The Golburn track was dedicated to Dunc Gray who was born in Golburn, Siefert Oval.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Last night in Oz
Like all vacations, they go by way too fast, especially the final few days that seem to just disappear before you know it. It's Thursday evening and I fly out of here tomorrow on a 2:00 P.M. flight for the jump backwards in time, out of the coming warm months and into the cold and dark of MN. The Australian track carnivals are just about to start. Bushy is scheduled to race Saturday night at a local event an hour or so north of Sydney. We spent part of our last day at the local Golburn 400 meter asphalt track with Coly, doing a few warm up laps and then some Fying 200 efforts with me leading him out and then Coly leading both of us out. The day started out over cast and cooler but turned into a marvelous afternoon. After the track session, we went over to Roses Cafe and of course, had a coffee and a bit of lunch on the sidewalk,. I was trying to make the day last as long as possible but eventually we needed to go home and I started to pack the bike and wheels up for the trip home. Another stressfull leap of faith that the airlines will actually take care of the Teschner and and the Zipps. The rest of the luggage is about packed and may weigh more going home than coming here. Hopefully, not overweight.
The last dinner in Golburn was at the local Chinese restaurant and then over to Scotty and Michele's for a cup of tea and a farewell.
The talk continues to be a reconnection in 2011 for a Golburn Dog Pound cyclists do RAGBRAI. Does Iowa have any idea what is in store for them. I think not.
The last dinner in Golburn was at the local Chinese restaurant and then over to Scotty and Michele's for a cup of tea and a farewell.
The talk continues to be a reconnection in 2011 for a Golburn Dog Pound cyclists do RAGBRAI. Does Iowa have any idea what is in store for them. I think not.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Canberra, downtown for lunch
Central down town Canberra, The Capital of Australia, just like Washington DC, has its own territory as well as city. Town of about 300, 000 people. The countryside is about 15 minute drive from here for cycling or motorcycling up and down the hills and around the twisties.
The motorbikes in the country
The Ducati and the Suzuki sitting in the middle of the Great Dividing range, which is like our Continental Divide in the Rockies, just not nearly as high, about midway between Golburn and Canberra
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday morning, Tuesday in the states
It's about 8:30 in the morning on Wed. The big BBQ at Chris's home is tonight in his backyard patio or as he calls it the pagoda. All the fixing's are bought and preparations mostly done so the plan is to go for a motor bike ride through the hills around Canberra today. The weather the last few days has been cooler and wetter than I've ever seen here. Getting me ready for the cold temps of MN soon I guess. Sunday and Monday were casual days with a bike road ride Monday afternoon around the Golburn area. It's a smaller town so it takes no time at all get get to small country roads with little or no traffic. We met up with Coly again so the three of us did about an hour and a half out in windy and cool conditions followed by the traditional stop at a local coffee shop for a snack and here what's happening around town.
The original plan was to do the motor bike ride yeasterday but it rained most all the day so we decided to go back to Sydney, stop at Bundy's bike shop and pick up some cycling shoes I ordered from an Australian company. We also got a copy of Windows 7 for Chris' laptop while in Sydney, he has been hating his Vista OS and thought as long as we were rained in, might be a good project. Back home after hitting the stores for BBQ foods and then computer upgrades, which went resonably well all things considered.
Lyn, Chris' wife, made a great, delicious curry dinner last night, what a treat to have home cooked curries. After, some TV and then some reading and off to bed.
The last few days have truely been relaxing, vacation days. I rarely take time at home to really relax and completely unwind so this is a real treat.
Tomorrow, the plan is to train at the local 400 meter asphalt track for a while on the track bikes. Chris is heading into the local bike carnival season around here, coming into summer and has a race on Saturday in a town an hour or so north of Sydney. Too bad I can't stay and ride the carnivals but home is calling.
The sun is out again this morning, with the temps rising. JJ the cat is wandering around my room noseing into my luggage, wondering what all the MN smells are about. Only a few days left and I will be getting back on a plane for the longest day of my life. I leave here, Friday at 2:00 P.M. and get into Mpls at about 7:00 P.M. after traveling for about 19 hours or so. I get the day back I lost on the way here. Maybe the plane won't be as full heading home so I can get some room to move.
The original plan was to do the motor bike ride yeasterday but it rained most all the day so we decided to go back to Sydney, stop at Bundy's bike shop and pick up some cycling shoes I ordered from an Australian company. We also got a copy of Windows 7 for Chris' laptop while in Sydney, he has been hating his Vista OS and thought as long as we were rained in, might be a good project. Back home after hitting the stores for BBQ foods and then computer upgrades, which went resonably well all things considered.
