Specials
Your BikeCommunity
| News & Events, and links to other useful sites | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [ view all news & events ]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Posted 07/07/2011 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - left hand turn from the centre of the road no indicator
well i have dodged the bullet for a fair amount of time so it had to happen soon, coming dowm mt alexander road this morning 7 am light up like a xmas tree and a woman decides to turn onto the freeway from the centre lane no indicator, i plough into the side of her car dent the rear door scratch the front drivers door over the bonnet onto my head. bruised battered and feeling sorry for myself, but the show must go on, into work, now having to tell this poor woman that she is up for about $1600 in repairs and replacement
Posted 28/02/2011 by kate
kate has posted a new blog entry - Cerberus Swim and Big Bay Swim (Feb 2011)
Due to my injury still preventing me from running, I have spent the past two weekends swimming in open water races. The first was the Cerberus swim classic (Half Moon Bay), which as usual, attracted a quality field. The wind, however, was horrendous and although the course had to be shortened to ~800m due to the very large waves and subsequent safety risk, the officials did well to even let us swim. The waves were by far the largest I have ever raced in, making for challenging but exciting conditions. Despite swallowing a large amount of water, I enjoyed the race and after catching a little wave into the shore found myself in equal first position. A clumsy trip while I was wadding, however, ruined my chances for a win and I ended up in 2nd place in the 30-34 yr age-group, 2 seconds behind the winner. Nonetheless, I was happy with my race given that the winner had been beating me easily last year and the close finish demonstrated the improvement that had occurred in my swim over the summer months.
Eight days later and I was down at Sandridge beach for the 3.2 km Jalna Big Bay swim from Port Melbourne to Williamstown. Given the distance of the race, there were fewer competitors than normal and we all started together. Unfortunately, the first and last 400 m of the race was full of jellyfish and I was stung numerous times on the face and arms. The other difficulty came from navigating in the wet and dreary conditions, which made spotting the buoys very difficult. I was by myself for most of the race and although I felt quite strong, I also felt like I couldn’t step it up a gear. I ended up finishing in 45:49, which placed me 3rd female overall and 1st in my category (30-34 yrs). A highlight of the event was the enthusiastic crowd at the finish and the shuttle bus trip back to Port Melbourne, which together made for an enjoyable swim that I would definitely like to do again.
Posted 12/01/2011 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - some bike riders are fuckwits!
3 rd day back from the holidays, riding along flemington road when i go to overtake a rider who is sitting as far right as possible, any further right he would have been in traffic,as i pass i say to him mate you need to move over as you are taking up the whole lane, to this he replies get stuffed! so i give him some technical advice and continue on,he catches me at the lights and proceeds to give me a spray,so to you old guy riding a flat bar road bike wearing rapido gear,you need to think about the riders who ride a little faster than you and give them some room!! you give bike riders a bad name!
Posted 10/01/2011 by kate
kate has posted a new blog entry - State Olympic Distance Champs - Gatorade race 3
Race 3 of the Gatorade series also acted as the Victorian Olympic Distance Championships, and it was my first ever hit-out at this distance. The conditions were not conducive to fast times, with a strong south-easterly wind making the bike and run legs difficult, and a very choppy swim. However, I was looking forward to the challenge and to racing Elite again. I enjoyed the swim and exited the water on the feet of the leader. I managed to enter transition in first place and set off on the 2-lap bike course. A pack of 5 quickly formed, comprising myself and two other Elite females (Madeline Oldfield and Tegan Smith) as well as 2 ITU Juniors. We worked together reasonably well to put ourselves comfortably ahead of the chasing athletes, and came into the second transition together. I had a reasonable transition and exited in 3rd place, but quickly passed Tegan to be in second place. I wasn’t sure how my run would go given that I had an injury during the week which restricted my running training. Nonetheless, my aims were to hold my technique together and to even split my run. I was relatively successful in both of these aims and was happy with my run split of 40:39. Unfortunately, Madeline was much too strong in the run for me to catch, but I finished comfortably in 2nd place in an overall time of 2:14.37. A great result for my first Olympic distance race. I now have 4 weeks of hard training leading up to my next big race, the Victorian Long Course Championships to be held at Falls Creek on Feb 13.
