Well Christmas is almost over and the New Year is almost here. The time in between is a time to send it with family and friends, and that is exactly what has been going on. DO you remember that saying that "you can chose your friends but not your family"? Oh my god! it is so true. Regardless of what has happened throughout this last year, the princess like behaviour of some family members is astounding. It is one of the things that really gets up my nose and unfortunately, and those who know me will atest, I will definately let you know when you have pissed me off. Family members haveing aprincess moment and dumping their children(including a new born) on their partner because thety are tired(I can understand this) but then going out and partying half the night????
I am not the most favoured member of the family right now but, and I can handle that. But ignoring me and treating me like one of the animals that rule the families houses is a bit much, I think.
Felt very uncomfortable in one house, was glad to leave and dont think I will be stopping in for a coffee for very long on the way home on New Years Day.
Any way, we left there and came down to Newcastle, NSW, which is where we all call home now, and have caught up with some really close friends and more family and having much more fun. None oof us can wait to move back down here at the end of 2009 and to finally move into our own house and do the renovations that we want to. We have owned this house since 2001 and never lived in it because Army has always moved us around and never near the house. So soon we can live in it and call it "OUR HOME" will post a pick one day.
SO what is the plan for the near future, January actually.
Emma and I drive back to Brissy on New Years Day and will have a few days wioth out the kids as they are going camping with their Nanny and Popbo. I will climb back on to the bike and commence my rebuild for the 2009 season. My focus is on getting stength and speed back as well as endurance. But I am targeting the State Masters Track Titles in February. While Emma is at work and the kids are still away I will get some road legs, once the kids return I will be back on the rollers and also having some early starts to get some road kms in aswell.
Thsi year I am planning on doing more climbing so I can help the team in Tour of the Sunshine Coast, Grafton-Inverell, Cunningham Classic and some other undulating races, while the build up their strength and speed for the lead outs I need in the sprints. THere is a team meeting planned for early January to map out the years racing and get together for training. Hopefully we can expand this year and also gets some more sponsors. I have asked a few large sponsors from overseas to jump on board and use HYPE as a launching pad intot the Australian market so hopefully that pays off as well.
Anyway enough form me for today.
I hope all of you have had a great Christmas and have stayed safe and well. Till next time(I will try to post more often) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Rebuilding love and friendshhip
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US
Well I have been home now for nearly three weeks and the time from home this year has paid a toll. But, in the last 3 weeks all that is slowly dissapating and the love and friendships are rebuilding. I have spent nearly every day with my kids and have had a ball. I have forgotten how funny and exciting they are. I am so lucky that they play so well together and are such
good friends to each other. Emma has been working hard still, but, having me home and helping out around the house the extra workload has been reduced and as such has allowed us more time for each other. Emma now only has 2 more days to work this year before we can go on holidays.
good friends to each other. Emma has been working hard still, but, having me home and helping out around the house the extra workload has been reduced and as such has allowed us more time for each other. Emma now only has 2 more days to work this year before we can go on holidays.
Today we are allowing ourselves a lazy Sunday and having fun myucking around and watching some crazy chick on Foxtel who has 8 kids. Who does that????
Come Wednesday we begin the annual go see the relations that live on the East Coast of Australia. It starts with a 4am get up and i the car by 5am the morning before Chrismas followed by a 5 hour drive to Coffs Harbour, The Bannana Coast. WHile there we will spend Christmas Day with Emma's Dad and Brother, and catch up with old friends and new babies. When that is finished around the 28th we wil then repack the car and make the trek to Newcastle to spend New Years with Emma's Mum and Grand Mother. While there we will catch up with more old friends and more family.
New Years eve will be spent living it up in the stuffy old Newcastle Club where, I have to wear pants and a tie. I have been told I will have fun and enjoy it. I think thats is more like a YOU WILL have FUN and You WILL enjoy it, because I SAID SO type event. Certainly not the NYE I would have liked to have. Mind you I could be surprised and besides the kids w should have fun being able to stay up that late and not have to deal with the usual NYE crowds at the Waterfront.