Lyn, Chris' wife, made a great, delicious curry dinner last night, what a treat to have home cooked curries. After, some TV and then some reading and off to bed.
The last few days have truely been relaxing, vacation days. I rarely take time at home to really relax and completely unwind so this is a real treat.
Tomorrow, the plan is to train at the local 400 meter asphalt track for a while on the track bikes. Chris is heading into the local bike carnival season around here, coming into summer and has a race on Saturday in a town an hour or so north of Sydney. Too bad I can't stay and ride the carnivals but home is calling.
The sun is out again this morning, with the temps rising. JJ the cat is wandering around my room noseing into my luggage, wondering what all the MN smells are about. Only a few days left and I will be getting back on a plane for the longest day of my life. I leave here, Friday at 2:00 P.M. and get into Mpls at about 7:00 P.M. after traveling for about 19 hours or so. I get the day back I lost on the way here. Maybe the plane won't be as full heading home so I can get some room to move.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
1st Australian motorcycle Grand Prix
Monument at the original start of the Grand Prix, just outside of Golburn. The orginal course was mostly on dirt roads and took about 4 hours per lap, 1924.
Lot's to do in Golburn
I've never seen this many Lotus Super Sevens in one location ever. Lined up ready for local club race practice session.
This is the local Golburn auto race track, road racers, closed course, also used for push bike races.
There is a local circle track for cars, horse track and of course the 400 meter push bike oval as well.
Gas prices in Sydney and Australia
About 4 liters per gallon, $1.19.5 per liter.You tell me how lucky we are in the USA
A few days ago in Sydney Harbor area
Friday before the points race, a day off seeing some Sydney sites at the Rocks, a historic area of the city in the harbor, across from the Opera house with the Harbor bridge in the background.
There are tours to walk across the top of the bridge.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday in Oz
Saving the best for last, or how I am getting to love points races.
The last post was obviously from my buddy Chris/Bushy, posted from the track on Saturday morning while I was warming up for my points race qualifing race. Strange to be circling the track and see him typing away on a computer below me in turn 1.
Good to see things from another perspective.
Worlds Masters track champs are done for another year and we are back in Golburn relaxing after a great adventure. I can't believe how 10 minutes of racing can make a whole season of training so worth while. Yesterday, that is on Saturday, both Chris and I had points races scheduled. The schedule is always fluid because the officials are changing things based on riders dropping events mid week, something neither Chris or I can understand, come all this way, sign up for an event and then drop out at the last minute. The last week has been a good week but coming into Saturday I just didn't feel like I did the best efforts. Those I did were good but I expected more personally. Not having a chance to race sprints because the officials changed their minds at the last minute and cut my age group rounds from 18 races to 12, leaving me no races but a Flying 200 qualifing time was sad and left me wanting more track time. I came back Friday morning to warm up early before the spring finals to make the last gear decision for my points race. I settled on a 50/15, the gear I was planning to use all the time.
Saturday morning came bright and early again, all week we have been up at either 5:30 or 6:00 to get to the track for proper warm ups because our races have been early and the track has only limited amounts of time for real warm ups. Even then, the track fills to 70 plus riders by the 9:00 A.M. start times and then there are only occasional 10 minute warm up sessions later on that fill the track with riders. My 40 lap points race was combined with the 65-69 age group so that meant we needed to do 2, 30 lap heat races to narrow the field to 24 for the final.
I was schedule for the second heat about 9:15 or so. Coming here after racing at the USA Masters races I felt I had a chance to be competitive or I would not have come. After the last few days, I knew I was at a different level here so there have been the constant thoughts of can I really ride a mass start race with these guys and not get dropped, can I stay close in the field and stay safe, confident and relaxed? The thought of having to do a heat and then another race also added some insecurity. I haven't done a mass start race for over a month, only working on sprint efforts so even though I felt confident, I was not 100% confident. Anyone else every felt like that?
Not long after my warm ups, I was listening and watching for the sign on procedure. Previously, we went to a spot below turn 4 for a bike weigh in, helmut check and sign in. I started to head to that area and found no one around so I circled back to the results and officials area only to find new sign in sheets and a slightly different procedure. I'm sure they must have annouced it but the accoustics in the velodrome aren't great and with the Aussie accent, it is hard to know what and when things are happening. I signed in with about 5 minutes to spare and heard that the heats were in question, more DNS riders. 10 minutes later, no heats, only a final. It is now 9:00, I am warmed up and ready to race and my race, the final is at 2:30 in the afternoon. We are checked out of the hotel and stuck at Dunc Gray for the day. No races at all until about 10:30 when some of the lower age group heats were run.
