NYE regular thursday training ride

Three tools braved the humid conditions and threatening skies that awaited this particular Thursday evening, prepared to do a little hard work to prepare for the rapidly approaching festivities.
A very easy pace thru town belied what was to come. Despite discussions on whose fault it was, a pace of 40+ ks was maintained across the flat, followed by a not unrespectable first ascent. The hill climb awaited with all claiming that there best work had been done already, but despite these claims rapide again impressed with a sub 6, la feuille a pb of 6:20, and maybe metre vos sac wasn't kidding with a respectable but slightly shy of his best 7 something.

There was a false start on the bridge sprint, with your correspondent claiming an uncontested victory on the wrong bridge!! Followed by another victory of 3 cm on the correct bridge. Good fun and a good workout for all tools that made it.

Dirty tools training ride

Tuesday saw the dirty tools sub group take to the tracks of Tathra for a bit of a practice ride on the poo pond, and fire shed tracks. Tools present were the bandit, van velo, rapide and la feuille. Two others came along also, junior tool henry and Sol. A familiar refrain from the bandit of this will just be a nice quiet little practic ride was soon put to bed as a fairly brisk pace was set up the poo pond track. Rapide enjoyed the brisk pace especially when he managed to stay on the track and fit his wide handle bars thru the narrow gaps in the trees.

We regrouped at the fireshed to attack that track with renewed gusto. This part of the ride featuring a brief rest as la feuille fixed his tyre and rapide especially enjoying the two unannounced drop offs and the 90 degree turn in between. We returned to the starting point after a good little work out, and no one ate any dirt.

Sea to Summit Summer Solstice

Who else but our sadistic Tools on Tour member Dominique would even think about riding from Tathra at sea level to the highest point in Australia in one day.

Half of the "Tools" took up the challenge Dominique, Andy, Rob & Mark were joined by now associate "Tool" Elton Ivers,  all gathered at the beach in the darkness to ready themselves for the 5.15am start. Spirits were high as the group pushed out of Tathra to warm the legs up on the way to Bega.

It was great meet up with fellow "Tool" Dave Mullens on the way to Bega, unable to join us for the whole journey but at least he provided some encouragement by riding out to the Cooma turnoff with us.

It was an easy pace to Bemboka and then on to the first challenge for the day, Brown Mountain, 800m up over 10kms is always tough and today was no different. Dom and Elton made good time up the mountain, followed by Andy and Rob. Mark got to the top declaring "that was F@#&ing agony". It was then onwards and upwards to the first offical stop for coffee and food - Nimmitabel.

My excitment in looking forward to what is usually the easy section of the ride between Nimmitabel to Cooma was soon well and truly quashed with the arrival of a strong headwind and being dropped off the back of the group. The headwind made for very tough going all the way to Jindabyne, where we would normally be riding along at 25-40km/h, instead we were struglling against the wind at 15-20km/h. Not only tough physically but even more so mentally.

We all made it to the next official stop, Jindabyne, albiet with much less spirit and energy than earlier in the day. It was at this stage that we were all considering why the hell we were doing this to ourselves, the combination of the headwind, the climbing, the time in the saddle and having to continually eat was starting to take its toll on all.

193 tough kms down and after much soul searching it was back on the road for the final 40kms up the big hill, at least the wind had dropped by this time unfortunately this was countered by the fact the road started going upwards rapidly.

Unfortunately I had to concede defeat 28kms short at Sawpit Creek, feeling unwell and exhausted I decided it had been a big enough effort and did not see the point in doing damage to myself. I was very happy to see our trustly support person, Heather, who had done a fantastic job all day, it was in the trailer for my bike and in the car for me. Mark battled on for a bit longer before he too took the smark option and joined me in the car.

That left 3, Dom, Rob & Elton - these guys did an amazing job to keep going up the relentless and sometimes what seemed like endless hills, they fought fatigue, cramps and nausea to keep going, digging deeper than ever before.

There was some relief after Perisher where the road finally lessened in grade until the final rise to Charlottes Pass, Elton seemed to get a second wind and was seemingly cruising up the front but with the end in sight Dominique couldn't help himself and dug in even deeper for a final effort to bridge the gap between him and Elton over the last couple of hundred metres to catch Elton at the top, Rob arrived not long after declaring "bloody hell that got emotional at times".

