Cycling - Page 1

Saturday 11th March 2000
After purchasing a Track Bike on Tuesday and training at the Superdrome on Friday night with the beginners on Friday night I raced at Hanson Reserve with the Northern Combine (Kilkenny, Port Adelaide, ???).
The bike had the wrong gear ratio and 165mm cranks, (I hate anything but 170mm cranks). I thought it had too small a gear ratio but it turned out to be to big when I got around to counting teeth and working out the ratio.
I got left behind as soon as the sprint began as I could not push any harder ever though I had been given a good handicap.

Saturday 18th March 2000
Training on Friday at the Superdrome again, up early Saturday to ride at Hanson again. I have not found different cranks or gears yet. It's just great to race track. They are very friendly at Hanson. Usually get 3 races in the morning so plenty of time to chat with the Zuckers etc. All sorts of people show up for a look and chat.
One of the races was for a nice trophy. Handicap, of course, I made the mistake of waiting after I caught the person in front of me. The guys behind went past so fast towards the end that I did not have a hope of getting on or staying with them. Have to think about this for next time!

Saturday 25th March 2000
Last track meeting for the season!
Training on Thursday night at the Superdrome. I have promoted myself from the "beginners" to the "first year license holders".
I have talked to Pud Brooks during the week and purchased/swapped the cranks and gears. I now have 170mm cranks and 52x16 gear ratio. This feels much better in training on Thursday night. The seat hurts after awhile and my hands get pins and needles but I can peddle much better.
Oh, I am still learning about this no brakes and fixed gear thing. It has kicked me in the leg, (the right leg), a couple of times and it really hurts. This is starting to stick in the memory. I have been told that you can come off if you try to stop peddling after a sprint. I am quite scared about this because I always, well up until now, have stopped peddling after a full-on sprint.
I have spotted a large trophy on display in the middle of Hanson Reserve today. After having a closer look and talking to Alan Gill who has his name on it for the last two year and is planning and getting it again I decide that this is well worth a big effort and blowing the good handicap I have.
The first race is a scratch race which I use as a good work-out but only 80% effort taking note of who can sprint and whether I think I would be able to roll them. Felt good, but I am very new to this game.
The Navy trophy race consists of two heats and a final, first 5 in each heat into the final over 5 laps (4 to the mile). My heat is second so I watch the first heat with interest. Alan Gill and Duncan are the back marker on 40 metres. They power through the field and win fairly easily. Pretty to watch but not a good sign.
I get 200 metres in my heat with 6 guys in front stretching out to 260 metres and another 6 or so behind. Most of the guys I ride track scratch races with are in front of me with a few behind but it look good, as long as you look forward and not backwards!
I take off, (Everybody is holding the fence), fairly hard and catch the guy 20 metres ahead quite quickly, we catch the next two guys, (were 40 metres ahead) soon, do a couple of turns and its time to line up for the sprint in the last lap. A quick head count says that I will qualify but I move up just in case there are others coming, there weren't but I have not learn't to look around yet, so best not to take chances. I come second, by choice, concentrating hard on looking for others. That was fairly easy really, I have hope.
The final.
Most of the guys in front of me have also qualified. Looks good.
No holding back this time. Concentrating hard at the start for the whistle. I take off really hard. I am going so hard that I go straight past the guy in front whether I wanted to or not, he did not even get on. I think he got a real shock as he was tipped to win the race and he also expects to. I suddenly notice that I have dropped him and my legs are screaming because I have started too hard and can not possibly continue at this pace. I back-off and the guy behind lifts and gets on me. We do turns, I forget how many, we are eating up the guys in front, I do not think they are getting on either. One more to get, I wish I could look around but perhaps it is best not to know. I catch the last one, we go straight past, it is about 1 lap to go, we get the bell and my mate, (well short term working partner), does not want to do turns any more, he comes past and is off like a shot. I have to chase hard to get back on, he is going for home, I wait, I wait some more, I try to relax, last corner, only the length of the straight left, time to go, concentrate, full effort, sit-down only, try to peddle smooth. I have got him, quick look at the judges, I think I better get well over him, I doubt they can pick the winner as well as Elizabeth did at home in Mildura, 6 - 10 inches, well that will have to do here comes the line. Yep, that will do it. My legs hurt, why is my throat burning. DO NOT stop peddling!!! That hurt, I got to get fit!
This is a big trophy with lots of history. Nice simple presentation
One more race, you are kidding, I can not scratch myself, I am still coughing, my legs still hurt, I come, I do not know, It's not last but it's not first because I can not sprint anymore. I does not matter I am HAPPY!
Check out the photo's in the News section!

Sunday 2nd April 2000
Training Only. Looking for racing programs to find out when and where races are. Could not find anything in time.

Sunday 9th April 2000
First ride with Southern Vets
I missed training at the Superdrome and just rode home instead. Rode out to my first Road Race for the season. Over a couple of hills through Mc Laren Vale and up towards the hills. Only to the bottom. It was a 55km handicap. I started with Jim Mc Cluskey on 7 minutes (1 group in front of block), 33 minutes behind limit. Needless to say we never say limit. In fact we did not even catch the group 1 minute ahead. I started fairly easy out of the blocks, missed my peddle, but it was much to fast for Jim & Linda, I waited but again after a couple of kilometers I dropped them again. I could see the group in front and decided to keep going on my own to see if I could catch them. Well after a couple of k's they disappeared so I eased up and waited for Jim again, (I had no idea where I was going!). They have a different style of racing, they warm up for the first 5-10 k's them wind into it, which is why the next group seemed so closed for a while then suddenly disappeared. After that we had a nice ride in the country around Kangarilla. After 40 k's I was starting to feel it but made it home OK as there was nothing to sprint for. Good training.

Saturday 15th April 2000
First ride with Southern Combine (Run by Norwood)
I nominated at least 7 days ahead as required by Norwood and asked them to get back to me indicating things were OK. Well no message so I rode out to the start. I left home at 11am for 1pm start at the Range. The first 11kms were fine, the last 6kms up Pennys Hill road were a struggle. It is a steep climb all the way, steepest at the start with no let-up. I was glad I was early so I could recover.
Nearly the first person I say at the hall was Pam Keegan, Oh, Mick, I need to see you!, You cannot race with out joining a club, you live in SA now, you should be a member of Noarlunga CC, as an associate member ........
Not happy was I !!!
I am now an associate member of Noarlunga, well I handed $10- to the President of Noarlunga CC anyway.
I am not happy about the way it was handled, several phone calls were made to check on me and nobody phoned me before the race to ask or tell me anything.
Next I found that my handicap was 4 minutes, In my dreams can I ride with that 4 minute bunch. After discussion and pointing out that I had ridden with Jim last week who was is the 10 minute bunch I was let out to 8 minutes. The said they would be watching the race and would review the handicap again. I told them that they better. Still seemed a big ask but it was only meant to be training for me so I thought I would try.
Later I read all the hand-outs etc. and found that this race was/is a big deal, with over 100 competitors and a very large trophy for 1st and more than $1000- prize money.
They took off like a shot at the start, more like what I had expected last week, and settled into a pace that was more than I could handle. I did as many turns as I could, ignoring the fact that I was going to blow up. I lasted 15km and on a slight rise I went out the back. The next group caught me very soon and I again went out the back on another rise at 17km. Another group, another rise and out the back at 18km. I found a couple a people also spat-out and we rode on trying to get past the hills/rises so that we might get on when scratch came past. Just got to the downhill part and scratch arrived at 50kph plus. I think I was the only one to get on but I was absolutely flat-out. I last until the next rise at 20km. I was determined to finish as I was fairly sure I new the circuit so kept going. I caught people and got caught but finished on my own. 50 km in total.
Rode to the hall for a drink and sat down to watch the presentations. The 8 minute group, who I started with took first, second and fourth prize. Oh, I wished I could have stayed with them! One day maybe.
Rode home, down hill mostly, very tired and still grumpy.
I want to race road in the winter with the Southern combine as the Northern race very Northern of Adelaide, sometimes 100kms from my home. Way to far to ride to races, even a long way the drive!, whereas the Southern are within 20kms, but I want ride Track in the summer with the Northern combine because the Southern do not race any track. ( Sorry One meeting for the season ). Is this hard to understand ? Why does it matter where I live ?