The big challenge is to stay motivated, energized, hydrated and fueled all morning long and be ready at 2:30. Lucky we bought and brought food and beverages along prepared for a long day. My anxiety level dropped for the morning knowing I was in a final of 24 with some riders probably above my age group but not knowing who or how many. The morning actually went by quickly, on and off the rollers, eat, drink, relax, watch some races and see how the action played out, all points races today. I am amazed at how even at these levels, there are dumb mistakes being made and resulting crashes in the mass start events. So we watch as a few races were marred with crashes. Equally, I am amzed at how hard and fast some of the older age groups go. Eventually there was a warm up period from about 12 to 12:30 during the lunch break, again the track was packed with just about every rider in the house. Crazy but good to help relieve the jitters and to get use to pack riding.
Bob, from the track, has a friend, Warren, racing here and I have been trying to find him all week. He is in my age group and won the Pursuit round. I just haven't been able to connect but surprise, as I am rolling around the infield right before my race I spy his number and we catch up. I introduced myself and we talk for a while right before the race. As we roll around there are 2 more crashes in prior races so there is more time to waste as the officials clear and inspect the track and riders are taken care of.
My plan is to start near the front but behind enough riders to stay in someone's draft until the sprints occur. I am the first one to line up on the rail in the infield and try to strategically place my self near the front but far enough back so I have some protection. My plan isn't perfect but close enough, finally, we roll up the ramp onto the track and I am amazingly calm and clear headed, I am about 10 riders back in a pack of 24. One thing I've learned is that no one rides at the measurement line in mass start events here in Sydney, they are always at the read line or higher, leaving a perfect gap to close into. That's about where I am and so eventually, I move up the pack. The pace is high but not crazy so I am good for now. I am watching the lap counters, which is something I've learned to do better this season and see that the first sprint is about on and I am kind of trapped. I make it across the line probably about 10 or so, hard to really be precise about this. After the effort I realize there is a gap between the guy ahead of me and the front guys, he is riding close to the black line but moving up and down. Going into 3 I take a chance and ride below him and actually end up on the gray warm up area going quite fast through 3 to 4 and then back up and in front of him, no warning so I guess I am good to close the gap. Can't believe I did that and actually made it work. The next laps are a blur, every sprint is faster and I feel like I am close on getting points but just not quite there. A group gets off the front and I am at the lead of the second group and close the gap and the roll off and back in line. At one point another gap forms from the group in front of me and the guy behind me yells to catch them, I'm thinking, screw you, why should I do the work for you? but I give it some gas and we are back on again. The race finishes and I am still in the top 10 or 15 I think so I may not have placed but it was a GREAT race for me.
So to come full cricle, how can 10 minutes of your life make a whole year worth while, do something that makes you feel so completely alive and energized that you can't hardly contain it. I've heard a lot of pro bike races say in magazines and videos that it isn't about winning but about doing the best you can, not leaving anything behind and that's what this race was all about for me.
Bushy was up for his 60 lap points race right after me so I got to the bottom of turn one in the infield and yelled and screamed at him as he did a great effort staying with another big group. He eventually got lapped twice and then pulled with about 18 to go but that was about twice as long as he did last year so he's got to be proud of that. He only entered this race because he didn't want to sit around all day with nothing to do while I was racing. This was just a training race for him.
After his race, we packed up quick to get to his duaghter's, Stacy and husband Chris, house in Sydney for a BBQ, we were already way behind schedule.
We arrived about a half hour later starving and ready to eat. Thanks Stacy for a great feed, which we really needed. After dinner, a ride back to Golburn and a casual Sunday.
Time for the vacation to begin.
The last post was obviously from my buddy Chris/Bushy, posted from the track on Saturday morning while I was warming up for my points race qualifing race. Strange to be circling the track and see him typing away on a computer below me in turn 1.
Good to see things from another perspective.
Worlds Masters track champs are done for another year and we are back in Golburn relaxing after a great adventure. I can't believe how 10 minutes of racing can make a whole season of training so worth while. Yesterday, that is on Saturday, both Chris and I had points races scheduled. The schedule is always fluid because the officials are changing things based on riders dropping events mid week, something neither Chris or I can understand, come all this way, sign up for an event and then drop out at the last minute. The last week has been a good week but coming into Saturday I just didn't feel like I did the best efforts. Those I did were good but I expected more personally. Not having a chance to race sprints because the officials changed their minds at the last minute and cut my age group rounds from 18 races to 12, leaving me no races but a Flying 200 qualifing time was sad and left me wanting more track time. I came back Friday morning to warm up early before the spring finals to make the last gear decision for my points race. I settled on a 50/15, the gear I was planning to use all the time.