New Years Day Emma and I will get back in the car and do the 10 hour drive back home without the kids, which will allow us some US time for a couple of days.
So what are the big changes in my life and New YEars Resolutions?? Be a better Father, try to spend more time at home(with in the limitations of my job) , find the balance of bike and Family without sacrificing one for the other, and probably the most important one is be happy and have fun doing all of it.
To all have a safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A year to remember for some of the right reasons and some of the wrong ones
Well, What a year it has been! Sounds like the words to a song doesn't it, but alas it isn't. This year has been one of those that you want to forget but dont know you shouldn't. There have been so many things that have happened this year that it is hard to break it down and summarise for you all. How ever I wil make an attempt so that when found in the same situations you can have an idea of where I have been.
THus year started like any other in the Army, flatout and without direction. I started of by finding out I was instructing on a course which started about 3 weeks later. Nothing had been prepared for the course although my Unit had known about it for well over 6 months. So with a bit of knuckling down and getting into the instructor groove I belted through it, much the detriment of my family and cycling.
At the end of the course I was begrudgingly given a week off, only to return to find I had been moved into another unit.
So begins a new chapter in my Military Career.
So after the move, all of 600m, but a move all the same, I settled into the new workplace and got my career back on track. I completed the courses required to secure my position ion the next rank level and did it relatively easily. However this involved me being away from my family again. Once again this was to the detriment of my relationship with my wife and my kids. Some of you can see where this is heading but it gets worse.
Upon return, I found that I had been pannelled for the course I had been trying to get for over 12 months but it again involved going away for around 6 weeks. This again caused further suffering to my long suffering family. Once this course finished I was ome for the longest period yet for the year. I managed to stay in the same vicnity as my family for 5 weeks, including a 10 day trip to Fiji, which I have previuosly spoken about. Many of the absence issues came to a head in Fiji, and were never really resolved. Once we returned from Fiji, I was once again off on another course insyructing. This time 6 weeks 3hours from home. Not that far can easily come home when time permited. Guess what, I got home 3 times, in the first 2 weeks, thats it.
So by the time all this finished only about 2 weeks ago the damage from the year had been done. Dont get me wrong, Army is not totally to blame here and either is the work rate or work load, but it hasn't helped. Combine all that with a poor sense of prioritising between work, family and cycling and it came to an explosive finale the night I came home.
SO what has happened since then, after so long nights just sitting and talking with my lovely wife, Emma, and family, we are rebuilding our friendship and love for eachother. We are spending as much time with eachother and starting to go out on your trusty old fashioned dates again, and she gets a few little surprises every now and again (something I had stopped doing years ago). My involvment around the house has increased in order to allow us more time to do the things we want to do and in the end when it really comes down to it, because I want to.
So I am now on holidays and spending the time with the kids while Emma is still going to work each day. The kids and I are having lots of fun and doing stuff together again. Emma and I are becoming really good friends again and together a really close family. I know it doesn't just fix itself overnight but at the moment we are all doing the right things because we want to and really enjoying it.
As for my cycling, I have had 4 weeks off the bike and dont see the point in trying to rebuild for the last 2 races for the year. My Jayco Bay Classic bid is off, so I can spend more time with Emma and the kids over Christmas and the school holidays. So I have decided to take off the rest of the year from racing and heading out on to the road, either solo or with firends until the New Year. For the first couple of months next year I will primarily target the Track racing, culminating in the State MAsters Championships in February. SO between now and the New Year I will be doing daily and sometimes twice daily roller sessions on both my track bike and my road bike, as well as weights. Why only rollers? SO I can spend it all at home with the Emma and the kids, and target specific things. Once the track starts up inthe new year my leg speed and stength wil be there is will just be a matter of fine tuning to weather conditions and some racing intensity to get it all spot on in time for the State Titles. Once Track finishes then I will be back into the road crits and road racing.
My team are still looking for local and international sponsors to take us into the 2009 season. WIth Metro Crit titles to defend, Tours to win and National Police and Miliatry Titles to win it is to be a big year for all of us. We also plan to expand the team to include a Womens team and and A and B grade mens team. So if you are interested you know what to do.