By this time it was 8.30pm and unbelievably everyone decided to swap the road bike for the Mountain Bike to do the last bit on the dirt, so the lights were strapped on, shoes changed and jackets put on and it was off towards the highest point in Australia. We didn't make it right to the top this time but all has vowed to doing it all again next year and make it to the top hopefully with better conditions and some changes in plan.

It was getting close to 10pm by the time we loaded the bikes and departed from Charlottes Pass so it had been a big day.

Well done everyone, bloody great effort!!!

Thanks go to Heather for a big effort by supporting us all day and also to Jo Rideaux for driving up with the trailer full of Mountain Bikes.

An early morning training ride.

A lone cyclist set off from Bega in the direction towards Tathra this fine morning. Whilst pedalling serenely along he saw in the distance, the silhouette of two then three more cyclists rise over the crest of the next hill with the morning sky as a backdrop. His heart beat just a little faster as he realised he had just sighted that rare species of incredibly hardy cyclists that appear only at the time of the solstice, that rise from the sea phoenix like and head towards the highest point they can find. That's right the summer solstice sea to summitters.

The lone cyclist felt privileged to travel in their midst for a short time, observing the steely determination on the visage of all, and the slight hint of perspiration on their brow of this most hardy breed of cyclist. He climbed with them up the Bega lookout until the Cooma Turnoff before realising his toast was getting cold and his cup of tea awaited. Reluctantly he turned off bidding this brave band adieu, wishing them well as they doggedly pursued their ultimate goal of the highest point in the land.

"Dirty Tools - tour de forest"

Three dirty tools avec mtb made it to the starting point on a fine but overcast morning for a different challenge to normal. your correspondant, le jardinier and le bandit(out of hibernation) set off for the hills at a respectable pace. Now there was a late withdrawal (you know who you are Monsieur Rapide) who pulled out siting some techno-babble about crank widths and unfamiliar equipment and the challenges that await in the ssss.

As you'd expect le bandit set a good pace up mont medecin george, that soon got the heart rate up. a few sweeping descents and the coast was in site. making it to tathra we found heather cycling along but she'd forgotten her mtb so she wasn't able to enjoy the delights of the forest like the three dirty tools. Le jardinier enjoyed a restorative café noir, while the other two tools hit the poo pond track, with the bandit displaying what he has been doing during his hibernation and showing a clean pair of heels. we regrouped at the fire shed for another burst of single track.

the exhilatating descent down the fire trail followed to the beautiful clear waters of Games bay. We all then enjoyed the meandering bush track emerging near wallagoot lake and a short repás at wine glass bay.

From here we traversed some pleasant bush and farmland avoiding as many sealed roads as possible on the return run to bega. A coffee well deserved for all after about 4 hours in the saddle and a pretty good tempo sustained through out.

Saturday 19 December

An easy roll on the Candelo loop; Heather, Andy and me. Andy and I practiced maintaining a steady pace and holding about 20k average to see what it was like. Did 22.7 and it was very relaxing; could have gone all day. Great weather and one of the best loops out of Bega. Must do more often.

Thursday 17 December

A very unfriendly scene confronted the starters on our regular ride. Blowing a gale and it had just been 40 degrees half an hour before kick off. Andy, Mark, me and a late ring-in with Arch making his return to the peloton. The temp dropped as did the wind and it turned out a pleasant ride despite the deep digs. Arch had come just for the hill climb; he started from nth Bega and never joined our train across the flat. No sign at the second bridge or at the top of the climbs where we waited. ???

Back to the hill climb where we found Arch and had a go at the hill. Mr Garmin forgot(or some such thing) how to do a lap time but looked like he did a good time. PBs for Mark (6.49) and me (5.26)possibly a bit of wind assist but we are taking them anyway. Arch did what Arch does. Didn't time it or finish at the end so hard to tell but I would guess low 6s. Lucky he doesn't what to play like the rest of us because he is such a strong rider.

Mark took the bridge sprint in one of the best shows yet. Arch had left us by now and Andy attacked hard and long from the start. Mark and I paced ourselves to catch him but it was getting close. The catch was at about 50mtrs and Mark came around with about 15mtrs to go to take it by about a half wheel. Thrilling stuff.