Saturday morning came bright and early again, all week we have been up at either 5:30 or 6:00 to get to the track for proper warm ups because our races have been early and the track has only limited amounts of time for real warm ups. Even then, the track fills to 70 plus riders by the 9:00 A.M. start times and then there are only occasional 10 minute warm up sessions later on that fill the track with riders. My 40 lap points race was combined with the 65-69 age group so that meant we needed to do 2, 30 lap heat races to narrow the field to 24 for the final.
I was schedule for the second heat about 9:15 or so. Coming here after racing at the USA Masters races I felt I had a chance to be competitive or I would not have come. After the last few days, I knew I was at a different level here so there have been the constant thoughts of can I really ride a mass start race with these guys and not get dropped, can I stay close in the field and stay safe, confident and relaxed? The thought of having to do a heat and then another race also added some insecurity. I haven't done a mass start race for over a month, only working on sprint efforts so even though I felt confident, I was not 100% confident. Anyone else every felt like that?
Not long after my warm ups, I was listening and watching for the sign on procedure. Previously, we went to a spot below turn 4 for a bike weigh in, helmut check and sign in. I started to head to that area and found no one around so I circled back to the results and officials area only to find new sign in sheets and a slightly different procedure. I'm sure they must have annouced it but the accoustics in the velodrome aren't great and with the Aussie accent, it is hard to know what and when things are happening. I signed in with about 5 minutes to spare and heard that the heats were in question, more DNS riders. 10 minutes later, no heats, only a final. It is now 9:00, I am warmed up and ready to race and my race, the final is at 2:30 in the afternoon. We are checked out of the hotel and stuck at Dunc Gray for the day. No races at all until about 10:30 when some of the lower age group heats were run.
The big challenge is to stay motivated, energized, hydrated and fueled all morning long and be ready at 2:30. Lucky we bought and brought food and beverages along prepared for a long day. My anxiety level dropped for the morning knowing I was in a final of 24 with some riders probably above my age group but not knowing who or how many. The morning actually went by quickly, on and off the rollers, eat, drink, relax, watch some races and see how the action played out, all points races today. I am amazed at how even at these levels, there are dumb mistakes being made and resulting crashes in the mass start events. So we watch as a few races were marred with crashes. Equally, I am amzed at how hard and fast some of the older age groups go. Eventually there was a warm up period from about 12 to 12:30 during the lunch break, again the track was packed with just about every rider in the house. Crazy but good to help relieve the jitters and to get use to pack riding.
Bob, from the track, has a friend, Warren, racing here and I have been trying to find him all week. He is in my age group and won the Pursuit round. I just haven't been able to connect but surprise, as I am rolling around the infield right before my race I spy his number and we catch up. I introduced myself and we talk for a while right before the race. As we roll around there are 2 more crashes in prior races so there is more time to waste as the officials clear and inspect the track and riders are taken care of.
My plan is to start near the front but behind enough riders to stay in someone's draft until the sprints occur. I am the first one to line up on the rail in the infield and try to strategically place my self near the front but far enough back so I have some protection. My plan isn't perfect but close enough, finally, we roll up the ramp onto the track and I am amazingly calm and clear headed, I am about 10 riders back in a pack of 24. One thing I've learned is that no one rides at the measurement line in mass start events here in Sydney, they are always at the read line or higher, leaving a perfect gap to close into. That's about where I am and so eventually, I move up the pack. The pace is high but not crazy so I am good for now. I am watching the lap counters, which is something I've learned to do better this season and see that the first sprint is about on and I am kind of trapped. I make it across the line probably about 10 or so, hard to really be precise about this. After the effort I realize there is a gap between the guy ahead of me and the front guys, he is riding close to the black line but moving up and down. Going into 3 I take a chance and ride below him and actually end up on the gray warm up area going quite fast through 3 to 4 and then back up and in front of him, no warning so I guess I am good to close the gap. Can't believe I did that and actually made it work. The next laps are a blur, every sprint is faster and I feel like I am close on getting points but just not quite there. A group gets off the front and I am at the lead of the second group and close the gap and the roll off and back in line. At one point another gap forms from the group in front of me and the guy behind me yells to catch them, I'm thinking, screw you, why should I do the work for you? but I give it some gas and we are back on again. The race finishes and I am still in the top 10 or 15 I think so I may not have placed but it was a GREAT race for me.
