We are back! We left Katanning in the very chilly early morning, and rode 'tempo' to Wagin, had a coffee break and met up with others, and then rode slower tempo to Narrogin.
What's 'Tempo'? We were told that it means 'go as fast as you can!' - is this likely? It certainly felt like it.
Details will follow but here is the route: Narrogin to Collie via Williams - Collie to Bridgetown via Boyup Brook - Bridgetown to Pemberton via Donnelly Mill and Manjimup - Pemberton to Frankland (actually the Fern Gully winery!) via Manjimup - Frankland to Katanning via Cranbrook, Tambellup, Broomehill - Katanning to Narrogin via Wagin.
And now we are off to the pub. More beer and lots of food. A few of us said we will not be looking at another 'jelly snake', power bar or sports drink for a long time.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday Coffee 2 and why you should deal with independent bike shops
Today's ride to Williams was much more pleasant than last week. There was no wind and the rain held off only teasing us with a few spits and the scent of rain on dry earth. The coffee was good and the company great.
As Dave mentioned below I spent the whole ride on my little chainring.The big one has been a little bent since my crash but it hasn't given me too much trouble. Then on Tuesday it started to jump as we came down the hill into town from the airport and finally the chain jumped right off.
I have been trying to find a replacement chainring for a couple of weeks and have been quoted anything from $150-$180. However no one can supply it as Shimano Australia doesn't have one in the country and estimates 6-8 weeks to get one in stock. I have spent hours on line trying all of the online cycling shops here and overseas but could only find one in the US and shipping might not get it too me in time.
In desperation I started ringing major bike retailers hoping that one might have it on the shelf. I eventually called Eric Mellers at Crankin Cycles in Collie. Eric didn't have one in stock either but he said he had one on a bike that was in stock and he would replace that crankset with another model so he could sell me the chainring I needed.
I will be giving Eric all of my business in future.
As Dave mentioned below I spent the whole ride on my little chainring.The big one has been a little bent since my crash but it hasn't given me too much trouble. Then on Tuesday it started to jump as we came down the hill into town from the airport and finally the chain jumped right off.
I have been trying to find a replacement chainring for a couple of weeks and have been quoted anything from $150-$180. However no one can supply it as Shimano Australia doesn't have one in the country and estimates 6-8 weeks to get one in stock. I have spent hours on line trying all of the online cycling shops here and overseas but could only find one in the US and shipping might not get it too me in time.
In desperation I started ringing major bike retailers hoping that one might have it on the shelf. I eventually called Eric Mellers at Crankin Cycles in Collie. Eric didn't have one in stock either but he said he had one on a bike that was in stock and he would replace that crankset with another model so he could sell me the chainring I needed.
I will be giving Eric all of my business in future.
Sunday Williams ride
A peleton (!) of four started this morning, with three going on to Williams. Craig went with us to the airport, as a recovery ride after yesterday's killer 90 km at an average of 34 km/hr. I'll leave it to one of the three supermen (Paul, Derek, Craig) to write about their pain.
Pete, Dennis and Dave took a much more relaxed approach, and stopped in Williams for coffee (all) and a muffin (Dave) before an almost wind-free return on the main Williams road. It was almost pain free too, until we got to those hills on the approach to Narrogin - ouch! We did think of Trevor and Tom doing the 5 Dams ride, for a few seconds.
Dennis is still stuck on his small chain ring - which is extra small because it is one of the new Ultegra compact rings - because no one in shops or online is stocking replacement large rings at the moment. You may remember that Dennis and his bike had a stack a few months ago. Dennis' broken wrist has repaired itself, but the bike is not so adaptable.
We averaged 30.5 km/hr for the 67 km. Not bad for Sunday riders!
Pete, Dennis and Dave took a much more relaxed approach, and stopped in Williams for coffee (all) and a muffin (Dave) before an almost wind-free return on the main Williams road. It was almost pain free too, until we got to those hills on the approach to Narrogin - ouch! We did think of Trevor and Tom doing the 5 Dams ride, for a few seconds.
Dennis is still stuck on his small chain ring - which is extra small because it is one of the new Ultegra compact rings - because no one in shops or online is stocking replacement large rings at the moment. You may remember that Dennis and his bike had a stack a few months ago. Dennis' broken wrist has repaired itself, but the bike is not so adaptable.
We averaged 30.5 km/hr for the 67 km. Not bad for Sunday riders!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Its been a while...
