Sunday Coffee Run

6 Tools arrived this fine Sunday morning for the run to Tathra and back. Missing only was l'symbole and Van velo. Also making a welcome reappearance was Arch.

the general consensus was that the pace of a sunday morning jaunt is generally on the increase. this appears in no small part to the secret training regimes of some, the consistent training regimes of others and the general keeness of all to test out their progress. So in short more ks equals more speed.

The approach to Tathra suffered a bit of a hiccup with the crash of a tree across the road, fortunately just before the enthusiastic tools arrived. We all climbed over the tree and continued on our merry way.

Heather and friend were caught just before the tree event.
All returned to Bega, though Heather got lost for a short time but arrived nevertheless much to rapides relief. Coffee was enjoyed by all to cap off a pleasant morning

The Alpine Classic 2010 - a personnal account

Two Tools took on the challenge of the Alpine Classic. The day was clear and cool to start. The promise of mid thirty daytime temperatures in the valleys and a low to mid teen start made clothing selection a bit tricky but in the end the minimalist choice was best.

About 500 hundred cyclists awaited the starters orders, with the two tools somewhat back in the group. The use of electronic transponders accurately recorded a starting time of 6:24 am. Both settled in for an easy start but picked up speed as the large group headed along the flat to the first hill. We stayed together for half the first climb but after settled for our own pace as the challenge of the day ahead tempered thoughts of a fast climb. A beautiful 7.5 k descent followed into the stunning Kiewa valley. A few ks to Mt beauty and then the next ascent awaits of 30k and about 1300 m elevation to Falls creek. While not continuous its a long way mainly uphill but I must say I enjoyed the climb and did it easier than 8 years ago. The most pleasing part was reaching Falls and it was before 9:30, so well a head of schedule. A quick hello to Rapide 3 or 4 minutes ahead as I walked in and he walked out of the feeding room. AS we were only 60 ks in this was a quick refuelling stop and the ample food provided quickly gulped down.
Back on the bike for the downhill where I was freezing for about 10 ks but quickly loosing the hard earned altitude the warm valley temperatures soon fixed up that little discomfort. After about 15 ks of continuous descending the first little uphill came as a bit of a shock and the realisation that maybe I gulped the food down a little too quickly. Fortunately this uphill was very short and more long descents helped the food find a more agreeable place.

The third major climb soon followed with Tawonga gap again. 7.5k @6.1% average and by now it was getting bloody hot especially at the base of the climb. The best bit being I felt way better than 8 yrs ago. 1 k in, the tyre felt a bit spongy, must be my imagination, 100 m later there was no doubt, ah well find a tree an unplanned break and fix the tyre. A friendly bloke with a better pump than mine stopped and offered it when he saw my furious pumping with my tiny pump, so that was nice. Completed the rest of the climb still feeling pretty well, down the other side where interestingly enough during the long descent felt aches and pains in the back and shoulders. Obviously need to be doing more planks and core work.

A group led by some young guns went screaming past doing about 40 so that was a great tow for about 8 ks into Bright for the lunch break. No sign of Rapide as expected following the puncture. All that remained was the trip to Mt buffalo and return.

What can one say about the Buffalo climb other than relentless and hot. Its more of a challenge of the mind than anything else as the grade while not extreme stays so very constant and you've climbed about 2400 metres before you even start. What method you use to fight off fatigue seems to vary between us all but this is one climb where you need it. I tend to use the counting down the ks method, but for the first few kms this is very demoralising ie I've been climbing this damn hill for ages now and only gone 2 ks and I've got about 16 to go ugggh. No forget the odo for now look at the magnificent views down the valley as you get higher and higher on the solitary mountain, but even there it may not pay to see on the other side of a huge valley riders much higher than you snaking their way up the road. Stopped at the water stop with 8 ks of climbing to go for a bit of a top up where i got sprayed with water by the one of most wonderful women I have met!! That last 8 ks felt so much better with the core temperature a bit lower. Over the top but still 4 ks to the turn around spot.