So to come full cricle, how can 10 minutes of your life make a whole year worth while, do something that makes you feel so completely alive and energized that you can't hardly contain it. I've heard a lot of pro bike races say in magazines and videos that it isn't about winning but about doing the best you can, not leaving anything behind and that's what this race was all about for me.
Bushy was up for his 60 lap points race right after me so I got to the bottom of turn one in the infield and yelled and screamed at him as he did a great effort staying with another big group. He eventually got lapped twice and then pulled with about 18 to go but that was about twice as long as he did last year so he's got to be proud of that. He only entered this race because he didn't want to sit around all day with nothing to do while I was racing. This was just a training race for him.
After his race, we packed up quick to get to his duaghter's, Stacy and husband Chris, house in Sydney for a BBQ, we were already way behind schedule.
We arrived about a half hour later starving and ready to eat. Thanks Stacy for a great feed, which we really needed. After dinner, a ride back to Golburn and a casual Sunday.
Time for the vacation to begin.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Been a great week in OZ with Pat. Racing the worlds has been another earth moving experience, trained hard all winter, yeah we can train outdoors here in the colder months, dropped weight and rode a whole lot better than last year. Two objectives for this years championships, do better than last year and don't come last, both objectives have been fulfilled with one race to go.
Great atmoshpere racing masters, learnt so much just watching more experienced riders go round, oh yeah listening to Pat's coach s well. He gave me some great advice, the guy must never sleep, thanks a whole lot. Turn 4 attack on the bell lap, and dropping down at the 30m mark in the flying 200m I will long remember.
Being here with Pat has made it a whole better, unflapable as always , always there to offer support, truly a great friend. He has had a crack in every event and left everything on the track.
So yesterday to celebrate the championships I took him into the centre of Sydney on a ferry and we had a great day, carbo loaded in a pub at the Rocks, walked around and checked out the eye candy, perfect way to focus on the point score race today. Come on you think he goes all the way to OZ and I wouldn't get him to a pub, un-australian if I didn't.
Well we are coming into summer here so I will thinking of you lot in your basements on the home trainer grinding out the miles and me travelling the country side racing a track carnivals, carbo loading between carnivals. So if you travel across the ditch about 16,000kms (turn left at Hawaii) head to the Dunc Gray velodrome in Sydney which is identical to the track at Blaine except in true Australian tradition it has a roof and pub attached. Always thinking of the riders they are, keep you out of the sun and keep the fluid up to yourself.
Be safe
Chris aka Bushy
Great atmoshpere racing masters, learnt so much just watching more experienced riders go round, oh yeah listening to Pat's coach s well. He gave me some great advice, the guy must never sleep, thanks a whole lot. Turn 4 attack on the bell lap, and dropping down at the 30m mark in the flying 200m I will long remember.
Being here with Pat has made it a whole better, unflapable as always , always there to offer support, truly a great friend. He has had a crack in every event and left everything on the track.
So yesterday to celebrate the championships I took him into the centre of Sydney on a ferry and we had a great day, carbo loaded in a pub at the Rocks, walked around and checked out the eye candy, perfect way to focus on the point score race today. Come on you think he goes all the way to OZ and I wouldn't get him to a pub, un-australian if I didn't.
Well we are coming into summer here so I will thinking of you lot in your basements on the home trainer grinding out the miles and me travelling the country side racing a track carnivals, carbo loading between carnivals. So if you travel across the ditch about 16,000kms (turn left at Hawaii) head to the Dunc Gray velodrome in Sydney which is identical to the track at Blaine except in true Australian tradition it has a roof and pub attached. Always thinking of the riders they are, keep you out of the sun and keep the fluid up to yourself.
Be safe
Chris aka Bushy
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday Report
Just a quick update for now.
We are still at the track and Bushy has had a massive day. It's about 6:30 in the evenining and we have been here since about 7:00 this morning. Warm ups right away while the track was still somewhat clear to do a full on 200. Then into the Fying 200 qualifiers. Chris did a 13.61 and I did a 13.678. Great for Chris, disappointing for me. We were both looking for under 12's but that didn't happen.
Long story short, I was in the run offs and then out again due to some DNS, so I was done for the day. Chris got into the top 18 of his age group, 17th to be exact. That got him to one matched sprint which he lost but still made it to a 3 up repachage which was late in the aftenoon. Unfortunately he lost that round so we are done with sprints.