Its been a while since I cycled with the boys in town, I know they've been sneaking in a few longer ones on the weekend, pushing out 80 - 90, as well as the usual regular midweek ones. Either its working for them or I'm getting slower, as I could see the improvement as I hung on the back like a drowning limpet. Craig in particular has got stronger, and it was good to have him on the front, plowing into the wind on the return from Williams, like an icebreaker heading for the arctic. Goodwork lads, next week I'll bring my bungey rope.
Sunday coffee group
A group of 7 started together, and rapidly became a group of 3 - Tim, Craig and Paul who went for a 60 km sprint - and our team of 4 comprised of Dave, Peter, James and Marius, who went into the Williams Woolshed for coffee and a rest.
The tail wind was great, but it really meant that we went faster for the same amount of pain as usual! Coming back was a trial. Sometimes we were cruising along at 35-40 then the gusts would come and we would be back to 20 km/hr and working hard. And the hills at the end were not friendly. Marius discovered that he had a small chain ring, and what's more Marius has a smaller one than most (!) which meant he still had two cogs to go when I had run out. We are all learning to improve our cycling setup and pedaling technique, and it counts on those longer hard rides.
Overall, we did about 67 km, averaged about 27.5 km/hr, and took about 2 hr 24 min. That is a lot of 'abouts' because I forgot to reset when we left and got back.
The tail wind was great, but it really meant that we went faster for the same amount of pain as usual! Coming back was a trial. Sometimes we were cruising along at 35-40 then the gusts would come and we would be back to 20 km/hr and working hard. And the hills at the end were not friendly. Marius discovered that he had a small chain ring, and what's more Marius has a smaller one than most (!) which meant he still had two cogs to go when I had run out. We are all learning to improve our cycling setup and pedaling technique, and it counts on those longer hard rides.
Overall, we did about 67 km, averaged about 27.5 km/hr, and took about 2 hr 24 min. That is a lot of 'abouts' because I forgot to reset when we left and got back.
Blown away on Sunday
I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to join the ride this morning. I was running about 5 minutes late so there was no one at the Rec Centre and I decided to ride Paul's fast circuit on my own. I headed out along Clayton Road and quickly managed a good pace. I knew the wind was strong and mostly easterly meaning that the ride home was going to be tough but I continued anyway.
I made the Airport in about 16 minutes averaging 32.7 and soon found my self making even better time. The wind seemed to swirl and back, occasionally giving me a bit of resistance. I made the turn to Williams in around 55 minutes averaging 35kmh. I thought briefly about making the turn to Williams and having coffee with the "slow" group but wanted to be home around 9 so I headed toward Narrogin along the Narrogin Williams Road.
I figured that I had about 5-6 kmh assistance on the way out so hoped to average about 25kmh on the way back. I was very mistaken. There were times when I was riding on what looked like a level stretch of road and struggling to maintain 16-17 kmh. Then a gust of wind would hit me and I would drop back to under 13kmh.
I battled on. Around 15 km from town I seriously started to think about calling Catherine to come and pick me up. At around 48km into the ride I pulled into a parking area had a drink (it was too hard to drink while riding I was mostly concentrating on not being blown into traffic) I had a pee, zipped up my man suit and started the last leg home.
The wind seemed to settle a bit and the I managed a little better time for the last 12-13kms finally arriving home in 2hours 17 minutes taking about 1hr 22min for the 28 kms home, average pace for the entire ride 25.8kmh.
I must need my head examined, I should have gone for a mountain bike with Jonno and Jeremy instead.
I'll see every one Tuesday.
I made the Airport in about 16 minutes averaging 32.7 and soon found my self making even better time. The wind seemed to swirl and back, occasionally giving me a bit of resistance. I made the turn to Williams in around 55 minutes averaging 35kmh. I thought briefly about making the turn to Williams and having coffee with the "slow" group but wanted to be home around 9 so I headed toward Narrogin along the Narrogin Williams Road.
I figured that I had about 5-6 kmh assistance on the way out so hoped to average about 25kmh on the way back. I was very mistaken. There were times when I was riding on what looked like a level stretch of road and struggling to maintain 16-17 kmh. Then a gust of wind would hit me and I would drop back to under 13kmh.
I battled on. Around 15 km from town I seriously started to think about calling Catherine to come and pick me up. At around 48km into the ride I pulled into a parking area had a drink (it was too hard to drink while riding I was mostly concentrating on not being blown into traffic) I had a pee, zipped up my man suit and started the last leg home.
The wind seemed to settle a bit and the I managed a little better time for the last 12-13kms finally arriving home in 2hours 17 minutes taking about 1hr 22min for the 28 kms home, average pace for the entire ride 25.8kmh.
I must need my head examined, I should have gone for a mountain bike with Jonno and Jeremy instead.