Sunday 23rd April 2000
Easter long weekend. Training, training and racing. I went to training at the Superdrome on Thursday night, only a few people turned up, Easter I guess. The Southern combine had a hill climb on Sunday from "Eagle on the Hill" to Mt Lofty. The Northern combine had scratch races on Saturday at Balaklava. The Southern Vets had a club race at Strout Rd Mc Laren Vale. 80 km training on Friday, Pt Noarlunga Sth, Willunga Hill, (uphill, head-wind, hurt!), Meadows, Kangarilla, Mc Laren Vale, Seaford, home. 60 km training on Saturday, Pt Noarlunga Sth to Glenelg and return. Hay, I bought a new pair of sunglasses in Glenelg! that should make some people happy. I guess they are now waiting for the new helmet, sorry, one day maybe.
I chose the Southern Vet club race, 50km, 3 laps, handicap. This is my second race with them so next time I will have to pay $55- to join, not too bad really. Less people this week than last, around 40 I guess, I did not count. Some people were nearly late so I did not see the handicaps. I think limit was 30 minutes. I got number 10 and found Jim had number 11 (I rode with Jim last time), with less people we were further back, chopping block in fact, 2 minutes behind the next bunch and 5 minutes in front of scratch.
With only 3 (Jim, Greg and me) in the bunch, 5+ in front and 4+ in scratch we were in "no mans land" again. Greg was much stronger than Linda from last time so maybe we had a hope. Jim got spat on the first little hill 2 kilometres up the road, same as last time but this time Greg and I kept going and Jim was never seen again. Greg was just a bit too strong for me so I had to let him to longer turns and wait for him to swing up. We were making ground on the next bunch but not fast enough and after 20 km scratch caught us, minus Jim, they must have spat him! In the up hill straight sections of the course we could now see the next two groups ahead. The 4 scratch guys were going hard, too hard for me, I could stay with them but not help. We caught a big bunch just at a corner were the flag marshall had to stop us because of the traffic. The whole bunch got-on. The scratchies were not content just to take turns at the front when nobody would work with them. I doubt many actually could work with them. They starting attacking. This meet gaps had to be bridged and after several attacks and a some rolling hills most of the bunch dropped off. I just managed to stay with them but I was given heaps for not working, tough!, I couldn't, and I new what was next.
With 3-4 kilometres to go and one hill/rise the attacks resumed. Eventually a couple got away and the rest were spread out left gasping and hurting. I could do no more than stay with the second bunch of 3. I led-out/tried to bridge the gap with 500 metres to go. Did not make it or even come close, sat down and rolled through for a trailing 6th place. Started about 6th, from the back and finished 6th, good hard training, felt better than last time. Got a chocolate Easter bunny for 6th!
At the moment I think I will race twice next weekend, Saturday with the Southern combine, Sunday with the Southern Vets. We will see.

Sunday 30th April 2000
Racing and Racing. I went to training at the Superdrome on Thursday night, a few more people attended so maybe it will continue. It is a week by week thing. Trained hard after being pushed by Richard and then trying to give some back by winding up the pace when it was my turn at the front.
Saturday was very windy over must of Adelaide and no less up at the Range, but as it was not raining and still quite warm there was no excuse not to race. This week it was a 4 lap (68km) handicap with the Southern Combine. I received number 76 and the program shows me as a member of Noarlunga Cycling Club, ( OK with me if it keeps them happy! ), with the 10 minute bunch. Looking at the handicaps this seemed but as the 8 minute people seemed to be behind me. Give it a go and see if I could work with them.
Buzz, wrong answers, started working, under real pressure at the first slight climb and not able to come through for a turn. Here we go again. spat out the back at 15km again, almost exactly the same spot as 2 weeks ago. Again spat by ever group that came past, more quickly this time as they were smaller.
Rode most of the last 40km alone. Most people stopped 1 or 2 laps early or turn around and rode backwards after being dropped. Again, as this is just training, although it would be nice to see the finish, or even have corner marshalls for the last lap, I continued and finished the 4 laps. I saw one guy finish behind me, most were eating and drinking and telling stories. Having finished the rot really set-in. I was hurting badly. A coke and 2 sausages in bread when down easily while I watched the presentations. Another big trophy went to some one from the 10 minute bunch.
Again the bunch I started with took several of the prizes !!! One day!
Driving to and from the race was a good decision. It did not rain but boy was it windy. The rain came shortly after it got dark. About 25mm here. Lots of stretching and an early night.
Sunday Morning
It was not raining and looking quite nice so no excuses, quick breakfast and drive to Macclesfield. I got there just in time. I picked up my number first, (Division 1 number 13), to hear my name being called at the starting line as I was taking my bike out of the Ute! No warm-up, no toilet, no pumping up tires, into it. I was given choping block, Divison 1, bit tough, bad without a warmup especially when the road, which I knew nothing about, seemed to climb and climb for the first 5 kms. Things never got better, After I saw Craig, (who I had just worked with last week), struggling on the back, I decided that I was probably never going to take a turn. It was a large 2 lap circuit with lots of chances of getting lost so I wanted to stay with the group. By the time they slowed enough for me to maybe take a turn scratch appeared.
Scratch do not like taking turns! Fortunately one of them got up the road easily without a chase and the rest then seemed happy just to take easy turns. The chopping block guys seems happy to leave him there and the rest of scratch did not seem to want to join him. This was nice until we came back to the large hill which was not far from the finish. All hell broke loose at the bottom of the hill and it was full on all the way up and then to the finish line. I managed to get over the hill with the 2 bunch, 3 in the first, 4 in the second, no idea after that as I did not look behind. Being slack and not working put me much higher than I would have otherwise have been. One of the guys in the second bunch decided that he could bridge the gap to the first bunch and very gave it to it on the fast downhill 1 km after the hill. I peddled as fast as possible in 53x13 but they rode away from me. I chased but they did not slow down. When I new I would not catch them I looked around but I was alone so just kept peddling and finished 7th.
7th but not a happy 7th as I had not done enough turns. I want to start with a group that I can work with!

Sunday 7th May 2000
Jim Pascoe Open Weekend
Things started badly for this weekends racing on Thursday morning when I got and found I had Nicole's Cold. It only seemed mild but I was happy that I had decided not to go training at the Superdrome this week. I got worse during the day and I was not unhappy that it rained in the afternoon and I got a ride home instead of riding home. I felt bad enough to have a day off work on Friday and not do very much. Friday afternoon friends (racing friends ex Mildura) arrived and settled in. I went to bed real early. Saturday morning I felt better but I had not quite purged it but I was going to race away. I had paid by entry fee and it was not raining. Saturday 11:15am and we rode to "The Range". Penny's Hill was tough but I got up OK, much better than Ian who had to make a few stopped on the way up. I was a TBH (To Be Handicapped) and not on the program. I got C grade. Sounded OK. It was 4 scratch races: A & B grade, 5 laps, 80km. C & D grade, 4 laps, 68km. Ian got B grade, from which they would not move him, although he wanted C grade. David got A grade, but moved to B grade. Lea got B grade and stayed. Peter got D grade and stayed. A grade started first followed by B ,C, D juniors etc. C grade started quietly with no attacks and settled into a good pace, well hard enough for me although I could see that some people were doing it very easy. A few very taking turns and nobody seemed worried or upset that a few, me included were sitting on. I was going to sit-on first the first lap minimum. I had never actually made much more than one lap before getting dropped. Well I made the climb with them, I was at 100%, but as there were no attacks I got over the top and around the corner OK. Several riders including Jim went out the back on the climb. One lap down, 3 to go, I was very happy the still be there. Maybe I should take some turns. Well I took a few but then went back to rest up for the next climb. Again I made it up with them. 100% and hurting but never mind, it was great to be there. I could see that several of them were holding back so I was living on borrowed time but you got to try. Third time up the climb was another 100% effort but I survived. Nobody had been dropped since the first climb so that pace was fairly easy for most of them. I knew I would not stay with them on the last climb up to the finish so this lap I did lots more turns. Stopping just before the climb to give myself a rest and faint hope. I even moved up to the front before the climb, actually I just didn't move back after my last turn. The pressure was on this time. Unfortunately I had started to get concrete blocks in the legs, due to lack of recent training and a Cold, I think. This meant I did not peddle as quickly or smoothly as previously, so with the added pressure, 2km to go and I was out the back with nothing I could do about it. Never mind it was my best effort yet, largely because it was a scratch race, but it still felt good. Ian got dropped on the flat on the second lap having survived the climb once and got off to become a spectator. Wrong. The others finished with there bunches and Peter even got a 1st unplaced .... prize.
Sunday Ian and I went for a 75km training ride around town. I still need to get rid of the Cold!