Posted 12/12/2010 by kate
kate has posted a new blog entry - Gatorade Race 2 Elwood
After a nasty crash and DNF in my first Elite race at the Xosize triathlon last week, I was hoping to make amends in my first Gatorade race of the season. It was also my first ever Gatorade race in the Elite category and I was apprehensive because I had only swam once during the week due to my injuries. It was super windy down at what is usually a lovely Elwood and Port Phillip Bay was extremely choppy. I had a reasonable swim and came out of the water in 4th place, with 3 ITU Junior girls in front. A good transition had me jumping on the bike in equal 3rd and it wasn’t long until I was in the lead pack of 4. We worked reasonably well together to put in a good gap to the other competitors. The four of us came into transition together, but I had a shocking transition and came out of transition about 100 m back from the leading girls. The outward leg of the run was straight into the wind and very hard. I couldn’t wait for the return leg and tail wind that would ensue. I struggled to get my rhythm, but ran into 3rd place at the ~3 km mark. I was very happy to see the finish as my wounds had started to sting. I ended up placing 3rd overall and 2nd in the Elite section. A few lessons were learnt about racing Elite (i.e. FAST transitions are crucial!) so I am looking forward to implementing these in the next race, the Gatorade Olympic distance in the new year.
Posted 15/11/2010 by kate
kate has posted a new blog entry - Shepparton half ironman 2010
Despite all of the dire predictions, Sunday morning in Shepparton turned out almost perfect weather conditions for my first half-ironman triathlon. No rain, and unusual for Shepparton in November, not too hot. I was excited but also nervous because I had no idea how my body would react to such a long race. All of the females started with the elite males and females so I was looking forward to judging myself against the pro’s. I felt strong in the swim and exited the water in 25:52 min as first age-group female, second female overall and nearly 1 min ahead of Rebecca Keat, the current number 1 female triathlete in the world. I was apprehensive about the bike as my longest time trial previously was 30 km and now I had to ride 90 km, but I got into a good rhythm and it wasn’t until around the 8 km mark that Keat passed me. I struggled with my nutrition and stomaching the highly concentrated gels, but kept a good rhythm and recorded similar splits for the 3 lap course. I was very happy with my bike time of 2:30 hrs given that I rode the entire race by myself while a lot of the field seemed happy to draft even though it was a non-drafting race. I started the run in second place in my age-group and 8th female overall. The first of the three 7 km laps on the run felt relatively comfortable and I ran into first place (age group) by the end of the first lap. I started struggling on the second lap, again finding the nutrition side of things difficult and only being able to drink water. I seemed to pick up on the return leg of the second lap, finding the joys of ice down the back of the tri suit. The final lap was a real struggle, with my quads feeling like concrete! I tried to pick up the pace with 2 km to go and have never been so happy to see the finish line. I crossed the line in a time of 4:34.12 hrs, which gave me first place in my age group (30-34 yrs) and 7th female overall. I was very happy with the result and it exceeded all of my expectations. The focus now shifts to recovery, a few sprint races in December and the next goal, my first Olympic distance triathlon in January.
Posted 08/11/2010 by kate
kate has posted a new blog entry - Kate’s race report Xosize Tri Series Race 1 (Nov 7th, 2010, Brighton
Race 1 of the 2010/2011 triathlon series was also my first triathlon for 12 months (due to a 6 month lay-off with injury) and my last hit out before my main race for the season, the Shepparton half-ironman next week. The distance was supposed to be 500 m/20 km/5 km but ended up being more like 400 m/22 km/4.8 km. Despite the cold, cold water, I enjoyed the swim and comfortably led my wave out of the water. Unfortunately, the bike wasn’t quite so enjoyable with a horrid head wind on the return journey of the 2-lap course that seemed to get even worse on the final lap. I felt a little better on the run, but after doing months of half-ironman training, my legs struggled to pick up the pace required for a sprint triathlon. Nonetheless, I finished in a time of 1:04.15, which gave me 1st place in my age group (30-34 yrs) and 2nd female overall, only 17 seconds down on the winner of the pro field. This result was also mentioned in the official race report: http://www.starttofinish.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=1740
All attention now turns to the big race next week!