I'll see every one Tuesday.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Waroona Pain
Craig's Diary from Waroona ride!
Hills...long ones...steep ones...ski-ramp-shaped ones...take your pick...Waroona had them all.
Left Narrogin with Paul at 6.30am and met Trev and Tom in Waroona about 9.00. No sign of Pottsie so we thought we'd whack on our bright pink tops (mine was more of a boob tube) so at least he could see us.
Finally spotted him driving to into the event with 15min to spare but only to find out that he'd withdrawn with a sore foot (heart) muscle. Pottsie had driven in on the course and when he didn't get out of first gear on those hills, he was quite thankful he'd forgotten to pack his bike.
Team Zin-Zan made a good start despite some heckling from the gals behind us who wanted to swap tops. A lazy 10km hill to start with but went well. We were thinking all was well when we cleared it but then it was another hill, then another and another....Trefort's (speed bump) hill would have been nice. The group worked well together with Paul, Tom and myself rotating through the front and Trev soldiered on in third spot.
I don't remember a single flat piece of road...I remember that because I was looking for somewhere to vomit (not so slow uphill that it would land on my handle bars and not so fast downhill that Trev would cop it). I think we averaged around 29kph over the 80km which came about by doing about 5kph up hills and 75kph downhills.
We saw all sorts in a big field. Lots of very nice bikes. Really well run and lots of....well uhmm...fun.
The highlight was our dash for the finish down that 10km hill that we encountered on the way out. We got taken over by the "green team" about 20km out and we let them go (there was about 10 of them). At about 15km out we saw they were in trouble with 3 riders pushing the one guy up the last hill. Trev was still with us so we pounced. What a ride...did the last 10km downhill at about 72kph in a big pack of pink and green. Lots of jostling for positions and really scary. Despite the vertical drop we still had to pedal really hard and we all were spent. The green team pulled away at the very end but I'm pretty sure some of them may have still been behind us - but their sprinter, who was wearing the tag, beat us to the line. We caught up with them after the race to find they enjoyed the mad dash as much as we did. I took the opportunity and asked them if any of them had seen my knee cap but to no avail - I think it landed in a cow paddock.
Check out photos and times for this ride on the website
Hills...long ones...steep ones...ski-ramp-shaped ones...take your pick...Waroona had them all.
Left Narrogin with Paul at 6.30am and met Trev and Tom in Waroona about 9.00. No sign of Pottsie so we thought we'd whack on our bright pink tops (mine was more of a boob tube) so at least he could see us.
Finally spotted him driving to into the event with 15min to spare but only to find out that he'd withdrawn with a sore foot (heart) muscle. Pottsie had driven in on the course and when he didn't get out of first gear on those hills, he was quite thankful he'd forgotten to pack his bike.
Team Zin-Zan made a good start despite some heckling from the gals behind us who wanted to swap tops. A lazy 10km hill to start with but went well. We were thinking all was well when we cleared it but then it was another hill, then another and another....Trefort's (speed bump) hill would have been nice. The group worked well together with Paul, Tom and myself rotating through the front and Trev soldiered on in third spot.
I don't remember a single flat piece of road...I remember that because I was looking for somewhere to vomit (not so slow uphill that it would land on my handle bars and not so fast downhill that Trev would cop it). I think we averaged around 29kph over the 80km which came about by doing about 5kph up hills and 75kph downhills.
We saw all sorts in a big field. Lots of very nice bikes. Really well run and lots of....well uhmm...fun.
The highlight was our dash for the finish down that 10km hill that we encountered on the way out. We got taken over by the "green team" about 20km out and we let them go (there was about 10 of them). At about 15km out we saw they were in trouble with 3 riders pushing the one guy up the last hill. Trev was still with us so we pounced. What a ride...did the last 10km downhill at about 72kph in a big pack of pink and green. Lots of jostling for positions and really scary. Despite the vertical drop we still had to pedal really hard and we all were spent. The green team pulled away at the very end but I'm pretty sure some of them may have still been behind us - but their sprinter, who was wearing the tag, beat us to the line. We caught up with them after the race to find they enjoyed the mad dash as much as we did. I took the opportunity and asked them if any of them had seen my knee cap but to no avail - I think it landed in a cow paddock.
Check out photos and times for this ride on the website
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Track bike was black and white and not red all over
Tim, Richard, Mark and David and some of the youngsters had fun on the Narrogin velodrome last night - no races, but a bit of checking out strengths and weaknesses, and then a flying 500 m time trial.