Sunday 14th May 2000
No training at the Superdrome on Thursday night as it was cancelled because no coach was available.
On Friday it was raining at 5pm so I had to get a lift home. I thought I needed some training so I went for a ride at 5:45pm. As it was nearly dark I decided I needed to keep off the roads so I went along the bike path the Moana up Griffith Drive and along the new bike path to Mc Laren Vale. This path follows the old railway line so it fairly flat and because it has been made with a thick cover of hot-mix it is a fast surface. This makes for a fast ride which is a test of nerves in the dark with only a bike headlight to see by.
Saturday
In the morning it rained on and off and looked like it would continue for the rest of the day, so I did not drive to the Whispering Wall to race with the Northern Combine because it thought it would be wet and there would be very few riders. I did not nominate for the Southern Combine race at Greenock so I waited until I thought it had stopped raining and went for a training ride towards Glenelg.
Wrong again, it had not quite stopped and I just rode far enough away from home to not want to turn around when the showers started. I first couple were quite short so I sheltered and continued towards Glenelg after a few minutes. At Hallet Cove I got a better view of the coast and over the houses towards Glenelg. Time to turn around! On the way back I got wet again but more importantly I found out what was making the scrapping noise which has been coming and going. After stopping to have a look at the cluster I found that the lock ring had come loose and it was undoing and tightening depending on, I don't know what. This was allowing the cluster to move across and touch the frame and make gear adjustment impossible. Saturday night I cleaned the worst of it but left most of it for later.
Sunday
Sunday morning at 7am looked much better with damp roads but less chance of rain. I went to Strout Road, in the Ute, just in case, to race with the Southern Vets. It cost me $12-, 2 x $6- because I nominated for last week and did not turn up. Humm, I am going to have to find out how to un-nominate! I also paid $55- to join so it was an expensive day, all by 8:30am.
Number 11, this meant chopping block again/still. Better news after warming up, there are 7 of us in Chopping Block and only 3 in scratch with a 2 minute time gap. At the start I miss my pedal but it does not matter as they start so slow in these Vets races that I am soon in front with a gap. When I hear somebody behind saying something like, "don't chase" I realize I have started to fast and back off and wait for them to catch up. I start taking turns straight away. This works really well and very soon I am always in the front half a dozen taking turns. We are moving along well but Barry always seems to take his turn by moving up to quickly for anyone to follow him. This made things harder but when I went to the back for a "rest" I found it was much harder at the back so I struggled to the front and resumed taking turns and working without dropping back again.
We were catching riders and groups at a reasonable rate but probably not fast enough. On the last lap many more riders came into view up the road. We worked hard, but two riders remained away. I spent all my energy in the second to last kilometre trying to catch riders and quietly moved over and slid out the back just before the sprint started at around 400m. Sprinting was not part of the plan and not possible after chasing hard in the last kilometres.
It was a good day for me, feeling strong enough to do turns when others could not and being praised for working hard and hurting others. I hope I am still in Chopping Block next week, I do not want to try scratch yet even though we held them at bay. For my next trick I need to work as hard as this but also have something left for a sprint. Next time.

Sunday 21st May 2000
No training at the Superdrome on Thursday night. Maybe it was on, maybe not, I did not even ask I just decided not to go. I managed to get a cycling ride home Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night without getting wet. Wonderful! I forgot to nominate for Loberthal, not realizing it was an Open, and it was way to late when I looked at the program on Monday night.
Saturday
I planned a long ride for Saturday, actually I had planned to do a long ride last Saturday but it rained. This Saturday it was fine in the morning and I had to get to Pennington to pick up 2 new chain rings from Pud. I got a little wet from the road a couple of times but only enough to be annoying. After Pud's I went to Outer-Harbour. It seemed like somewhere quiet to have lunch. I found a nice spot to stop and have lunch at the marina out of the cool wind. Back on the road towards Glenelg, wet again, stopped and sheltered. Someone else also stopped so we rode together for awhile. Not a racer but he keep a solid pace which hurt after too much lunch but after a while I came good and kept a good pace even after he turned off for home. At Glenelg I decided that home was to close so I rode up Anzac highway towards town thinking that it would be nice to do a lap around the city. I forgot how many traffic lights there are and once I got to South Terrace I decide not to do a lap and just rode back to Glenelg. I stopped on the way back to shelter from a light shower again and decided that a another can of coke might help while I was waiting. From Glenelg I rode home in the dry and actually started to feel quite good by the time I arrived home. Good enough to ride past the beach after having a couple of lows along the way.
Sunday
Nice and dry first thing in the morning, but cold, so ride into the Southern Vets Club Rooms. Not my favourite event today. Two man time-trial, and I did not have a partner but this would not be a problem I was told. I assumed that because I had nominated that they would find me one before hand and try and match people up. No, pot luck when you arrive. Well, somebody did arrive shortly after me who I thought would be about my standard so we went off to warmed up and meet back at the start at our 9:55 and 30 seconds start-time. After talking to others I found out it was a charity event, no license required, no age limits, tandems, Mums and Dads, the works. Things were very busy with 120 riders starting.
I tried to start slowish so as not to drop Peter (my partner), but I did anyway. It was the standard course with a slight extension to make it up to 20kms per lap, 2 laps = 40km, so for a change I knew where I was going and what to expect. I held back my pace but again dropped Peter on the first little Hill, same as Jim etc. Peter did shorter turns and I did longer turns but as soon as it went uphill he went out the back and I had to wait for him. Peter did no turns but again little Hill and he went out the back. We were not catching anybody anymore, in fact we were being passed. At 10km & 15km Peter tells me he is not going to finish and will drop out at the halfway mark, (1 lap). Fine, I would continue, but by 20kms he seemed to come good and even though he was not doing turns, (only a few), he was staying on better so we kept going and finished OK, but we did not catch the pair 30 seconds ahead of us or the others that passed us. It was a good thing there were no prizes that we might have won as it was frustrating trying to time-trial with somebody with a completely different riding style and very ineffective and efficient.
But I got what I needed which was a hard training ride for most of the 40kms.
Next weekend is Berri! I would like to have done more racing and long rides but it is to late now

Sunday 28th May 2000
I trained Tuesday lunch time for 30 minutes, Wednesday lunch time for 60 minutes and rode home Thursday night. I got a bit wet and dirty on Thursday night but I needed the ride. Friday was as wet, cold and windy day from start to finish so I counted it as a rest day and did a few stretching exercises and hoped to freshen up for the big weekend.
Saturday morning was cold, wet and windy but we were driving up to Berri where it would be nice, I hoped. Saturday 98km Tour of the Riverland 1:30 pm start. 149 starters on the program. limit 25 minutes, me 16 minutes with C. Zucker, J. Danvers, M. Elleway, 12 in the group. The course was Berri Hotel to Renmark and back, Loxton Hotel and back 5km loop finish in front of Berri Hotel.
I started with 3 lepans, lots of oil on the legs, licra arm warmers, several layers of clothing and clear glasses. We started well and had a good group of workers. I was able to take turns most of the time. When we got wet for the first time climbing the hill coming back from Renmark the group slowed quite a bit but I was not about to push the pace. My feet were wet, cold and heavy. In hindsight I need to get some shoe covers to stop this. We slowly caught the groups in front but not by the groups behind. finally we caught the front with about 20 kms to go. As we had not been caught by any following groups there was a "hope" in the group that we would make it to the finish. Eric Cook told us over the PA that we were 1:45 minutes ahead of scratch. I eat my last lepan and hoped. I was feeling quite good and staying close to the front and still taking a few turns.
Unfortunately about 5-10 kms later we were caught by a following group and shortly after Scratch. The parties was over. The pace lifted and people started dropping like flies. Just coming into Berri down the hill I got tailed off by riders in front of me and before I noticed the gap had got to 20 metres. A small group formed and we chased but were unable to get back on. We watched the finish from an distance.
There were about 25 riders in front so I finished about 30th.
But I finished. No one else behind us was allowed on the final 5km loop so I was one of the 30 real finishers.
The lepans made a real difference such that I felt OK except that my feet were frozen and my back hurt. In the warm shower my feet really hurt for quite a while. Luckily it was a continous gas hot water heater, so after about 20-30 minutes and I was OK again. My back did not recover as easily but it felt OK when just sitting or standing, bending over was bad.
Chinese for tea in a quiet Restaurant up the street. Back to the Hotel to talk to a few people for a while and back to the Cabin to relax and eat again. Slept very soundly, waking with a start at 7am.
Sunday
I had planned to wake up at 6:30am but 7am was fine. I felt Ok except my back was still sore. The Vets start time was 8:30am. We did not get away until 8:55am because they started the U/17's first. It just gave us a better warm up and more time to talk. To begin with I thought Pat Marcucci and Co would make it a clean sweep but after talking and listening I was not so sure.
48km Handicap, Ladies and Over 35 riders, 13 minutes for limit. I had 4 minutes, 3rd scratch, 5 in the group. M. Elleway, J. Danvers, M. Refermat, J. De Stefano. Course was Berri Hotel to Loxton Roundabout and back the 5km loop, finish in front of the Hotel.
We started in dry conditions, 1 lepan, lots of oil, etc. I started OK but not as strong and the back was a bit sore but I was taking turns. M. Elleway was the strongest and doing smooth turns with whoever so things hung together well. J. De Stefano went out the back on the climb just over the bridge but I do not think anybody cared much as he is a very erratic rider. Very hard to follow and tends to swerve about. We could see the group in front but only seemed to be catching them slowly. I took as many turns as I could to help catch the group in front as I could see that they were bigger than us and we needed to catch them. We finally did which made things a lot easier for me and probably others. We slowly caught 2 more groups in front and got caught by one group, Chopping Block, from behind. Same story as yesterday. The pace really lifted when C/B caught The side wind and screaming back pain, weakened legs, mean't I gave up. I didn't want to but I was just hanging on the back on the other side of the road and the pain was just getting worse.
I rode the last 5 km quietly back to the finish without doing the loop. DNF. I was in time to watch Arthur Anderson win the race in a group of two which just held off the group I was spat from followed by scratch when never got up.
It was great to see Arthur win, he had put in a big effort. Some of my group filled the 3rd to 10th places.
I could not consider the criterium with such a sore back.
Shower, food, walk around talking to people and watch the criteriums. Great. We did not stay for the BBQ or presentations, onto the serious business of driving home in the very windy wet conditions. Home safely in the daylight.
Another Berri year passes.