Thursday night has morphed from it's early days but continues to be a challenge and great fun.

Sunday 13 December- part two

After parting with Roscoe and Dave at Candelo Rob and I headed uphill in search of the the elusive mountain man AKA le Symbole. Rob and I rode at an appropriate pace to allow for the descent of man; alas it was not to be. Up and over the top and half way down the other side we crossed paths and with le Symbole turning (not in any weird way) and joining us on the ride to Wyndham. Very nice coffee, bit of a feed and back to Bega the same way. To his credit (despite some rambling story about water, poly pipe and his wife) le Symbole rode back to the top of Myrtle to send us on our way.

An enjoyable 90ks for van Velo and Rapide. In cruise for the day and still a 24 plus average.

Sunday 13 December 2009

This sunday saw 4 tools make the starting place for the weekly jaunt to places unknown. Quelle surprise!! well it was for this correspondant tool when he arrived to discover, this weeks destination was Wyndham to meet a fifth tool Monseiur Le Symbole. As it turned out only two tools made the full journey with the other two getting as far as Candelo before enjoying a pleasant return journey via Wyndham lane back to Bega and a nice coffee at the regular. the other three ?no doubt enjoyed the ascent of the Mont Myrtle. we wait expectantly to hear!!

And next week, the dirty tools get their turn with the tour de forests. Ditching the roady for a little tour thru some beautiful forests along mainly dirt tracks, generally sans traffic, maybe a little single track, some fire trails and some walking tracks. Same starting place, and will get to tathra but a backcountry route, so remember that mtb

AIS Team Member no match for Tools on Tour visitor

It is always a case of "have swimming carnival to go to, pack bike" during the summer season. This weekend is was off to the AIS Pool in Canberra for the annual Christmas Classic where Miss Brooke Willis and Miss Rachel Britten performed admirably.

For me it was an early morning ride that would  end up at the AIS Pool. Heading off bright and early just before 6am I met a lone rider on the way and took advantage of his local knowledge and his offer to join him. It turned out that this guy (Tim I think) was an AIS athlete and a member of the Commonwealth Games selection team.

We headed out towards Mt Stomlo (all I could think of was the pain of Fitzs Challenge that was stilled etched in my memory), but alas we turned off at Stomlo and headed back to the AIS via Coppins Crossing, and this is where I stake my claim to fame - yes, I beat this guy up all the climbs.

True story - must be all the Tools on Tour training we've been doing.

I was so pumped after my ride that I went back to the hotel, had breakfast and went and did another lap of the 35km circuit.

Now I know you will all find this hard to beleive but its bloody true, and if you don't beleive me all you have to do is contact Tim at the AIS.

PS . By the way you'll have to ask for Tim from the AIS Archery Team

Thursday 10 December

Three men made of stern stuff pushed away from a whimpering Andy to take up the challenge a little after 5:30pm. There was a rumour that Ross kept sliding off his saddle, or there would have been four. Apologies were accepted from Bob (will the secret training never end). Dave continues to disappoint, always needed when the wind picks up.

The usual Springvale run with chain-gang, hill-climb, and bridge sprint. All the better for doing it hard; a couple of maximum heart rates. Well done and fun.

the sunday ride

Only two tools made it this Sunday. A bit of a lull perhaps after the week long s2s. Le Jardinier and Route de Feuille set off on a beautiful morning for a leisurely jaunt to Tathra and return. Somewhere near kalaru the catch was made with Heather rounded up. Being social types the two tools then rode at a very social pace on the return journey. A visit to the growing chez jardinier rounded up the trip with both fellow cyclists much impressed with the new dwelling

Ride to Eden Swimming Carnival via Candelo/Myrtle Mtn & Nethercote

The midday start of the Eden Swimming Carnival was great opportunity to fit in a decent ride and end up at the carnival. I decided to go the long way, Bega to Candelo, then onto Myrtle Mountain, Wyndham, Nethercote and Eden.

