The Lion King

Whilst in the process of designing a new cycling kit for Signtorque, I was delving back to some classic designs of days gone by. I was thinking of some of the standout kits (for good reasons or bad) and Cippo has worn a few of 'em. Here's just one I had to share.

The 'style' King, wth the hair and the killer Briko's.

The 'muscular anatomy' TT skinsuit.

I think it's time for another character the ilk of the great one...
The fast, egomaniac, Italian stylemaster himself, Super Mario!!!

Stay tuned for the new kit, this research has really given me some great ideas.

Get orf will ya...

I just had to get rid of that old blog header photo. Great photo it is Camo but no one needed to be hit with that ugly mug every time they loaded the blog for curiosity, jeeez...

Tour of Coleraine - ouch!!!

My doubts about racing in B grade were legitimate. A tough 94k first stage on Saturday with 40k winds and some steep pinchy climbs. I was dropped (with quite a few others) after 25k, worked with one rider swapping turns for 10k then I took off on a climb to tt it until C grade caught up at 65k mark. I tucked in with the C grade bunch for a while, then thought it best to leave them alone and do the work with a couple of other (dropped) B graders until the end. With 1 stage down and 2 remaining, I was keen to bail out and head home. But after a hot shower and food, I decided to hang tough and race the crit. 20 laps? no problem! I felt ok for 10, struggled for 2 then beat myself up trying to not get lapped for the next 8 laps. Aaargh, I really wanted to go home now. But again, after a couple of hours of reflection, I was staying overnight to fight it out again for the 115k road stage tomorrow. A massage from Scooter and a very late dinner at the pub was my preparation for stage 3.
After Anzac day commemorations, the race was underway at 10.40 for B grade and I was able to hang in there until after the second KOM, about 45k's into the race. Working wih a few for another 10k. I gave it everything I had to keep consistent, solid pace but after a check of my heart rate, I was unable to get it over 154bpm. A sign that my weekend of racing was well and truely spent. I pulled out at the 71k mark as we went through Coleraine. Continuing for another 44k's would be pointless just in order to 'finish' the race. My race was finished. I gave it all I had. I should have raced C grade rather than try and survive B grade, sure, but it's all good race training and I'm sure the dividends will pay off down the track if I can keep it up.
Feeling sore today but happy for the experience, no matter how tough it was.

Average speed and heart rate details.
stage 1 - 32.45kph for 94km - heart rate avg 164
stage 2 - 39.22kph for 30km - heart rate avg 164
stage 3 - 33.52kph for 71km - heart rate avg 145

Tour of Coleraine - Stage 2 - crit photos

La Fleche Wallonne

I just can't stop watching this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujUbOPDou4g

That's how ya do it!!!

Well done Cadel, looking good for the grand tours.

enthusiasm building...

After a couple of weekend rides I'm feeling eager to eat some racing this weekend at the Tour of the Southern Gramps, Coleraine (or what ever the fuck it's called). I have entered B grade not knowing where the hell I am in relation to any road racing level. Oh well, apparently some hilly things are in there so I'll install the climbing wheels for the weekend as every little bit helps. Wind and showers apparently expected too, oh joy! Off to a sweat it out in The Spin Room at 6am tomoz. Then take it easy until race start on Saturday.

Torq trainer session

Well an truely back into it. With a decision to race the 2 day, Tour of Coleraine in a week and a bit and maybe a Northern combine race at Lancefield on Sunday.
After the heads up from Jen and Gen about the first of the winter trainer sessions down at Torq headquarters, I decided to go down there for an Anaerobic power session which left me completely spent to say the least.
I'm looking forward to Coleraine, even if I'm a bit underdone.
We'll just see then ay...

Baw Baw Classic

All the best to Tim, Ben and all the others in their quest to be K.O.M. this weekend in one tuff race.
Godspeed...

Easter break = road k's

Just when I've decided to stop 'swimming against the tide' that is training and racing when there is many responsibilities, obligations and distractions, I get out to do 300k's over the Easter break!
In so doing, the passion was re-ignited and I'm now constructing a calender of races to aim for.
This is the springboard I needed...
Tagging along wit the Nacional team to Kinglake on Friday, shop ride to Mordy on Saturday and down to Dromana including Arthurs Seat on Sunday.
A incident on our return from Kinglake was a harsh reminder that we share the road and we're not on the pro tour, bike and car damaged, no-one was hurt, 'nuff said.
Ride safe.