Sunday 4th June 2000
Rest day on Monday after Berri. Went for a ride Tuesday lunch-time, up South Road to the other end of the Veloway and back via the veloway. Nice ride about 20kms, A couple of laps around the block and back up the hill to work. A good work-out that takes about 45 minutes.
Rode home Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Sat at home all day Saturday and listened to the rain and worked on my Typing Tutor program. I have search the Net for freeware and Shareware "Learn to Type" programs but we do not like any of them. They all seem to introduce new letters to quickly and the lessons are to long. So I am picking up were I left off several years ago with a program I started to write a program which will introduce letters only two at a time and has 5 minute lessons with speed/accuracy tests after each lesson. I hope to learn to type as well but it is really for the kids as I do not want them the get much older with learning to touch-type. (School seems to have forgotten about this basic skill!).
For those that went to Williamstown on Saturday it was 6 laps up whispering wall,3+ in the rain!
Sunday at the Southern VETs was a 25km age group Time Trial. Not my best event but it was dry and good hard training and much better than just a training ride. A fast but tough course straight out the rode to Kangarilla and back. Rolling hills all the way and a couple of climbs just to drop the pace. I started at a solid pace which I thought I might hold and since I was catching the guy in front. I watched him and tried to pace myself off him. A couple of guys came flying past so I knew I was not really in the race for a place, especially as I also watched them disappear out of sight in front. I just keep watching the guy in front and about 1km after the turn around I thought I would catch him soon but, the wheels fell off, or something, and he seemed to start moving away. I think I ended up about 1 minute behind at the end, back were I started!
At the presentations I got zip as expected but the guys that won in my age group almost got the fastest time for the day, not that I would have actually won any of the age groups, well not most of them anyway.
After the racing I heard that the "The Tour of Kangaroo Island" was cancelled, 8 noms!, well it was $99- to enter!, so there will be a 2 hour crit at Regency Park on Saturday afternoon instead. I plan to go, weather permitting. !!Bring on the Track Season!!

Sunday 11th June 2000
The Weather just got better during the week. It is a bit cold for my liking but it is not raining. Saturday morning was nice. By the time I cleaned the bike and packed up, after a sleep-in it was time to begin the drive to Regency Park. I arrived in plenty of time as the race was not until 1:30pm for me. The Handicapper "asked me which Grade should I be in?" I quickly selected D Grade and convinced him that would be OK. The starting order was A, B, C & D grades a couple of minutes apart with strict instructions to keep the grades separated. We were passed several times and I started to go with another grade without even noticing the different hat colours. Easy to do, a couple of other people did the same but the rest of the group called out and you woke of soon enough. The race consisted of a fairly easy pace, I was comfortable most of the time, only a few people taking turns, nothing organised, and a surge/breakaway each 1-2 laps. We averaged 37+ kph which surprised me as I am sure I could have gone harder. C Grade would have been a much harder work-out but if I win a race or two I am sure I will find out. I have not done a crit for 12 months, at least and I have done no crit training so I had no ambitions of wining, just a training ride in which I hoped I could be with them until the end and then right in the thick of it in the sprint but not necessarily in the first 3. Everything went to plan except that several concrete blocks developed in my legs in the final 50 metres of the sprint. That was my que to back off. I was not pleased as they had given no hints that there would be a problem as I had bridged several gaps and chased quite hard earlier. I think it means that I need some crit training or crit racing.
Sunday
I was a little slow getting organised in the morning and had to get a ride half way to Strout Road. It did not really matter as it was so cold that the ride was not really a warm up and I found that I did not really need much after racing Saturday. A 50km handicap starting from chopping block as per normal. We started with a reasonable size group but because of one person, (who I will have to speak to next time as nobody else will), who always went through too hard, could not, would not get organised and take turns properly. I decided to work hard anyway and give them heaps up the hills/slopes of which there seemed to be many. After I while I found that I was only working on the ups and hanging on in the downs, so much so that I struggled badly to close a gap on a particularly fast downhill section. Despite all of this we did catch quite a few in front and had quite a few sitting on. But clearly we had not caught them all as we could see several groups ahead on the main road to Willunga, about 5km from home. It was just after this that Scratch caught us, something that should never have happened with such a big group, but it's not the size of the group that counts as the number of workers and we only had a handful. Scratch must have worked fairly hard to catch us as they were pretty quiet, content to get to the front and just apply the pressure. This suited me as my legs were hurting and I think a gap would have been impossible for me to bridge. I stayed in about 5th wheel so that I could see what was happening and be protected. I suspect the pressure was not quite enough to break the group just string them out. I wanted to be amongst the sprint and tried to stay with them for as long as I could but I knew from the hurt in my legs that the concrete blocks were waiting. As the pressure increased and the distance decreased one of the scratch guys took off for the line. I tried to go but the legs would not respond. They were not as bad as Saturday but I was a lot further behind when I went across the line.
Not a good race and not a good outcome. The only remedy I can think of is more training but this is very weather dependent given that I do not have a wind trainer or rollers and it gets dark very early these days.
I like racing on Saturday and Sunday, I think it is good for me and therefore I have nominated for both days next weekend already.
Monday, Queens Birthday Holiday.
I thought I would train over the course of next Sundays race so that I will know where I am going as the race is expected to breakup as there are two hills in the course. I should have started earlier but, never mind, I have all day. Well I used most of it. On the way I got a puncture at the end of the bike path in Mc Laren Vale, not 15km from home. I proceeded to break the valve off the spare I was pumping up after carefully changing it. I left it hanging on a fence post! Given that I now had no spare and 60+ kms to ride I tried to buy one in Mc Laren Vale and Willunga. No luck as expected. I continued anyway. The first climb is up the old Willunga Hill Road which is a tough climb but as I have done it a few times now I know the way and what to expect apart from pain. My back stood up well, much better than sometimes, but I got hot even after removing the longins at the bottom. I got over the top and felt fairly pleased but that was soon washed away when I dropped my chain and could not get it back on even after stopping without getting my hands dirty/greasy. The front de-rauler need some more adjustment to make it change properly after it has had two new sprockets. I had made a map using the street directory before I left which I had in my pocket which I was now consulting as I thought I should turn down the road but it had the wrong name on the sign. I should have turned but did not and this took me on a much longer course. I later back tracked up the same road and discovered that the road changed names part way along. I will know next time! Back on course and flying along I missed the next corner even though I was looking for it. I ended up in Mc Laren Flat and knew I was wrong but by this time I was hungry and it was getting late so I was not going back. I will find it next time or hopefully there will be a marshall on the corner. It was the second climb ~ 4kms up to "The Range" which would have been nice to do but I can guess that it is just up up and up and I suspect knowing what it is exactly like will not matter. Whether you win or lose will depend upon who you are with when you get there. The climbs are tough but there is a lot of flat ground to be covered so nobody is going to be able to do the race alone. I would like to be at the front of the race but it is a handicap after all and anything can happen.