It was the first time I had ridden up Myrtle Mountain from that side, riding by myself meant that I had no pressure to ride too hard so I rode at my own pace. A nice little tail wind assisted me as I turned off towards Nethercote, then it was the challenging climb after Nethercote, once you hit the top of that one its all downhill for the last 6kms into Eden





The stats:

Distance - 85.79km
Total Ascent - 1319m
Riding time - 3hr 46 mins

A great ride!!

Thusrday 3 December

A merry threesome went for a leisurely and civilised ride; Ross, Andy and Dominique. Played around at the hill climb and put the course on our garmins. Not so sure it was a good idea as now we can tell how much effort we put in each time we climb. We all cunningly set times about a minute and a half slower than our best. Finished with a review of chateau Roscoe. No racing :(

A ride to Pambula

No I didn't make it to the Sunday morning ride, I instead decided to ride to Pambula to watch Brooke swim at the carnival there. A leisurely 40km afternoon ride.

Sunday 29 November

Two little riders went out to play.... only Roscoe and Dominique. I know Mark has an excuse (flare-up of his little problem) but the rest of you??? Good ride and still went quickly when it suited, inspection of Roscoe's new digs-to-be on the way home and coffee as usual.

28 November 2009

A dirty little Saturday ride with Arch started with an off in the Bega river. I knew it was going to involve hitting the ground sooner or later. (Note to self; old people don't bounce.)Nice ride, about 3 1/2hours. Harder than the road. Bit nervous but should be fun when I get my fitness and skills up a bit.

Thursday Arvo ride

Andy, Robert, Bob, Mark and Dom turned up for the weekly Thursday ride out to Springvale and back with the Peak Hill climb time trial in the middle.

I haven't been able to be part of this ride for many weeks now so it was a bit of a comeback for me, you don't have to go away for long and everything changes though - flat out along the flat, how fast can you climb up Peak Hill and then the sprint across the Bridge on the way home.

Thanks for letting me know about these things guys (not).

Anyway it was Dom's night, first up the hill in the time of 5:39 and first over the line on the bridge on the way home.

Great to be back into the Thursday night thing, lookiing forward to doing it regulary.

Sea to Summit and Back - Day 7 - Sunday 22nd November, 2009

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Sea to Summit Photos from Merv

Andy rides to Moruya - Saturday 21st November, 2009

Feeling sad at being left at home while the big boys (and girl) went out to play in the big hills, I decided that the least I should do was have a big ride myself.
So it was up and on the road at 4.20am for a nice little 123km ride to Moruya to the Moruya Swimming Carnival. A challenging but very enjoyable ride saw me get to Moruya in a tiime of 5 hours 2 minutes, only thing is I'll have to do it again now to get under the 5 hours.
Good news when I got there, greeted by Brooke who had just done a State qualifying time.

Sea to Summit and Back - Day 6 - Saturday 21st November, 2009

Sea to Summit and Back - Day 5 - Friday 20th November, 2009

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Sea to Summit and Back - Day 4 - Thursday 19th November, 2009

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Sea to Summit and Back - Day 3 - Wednesday 18th November, 2009

for those that travel the road less travelled this is the road, sort of...

The sky boasted a couple of Cirrus clouds and the early morning winged insects were not out in force as the the Tools left Cooma earlyish.

The peleton headed for Cabramurra via the four mile, then the seven gates, then the vast green plain of the nearly high country, then the big trout of Adiminiby,then the really hilly bit to Kiandra, then the even hillier bit to Cabramurra which has the longest last 4 klms to go in the world and is the highest something in Australia. It was a day of numbered things and favourite quotes and gates from the past.

the stats;

dist: 82.32 klms

time: 5 hrs 5 mins 5 secs

top speed: 76.58 kph.

Sea to Summit and Back - Day 2 - Tuesday 17th November, 2009

Day the second of the S2S went for 88.5 klms from the home of the platypuses at Bombala to the land of the legless lizards and worlds most expensive bus passenger shelter of Cooma. The rolling hills out of Bombala and down to Bibbinluke are a fabulous ride, the road is smooth and fast and all the car and truck drivers are considerate and gracious. The Indian elephant ( you can tell by the ears) at the Nimmitabel stop was looking a little wrinkled as we took refreshment at the bakery in the middle of town which boasts two claims to fame. One being known traditionally as the "dividing of the waters" which has something to do with rivers and creek hocus pocus. The other is that Nimmitabel claims to be the birthplace of Greek migration to Australia. Something to do with a convict then freeman former pirate whom, on release from the crown took up residence in multicultural Nimmitabel long before that was a word or a state of mind.