To all those who read this and or follow my ramblings, Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.
THus year started like any other in the Army, flatout and without direction. I started of by finding out I was instructing on a course which started about 3 weeks later. Nothing had been prepared for the course although my Unit had known about it for well over 6 months. So with a bit of knuckling down and getting into the instructor groove I belted through it, much the detriment of my family and cycling.
At the end of the course I was begrudgingly given a week off, only to return to find I had been moved into another unit.
So begins a new chapter in my Military Career.
So after the move, all of 600m, but a move all the same, I settled into the new workplace and got my career back on track. I completed the courses required to secure my position ion the next rank level and did it relatively easily. However this involved me being away from my family again. Once again this was to the detriment of my relationship with my wife and my kids. Some of you can see where this is heading but it gets worse.
Upon return, I found that I had been pannelled for the course I had been trying to get for over 12 months but it again involved going away for around 6 weeks. This again caused further suffering to my long suffering family. Once this course finished I was ome for the longest period yet for the year. I managed to stay in the same vicnity as my family for 5 weeks, including a 10 day trip to Fiji, which I have previuosly spoken about. Many of the absence issues came to a head in Fiji, and were never really resolved. Once we returned from Fiji, I was once again off on another course insyructing. This time 6 weeks 3hours from home. Not that far can easily come home when time permited. Guess what, I got home 3 times, in the first 2 weeks, thats it.
So by the time all this finished only about 2 weeks ago the damage from the year had been done. Dont get me wrong, Army is not totally to blame here and either is the work rate or work load, but it hasn't helped. Combine all that with a poor sense of prioritising between work, family and cycling and it came to an explosive finale the night I came home.
SO what has happened since then, after so long nights just sitting and talking with my lovely wife, Emma, and family, we are rebuilding our friendship and love for eachother. We are spending as much time with eachother and starting to go out on your trusty old fashioned dates again, and she gets a few little surprises every now and again (something I had stopped doing years ago). My involvment around the house has increased in order to allow us more time to do the things we want to do and in the end when it really comes down to it, because I want to.
So I am now on holidays and spending the time with the kids while Emma is still going to work each day. The kids and I are having lots of fun and doing stuff together again. Emma and I are becoming really good friends again and together a really close family. I know it doesn't just fix itself overnight but at the moment we are all doing the right things because we want to and really enjoying it.
As for my cycling, I have had 4 weeks off the bike and dont see the point in trying to rebuild for the last 2 races for the year. My Jayco Bay Classic bid is off, so I can spend more time with Emma and the kids over Christmas and the school holidays. So I have decided to take off the rest of the year from racing and heading out on to the road, either solo or with firends until the New Year. For the first couple of months next year I will primarily target the Track racing, culminating in the State MAsters Championships in February. SO between now and the New Year I will be doing daily and sometimes twice daily roller sessions on both my track bike and my road bike, as well as weights. Why only rollers? SO I can spend it all at home with the Emma and the kids, and target specific things. Once the track starts up inthe new year my leg speed and stength wil be there is will just be a matter of fine tuning to weather conditions and some racing intensity to get it all spot on in time for the State Titles. Once Track finishes then I will be back into the road crits and road racing.
My team are still looking for local and international sponsors to take us into the 2009 season. WIth Metro Crit titles to defend, Tours to win and National Police and Miliatry Titles to win it is to be a big year for all of us. We also plan to expand the team to include a Womens team and and A and B grade mens team. So if you are interested you know what to do.
To all those who read this and or follow my ramblings, Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Building nicely for January
Sorry folks but I have had work commitments for the last 2 weeks and have been away. However, they have finally accepted that the bike is probably a good thing and I have taken it away with me so I can continue my training. So how has that training going?
You might remember that the last time I posted here I said I needed to start climbing more. Well, I haven't done any sustained climbing but have been doing a road ride that is nothing but up and down. 64km of either going up or down but the ups last longer than the downs and combine with the heat it is doing wonders for strength and conditioning for short power climbs, which will be useful for the Bay Classic in January.
I came home on Thursday and after getting stuffed around at the last minute by the powers that be at work I got away and saw the family for the first time in 2 weeks. Friday was a quiet day, getting a new phone and spending some time with Rohan at his Auskick AFL training session.