Posted 28/10/2010 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - winter
i am so glad that winter is over! with saying that it looks as though its going to rain all weekend, but i dont really care as i am going to be a disc for the whole weekend inside doing my level 2 Commissaire course.
so the rain go and f%&*k itself.
Posted 18/01/2010 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - drew eats it!
B-Grade's race today. Coppock, fresh from competing in Western Australia, made his intentions clear when he pressured the 32 riders in the bunch straight out of the box, causing quite a few riders to be unceremoniously dropped in the early stages of the race. Coppock, who has spent the last 12 months focussing on the ironman triathlons in preparation for the upcoming New Zealand rounds, then attacked again and was out on his own for quite a while, which was dangerous enough, but once he was joined by the powerhouse that is big Darren Henneken and the wily and experienced Phil Tehan and Drew MacDonald, the peloton did its level best to work hard and bring the� break back; but with two experienced time triallers in Coppock and Henneken riding at a tempo that no-one could match, it was 'game over' for the chasers. Towards the end of the race, MacDonald drifted back to the peloton, and in the mad rush into the final straight he and another rider crashed and both fell heavily; riders dodging left and right in an effort not to join the fallen. In the end, Coppock easily took the win, well clear of the valiant Tehan and Henneken, taking the strongest of possible wins.
Posted 27/10/2009 by john
john has posted a photo - wallo giving cockers the arse to come ride with me
Posted 02/10/2009 by Chris
Chris has posted a new blog entry - ahem
its been 4 weeks since i've broken my arm and i've realised a number of things about me;
1: i shouldnt be allowed near ladders or hedges
2: i'm not left handed
3: i hate public transport and 95% of the people who use it
and that brings me to number 4:
i really like my bike. it keeps me fit and away from item 3 which ultimately makes me happy. its been 4 weeks since i've ridden on a road. thank god i have a stationary trainer and an understanding wife. only 2 more weeks until i can start physio on the wrist and hopefully not much longer until i can ride outside.
that is all
Posted 03/09/2009 by Allister Payne
Allister Payne has posted a new blog entry - Selling My Fixxie
Selling my fixxie, CHeck it here...
http://fixed.org.au/forums/index.php/topic,9034.0.html
and look at the latest photos I posted for pics too
Posted 20/08/2009 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - 2010 giant launch
last night myself and ali went to giant HQ to check out the new 2010 range.
it turned out to be a good night we were taken through the range by luc gilmore and jo hall,we are excited about the new range with exception of the new mash yuk!!!
go online when you get the chance they look really good. thanks to giant for the nibbles and beer.got to meet Daniel mcpherson really nice guy loves riding as much as we do.
Posted 17/07/2009 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - tour de boring
is it just me or is the tour this year as boring as shit?
the lance show i would like to know what he is on.
i want to see contador kick his arse.
and cadel you had the chance to go to another team, and you stayed with a team that was never going to give you the help that you needed!
i just hope that it picks up in the mountains
Posted 06/07/2009 by Allister Payne
Allister Payne has posted a new blog entry - King of Ballarat Series
The weekend saw the first meet of the King of Ballarat DH series. Held at Black Hill right in the heart of Ballarat, it is a race comprising of 3 short runs over 2 courses, with times added together to give an overall. Mud and cold keep the racing interesting and was cool to have so many spectators there in support for what was essentially a fun day.
I managed to put in fourth overall, missing out on the podium by one spot which was filled by my mate Mike Joyce.
Next round there is start of August which will be in a similar format on different tracks so if you're in the area come and check it out or even better yet give it a go!