Trials of the day included a few too many punctures and a tyre blow out which tested the natural good humour of Van velo a little.

The O'night stop was in Cooma. A late lunch at a very sophisticated cafe just up the main street toward Jindabyne was a feature event. A raven haired yet ice blue eyed wait person puzzled us all with their gentle grace and service manner and what can only be described as an awkward limp.
Nothing spilt amazingly.

The evening involved a quick trip to the gun shop for supplies and a magazine photo shoot for our tour mascot "Andme" followed by a walking tour of the stately homes of the Cooma cbd fringe. The Victorian mansions invoked a true sense of Cooma that somehow defies articulation by anything other than poetry;
ergo;

there once was a rider
rapide,
Who dreamt he could ride fast
and did.
Though pedal away,
by night
andby day,
It was not ego,
alas,
but all id
and but for a tub of butt
grease
he would
a thousand quid
pro quo
give
through a sieve
oh no Cooma
there you go.

For some strange reason we slept well that night apart from an unfortunate incident involving two of the cycling party and a band aid application that was challenged by a late to the room third bunk mate who thought he saw a gymnast and a ring master practicing for the circus....

Sea to Summit and Back - Day 1 - Monday 16th November, 2009

On the far south coast in the very farthest south east corner of far new south wales and in the grounds of Merv's mansion high on the highest hill of Bega a small group of powerfully legged men and one even more powerfull woman gathered to pump tyres and watch the dawn push back the dark of a November night.
The warm air in their faces and the dauntingly jagged outline of the distant
mountains in the early morning light reminded them of the challenge ahead.
The feel of coolmax chamois between their legs combined with the silky smooth feel of freshly shaved legs aided the excitment of journeys imminent start.
They are the the " Tools on Tour". A loose group of individuals
connected by bikes and the thrill of the chase.
Once a year the Tools ride from sea to summit and back to sea again. A road bike trip of
about 699 klms over 6 days. They climb the highest mountains of the craggy australian alps and indulge in many many downhill screamfests.
The route the tools take is Bega -Candelo -Wyndham -Cathcart -Bombala -Nimmitabel- Ando -
Cooma -the four mile -7 gates -Adaminiby and the big trout- Cabramurra and the Lupins- khancoban and the green valley- Geehi -Tom Groggin-Dead Horse Gap ( which as the picture proves is a misnomer)- Thredbo-Jindabyne -Berridale-Cooma-Nimmitabel-
Brown mountain- the bemboka pie shop -Bega-Tathra and the ocean.

Anyway, enough of the way we went and on to who went. The "Tools" are;
A sportstore model
A land repair scientist
A sea captain
A potentially struck off professional
A Tarmac engineer
A gorgonzola making machine engineer
A gardener
A former exotic dancer, drinks host and quiz contestant
A spy with a day time cover job as a bike riding machine
A trained pet with a licence to enter national parks

and as alaways

someone who had to stay home and go to work....

Day one involved 92.04 klms in 4 to 5 hours for the group with a two tough climbs and some headwinds and a lyrebird near miss.

Coffee at the famous Wyndham general store was the perfect morning tea.

did i mention the support ute....

Bombala put on a platypus show in the Bombala river just below the quaint country pub where the beer is cold and steaks all weigh at least a kilo

we went to bed tired but happy at maneroo lodge

Fitz's Challenge - Sunday 1st November, 2009

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Bandanna Day Bike Ride 2009

The 10th Anniversary of the Bandanna Day Bike Ride was the official launch of the "Tools on Tour" with the team shirts being handed out by merchandise man Mark Canaider

Link to photos

Tools on Tour - The journey to Tour de France 2010

The "Tools on Tour" cycling group were officially launched at the Bandanna Day Bike Ride on Friday 30th October, 2009.

July 2010 will see this group head to France for 2 weeks of cycling all the climbs that have been made famous of the many years of the Tour de France.

Follow their journey in the lead up to this trip of a lifetime.