

Roll on lap four and up Edwin Flack as I rolled out my plan, I noticed that instead of putting a long hard effort in to hurt people, I have Luke there ready to take another turn. So I did the best for him and rolled off so as not to deprive him of the lactic goodness that could be found on the front of the group.

 

At the end of lap four I had an offer I couldn’t refuse. Luke was willing to perform the lead out duties on the final lap. So we organised a little. My original plan had him attacking at the bottom of Edwin Flack so as to break the group up but the red light put paid to that. So it was the more routine lead out for the coffee creds I was after.

 

Just after the top of Edwin Flack I saw Alistair going by at light speed and a with quick response from Scotty there was a real requirement for an earlier than intended call up for Luke. Luke slaved like a dog to get on terms with Scotty. Al meanwhile had opened up about a 20m advantage over Scotty so it was time for the “Warp Speed” from Luke. With all the work trying to bring back Scotty, Luke was spent so I decided the attack was on.

 

A big effort saw the gap to Alastair disappear like a block of chocolate in fat mans hands. I timed the catch to perfection right at the mid part of the corner. Unfortunately at the speed I was going there was significant front wheel chatter and instability which was cause for concern and the chain dropped to the small ring. The sprint up the hill was done spinning like crazy. Luckily Al was pretty wrecked after his huge effort.

 

Coffee creds to Ryan.

 

Bring on tonight. For those of you who are concerned. All blame should be directed to the Bob Southerton complaints line. This is due to a communication failure from Bob and the subsequent pavlova demolition which requires working off.

Operators are standing by.

 

That is all.

Bummer: Olympic Park to get V8s

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/motorsport/v8-plan-110m-boost/2008/09/29/1222540296002.html

1-2 months of SOP being completly unusable....

Can't they just watch slot cars or something?

edit:

http://www.lidcombe-auburn.cc/2008/09/29/v8-supercars-sop

Bob “Sprint King” HB Report

Returning to Homebush, I was surprised to see none of the usual lurkers in the group. Ryan was missing, along with Darren, Anthony, Robbie and Silvio instead replaced by all new faces. Anderson was there though. What a difference 2 weeks makes.

First lap was a fairly civil pace. Enough to have a chat to Anderson. Pace picked up through to lap 4 and we soon lost a few of the pretenders.

Final lap, I skipped over into the fast lane under the rail bridge, content to work my way forward and do my own lead out for the sprint. Hit the front just as we approached the corner before the aquatic centre and launched the attack. Down in the dropps and winding it up in the 53/11 I gathered pace until the halfway mark and could sense the guys behind waiting to dash around me as I sat down, having reached max sprinting speed. Kept in on the red line all the way to the pave across the road at the top of the hill, relieved to see that the effort had paid off, sprint in the bag! What a return.

As it turns out it was just in my head, the next rider in Group 5 was about 250 meters behind when I looked back. Anderson = Ben Anderson (Matt’s dad)

Armstrong to race in Tour Down Under

http://news.smh.com.au/sport/lance-armstrong-to-race-in-adelaide-20080924-4n6i.html

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/sep08/sep24news4

Snapped: Tuesday commute report

Ordinarily a commute hardly needs a report but by my calculations I got home about 10minutes earlier than usual yesterday. The pace was on early and Ryan was finding some new little spots on the route to stretch the legs and test those around him. Beware the stretch up to the pub at Five Dock if Ryan is on the front.

It was the usual Buchanan tornado round Canada bay. Mick and Harry were stretched but we regathered at the lights. Round the golf course I buried myself. Ryan was on the tail, Mick and Harry were not too keen to contest.

Ryan came round up the hill and I knew I was in trouble. He was sitting but I knew the attack was coming. He slowed, the standard bounce tactic. Then he went, big ring, still in the saddle. The gap opened instantly. I had nothing. I think the psychological damage of getting gapped by a seated attack did me. I watched Ryan fly down the hill and up to the line unchallenged.

Oh well. This was then followed by another tidy bit of tempo+ work up Chatam rd. Ryan was obviously feeling pretty good.

My only hope is that all choose to faithfully observe cycledan tonight!

Powerbreathe

Anyone know anything about these?

http://www.powerbreathe.com

I've heard good stories based on 2 internet forum posts...

Al down

Al has ridden his bike into some poor unsuspecting car which turned in-front of him. Apparently he's ok but The Eddie isn't.

Cyclingnews online production editor required - Australia

Luke??