A bit of downhill, but whats this you have to be kidding another 2 and a bit ks of uphill again to Dingo Dell the turnaround. Rapide went shooting past downhill with a shout of encouragement and on his way to the finish. More refreshments at Dingo dell including a very nice icy pole which was much enjoyed. The stops by now getting a bit longer. But you feel pretty good knowing that by now there is very little uphill to go, and 20 or more k's where you don't have to pedal at all.

Back to Bright and the finish, Rapide there to greet me just before 4 pm and beating the 2002 time by about 15 minutes, So 200 km, about 3700 m climbing 9 hours 29 minutes, 8 hrs 26 mins on the bike(about 30 mins less).

What else, well rapide was good company, we had a fabulous dinner at some italian place called Roi's on saturday night and enjoyed a pizza at some joint in Mt Beauty with some live music that was very pleasant for two tired cyclists. The event is brilliantly organised and supported and hassle free. All in all an enjoyable weekend and highly recommended.

Hot and Bothered

Le bandit de braun and Juste metre vos sac made the decision to go ahead with their plan to get dropped off 90kms from Albury to ride the rest of the way even though the outside temperature was 42 degrees plus and there was a blustery NW headwind.
This decision was soon to be regretted when the water bottles turned into into hot water bottles within the first 5 minutes and the wind tried its best to actually blow us off the road. It was too late now though as the car option was well on its way to Albury not to mentioned the fact that one's ego would not allow us to give up.
Once we turned off the highway we noted more challenge with the next sign declaring "Mt Greneya", it wasn't a bad climb though and at least we were protected from the wind, then it was a very nice roll down the other side. By this time we were both desperate for water (preferably cold), we rolled into what we thought was a town but we soon discovered no shops or taps to be found, we were saved by a local who kindly allowed us to fill our bottles from his water tank.
The conditions got worse before they got better and there were many times that I considered calling for the car but we eventually made it to Hume Weir 13kms out from Albury where we stopped for a much needed cold drink at the local caravan park before struggling the last 13kms into Albury.
If it wasn't for the oppressive heat and massive headwinds this would be a great ride, very scenic, not too hilly.

Thursday Training Ride

4 tools plus two fronted the starter this steamy thursday. The grenade lobbed again plus a new kid on the block. Rapide did the usual and set a good pace along the flat with plenty of willing helpers to take a turn.

The first ascent was taken at the wim of the individual. The time trial hill awaited and seemed to scare the new kid somewhat, and spark the interest of the grenade. despite claims of taking it easy the two Alpine Classic audaxees, led the way.
The bridge sprint was fun as usual with lead out man le symbole doing too good a job for his roomy rapide who jumped at just the right time, to leave the rest behind, la feuille again filling the minor place.
Good fun especially with six along for the ride.

Another dirty Wednesday

Well, four Tools showed for a purported leisurely late afternoon ride up the Doctor and down the Swamp. Roscoe lobbed in a grenade in the form of Jammie Allcock and then left us to it. The group split a bit but was all back together when JA flatted. It was like Pitt street for a while. Merv put in a brief appearance said he hated us and rode the other way. Some pied piper came along with a gaggle on kids and a couple of adults.

All home safely and was good fun all round.

Bridge to Bridge

Not a Toolie event but plenty of Tools in the mix. No sure of all the results but all credible. A 5th, 9th, 15th, (and Symbol and the BBBB). The burglar was verballed as blowing up but turns out to have had a mechanical. Symbol stopped for some gratuitous sight seeing at an accident; went through his pockets and found out he was a man. No bone broken according the S but I think he was looking in the wrong place (collar bone apparently).

Tough day out!