Today, I went to the "Muz" for the usual Saturday morning hit out and smash session. After many attempts to get away either solo or in a another break it come down to the bunch sprint, but after I dragged back a 5man breakaway on the last lap. After pulling the bunch along at 55km/h to reel the break in I managed to get myself in a position about 8 wheels back but the legs were screaming and protested and that was my day. Overall I was happy with the days race and it showed how I was going in general and that I am getting stronger and faster and recovering quicker. I did manage 2nd in the Prime which was a good 53/12 sprint.
Todays race also confirmed for me that I am going strong and that other teams are noticing it, as riders from both the Virgin Blue team and Budget Forklifts teams sent riders to cover my attempts to get away whether they were solo attempts or join another breakaway group. In one attempt there was 2 Virgin riders and 1 Budget rider in the group and then I got across and they both sent another rider with me. Now I could be seeing things but I like to think that they are marking me as someone who can threaten there positions on the podiums.
Anyway until the next post, hopefully tomorrow. Ciao
By the way, My State Crit titles attempt was miserable. After getting into the winning break my bike suffered a massive mechanical failure where my freewheel was that free spinning forward and not getting any drive forward. by the time I got it sorted I was off the back of the peloton and out of contention. Disappointing really but that's bike racing i suppose.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time to start climbing
Well the week is almost over and the Crit titles are almost here. How do I feel?? Well there are some pre race nerves building and it is hard to keep them under control. I have made my plan and I am going to try to stick with it.
So today was a quiet day. As a result I called it quits at work at about 11am and came home to relax before heading out with a team mate Chris aka "Beetlejuice". So the plan was going well a relaxing day and a relaxing river loop. Guess again.
Chris had this plan to mix it up a little. His idea was to start the river loop with alap over Mt Cootha first. Now I have never ridden up Mt Cootha so this was to be a new experience. Experience, Mt Cootha nearly beat me today. I got up and over but I had 2 stops(remember I am a sprinter not a climber). The first stop was because I thought my back tire was deflating. I had just fixed a puncture and thought I had pinched it or not removed the orignal cause. So I stopped to check that, No it was all good. So off I went to try to get back on Chris' wheel, without blowing up. Then I had to stop again. THis time though it was because I was way over my LT(Lactate Threshold) and going into the red big time. So I stopped for a minute, had a drink and got my breath. Once I started again I headed for the top and caught up to Chris. The climb wasn't over but the worst part was. It still kept going up and then it started to go down. Now with out any effort including allowing cars to pass we were cruising down at 80km/h in a 60km/h zone. So that was Mt Cootha, definatly will be going back at the first opportunity and making it a regular part of my training program. I will need to if I am to fill domestique duties in ther Sunshine Coast Tour and Grafton-Inverell races next year.
I really need to climb more, that hurt far too much.
Once the Mt Cootha was done we continued on our River loop. This wan't to be any easy task either. Didin't matter which way we headed we ssemed to be heading in to a head wind which was just strong eneough to be annoying and break your rythmn. So off we went, the heat was up(not excessively) and combined with the wind drained the body and dehydrated us very quickly. But we finished that and headed in our own directions for the long journey home.
On my way home I thought I would duck into my LBS and see if my new saddle had arrived. I ordered it yesterday and was assured of overnight delivery. Guess what no saddle. maybe tomorrow they said. Now I am not blaming my LBS because they are a good bunch of blokes, with a reat reputation. It is their delivery people that have stuffed it.
So now I have to wait until tomorrow to get my new White Fizik Arione Ti saddle. I suppose thats ok a sI will have tomorrow off the bike save for a short roller session later in the day to keep the legs ticking over but not tiring them out.
So till tomorrow.
By the way, Did I mention that the HYPE Energy Cycling Team is expanding. We are after new ridrs both male and female.