Work on the world's leading cycling web site

Cyclingnews, the world's leading cycling web site, is expanding and is looking for a full time online production editor based in Sydney, Australia.

The position requires applicants to have a keen interest and thorough knowledge of competitive cycling, as well as editorial or writing experience with excellent English skills. The position will involve producing reports, results, photos and features from the world of cycling, so fluency in a second language is also an advantage, as is a familiarity with online production techniques, experience in journalism and attention to detail.

The applicants will need to be self-starters as the position involves regular liaison with production editors in all Cyclingnews offices. As Cyclingnews is a 24/7 daily news operation, the position will require regular weekend work. The weekend duties are handled on a rotating shift basis with other production editors, so the applicant must be flexible in their work schedule. However, the majority of work will be done during normal business hours on week-days.

The online editors will be required to have familiarity with online production applications (a good working knowledge of HTML and Photoshop are important skills) and could also be required to attend major cycling events in each region. However, the primary responsibility is the production of content for publication on the web site. Training in online production techniques can be provided to the right applicant, ability to handle the technical processes involved and an ability to communicate are required.

Please send your CV with a covering letter via e-mail to recruit@futurenet.com with "Cyclingnews online editing position - " in the subject line. Deadline for applications is October 2, 2008.

Alistair Pricing Schedule

Alistair has released his 08/09 summer prices, check it out.

• anzac mountain leutenant $5 
  
• lilyfield shelter $5 
  
• canada bay gap reducer $5 
  
• concord lead-out man $10 
  

Free delivery with all orders over $5

Today's HB report. 23 Sep 2008

That is all.

Important community announcement

According to Bob, Wiggle now have free shipping on Australian orders over $230.
Awesome!

http://www.wiggle.co.uk

It was a tired affair

Well after Tuesday’s effort and not enough sleep last night (got home from work at 9). I was more content to have some fun, so for me it was group 2. I tried to gee Scott up for a lead out from me on lap 5 and send him up the road but he said he was too tired. So we got going at a very sedentary pace. The pace was not tough so I used it as a spin training session with an average cadence of about 105.

On lap 4 I checked with Scotty, again and he said that he was still feeling pretty tired so I started looking for volunteers. Mel was the taker (you would have loved it luke). So With some brief instruction on how best to operate the 'Ryan lead out train' Mel settled in behind. Going up Edwin Flack some chick, I have no idea who it is, chopped in on Mel so when she swung over I pulled another quick turn to get in front of Mel. Under the bridge we again sorted ourselves out and Mel called for a long lead from there, 3/4 power, just enough to get off the front. After cresting the small rise from that Bridge corner Mel called for the full gas. It went on as ordered and stayed on. Mel was having trouble and as we rounded the last corner I swung off in a suffering mess. Where was Mel? Popped! He had nothing left and Albert got the sprint for the coffee’s. Scott hung on behind Mel but also had nothing left to give on rolled over the line. I was after that.......................... tired. That is all.

AL's Homebush report

After inspecting my open pros last night i found a small dent in the front rim and a big dent in the rear. 
might be 2 new rims on the cards as the aluminium looks strained. 

So was forced to take the dale down today. Arrived 5 mins late for the kick-off this morning so waited to join first group for the 2nd lap. They finally came through and i jumped on the rear of a slightly smaller than usual bunch. (i think a few people got stung on tuesday). Richie was once again in there and delighted in making me work to get around him on edwin flack. matt anderson was also back sporting a short haircut. Some big damage was done once again as i held the speed high over the top and thru the sweeping left hand corner. Looked back and there was already a gap so just kept going to keep the pressure on. Half a lap later and richie bridged and told me it was too early to attack. the bunch got back on at the sprint and this time richie wound it up thru the recovery zone. john allowed the gap to open so i jumped over to richie and immediately another breakaway formed: myself, richie and the older dude with the dirty tri-color top. richie and i did all the work and opened the gap out to a couple hundred metres. on the fifth lap richie applied a little too much pressure for my liking at the start of edwin (hr 184) and i had to ease up to recover. he got a 50m gap on me before my hr came down to 175 and i could wind it back up to hold him at 50m. and that's how it ended today. 

did that hurt? after tuesday's effort and dawnie yesterday the train is looking quite appealing this evening. 

either that or i'm going to set my hr zone limiter to 120! 