Posted 24/06/2009 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - i hate being sick
day 6 of the dreaded kiwi virus! going along quite nicely thanks, the year has been kind havent been sick then wham! no not george michael in a toilet block! wham sick, spent the weekend in bed havent ridden my bike since thursday,so i have to ride my scooter in and watch as bike riders breeeze easliy into work
Posted 15/06/2009 by PK
PK has posted a new blog entry - Beware the - "Hunger flat"
I think it was a combination of over-confidence and lack of planning. So if you are planning a 100km + ride be preared.
Route: Morrabin town hall 6.20am - Mordialoc (warm-up) - roll turnes into Frankston at 45km/h - turn left at Frankston footy ground & head into the hills (Two Bays loop) - back onto Neapean Hwy & onwards to Red Hill - turn left (at this stage I was on my own) Mornington/Flinders Rd and follow all the way down to Rosebud sign - turn right (Boneo Rd) which is a set of rolling hills into Cape Shank, then mostly flat to the Bay. Total distance 120km.
I ran out of food at about the 80km mark and endured the ultimate in bicycle shame "The Sagwagon" or in this case "The wife pick-up."
Lesson learnt!
Posted 11/06/2009 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - mudguards are my friends
yes i have attached guards to the giant tcr zero as i havent had a wet bum into work and then home for such a long time, dry bum happy jp
Posted 11/06/2009 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - how much do i hate look keo pedals!
the 2nd pair of cleats which have broken on me in less than 6 months.
Posted 17/05/2009 by Allister Payne
Allister Payne has posted a new blog entry - Today Tonight
On the cathode-ray tonight (17/05), I see that tomorrow evening will see more screening of debate about Melbourne's cycling fraternity and road-users etc. Might be worth a look and give some of you out there in internet land something to think about; in terms of how cyclist and drivers can get along in harmony.
Check your local guide for details!
Posted 17/05/2009 by Allister Payne
Allister Payne has posted a new blog entry - Photos
updated the photos section with a handful of shots from the last round of the Vic State series at Mount Beauty. Beautiful it was with mother nature turning on a great couple of days for us. On the results side I bombed out with a minor crash in the finals. Exhaustion on such a long course had me just losing concentration and making stupid mistakes.
Presentation day is on at Elidon on the 24th of May so for those into DH make sure you get along.
Posted 11/05/2009 by Chris
Chris has posted a new blog entry - bells
am i reading correctly?
is it the law to have a bell on a bike?
will a bell stop crazy drivers running me over?
http://www.theage.com.au/national/road-safety-blitz-in-melbournes-cbd-20090511-azo8.html
Posted 11/05/2009 by john
john has posted a new blog entry - are bike riders smart?
riding into work this morning after my training ride, i saw 6 count them 6 riders no lights, and we are not talking about 7am, we are talking about 5am in the morning,riding down mt alexander road a fairly busy road in moonee ponds.so here is the question are they placing their lives at risk, or are they hoons?if you drive a car and speed drive like an idiot your car is confiscated, maybe the police should treat these riders as hoons! just a thought
Posted 25/04/2009 by Allister Payne
Allister Payne has posted a photo - Time for beer with friends after the Roubaix
Posted 25/04/2009 by Allister Payne
Allister Payne has posted a photo - Posing at the end of Melburn Roubaix 09
Posted 12/04/2009 by Allister Payne
Allister Payne has posted a new blog entry - You Yangs Shuttle service
Youies Shuttles turned on a great day of runs out in the Vic sunshine today. Had a great turnout of around 60 riders eager to get in some practice before next weekend's round of the Vic state series out there.
Runs on the old DH track proved the best, being tight, technical and punishing on the body and bike.
Cheers to all those who put in their time to make it possible and to the chef who killed it on the bbq browning up some great snags.
|
.JPG&w=601.25260960334&h=400&f=jpg&q=95&hash=8019e7a0e23f832a76f2baf05da991e4 "Profile Photo")
Product Spotlight
Protect Your Bike
Information