Sunday 18th June 2000
Satuday
Training through the week went well. What I mean is that I did not get wet riding home after work and I did manage to ride a lunch time a couple of times.
Saturday was the "John Venturi" event which consisted of A,B,C & D scratch races over 100/85/60/60 km on a 15 km circuit just before Kangarilla. The circuit had two climbs and one fast section. The climbs very not bad the first time but got harder each time around. I was handicapped into D grade probably because I rode D grade last week. Jackie Low was also down for D grade but asked for C grade. She is a world mountian bike champion and probably would have given us hell, so it was good that she wanted to ride in C grade with Chelsa Zucker, probably because there was a first female prize which she won! D grade started nicely with everybody, me anyway needing to learn the course, in the first couple of laps. I was able to stay up close to the front and watch what was happening because I felt sure there would be a break away on one of the climbs, which felt good. I was right but it was not until the 2nd climb in the third lap that 3 guys decided to really put the pressure on. I had chased a couple of smaller 1 person breaks but these were easy compared to this one. I was in the correct place at the right time but do you think I could close the 2 metre gap going over the top of the hill. No, and nobody else could either! I chased and chased but the gap just got bigger until they were out of sight. I was joined by two others but they could not do much better than me. Looking back there seems to be a big gap back to anybody else to. I keep taking turns anyway. Towards the end, 1km from home, when I had lost interest in the finish one of the two decided that we should sprint and wanted to play cat and mouse. This fired me up and I blow both of them away in the sprint for 4th place by some 50 metres. All with no pain in the legs which made me feel much better. 4th place paid $15- so I had to hang around for about an hour longer than planned for the presentations. 1st A Grade got quite a nice trophy. Sunday
The "Twin Peaks" at 9am Southern VETs 55 km handicap, division 1 & 2.
This generated a lot of interest and instead of my normal chopping block position I was 2 limit with 14 minutes and lots of big strong boys (VET actually) behind. It seemed like a good handicap but I new that the race would break up which would make it much harder. We started with a great group which worked really well all the way to the bottom of Willunga Hill. Pity about the hill. I decided that I would climb the hill at my own pace which having practiced on it plenty of times before I would be comfortable with. About 15kph. I got into my rythm quickly and held 15kph. I seemed a bit fast but I knew it should be OK. I found myself on my own straight away but I was not looking behind to see what was happening. What's behind does not matter. More importantly I could see two riders up ahead and one of them was Jim. Unfortunately Barry came up to join me and went slowly past at a speed which was just above my 15kph. He asked me to stay with him but he was not going to slow down for me. I decided that I did not want to try and lift my speed to match his particularly given that he was a surger and I had figured out that I should catch Jim before the top.
Wrong, wrong wrong.
He caught Jim and another person and some how lifted there speed such that they all went over the top about 70 metres ahead of me. I could not catch them and they were not waiting. Again I chased for kms and kms, maybe 20km but they slowly moved out of sight. This time nobody came up to help me which left me tired by the time a small group did catch me about 2 kms before the second climb. I was able to get on and get some rest but my next mistake happened as we turned the corner and headed up the Wickhams Hill Road. My chain did not want to change onto the little chain ring, which was required for the steep climb and I only managed to drop it off the front sprocket altogether. By the time I had it back on by turning around and riding down hill, the group had gone but I did not matter as I soon discoveried that I had lost most of my climbing rhythm and strength and the scratch bunch, which was not far behind cruised past and by my reckoning would catch the front markers easily. I was left to struggle up the hill after which I seemed to find my legs again and got in with a small group and complete the course. Most of us were happy just to finish.
The strongest of the guys that left me on Willunga Hill managed 5th place. The others were consumed by scratch and unknown to me there was one person on limit who must have left his group before climbing Willunga Hill and stayed in the front the whole way and won! Sunday 25th June 2000
Satuday
A,B,C & D grade scratch race on a 22km hilly course a Loberthal in the Adelaide Hills. D grade and 3 laps for me. Most of the 15-20 person group (1 female, Alex Bennett), had no idea where we were going so the first lap was a reasonably easy ride without attacks to discover the course. It consisted of 3 climbs each a bit tougher and longer than the last then a fast rolling/downhill section with a fast open finish. I quickly decided that I was not going to like the finish with only a 53x13 big gear and I hoped that the hills would cut the numbers down and I would make it into the front group. In fact after previous races I was determined to make it into any/all breaks. After asking around I found that the first 3 place getters from last week had been moved up to C grade. This gave me hope that I might be one of the stronger climbers if not stronger riders. This does not allow for the new riders but it has to help.
On the second lap the climbs and attacks started and we shelled about half the field bringing it down to about 8 - 10 riders. I had managed to stay up close to the front all the time and was never in danger of being dropped. I expected that we would lose more over the next 3 climbs, (the last 3 climbs), but even though they seem to start hard the bunch really stuck together. Over the first two we had not lost one person. It seemed that we were evenly matched or there was not enough pressure. I had made the climbs OK so I thought I would try to increase the pressure and lead up the third climb and actually had a reasonable gap at the top but when I looked back nobody was coming to help me, which I needed badly, and the whole group was a tight bunch. I slid back into the bunch again and waited. My legs started to show signs of gramp so I tried to drink but the water bottle was empty. The bunch was waiting for the downhill sprint! This was no good for me so I moved to 2nd - 3rd wheel and waited for something, anything that looked like a hill. 3 km to go. I attacked on the rise. I was caught over the top and the pace went down again so I attacked on the next rise. Again caught by the whole bunch just over the top. Again but this time two guys came up and as the first one went past he invited me to go with him. This was what I had been wanting. I stode up and started to go with him/them. Bugger, the concrete blocks set in and would not let me go. The two got away and I was caught. Chased for a while but it was to close to the finish. They won and I came last in the bunch because it was way to fast a finish for me and my 53x13.
Nice race but I stuffed up the finish AGAIN.
I found some food in a shop and started the long drive home. One and a half hours of twisting narrow roads. Not nice. I also had to stop several times to consult the map to figure out which way to go.

Plenty of stretching and pressure point pressing to try to get the legs and back ready for Sunday. Sunday
Legs and back felt OK, not great but not bad and no sore spots.
Sundays Southern VETs racing was around a 11km circuit at Blewett Springs, which is just out of Mc Claren Flat. Looked flat on the map but we had not actually been there. A cool morning which meant I need foot warmers and extra gloves to keep warm given that I was leaving a 7:30am to ride to the start. Nice ride out and I caught up with some who knew the way so it was easy. Another A,B,C & D grade scratch race program. B grade and 5 laps for me. Err, there is a hill, just of the road and around the corner. A little circuit except that the roads have sand, pot holes and wet patches. The hill was good and the fast sections OK. Even a little technical section. The race started quickly. I did not know the course but plenty of other seem to and were prepared to hit the climb hard and fast. This was a big scary as I had no idea where I was going or how big the climb was. I was determined to stay up close to the front and go with all breaks as this race looked like it would break up soon. On the second lap after the climb I got into a 5 person break with some strong riders. Not the ones that had attacked up the hill but were determined to make a break. I got a verbal from Martin for not doing turns, but little did he know that I was on the rivets already and I did not bother to tell him. This was the break, well no actually we got caught but then did it all again and again got caught but bad things must have happened behind as this time only 3 riders came up. Another lap around and up the hill again and we are back to 5 riders. We start working together just to make sure we will stay away but that was only what I thought. Mark and Martin attack us after they have sat back for awhile. Not nice. The last lap up the hill was quiet. Pity I did not know that Mark was cramping quite badly or I could have payed him back. Over the top section my legs started to show sign of cramp etc so I reached into my pocket for a lepon hoping this would help, then drank the last of my water bottle. It did make me feel better but you never really know until you try hard so I relaxed and tried to get what I thought would be a good position for the sprint. No action until the final turns to line up for what I thought was a flat sprint. I chose my gear and waited. I seemed close enough to me to the finish and nobody else had gone and given that I was nearly at the back I went, and went as hard as I could to get the bigest gap I could because I could see that they were not jumping with me. Well the gap was good but it turned out to be up hill a bit and a little further than I thought. Mark and Martin came past easily and I ended up 3rd. Not to bad really considering that neither of them had race the day before, not that that is an excuse, I think they were faster. The legs did respond very well to the lepon so maybe we will try that again next time. I will have to find a shop that sell lepons!

Sunday 2nd July 2000

Saturday
Saturdays Southern Combine race started at Echunga at 1pm as usual. It was a 87km Handicap race with 70 starters travelling to Meadows over fast gently rolling roads left to Macclesfield with good roads but a nasty climb then left again with another solid climb and a fast desent back to Echunga. Three laps of 27km was required to make the 87km. Err, 3x27=81 ?? 81km or 87km ? We will see that this actually matters later. Five groups: Scratch, 4 minutes, 9 minutes, 16 minutes and 22 minutes. 16 minutes for me along with Peter and Jim. Peter and I have riden, survived, the end of recent races together and given that he is a tall person with a big heart and we have got on well. I like Jim but I doubt that Jim will like the hills. Our group started extremely well with some 14 riders working good turns at a high pace. This all fell apart when we reached the first climb, as to be expected, only about 7-9 of us made it over the climb together. Jim did not and today Peter did not. Oh well on to the next climb, still working well. Peter appeared just before the next climb but it must have taken all of his effect to get there as he was gone again over the climb. We lost other riders over the climb but several people keep the pressure on and the times we were getting indicated that we were catching the front group so why wait. One guy decided that he good go it along and opened a 100m gap. Fortunately this did not cause any panic or silly business and he was caught after a few kilmeters. We caught two of the front group who stayed for a while. At some stage we finally caught the front but it not marked as an important event with not even a slight change of pace. I think a couple of them got in. The group was going well but a bit to small and it seemed likely that we would be caught. Yes, 1 lap to go and the 9 minute group, well about half of them anyway, catch. The pace lifts at least 3-4 kms compared to the last time we went over the fast section. It is possible to sit in and not take turns all the time so I do. We go over the first climb and lost several riders, me nearly included. My legs are starting to hurt. Not far down the road after the climb and half of the 4 minute group catch. The pace lifts again and things are starting to get tough. It was get up in the working group or go out the back so I am up in the thick of it rider at 100%. The climb starts and I hope I can make it. Quite a few have already gone. My legs are cramping, quads and calfs. Down with a lepon which helps a bit but I have not done enough training for this distance. I looked at the speedo and it says 78km. Three kms to go, I thought, great I will make it. We are climbing for the last time and scratch come past like we are standing still. My race is over, I do not even try to get on, I just want to go home. I struggle onto the back of Elleway's wheel, someone else I know from races, not because I ride with him, he is usually behind me, and say "Take Me Home". He has slowed down because he is thinking of tomorrow. We ride the remaining km's together, 87.5 km's in fact and are I am happy to finish. The handicaper had handicaped the race for 81 km's and he was just about right. It was touch and go at 81km but it was 87.5km and we were swamped. Pity about that. A few of the 4 minute riders went with scratch but most others were left strung out along the road.