Alastair's Goulburn Report

woke up at 0600 at the alpine lodge in Goulburn to a clear and surprisingly warm morning. got up and got busy with the pre-race preparations such as shovelling down the weetbix, putting my kit on, taking my kit off, going to the loo, putting the kit on again, putting air in the tyres and finally meeting the rest of team hubbard (richard makin [peloton], kor sietsma [kom], gijs vonk [marconi], roland irwin [driver]) down by the car. after getting the car packed and the spare wheels and feedbags sorted out it was off to the startline. thankfully the weather was very warm allowing us for the first time this spring to dispense with any extra layers or arm/leg warmers. what a pleasure! it took a long time for the race to start with a lot of speeches and lectures from the organisers and police.

we finally started to roll out of town and even though a neutral zone extended to the highway there was an awful lot of jostling for position in the bunch. once the bunch hit the highway it was 'warp factor 2 mr sulu!' The pace went up very rapidly and stayed there for quite some time. i was near the back of the bunch and here you needed to have your wits about you. going over the top of undulations i could see small groups desperately trying to get away before being nailed back by the heaving mass. over the top of the hills and the momentum of the bunch had me in the 53*11 and still looking for more gears. this was fast! i saw a hand go up in the bunch and was disappointed to see that kor had punctured. at the speed the peloton was moving it was definitely game over if you needed to stop. we had a left-right cross-wind on the highway which varied in strength between sections and there was one point where the bunch was in single file on the white line in the middle of the road. patrolmen on motorbikes made sure that no-one sought shelter on the other side of the line!

eventually a group escaped off the front and the peloton eased up by about 5km/h. pretty soon the ride became a lot more sociable with people chatting and riders drifting backwards on the hard shoulder while watering the verge. once we hit the turn-off to berrima there was a little more activity in the bunch with people jostling for position before the climb on the other side of town. the pace up the climb was solid and i was mid-bunch when we arrived at the feedzone. i had finished the last of my two bottles about 5km before and had used two gels - a little thirsty in the unexpected heat but feeling okay. the feedzone was the expected chaos and i had to slow right down and look for roland somewhere on the left hand side of the road. i eventually spotted him right at the end of the zone but dropped a lot of time whilst looking for him. i grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder and replaced the bottles as quickly as i could. i looked up and suddenly realised that the head of the bunch was a long way up the road and riders were strung out in single file down the middle of the road. oh sh*t! i didn't even have time to pull the food out of my bag before starting a desperate effort to get back on to the rear of the line which was now about 50m ahead of me. there was a strong cross wind from the left of the road and up the road i could now see two very long echelons. the bunch had split and the teams on the front were pouring out the pain. the gap was growing and i was feeling as bad as i have felt on a bike for a long time. i was flat out trying to bring it back but it was too late. i was very close to climbing off the bike and laughing off any notion of going to grafton. i was very dejected, in the hurt-box-from-hell and thinking about spending some time away from the bike.

i looked back and saw several riders behind who were also caught out in the feed zone. i eased up a little and waited for another group to form which eventually contained about 10 riders. richard makin [peloton] was there as well at jarrett wood [two wheel industries], scott [mace], a praties rider amongst others. some of the guys in the small bunch were still hopefull of bringing it back and were a little too energetic in their turns while trying to force the pace. i was still trying to get out of the red so managed my efforts and forced the fluids in. about 10km later and we could no longer see the convoy. the organisation in the group improved, the riders all matched each others pace and we got a nice rhythm going. my mood started to improved as my heart rate came down and the fluids were being absorbed. the temperature on the road was rising pretty rapidly and it was about now that i realised that i had forgotten to apply sunscreen. it was baking but at least we were making steady progress to the finish. passing through the small towns on the way to Camden we were having to negotiate the traffic chaos that the main bunch had left behind. red lights and irate drivers were negotiated and we arrived at razorback creek minus a few riders who had dropped off on the previous hills. up over the razorback for the first time and down to start of the old-razorback road. i had just finished the last of my liquids and my mouth was like feeling like and Arab's sandal. the remnants of our the small group were stretched out on the last climb and the heat was only just bearable. we all came together on the final descent into Camden and there was about 6 of us left but what had really surprised me was that we had not picked up more riders who had fallen off the peloton. my final time on crossing the line in Camden was 4h25m, 20m behind the winners.

although i am disappointed with the outcome, the race was a fantastic experience and i got some quality riding in the legs in preparation for grafton. bring it on!

mental notes for the next g2c race:
(i) hydrate fully before the start (or pay later)
(ii) carry all your food - one banana, one bar and 4-6 gels are sufficient for this race
(iii) get to the front through the feed zone
(iii) know exactly where your feed man is!