I will have to do better in the upcoming points race on Saturday. I have to get through a 30 lap qualifier to be in the 40 lap final. Should be good.
More to come.
We are still at the track and Bushy has had a massive day. It's about 6:30 in the evenining and we have been here since about 7:00 this morning. Warm ups right away while the track was still somewhat clear to do a full on 200. Then into the Fying 200 qualifiers. Chris did a 13.61 and I did a 13.678. Great for Chris, disappointing for me. We were both looking for under 12's but that didn't happen.
Long story short, I was in the run offs and then out again due to some DNS, so I was done for the day. Chris got into the top 18 of his age group, 17th to be exact. That got him to one matched sprint which he lost but still made it to a 3 up repachage which was late in the aftenoon. Unfortunately he lost that round so we are done with sprints.
I will have to do better in the upcoming points race on Saturday. I have to get through a 30 lap qualifier to be in the 40 lap final. Should be good.
More to come.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bicycle Road course
Great up and down road course about 5K's from the track. No vehicle traffic is allowed.
Crit course right next to the Velodrome
The velodrome is off to the right. The Handle Bar restaurant and pub in the background for viewing the start/finish line.
Wed. Report
It's Wed. afternoon about 4 P.M. and we are back at the hotel, Chris has control of the TV remote so I'm on the blog. I think I have the best of the picks. We have a total of 5 TV channels and as per usual, all are basically crap.
It's been another big day though. This whole week looks like it will be early morning rises to get to the track for open training. I am so glad the track is as close as it is.
Today was a warm up session getting ready for tomorrow's Flying 200 qualifiers and the match sprints. Up at 6:15 today and at the track by 7 and ready to ride at 7:30. I was the first one on the track today which fits because I decided to wear the First Light Team kit today. First Light is alive and well in Sydney.
My plan was some warm up laps and then some Flying 200's in lighter gears. The first effort was great. By the time I changed gears for the second effort there must have been over 70 riders on the track. Trying to find a gap to weave between was just impossible. This track is really fast so by the time I got into turn one I already closed the gap that I found to race into. Instead, I did 2 half efforts and gave up. A few minutes on the rollers and it was time for the scratch and team sprint riders to take over at 9:00. Chris did a few light road miles while I was on the track.
We went back to the hotel for a shower and the off to Peter Bundy's bike shop again to find directions to the Bont cycling shoe distributor which ended up across town. We found our way there only having to stop for directions once. Just another adventure in cycling land.
Back to our side of town for a bit of lunch and pick up some food for tomorrow and back to the track to retrieve the pump I left there in the morning. Lucky, it was still there after 5-6 hours.
The rest of the day will be relaxing and getting dinner and then preparing for another early morning and a full day of sprints.
It's been another big day though. This whole week looks like it will be early morning rises to get to the track for open training. I am so glad the track is as close as it is.
Today was a warm up session getting ready for tomorrow's Flying 200 qualifiers and the match sprints. Up at 6:15 today and at the track by 7 and ready to ride at 7:30. I was the first one on the track today which fits because I decided to wear the First Light Team kit today. First Light is alive and well in Sydney.
My plan was some warm up laps and then some Flying 200's in lighter gears. The first effort was great. By the time I changed gears for the second effort there must have been over 70 riders on the track. Trying to find a gap to weave between was just impossible. This track is really fast so by the time I got into turn one I already closed the gap that I found to race into. Instead, I did 2 half efforts and gave up. A few minutes on the rollers and it was time for the scratch and team sprint riders to take over at 9:00. Chris did a few light road miles while I was on the track.
We went back to the hotel for a shower and the off to Peter Bundy's bike shop again to find directions to the Bont cycling shoe distributor which ended up across town. We found our way there only having to stop for directions once. Just another adventure in cycling land.
Back to our side of town for a bit of lunch and pick up some food for tomorrow and back to the track to retrieve the pump I left there in the morning. Lucky, it was still there after 5-6 hours.
The rest of the day will be relaxing and getting dinner and then preparing for another early morning and a full day of sprints.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tuesday, I think
Today we were up at 5:30 ugh!! We are at the velodrome right now and it seems a bit strange to be sitting at the base of turn one below the track on the infield logged in and posting this blog. It's a day off for me but Chris has his Pursuit to do. He is in the first group and 4th out. He has a optimistic time schedule set, under 3 minutes. I will be calling out splits in turn one as his handler. He's warming up now and I'm being a slug, which is fine for me. I still feel sleepy due to time changes, different beds, some snoring from the bed next to me and all the excitement of the week.