Sunday
Sunday was Club Championship day at the Southern Vets. 60kms, 3 laps around a local circuit at Mc Claren Vale. It was in 5 year age groups so it would be interesting to see who was in my age group. I was not serious about this as Saturdays ride had more than taken the edge off me so I could hardly expect to do well. Some how it does not seem like my club and therefore my championships. I feel like I was still a visitor, not through any fault of the Southern Vets I strongly point out, they have made me most welcome. I do not feel as if I belong to the Southern Combine either and they are very to me now that I have an associate membership with Noarlunga. Anyway away we go with about 8 guys. Martin, a sprinter who beat me last week and will again if we are at the finish together. Sydney, who rides a grade higher than me on Saturday and Sunday, but did not ride yesterday, saving himself for Sunday. A couple of guys that I know will not beat me and a couple I do not know at all. There are attacks but they leave Martin in front on his own several times and try to persuade the rest of us not to catch him. No problem to me, I have no plan on even taking a turn, just chasing and watching as my legs are weak. Not sore but weak. Plenty of other do the work so it a waiting game. Sydney puts in an attack or two and we lose riders. This continues. He does not like the hills as he is to big and solid so the attacks are usually after or before the hills. I am starting to get the idea that no one else matters except Sydney. I am still not taking turns but always jumping hard and fast when Sydney goes. I am first on each time. Martin is usually next. A strong rider suddenly disappears out the back and there is strong calls to do turns to keep him at bay. I do a couple of turns but they are not very strong and as we can not see anybody coming it is back to normal after a couple of kms. He got a flat tire which is what I had said. Sydney want me to take a turn as soon as I get on. I doubt that I could and I am unsure of what would happen if I did. He tells me I am blowing 2nd place. I tell him that we will talk about it after. Martin is now always second on as there is only three of us left !!! 10km to go and another jump from Sydney, my gears do not change smoothly of quickly and he is gone. I can not catch. Martin takes off but after a couple of kms and some effort I catch him again. He thinks I will catch Sydney. No way, he is nearly out of sight. Martin mostly sits on a lets me make the pace. I just want to finish 3rd now. Up the climb I attack several time but he seems to get on easily and is not breathing heavily so its over. After the climb it is downhill all the way to the finish so I just ride along. No effort spent sprinting. 3rd place. Better than I expected and maybe next time I will get serious. After the race Sydney explains that he just needed me to do a short turn after which he would keep going and that all we need to do was stop Martin getting on for awhile and he would then look after me for the rest of the journey to the line. It sounds good so I do not argue but I wonder whether it would work. I think he is actually strong enough to get on but I guess everyone has a point at which they break. Will I break first or will Martin ? There is only one way to find out and another time I will try to find out as I am sure I will have to race Martin again and he is sprinting much better than me at the moment.

Sunday 9th July 2000
Lets start with Wednesday
After reading the Southern Combine Flyer I found that track training had started on Wednesday nights again so I decided that I would go along a see what it was like with Graeme Zucker as the coach. I made the long drive out to the Superdrome which is not so long but boring waiting at all the traffic lights. Things just got better and better once I arrived. I found that there were nearly 30 people riding of varing abilities. Graeme takes control of the 2 hour session with organised drills and events.
First up we split into two groups and rode for 20 minutes at a steady pace taking turns and not breaking up the group. The slower group, my choice, on the black line and the faster group on the blue line.
A couple of minutes rest then just one group at a time on the track. The slower group, (21 seconds), spread out over the track so that you are not drafting then riding a solid pace for 8 laps. Graeme blows the whistle every 21 seconds and you try to be at the same position on the track. 8 laps, it starts to hurt.
Off the track at watch the 19 second group do the same thing but they try to get around in 19 seconds. This is repeated 3 times.
A couple of minutes break and we split up into 3 groups for a 15 lap scratch race. A, B & C grade. C grade for me. The pace is very up and down depending on who is on the front. Most people take turns but some of the younger ones attack. The acceleration is OK but the slowing down is tricky. I got to 2nd wheel with two laps to go and the girl in front attacked so I went with her, choice ? She suddenly died with one lap to go leaving me with little choice but to have a go given that we had a small gap. I held on and won. Cool.
We have a rest and watched B and A grade race. Umm they go hard!
Then we are on again for another 15 lap scratch race. I put a lot of effort into the first race and it is showing as I found it harder to move up towards the end. I was not so lucky with the last lap and had to work hard to finish 3rd after moving forward more slowly and having to pass people all the way up to the line. All in all a great training night but the seat on my track bike has to go! It was raining heaps outside but nice and dry inside, nice feeling!
Saturday
I rang up Pub on Thursday and he will swap the seat over for a second hand Rolls just like I have. Great deal! so Saturday I rode down to Pubs place and back with a seat in my back pack. 100km round trip during which it rained and drizzled a couple of times and I ripped open the back tire on a way home. Character building!!!
Sunday
Southern VETs "BACK VALLEY" 45km Handicap at Victor Harbor. Nice day a little cool but no wind or rain. My handicap was 3rd scratch 4 mins. All H/Caps: Scratch (3), 2 mins (3), 4 mins (7), 7 mins (9), 9 mins (9), 12 mins (10), 15 mins (2), 15 mins (2), 17 mins (2), 25 mins (1) & 29 mins (1). Prizes were 1st $100- .. 10th $15-, Fastest $40-
I start OK but the group started fast and were working hard but together. I was struggling over the first hill, only a few kms into the race. At 12 kms I was starting to work myself into a rhythm and doing every second turn except on the hills. This was going to be a day to survive and yesterdays 100km hard taken a lot more out of me than I had imagined.
Going down a small hill I saw a small grey thing, (later identified as a rabbit), run across the road in front of the group. It seemed to disappear? Barry wearing number 13, must have hit the rabbit, as he wobbled badly and went over the handle bars, (estimated speed 40km/hr), the group spread out, but Tim could-not/did-not avoid Barry's bike and he was the next one over the handle bars, still 40 km/hr, Linda slowed a lot, ran off the road into the dirt and quietly fell off. She was not hurt and got up straight away. The rest of us slowed down and looked back. I wanted to keep going but after a few seconds realized that our race was over and we need to help Barry and Tim who were both still laying on the road. Barry was very stunned and took quite a while to sit and then stand. He had the normal injuries, scarred helmet, knees, elbowes, hips and thighs but dazed and grogy as well. Tim had knees, elbowes, hips, thighs and shoulder. Also, I thought, a broken collar bone by the look of his shoulders when he stood up. Fortunately a following van came along soon and collected the bikes and injured and took them to hospital.
The missing rabbit
The rabbit had got caught in the wheel some how and briefly upset the bike which tipped Barry off, but then the rabbit exploded in a million bits. Many of the smaller bit and a good deal of blood covered Martin and his bike. He was very red and smelly. The larger, still not big, bits were spread around on the road. What a mess. What a way to kill a rabbit! I had moved left and was in no real danger. Race over for us
Scratch etc had gone through and we were left to ride along. Four of the group decided to continue at the half way mark, start/finish and the others got off. I continued just to keep the mileage up. I even had a sprint at the end after attacking a few times. I was probably being silly as they just wanted to take turns but they kept chasing me back after I attacked so when he sprinted over me at the end I was determined that he was not going to get the better of me. He didn't either.

Sunday 16th July 2000
Wednesday
Track training again. I was late leaving work but caught almost all green lights and did not arrive more than a few minutes late in the end. Things were almost exactly the same as the week before. Some different people but same number, same exercises, raining outside again but the Rolls seat was much better and I got comfortable after a while. I was tired but the mind was strong. I won the first 15 lap scratch again after again getting a great position with 1 lap to go. I think I won it more easily but its hard to tell as I have not learnt to look back very well or often. The next race was a combined C & B grade. This was tougher and I had to use a lot more energy/strength just to hang on when the attacks went. I was 3rd wheel with 2 laps to go and 2nd wheel with 1 lap to go. Big Collin was very happy to take the lead with one to go and I could tell he was going to be hard to get over. He is a great sit and had a 91+ inch gear which he slowly wound up and up. Going through the last bend sitting on him was the fastest I think I had been so far. Cool! Coming out of the bend I knew what to do, the mind was strong but the body was weak, I moved out and up on him but not any where near fast enough to get past. The legs would not spin the required cadence. 2nd was fine. More cadence practice required. I have done it before training behind the Station Wagon and I plan on doing it again before I consider changing the gear ratio up.
Thursday was a rest day, I need it as things were tight and saw although I must add that Tuesday night swimming for 1/2 hour did help me a lot. Friday turned out to be a rest day as well because it rained on and off all day.
Sunday 23rd July 2000
Monday - Friday
One week of holidays !!!
Monday
All day servicing the car. Everything done except new brake pads all round which will probably be required soon.
Tuesday
Driving to Mildura. The rain slowly became more and more consistent so when I arrived I borrowed a set of rollers from Ian and after several adjustments to increase the spacing between the two back rollers and decrease the spacing between the front two rollers I got 30 minutes training.
Wednesday
30 minutes more on the rollers on Wednesday morning just in case the weather turned to rain again and I was starting to feel comfortable. I went on the Wednesday ride. Just like old times. Flat, windy and dark.
Thursday
A 60 km ride with Barry just before dark. Mildura is flat, flat & flat !!! How quickly one forgets.
Friday
A 55 km ride to Wentworth against the wind.
Saturday
Driving home. I did not see as many people as I would have liked but time ran out. I should have gone into TAFE earlier but next-time.
Sunday
Club race at Mc Claren Vale, 45 km Handicap, Kangarilla and back. Chopping block and 4 minutes for me with Stuart and a new/coming-back rider. The wind was very strong and set to be a head wind out and a tail wind back then a couple of kms into the head wind again. I guess the good new is that the wind moderated during the race and was not really a factor in the end. We started well and took turns but quickly weakened. Stuart was by far the strongest and after the other guy dropped off I soon found it to hard to take turns then hard to sit on and a little rise had me off the back and given that I was at max. breathing with screaming legs it was easy to give up. I got my breath back and got off the straighten my back wheel which was at such an angle it was rubbing on the frame. Not to be considered an excuse. I was not riding half as good as Stuart. As I said "Good-bye" I thought he might/should win.
I only rode a few kms before scratch caught and fortunately I got on. They were working hard and well above my level so I sat-on and watched. As there was still so 30+ kms to go this was just the best and quickest way home so I could race another day. I struggled hard to stay on several times and was the last one to get dropped about 2 kms from the finish where there is a hill and the pressure is always applied. Unfortunately this is where we caught Stuart again after he had been riding by himself for all of the race, (well nearly), abd he was not able to get on even though I yelled to him to "get on". So it was back to riding with Stuart for the last few kms while watching the scrathies disappear. They missed out by two riders. I quietly dropped off the back of Stuart and let a good gap open up just in case the handicaper saw us and thought that we had rider the whole race together.
I felt really tired and empty which continued for the rest of the day and even Monday. I need a rest or something to recharge to batteries. I think sleep is the first priority and then maybe some cross-training exercises. Some rollers would be great and it looks like we are in for some rain and cold, yuk!