We are also looking for new sponsors who are willing to take on a team. We are looking for an equipment sponsor as well as financial sponsors who can see the benefits of cycling and business. So if you are interested let me know.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Storm season is approaching
Well it is coming to that time again, Storm Season. Certainly nothing like the storms in the Top End or in Tornado Alley in the USA, but for the SE Qld it is storm season. and, LAst night showed us that as much as we like to plan things in advance sometimes it is pointless and disappointing. As I said last night I was off to the track for a bit of Track Racing at the Velodome, but the storm came in and put an end to that idea. SOrt of worked out well as the legs felt a bit heavy but nothing I haven't ridden through before.
When I woke up this morning after a shocking sleep, it was clear and sunny and any sign of a storm from last night was only on the radio news (B105), and it wasn't as bad as I expected. SO off to work I went and spent the day finishing off my lesson preparation so I can have an early mark tomorrow before it all starts going ahywire on Friday.
SO tonight is a weight session and then on the rollers for a bit to keep the legs moving for the State Criterium Titles on Sunday. Now I said yesterday taht if it is hot it will be a tough race. Well guess what? The forecast for Sunday is 30 degrees Celcius and my race starts at 2.45pm. So a 1hr +3 lap Crit in 30 degrees guess what very tough day in the saddle. The race favourite is Jonothan Cantwell. Who is he I hear some of you ask? Well JC rides most of the year for the Jelly Belly Cycling Team in the USA. thus year he had a successful trip to Superweek, so for him to come home in time for the State Crit title is going to make it hard for the rest of us. My saving grace is he doesn't really know me and I was only a couple of places behind him last weekend at the Abbruzzo Cup,which he also won, adding to his favourites seeding. Plus I will have some team mates to hopefully keep me near the front. But having said that there will be other teams there all with the same plan so a tough day is for cerain.
So where to from here? POWER
I am now in the market and actively searching for a power meter. I have heard about the power training techniques and advantages of it. Have now had a few friends who have taken the leap of faith and invested in a reliable Power meter and are praising the move. SO I am going to do the same.
Now we all know how good the SRM power meter system is but really it is out of reach of the average amateur cyclist. SO the next on the list was the Ergomo, now not in production and the company is out of action, so scratch that one to. IBike and Polar not that reliable from all the reports I ave read and been told about through word of mouth. So what does that leave?? THe CycleOps Power Tap hub based power meter. All my mates, training partners and their dogs friends all rave about it and if built into a good wheel I can race and train on it. So time to squirrel the $$$$$ away and buy one. Hopefully before Christmas. But if it is just after then thats Ok but to have it at the Bay classic would be a geat way to see what is required at that level for the next time.
Any way tme to hit the gym so I can make room for some Hells' Pizza
When I woke up this morning after a shocking sleep, it was clear and sunny and any sign of a storm from last night was only on the radio news (B105), and it wasn't as bad as I expected. SO off to work I went and spent the day finishing off my lesson preparation so I can have an early mark tomorrow before it all starts going ahywire on Friday.
SO tonight is a weight session and then on the rollers for a bit to keep the legs moving for the State Criterium Titles on Sunday. Now I said yesterday taht if it is hot it will be a tough race. Well guess what? The forecast for Sunday is 30 degrees Celcius and my race starts at 2.45pm. So a 1hr +3 lap Crit in 30 degrees guess what very tough day in the saddle. The race favourite is Jonothan Cantwell. Who is he I hear some of you ask? Well JC rides most of the year for the Jelly Belly Cycling Team in the USA. thus year he had a successful trip to Superweek, so for him to come home in time for the State Crit title is going to make it hard for the rest of us. My saving grace is he doesn't really know me and I was only a couple of places behind him last weekend at the Abbruzzo Cup,which he also won, adding to his favourites seeding. Plus I will have some team mates to hopefully keep me near the front. But having said that there will be other teams there all with the same plan so a tough day is for cerain.
So where to from here? POWER
I am now in the market and actively searching for a power meter. I have heard about the power training techniques and advantages of it. Have now had a few friends who have taken the leap of faith and invested in a reliable Power meter and are praising the move. SO I am going to do the same.
