The Journey Begins

And so the journey begins, for me anyway.

Checked my bike in at Merimbula airport for my first flight for the day, needed to cough up $13.20 for 4 kgs excess but that's fine. Flight from here departs at 6.30am, then I meet up with Rob in Sydney, Bob would have already departed for Europe via Japan, Rob flys out at 2pm with Malaysian and I leave at 3.30pm with BA - 3 people all going to the same destination (Frankfurt), all on different flights, hopefully we'll all find each other at the other end.

My biggest fear is picking up our van in Frankfurt and having to find my way to our hotel driving on the other side of the road, should make for an exciting start for the holiday.

Europe here we come!!!!

ABC Radio Interview

Click here to listen to the  ABC interview with Ian Campbell and Andy Willis

The last thursday night training ride

After all donning our spic new gear for the attached photo, 7 tools took to the streets of bega in team formation all looking particularly sharp. Only the bandit was unable to enjoy the final thursday night under lights. After a few turns in town it was out across the bridge, past the roundabout and left at Coopers Gully Rd for what must be the steepest hill around here, made even trickier by the loose surface. the descent was even hairier but all the tools negotiated it safely.

Then out along the river towards springvale where the pace was kept very high all the way.

The bridge sprint followed and took a different complexion this final week with metre vos sac making a bold bid for victory with a mid bridge acceleration. Unfortunately this attempt was thwarted with the line close, by a fast finishing La feuille and Rapide, with the former getting a rare victory over Rapide.

Next week, well most of the tools will be somewhere in europe, with only maybe two to fly the flag on thursday nights for one more week.

The Moo Moo gear has arrived

Tools on Tour looking fantastic in their Moo Moo gear

Triple Darragh

Sunday saw the tools preparation step up a notch with the much anticipated triple Darragh. Four Tools congregated in Wyndham on A cool Sunday morning, but where was La cle?

The Mystery was revealed as we started the first ascent and discovered a lone rider making her way down the mountain. Having made an early start due to having to work later in the day. So now we were five
A passing motorist told us to beware there was a tree across the road and it was quite impressive really. Onwards and upwards and another tree awaited us this time on the downhill section.

The top of the climb was rather cold and it was a necessity to rug up for the downhill run. Rapide had a stated goal of doing each leg quicker than the last. So the first leg just over an hour and the descent just over 30 minutes. Le cle had to reluctantly depart so a double Darragh there and showing strong form on what was her second ascent.

We left some food at the bottom of the mountain hidden away. L'Symbole liked his baked beans providing plenty of energy for the days exertions, And I'm not really sure what Rapide is indicating in the photo, maybe it was the size of his cluster he should have brought along??

So up again a couple more times. Rapide immproving his time each ascent by just a little, Van velo being very consistent, La Feuille and Symbole well wouldn't have a clue really. L'Symbole did claim three firsts though on the day, reaching the pair of pink undies lying on the road first each time we went up the hill. (not sure if that was something the rest of us wanted to claim.)

So not only did we go fairly hard up the hill each time, rapide set the challenge to go faster each time down as well. So after the first leisurely descent of around 32 minutes the goal was set at under 30 for the second. So Rapide conned the rest of us to help him (well la feuille anyway) and we managed a brisk 27 minutes 19 seconds.

Third time up and we decided to wait for everyone to reach the top this time to help with the goal of breaking the previous descending time so having every one was going to help here. Rapide kept a good look out for L'Symbole so he didn't get too cold. It was going to be a challenge as the second descent was done flat out. So with a full peloton of 4 we charged down the hill, pushed hard up the rises, and flat out down the hill, We lost a few on the way down with only two at the finish but a neat 27 minutes and the goal achieved. Back to Wyndham and the triple Darragh ticked off.

But the day didn't end there. The tools then retired to the singing whippet (L'Symbole's summer house)for a gourmet omelette, some vin rouge, and cafe au lait. An excellent way to end a good days ride for all.

A Sunday circuit

Welcome back Blogsters. Its been a few weeks and various tools have been catching their breath and not wanting to peak too early and having a quiet few weeks, but also some others have been training hard and Sunday was their chance to display this improving form.

So the journey entailed an early start in Bega, It was overcast and just a tad chilly. 6 tools took off heading towards Candelo. A seventh tool was rumoured to be waiting there but no signs could be found. Somewhere around now the overcast skies started leaking but fortunately not too much.

We started the long trek towards Myrtle mtn and any relaxation of the training regime was being felt. Van velo and Juste metre vos sac were not afraid to let everyone know that they had done a nice long ride the day before as an explanation for any lack of form. No such problems for Rapide and the Bandit who showed a clean pair of heels up Myrtle, and vos sac was obviously foxing and saving his efforts for a big effort up the slopes of the myrtle as well.

As for the rest of us, we got there! And found the missing Symbole(Or should we say the secret trainer!!)So we were now seven tools, only Le jardinier absent. So a good descent and then run into Pambula predominantly downhill and with a tail wind so very enjoyable despite the so so weather.

We took the bike track route to Merimbula and managed to scare the daylights out of some pedestrians such was the speed of the tools flashing past, and we forgot our bells.

Back on to Bega, losing L'Symbole turning off for Candelo along the way and then just out of town your correspondent with some tyre inflation problems. better there than half way down Myrtle mtn of course.

Coffee at the regular. The ride a well needed hitout for all as our departure date draws nearer. And a good warmup for the triple darragh that awaits next weekend. Apologies no photos.