Sunday 30th July 2000
Saturday
Just an easy training ride in nice fine conditions
Sunday
8:00 am start for the ride up to the Range Hall for a 9:30 am Scratch Race, a special day with perhaps a few more people. It is a tough ride up "Pennys Hill", a 4 km climb but I had left plenty of time so take it easy and get into a nice rhythm. I was cold at the bottom but HOT at the top so a quiet ride around a the top to see who is hear. Lots of people in cars, very few ride up. I say Stuart ride up later. Pay my $6- nom and check the grades. Shit, A grade, 4 laps, this could be tough, I asked the handicaper last week if I would be in B grade and he said "Sure no problems!", I well I will try to hang on and finish. Martin is in A grade to so maybe he will get dropped on the hill. Gotta hope.
Things went well for me with the pace being slow, (for A grade), and the group only letting one or two riders away and holding them at a safe distance and chasing hard when three or more were going to get away. Not that I had any control over the situation. I was worried about the climb but I made it up OK. It hurt me but I did not slip off the back. More single attacks but still plenty of covering. One was away at the start of the second climb and Peter decided that he would join him half way up the climb. Well the rest of the group had to follow. This put me into difficulties and I slowly slide out the back. Over the top and around the corner and I thought they had slowed so I put in a big effort to bridge the gap of 100m. I nearly made it, got within 3m but blew up. I had to back off and I thought the race was disappearing in front of me. Four guys came past and I just struggled on. They were doing about the same as I was before I blew up so we got-on after a bit. Really lucky, if they had picked up the pace due to an attack I doubt we would have made it.
I had been drinking, bottle 2/3 empty but started to cramp in the lower quads. Hurt, hurt hurt. I eat my food and leppin and drank all my bottle over the next 10km which with a few stretches seemed to make the cramp bearable. I was feeling OK for the third climb and thought I could make it. About 1/2 way up Stuart rubbed the wheel of Carl for a bit and being a newist bunch rider he went down quick as a flash. I was close on the left but easily moved away and went around with losing and speed. I never look behind so I am not sure how many went down but it was a tight bunch at the time, fortunately we were only going 15-20 kph, but I expected several to go down as well, including Martin as he was behind and to the right of Stuart but much closer. To my surprise Martin got out of it after Stuart rubbed his forks and bike on the way down. Martin seems to be dam good at getting out of falls! (I guess I have been too).
This slowed the group up the hill and took some of the enthusiasm out of attacking so again I got up the hill over the top and around the corner. Unfortunately my cramp started to return after I had eaten and drunk everything I had. I stayed with them because I thought it was the easiest and quickiest way home but about 1km from the finish, where the hill climb starts to hurt, I knew I could not get a place so I slowly went out the back and tried to watch the finish up the road. End of race, very sore. After much eating and drinking things got better. I think I was to low on Sodium and Potassium probably because I changed my breakfast and we had been out for tea. I will need to keep an eye on this for next time.

Sunday 6th August 2000
Wednesday night
Wednesday night at the Superdrome was great as usual. Only A & B grade scratch races so a bit different with more people and stronger people. I used all of my energy chasing breaks and gaps such that with 2 laps to go when I knew I had to go with colin the legs would not go any more. Great fun. Matthew has lent me some wheels for which I must get a 16 cog and try-out.
Saturday
Just an easy training ride in nice fine conditions
Sunday
A Club race at Southern Vets, 9am start Div 1 and Div 2 65/54 km Handicap races.
Nice quiet ride out along the bike path to Mc Claren Vale. $6- entry fee and a quick look at the program. Jim says I must have been mowing lawns, as I have got a lift by one group which looks a long way out but there is Peter Moore, Tony McLocklan, Syd Carter etc back on Scratch and C/B. 8 minutes was my mark in a group of 5 riders. Looked good on paper but only one other guy from my group was at the start line when it was time to go. The other did not show and one did not front up although I am sure I saw him warming up. It actually gets worse as the other guy, Dave, rode Lindock on Saturday, 110km. We quickly discovered that his legs were dead. After about 10kms it was time to cruise along and wait for the bunch behind, which by that time, were not far behind. He had no hope of catching the group of eight in front and I had been waiting on every little rise for Dave.
Back with the normal group. They could not seem to get a smooth rhythm and hence I was missing turns. I did a few good turns on the uphill sections but not much in the fast downhill areas. We caught one group but there were several to go and on the third lap scratch and C/B caught. They seemed to be doing it easy. They soon have Tony off the front and after a few kms in front of the race. There were a few attacks and chases but nothing was going to change the outcome. I jumped off the front with about 500m to go to see if they would let me go but the bunch was very quickly up and past. I sort of tried to sprint with them but it was never going to happen. I was sore as usual but not suffering any cramps. ( I had the normal breakfast and a couple of things to eat, one before the race and one during and plenty to drink. ) After Mathews comment on Wednesday night I might, thats a might try lower my seat, maybe 5mm, just on my training bike to begin with to see if it makes any difference. I pretty much know when and how long it takes to get the soreness. Anything, almost is worth a try!

Sunday 13th August 2000
Wednesday night
Wednesday night training at the Superdrome was good, no better. I had lower my track bike seat by 5mm and moved the seat back 5mm as recommended by Mathew. It was better. I later tried to lower the seat on my training bike but it is stuck, very stuck. Actually I think it has been stuck for about 10 years now. Hummm.
Saturday
Just an easy ride down to Havey Normans (50kms round trip) and back. My legs felt stronger than they have for a while and the hills seemed easier. we live in hope.
Sunday
Another Club race at Southern Vets, 9am start Div 1 44km handicap race.
Lots of people away today, I thought I was going to be riding on my own but Stuart and Greg arrived and we formed the Chopping Block with Mick Ellaway and Blair on Scratch. 3 minute gap. After 28km Mike caught us, without Blair, (he only lasted 10-15kms), so Mike did the best part of the chase on his own. I thought that the three of us had been doing well! All things are relative. After Mike caught us I was able to do a few turns, not as many as Stuart and not as many as I had been doing before but I felt much better, read stronger and in less pain, than previous weeks. Unfortunately we were not catching anybody, nobody was even in sight! The handicaps had put us much to far back and we rode the whole race without catching a group. We had a nice little sprint at the end which I actually took part in for a change. Because I was behind Mike and Mike was behind Stuart who was happy to lead out for the last 500+ metres I got a good sit and was able to see what was happening. I forgot about Greg who was behind me and as it turned out had little or no effect on me. Mike waited until close to the end and jumped as he normally does but also moved wide, to the right, not really holding his line, which did put me out of my stride for a bit but I hung on. I moved out and had a go myself. I got up level with him but he had some more left and changed up a gear and moved ahead of me again. I decided that was enough for me and eased off. I don't really want to beat a Scratch man for $0-. I think I could next time with a bigger gear and some $$$'s on the end of it. It was just nice to sprint at the end of a race and actually be competitive.

Cool!, lets hope that things get better from here.

Wednesday 16th August 2000
Special Report for Wednesday night Superdrome training
Wednesday night training at the Superdrome gets better and better. I think there were more people there tonight. I felt OK in the warm-up, not to bad in the 21 second intervals but a bit tired due to not enough sleep but I thought the adrenaline should get me through. I asked Colin if he was going in the A grade scratch races after he has won the last 4 straight. "No!, No!". I had decided that if he would not then I would because I did not want to come second to him again, so it was A Grade for me! Hummm, They started nice and smoothly and just built the pace up. I had picked a bad wheel to follow and when they went out the back with 1 lap to go so did I and there was little I could do about it. I came last but I finished and I figure it is really good pedaling practice. Time to sit down and have a rest before having another go. This time I chose my wheel, (to follow), more carefully, not to fast but not one that will go out the back. Whatever wheel I start behind is probably the one I will finish behind! Away we go. Same again, easy pace, medium pace, hard pace, follow the wheel close and concentrate hard. Four laps to go and I am third wheel. The guy on the front is staying put and just winding it up and up. He stays there all the way to the finish except for the last three quarters of a lap where the guns come around. I just hang on for dear life and hold the wheel. Wheeeee! We were flying! Over the line and ease the pressure off and legs are screaming, I desperately want to stop pedalling!!! Somehow I maintain a reasonable pedalling motion without pulling a pedal or missing a stroke and after awhile the pain goes away. That hurt! but I am sure it will make me pedal more smoothly and faster. A few minutes later it feelings good and I want to do it again, next time any way. That was a very gentle introduction to A grade and who would want to go back to B grade, for awhile anyway. More sleep please.