Now we all know how good the SRM power meter system is but really it is out of reach of the average amateur cyclist. SO the next on the list was the Ergomo, now not in production and the company is out of action, so scratch that one to. IBike and Polar not that reliable from all the reports I ave read and been told about through word of mouth. So what does that leave?? THe CycleOps Power Tap hub based power meter. All my mates, training partners and their dogs friends all rave about it and if built into a good wheel I can race and train on it. So time to squirrel the $$$$$ away and buy one. Hopefully before Christmas. But if it is just after then thats Ok but to have it at the Bay classic would be a geat way to see what is required at that level for the next time.
Any way tme to hit the gym so I can make room for some Hells' Pizza
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Legs are ticking over nicely
Well got up this morning at 5 am(intead of 4 am with all the intentions of an Interval session with sprints but after last nights 4 lap(1.2km/lap) solo session legs were feeling a bit heavy and I was a bit tired. So I went back to bed for an hour and then got up and got on the bike. I headed out to the Nundah Crit circuit where the rest of the group was already belting around at warp speed.
I joined in for the 3rd last sprint nd subsequent intervals. Once I got going I founf the legs were really good and reacted wel with the intensity. Without wanting to go too hard because of the track racing tonight I had a really good hit out. Once it was all over I headed off to work for an easy day of lesson preparation and a Co-ord conference.
The only positive thing from the conference is that everyone wants this to go smooth and I can ake my bike to keep my training up, and by all accounts, and a review of the training program I will have plenty of road training time and roller time. Unfortunately no Gym work as thereis no gym facilities where I will be but I am sure I can improvise.
Now on the faily side of the house, the kids are going well. Eilish is doing really well with the Violin and Swimming, and Rohan has taken up AFL(Auskick) and loves it. He is also doing well with his swimming .
In mid August Rohan had to had to have a minor procedure which for a 5 year old is quite major. He had to have grommets put in his ears, his agnoids done and his tonsils removed. We found he was hearing to well and when we got his hearing tested, in a room with some distractions his hearing was below 40% but when no distractions into the 90%. THe doctor also said his tonsils were that big it would be very painful to eat which explains a lot to his eating habits. Now we can't stop him from eating but he burns it off so quickly that he sill doesn't put any weight on.
Any way will go now so I can get rady for the Track and let you know later how it all goes.
Ciao
I joined in for the 3rd last sprint nd subsequent intervals. Once I got going I founf the legs were really good and reacted wel with the intensity. Without wanting to go too hard because of the track racing tonight I had a really good hit out. Once it was all over I headed off to work for an easy day of lesson preparation and a Co-ord conference.
The only positive thing from the conference is that everyone wants this to go smooth and I can ake my bike to keep my training up, and by all accounts, and a review of the training program I will have plenty of road training time and roller time. Unfortunately no Gym work as thereis no gym facilities where I will be but I am sure I can improvise.
Now on the faily side of the house, the kids are going well. Eilish is doing really well with the Violin and Swimming, and Rohan has taken up AFL(Auskick) and loves it. He is also doing well with his swimming .
In mid August Rohan had to had to have a minor procedure which for a 5 year old is quite major. He had to have grommets put in his ears, his agnoids done and his tonsils removed. We found he was hearing to well and when we got his hearing tested, in a room with some distractions his hearing was below 40% but when no distractions into the 90%. THe doctor also said his tonsils were that big it would be very painful to eat which explains a lot to his eating habits. Now we can't stop him from eating but he burns it off so quickly that he sill doesn't put any weight on.
Any way will go now so I can get rady for the Track and let you know later how it all goes.
Ciao
Monday, October 20, 2008
Long time no blog
Well after such a long time away from blogging I almost forgot my login details. So what has kept me away from Bebo and letting the world know what I have been up to?
Well i have been kept very busy with work. I have been away on courses all up and down the Eastern seaboard of Australia. I spent a number of weeks in Singleton , NSW. Then after a short time, like less than 2 weeks, I went away again for a number of weeks to Puckapunyal, an Army base near Seymour Victoria. Then once I returned from Seymour I had a week or 2 at home then took off with family for 10 dyas in Fiji. 10 day of sitting by the pool and on the beach, cocktails snorkelling the reef and just total relaxation. But no Bike. Got back from Fiji and have been flat out at work getting ready to instruct on a promotion course for some of the junior soldiers. Should be interesting as it is a course I haven't instructed on as yet.