After his warm down we plan to do a very light road ride from the velodrome to a closed course bicycle only road race course that is up the raod a bit from the velodrome. On the way back there is a crit course right next to the velodrome to try out as well. Our facilty in Blaine is great but I can't believe how nice this place is. I'll get some more photos up later.
After his warm down we plan to do a very light road ride from the velodrome to a closed course bicycle only road race course that is up the raod a bit from the velodrome. On the way back there is a crit course right next to the velodrome to try out as well. Our facilty in Blaine is great but I can't believe how nice this place is. I'll get some more photos up later.
Lights on, time to race
Fun to see the place fill up with racers from all over the world.
It is still a very casual atmosphere though.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Monday afternoon review and updates
So I arrived on Friday morning to find my buddy Chris waiting. Within the hour we were at Peter Bundy's bike shop getting some new TT bars fitted to Chris' bike thanks to new UCI rules. We drove back to Golburn, unpacked the bike and checked it out. It survived just fine. Assembled and ready to go.
Chris has a spare road bike for me to use while here so we decided to go for a short local ride and meet up with another friend, Colly to work out some of the plane ride stiffness. Very nice to be riding with Chris around the town and area of Golburn, seemed very familiar and nice. The weather, windy and cooler but very acceptable. A stop by Gloria Jeans coffee shop for a latte and then back home for tea/dinner and then early to bed, seems like a long time since a real bed
Chris has a spare road bike for me to use while here so we decided to go for a short local ride and meet up with another friend, Colly to work out some of the plane ride stiffness. Very nice to be riding with Chris around the town and area of Golburn, seemed very familiar and nice. The weather, windy and cooler but very acceptable. A stop by Gloria Jeans coffee shop for a latte and then back home for tea/dinner and then early to bed, seems like a long time since a real bed
Saturday morning, up early and off to a local car show that Chris' buddy Marxy helped organize. The team van graphics were from Marxy's hands so he wanted the van there for a while but we needed to get back to Sydney to register and then ride a few warm up laps just to get a feel for the track again.
Back in Sydney, registration in the Handle Bar pub which is attached to the velodrome, how convienient. The warm up ride times were scheduled by age group and seemed a bit restrictive but as we got to the track, there wasn't that many out so any age group and any number on the track were good. Very easy to start feeling comfortable on a great track. Identical to ours, but with a roof on the place the track surface is perfect, smooth, not slippery and seems very fast. A few hours later and we are headed back to Golburn, dinner and a nights sleep and then back to Sydney for the week, staying at the Ridges Hotel for the week almost right across the street from the Velodrome.
Sunday, packed and ready to go back to Sydney, lots of driving, it's about 2 plus hours between Golburn and Sydney, so it's great to be staying at the hotel. Sunday is another training day with a few more efforts to start preparing for Mondays 500TT. Close to the end of my time on the track the start gate was brought out for practice. Never having been in one before I thought it would be good. My first time in, count down to go and the gate sticks on, no start. The next few times seemed to get better every time and then the line got massive so I guess we were done for the day. More great time on the track and then drive around to find a dinner spot, back the the hotel and bed.
Both Chris and I have a 500TT on Monday. He is part of the first group out and I am in the second group. We are up at 6 to get to the track and start warming up. The open track closes at 9 to start racing and I wasn't going to repeat my Colorado mistake of getting there too late for a proper warm up. We had plenty of time and actually needed to spend some time on the rollers to stay warm. Before racing, bike weigh in, 7.36 Kilos well over the min. of 6.8 and a helmut check. Chris is supposed to be second out but the first riders scratched so he is first out of the gate. A PR for Chris so he was happy. A half hour or so later, I'm out. The start was a bit shaky from about 10 meters to 30 meters but then or it and before you know it it's over. I was a bit disappointed but still did a PR at 42.63 and 42.228 KPH. I ended up 20th out of 25 with one DNS. Warm up race for the real stuff to come on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The rest of the day is relaxing, finding food and getting a bit more situated as well as blog time.
Tomorrow, Chris does a individual pursuit bright and early again so I will go with and help call out splits for him. More results to come. I have a day off for a casual short bike ride for fun.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Time to go
I don't know if I am calm or nervous. Maybe a bit of both.
I leave tonight at 5 P.M. I just finished glueing my last tire this morning, kind of last minute I would say but life has been hectic getting ready for this and doing all life's normal stuff.