Thursday Training Ride

4 tools fronted this steamy thursday evening. La Cle de mollette made the trip up from Eden to enjoy the delights of Rapides invigorating training regime. Van velo and le feuille made up the numbers.
A very brisk journey along the river at 40 plus preceded the first climb, where sanity prevailed and the climb was sensibly but still solidly made. The climb awaited. Rapide won the day with a 5:53, pipping le feuille with 5:54 (sub six yeah) Van velo mid 6 and la cle around 7.
The bridge sprint awaited (the right one this week)and rapide took the double.
On returning to Bega a late decision saw the tools extend the ride out past the golf club and up Reedy Swamp road till the seal ended, an enjoyable end to the ride on a pleasant evening

Over the top to Tathra

A healthy bunch of five tools and a toolet showed for a mid-week dirt scramble. Good fun all round on the way east. Met a father son team on the way, which should have inspired anyone (no more talk of heavy bikes). No dust due to a preceding light drizzle; traction also improved as a result.

At the end of the dirt at Tathra a couple of Tools nearly saw far too much of a lady taking a nature break; she was equally surprised.

Rapide and toolet backtracked to Bega up the pinch climbs(ouch),while the rest opted for the tar. The dirt was quicker!

All in all to be recommended for the future.

[PS I realise that I'm a late comer to this dirt malarkey and that there is a long history of winter Wednesday night rides, but daylight has a certain charm in the rocks and sticks.]

Seaside Saturday sidle the 9th

Two Tools plus one rode away
down to the sea the dirty way.
For the extra it was a hill too far
returning home upon the tar.
The taller Tool got wet and cool
the other singled like a fool.
Back up the heaving hill they rode
both firmly locked in granny mode.
Bega bound, new legs they found
when grades went minus on the ground.
Three and a half hours plus
thirty somthing Celsius.
Oh what fun to be a Tool
all dust and sweat and aches and drool.

Sunday Coffee Ride

Six presented on Sunday morning for the regular run to Tathra and return. 4 tools, a junior tool and an associate. Most were backing up at least in part from the previous days exertions to Mt Darragh and return. The weather was fine and pleasant. The pace varied somewhat depending on the various states of mind of the participants, but it is fair to say that the pace on the trip out was quite willing at times. Perhaps with the exception of metre vos sac who rode a very measured ride and resisted all temptations to enlist in the fun and games that occurred at the front of the peloton.

Increasing traffic and the catch of heather saw the pace slow a bit and a leisurely return journey ensued before all enjoyed the obligatory coffee on our return

Mt Darragh Dash

4 tools and a junior tool gathered for the first ride of the year. The ultimate target was the top of Mt Darragh via Myrtle mountain, but not all were aspiring to meet this goal. Junior tool Tom was the first to go making it to Candelo before turning around. Tool metre vos sac set a scorching pace up Myrtle Mountain knowing he was turning around and could go home as slow as he liked, but it was an excellent effort never the less.

Over Myrtle and three tools remained to do the full ride. We were also on the lookout for l'symbole. We found him just out of Wyndham astride his trusty mountain bike. Not wanting to appear slow he put in the big ones and set a good pace back to Wyndham. With our goals set for the top of Darragh we rode straight thru Wyndham and onto the mountain. L'symbole visit was short as he had guests, but we three tools were invited back to his mountain hideaway for brunch. Again we were three and an enjoyable climb of Darragh was undertaken in pleasant weather conditions. No surprises to learn that rapide was first to the top with a few minutes to spare.

The always enjoyable descent was just that, before we turned off to take up the offer of l'symbole. We three tools were treated to a gourmet omelette that was a gastronomical delight, and coffee. Thus providing a pleasant break to the ride.
WE remounted now feeling a bit stiff after our break, knowing that our main remaining challenge was the return over Myrtle. Very light rain seemed to set in but it proved more refreshing than anything else.

Getting To Candelo Rapide decided that a quick ride to Bega was in order and he set about making sure this was achieved, with the other two tools in his slipstream.
Over six hours in the saddle and the three tools felt well satisfied with the morning's efforts