Sunday 20th August 2000
Saturday
Saturday was a dry but cold day. I was determined to get a long ride in and started slowly riding down the coast. When I got to Henley Beach I decided that it would be good to go up the Linear-Park into town for a change. This is an excellent path as you stay away from the roads and it has nice ups and downs. I began to ride much harder and ended up riding all the way to the back of the Zoo and then to the next bridge. It's a fun ride and I got carried away. I must make the time to follow the Linear-Park all the way North, where ever that is! I decided that I must turn around at 4pm to get home by 6pm, before it gets really dark. I just made it back to the pizza shop at 5:50pm to buy tea.
Sunday
Sunday's Southern VETs race was on a flat circuit joining the Willunga township. A 50km Handicap with prize money, but it was my turn to hold a flag on a corner so no racing for me. I got a busy corner so the time went reasonably quicky, also because it was a four lap race I could see the race unfolding. Tony from scratch got first and fastest and the Chopping Block riders got second and third. I would have been on second scratch, most of whom, including the ones stronger than me, got spat by scratch so I doubt that I would have got a place but you never know.
During the presentations they offered a pair of clear glasses, (for free). Nobody else seemed interested so I tried them on for size, which seemed OK so I plan to use them at the Superdrome next Wednesday.

Saturday 26th August 2000
Saturday was a race with the Southern Combine at "The Range". It was importantly the Norwood Club Championships and the Noarlunga Club Championships, neither of which I want to be part of and fortunately there were Consolation scratch races as well. I went in the 55km Noarlunga Consolation race with 10-15 other people. In fact only 4 riders enter the Noarlunga Club Championship race so it was a better race but with a wider range of abilities as there was only one grade. The course was 1 lap of the range circuit then two thirds of a lap of the range circuit then straight on to the Peter Creek Rd across to the Kangarilla to Mc Laren Vale Road then up Wickhams Hill Road back to the Range Hall. Tough circuit on a cold windy day! The range of abilities became more noticable as the race progressed with attempted break after break. Eventually a group got away, not including me. I was almost happy to watch them go as I had got very tired from chasing, bridging gaps etc etc. I stayed with a small group of riders until the bottom of Wickhams Hill where the change of pace/gears/something got me again. I found my pace/rhythm and rode the final 5-10kms on my own holding my position to the finish line.
I finished the race in better conditions than the last time I did a similar circuit so I was reasonably pleased.
Sunday 27th August 2000
Sunday, no racing with the Southern VETs away at Port Broughton but a few who did not go took me on a training ride from Flagstaff Hill to Clarendon to Kangarilla to Mc Laren Vale. Nice ride on roads mostly new to me.

Saturday 2rd September 2000
I think it will rain tomorrow, thats the weather forecast anyway so I go on a long rider which will also hopefully get the lead out of my legs. It seems tougher on your own and I am tired that night.
Sunday 3rd September 2000
Sunday is racing at Southern VETs home. A club race to Kangarilla and back via Mc Laren Vale and Binnys Road, about 45-50km. Quite a few riders seem to be missing, preparing for the Warrnambool races I guess. Fortunately Stuart arrives but we are on scratch together with 28 mins to the front. Humm, Stuart is excited about riding on scratch but I have real doubts that we can catch anybody never mind limit! It is 2 mins to Chopping Block which are a group of three riders. Stuart is riding strongly and it is not long before I can not do reasonable turns with him. This seems to be no problem to him though!, so I just take a turn when I can, downhills and flats, not many uphills. We catch C/B at about the halfway mark and they get on but only one can take turns except when Stuart has a break. A couple of rises later and they are off all except one. He is about my strength so we help Stuart out here and there. We catch riders only one at a time and it is not looking good. At the top of the Hill at Mc Laren Vale we can see that there are riders miles up the road which we will never catch (well I say them, I am not sure Stuart looked). Stuart presses on and we catch a few more and finish strongly. I make sure Stuart gets fastest time but I am close enough to know that I could have sprinted to win in different circumstances.

The newpaper cycling results in the Southern Times Messenger Wednesday 6th September

Saturday 9th September 2000
Saturday was racing with the Southern Combine at Echunga, A (3 laps 87km), B (3 laps 87km) and C (2 laps 58km) grade scratch races. Some of the Austrian Olympic team riders rode in A grade today. Need less to say one of them won (I think it was, Peter Wrolich, a member of the German Pro Team "Gerolsteiner"). They also split up the A grade field a bit more than usual.
Unfortunately there was not enough riders to make a D grade, so they said, so it was a promotion to C grade for me. The circuit is a trianglar course, Echunga to Meadows to Macsfield back to Echunga. The conditions were dry, just, cool to cold and moderate wind gusting. The first section is reasonably flat but it is a narrow road and a strong side wind. Up the front and working was the place to be as this offered the most protection. Because it was a scratch race and turn were not strict I was able to stay up the front and work most of the time except when somebody would come through too hard. The pressure seemed and be gradualy increasing but I could not look behind to see the results until we got over the first section of hills. I slide back slowly and was surprised to find that there was only 6-7 left out of 15 starters. We had not even done one lap or climbed the bigger hills. I think they just kept the pressure on as there were no attacks but it seemed to slowly get harder and harder until after the short climbs but on the long drags I cracked and instantly got spat out the back. That left 5 in front and me in the middle of no where having not even finished one lap and some real climbing left to do. I had a long discussion with myself about doing the second lap but eventually I went around the corner and started the second lap. About 1km later I was caught by 2 other riders that had been dropped before me. After a rest I started working turns with them and was pleased that I would now finish the race. When we got back to the hills I found myself on front again and led over almost all of the hills and actually dropped one of the guys on a climb. After a long downhill and flat section he got back on again but I think it hurt him. I knew the finish, a fast finish, after having ridden this course before so about 1 kms from the finish I stopped doing turns and held 2nd place. No moves were being made and I figured that going from the corner would be the best option if I took the corner wide, there was a car on the corner which helped as it meant that the following guy would probably not come around until after the car and corner, and the guy in front had not jumped yet. I pushed the gear lever and it changed up two gears, I think I meant to change one but it was downhill so I did not even think about it again and jumped as hard as I could. The guy in front was making bad chain noises as soon as I went past so I thought he was out of it, next was to look the other side to see how much of a gap I had over the following guy. I was very pleased to see that it was a large gap. He was getting organised and coming but I could make it to the line. Good fun but all that for 6th place, they only paided to 5th! and the other 5 finished 6 minutes ahead. I think I won D grade but I could not convince anyone else. I felt nice to finish strongly.
This was the last race of the road season for the Southern Combine

Sunday 10th September 2000
Sunday racing was a club race at Mc Laren Vale. An all in handicap, 47km, Strout Rd to Kangarilla to Mc Laren Vale to Binneys Rd and finish in front of the club rooms. Limit had 36 minutes!!! I had 3rd scratch in a group of 3 (including Stuart) followed by Chopping Block, 2 riders, and one on Scratch (Mike Ellaway). I do not think that any of us thought that it was possible to catch limit but nothing was said.
Stuart had a punture on the way to the start and did not make it so it was just two of us. We found that we were well matched and quickly got into a turn for turn rhythm which worked well. The group of 5-6 in front slowly moved away from us after having start 2 minutes in front and us making ground early. One of the Chopping Block guys suddnely came past and we jumped on. He had dropped his partner and was riding strongly. We just sat on and hung on. On the flat lead up to the set of third sharp hill Kevin took a turn and I followed him through. Our Chopping Block rider must have decided that the pace was to slow and jumped us. No resistance was offered by either of us and we watched him ride away. Too tough for me. Over the hills we wer actually gaining ground on him but Kevin cracked and I did not quite catch up so he was off again down the other side. On the flat/downhill after the climbs Kevin caught me again quickly followed by Scratch and the other Chopping Block rider. This made a group of 4 and with Mike Ellaway leading it was possible to take turns as he rides very smoothly. Mike wanted fastest time and by the way John, the Chopping Block rider how jumped us, was riding he wanted fastest as well. Because Mike is so much smoother, and a better rider in my opinion, we, the 4 of us did turns, or 3 of us, or 2 of us, to keep John in sight and less than 1 minute ahead. I had to work really hard and it nearly killed me but I never thought that I would be dropped so I didn't worry. As we came out of Mc Laren Vale and looked down the hill we could see lots of riders miles away so an overall place was out of the question. We were just working for Mike. I did as many turn as I could and even did the final lead out just to try and get up to a bunch in front. I died in the wind and moved over and let them go but I think we got a bit closer. The handicaps need to get better!! It was a good hard training ride. One day, maybe

Ruler

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