I am more worried about how the bike will survive the trip and if my luggage is too heavy then anything else right now.
The airlines here are always a big unknown. I'm not so concerned about Quantas, it's Delta/NW that always seems to be a challenge. I know I will get stuck with a big extra baggage fee for the bike box, hopefully not the other bag.
Not much left to do but try to relax and then head to the airport.
I talked to my buddy Chris, or Bushy in Oz yesterday and things seem set there.
I'll be glad to get back on a bike on Saturday and ride some laps in Sydney.
I leave tonight at 5 P.M. I just finished glueing my last tire this morning, kind of last minute I would say but life has been hectic getting ready for this and doing all life's normal stuff.
I am more worried about how the bike will survive the trip and if my luggage is too heavy then anything else right now.
The airlines here are always a big unknown. I'm not so concerned about Quantas, it's Delta/NW that always seems to be a challenge. I know I will get stuck with a big extra baggage fee for the bike box, hopefully not the other bag.
Not much left to do but try to relax and then head to the airport.
I talked to my buddy Chris, or Bushy in Oz yesterday and things seem set there.
I'll be glad to get back on a bike on Saturday and ride some laps in Sydney.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Training is done, all that's left is managing life at home and business for 2 more days and then a long plane ride to the land of Oz.
There are still last minute things, more so than usual. I'm still waiting for a new tire to glue on one of the 404's, axles for a new Zipp disc from County Cycles, updates on how my laptop is doing since the theft and recovery, packing... Yikes! lots to do yet before this Wednesday.
Yesterday was the last day of 2009 for me at NSC Velo.
I was to meet Chris there for some last training laps and that went well.
I was a bit surprised to see snow on the track when I got there at noon though.
Cold riding, mid to low 30's and mindful of the slippery snow areas. That's another first for me.
Chris mentioned track racing becoming a winter sport, this must be the start of it.
There are still last minute things, more so than usual. I'm still waiting for a new tire to glue on one of the 404's, axles for a new Zipp disc from County Cycles, updates on how my laptop is doing since the theft and recovery, packing... Yikes! lots to do yet before this Wednesday.
Yesterday was the last day of 2009 for me at NSC Velo.
I was to meet Chris there for some last training laps and that went well.
I was a bit surprised to see snow on the track when I got there at noon though.
Cold riding, mid to low 30's and mindful of the slippery snow areas. That's another first for me.
Chris mentioned track racing becoming a winter sport, this must be the start of it.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Beginning a new chapter of the adventure
Oz again in 2009.
I really didn't think a year ago I would be packing for another Oz trip but all the stars are aligned and off I go again.
This time, bike racing at the Worlds Masters Track Championships are on the menu, Sydney Oct 17th to the 24th.
My work with coach Chris Ferris has paid off over the year and I have been lucky enough to have great results. Track record for my age group at the Blaine NSC track for Flying 200's, a few exciting nights at Thursday Night Lights events and then a trip to US Master Track Nationals with good results. All this along with great support from my wife Vera, coach Chris, Bob Williams, the track manager at Blaine as well as all the other racers that have encouraged my progress.
Of course, my buddy Chris, AKA Bushy in Oz has had some not small part in making this happen. He has generously offered support and lodging while in Oz. He is also racing at the Worlds, just glad we are not in the same age group.
There will be more info and pics along the way, this is the last weekend at home preparing for the trip.
Last night was training at the track with Chris Ferris, mid 30 temps and doing Russian Flying 200's. Quite fun but COLD!
The warmth of Australia is calling my name.
I really didn't think a year ago I would be packing for another Oz trip but all the stars are aligned and off I go again.
This time, bike racing at the Worlds Masters Track Championships are on the menu, Sydney Oct 17th to the 24th.
My work with coach Chris Ferris has paid off over the year and I have been lucky enough to have great results. Track record for my age group at the Blaine NSC track for Flying 200's, a few exciting nights at Thursday Night Lights events and then a trip to US Master Track Nationals with good results. All this along with great support from my wife Vera, coach Chris, Bob Williams, the track manager at Blaine as well as all the other racers that have encouraged my progress.
Of course, my buddy Chris, AKA Bushy in Oz has had some not small part in making this happen. He has generously offered support and lodging while in Oz. He is also racing at the Worlds, just glad we are not in the same age group.
There will be more info and pics along the way, this is the last weekend at home preparing for the trip.
Last night was training at the track with Chris Ferris, mid 30 temps and doing Russian Flying 200's. Quite fun but COLD!
The warmth of Australia is calling my name.
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