Tim brought his shiny new bike, but the shop had slipped him a black and white version instead of the red one (see post below from Tim). As we all know, red is faster, and as a result Tim's flying 500 m time was a fraction slower than Dave's time - because Dave had a red seat!
Track riding is great for developing skills that are also useful on the road. Drafting without surging, cornering at speed, and knowing how to sprint when it counts are all learnt best on the track. There is something about not having brakes and a freewheel that really focuses your mind. Probably the fear of dying. Also, track riding is a great spectator sport (bring the family) because they can see the whole event as it whips past them.
Track riding is on Friday next week, so book in your diary and get there by 7.00 am. Stay on for a cool drink and some food if you have time.
Tim brought his shiny new bike, but the shop had slipped him a black and white version instead of the red one (see post below from Tim). As we all know, red is faster, and as a result Tim's flying 500 m time was a fraction slower than Dave's time - because Dave had a red seat!
Track riding is great for developing skills that are also useful on the road. Drafting without surging, cornering at speed, and knowing how to sprint when it counts are all learnt best on the track. There is something about not having brakes and a freewheel that really focuses your mind. Probably the fear of dying. Also, track riding is a great spectator sport (bring the family) because they can see the whole event as it whips past them.
Track riding is on Friday next week, so book in your diary and get there by 7.00 am. Stay on for a cool drink and some food if you have time.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Black on black is now in lights
Sun rise is now about 6.30 am and sun set is about 6.20 pm, so guess what - you need lights on your bike if you plan to ride with the group at 6.00 in the morning. There is quite a choice, ranging from the $30-$40 simple led front lights, to those running over $200 (and up to $600!!!!).
The cheap front lights are fine if you just want people to see you from the front, and for slow 'I must get home soon' riding, but if you want to see what is on the road when doing 30 km/hr or more, you need more expensive and stronger lights.
There are some very good flashing back lights for about $30, so check out bikes on the morning ride and ask. If a car is going be a problem, it is the one that is coming from behind, so ditch that old generation flashing light and buy a good high intensity LED flasher.
And who is it that rides a black bike with no lights and wears black cycle clothing? Mr Stealth!
[UPDATE: I've been warned that the lights are now on, but there will be special noise baffles to mask the approach and whooshing noise at it goes past!]
The cheap front lights are fine if you just want people to see you from the front, and for slow 'I must get home soon' riding, but if you want to see what is on the road when doing 30 km/hr or more, you need more expensive and stronger lights.
There are some very good flashing back lights for about $30, so check out bikes on the morning ride and ask. If a car is going be a problem, it is the one that is coming from behind, so ditch that old generation flashing light and buy a good high intensity LED flasher.
And who is it that rides a black bike with no lights and wears black cycle clothing? Mr Stealth!
[UPDATE: I've been warned that the lights are now on, but there will be special noise baffles to mask the approach and whooshing noise at it goes past!]
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Coastal Clash
Had a good weekend at Lancelin for the Coastal Clash. Its good to get out of your pond and have a swim in the Ocean now and then. The event was well run, with about 8 discreet events over the weekend. To compete for the King of the Coast (or queen) title you had to do 5 events which they nominated. Saturday night was a criterium around a block in the centre of town. These blokes battled it out, with one bloke being knocked out every 2nd lap. It came down to the last two and they disappeared down the back straight on the last lap.... and never emerged. They pranged into each other, took a fair bit of bark off, and it was called a draw!
Sunday, was a 37km time trial, which was one of the nominated events for the king of the coast. A loop down to Ledge Point and return. Being a Wiese, and the participants setting off at 30 second intervals in alphabetical order, Sarah and I were next to last to start, and I swear to god, the sea breeze came in when they were up to the L's, and we ended up with headwind, whereas the A's got blown both ways. Thats my story anyway.
Sarah picked up a handy 3rd in the ladies for a bit of silverwear. I was very much an also ran, coming in 6th out of the blokes. Keep your eyes out for it next year. Also keep your eyes open for the Anaconda Adventure race entries opening in April. Google it for details.
Sunday, was a 37km time trial, which was one of the nominated events for the king of the coast. A loop down to Ledge Point and return. Being a Wiese, and the participants setting off at 30 second intervals in alphabetical order, Sarah and I were next to last to start, and I swear to god, the sea breeze came in when they were up to the L's, and we ended up with headwind, whereas the A's got blown both ways. Thats my story anyway.
Sarah picked up a handy 3rd in the ladies for a bit of silverwear. I was very much an also ran, coming in 6th out of the blokes. Keep your eyes out for it next year. Also keep your eyes open for the Anaconda Adventure race entries opening in April. Google it for details.
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