SO how has the bike riding been?
Well as those who have wondered where I had gone, you would know that my last taregted event was the ADF National Championships. Well that was a disaster. 5 days out from the raod race i injured(strained) my lower back and could barely drive a car let alone get on the bike and race an undulating course for 70km, and then back up with a 60 min Criterium and 45 km ITT. So I ended up withdrawing. Since then I have ha a few races but haven't been able to string too any together in a row. Therefore no results either except a couple of minor places while in Singelton.
Lately though I have been hitting the Velodrome with the track bike and have seen some improvement in both disciplines. My flying 200m time, at last attempt was 12.87secs which I am happy with at this early stage of the track season. As for my Crit racing, I am getting sttronger and faster. My last race(2nd in a row) was the Abruzzo Cup. The race had a field of 90 riders and I managed to finish in the top 20 and still had a go off the front and tried to get away at least 3 times. Everytime I go off the front now the boys from the Virgin Blue team chase me down.
My nxt race is the Queensland State Criterium Titles on 26 Oct. Wish me luck!!
So what are the plans for the rest of the year. Well work is busy. The course I am instructing on will take me up to Dec 5, but then I go on holidays. 02 January is the start of the Bay Cycling Classic in Melboure and I am going to go down and give them a go. Some very tough racing against some very strong riders and teams. Be nice if I could have some team mates there to help but thats the way the cookie crumbles. There might be some riders I know from the Virgin Blue team there maybe we could look after each other. Who knows what will happen. There is some time to go before I get down there.
How is HYPE Energy Cycling Team going? Well after a series of sicknesses and work committments we are slowly coming back together and getting back on the race track. We are now looking into expanding the team and seeking additional sponsorship. WIth a few unsuccessful sponsorship bids. SO if anyone knows someone who might be interested in investing equipment in a cycling team and using them for additional advertising and product testing let me know.
till next time ciao
Well i have been kept very busy with work. I have been away on courses all up and down the Eastern seaboard of Australia. I spent a number of weeks in Singleton , NSW. Then after a short time, like less than 2 weeks, I went away again for a number of weeks to Puckapunyal, an Army base near Seymour Victoria. Then once I returned from Seymour I had a week or 2 at home then took off with family for 10 dyas in Fiji. 10 day of sitting by the pool and on the beach, cocktails snorkelling the reef and just total relaxation. But no Bike. Got back from Fiji and have been flat out at work getting ready to instruct on a promotion course for some of the junior soldiers. Should be interesting as it is a course I haven't instructed on as yet.
SO how has the bike riding been?
Well as those who have wondered where I had gone, you would know that my last taregted event was the ADF National Championships. Well that was a disaster. 5 days out from the raod race i injured(strained) my lower back and could barely drive a car let alone get on the bike and race an undulating course for 70km, and then back up with a 60 min Criterium and 45 km ITT. So I ended up withdrawing. Since then I have ha a few races but haven't been able to string too any together in a row. Therefore no results either except a couple of minor places while in Singelton.
Lately though I have been hitting the Velodrome with the track bike and have seen some improvement in both disciplines. My flying 200m time, at last attempt was 12.87secs which I am happy with at this early stage of the track season. As for my Crit racing, I am getting sttronger and faster. My last race(2nd in a row) was the Abruzzo Cup. The race had a field of 90 riders and I managed to finish in the top 20 and still had a go off the front and tried to get away at least 3 times. Everytime I go off the front now the boys from the Virgin Blue team chase me down.
My nxt race is the Queensland State Criterium Titles on 26 Oct. Wish me luck!!
So what are the plans for the rest of the year. Well work is busy. The course I am instructing on will take me up to Dec 5, but then I go on holidays. 02 January is the start of the Bay Cycling Classic in Melboure and I am going to go down and give them a go. Some very tough racing against some very strong riders and teams. Be nice if I could have some team mates there to help but thats the way the cookie crumbles. There might be some riders I know from the Virgin Blue team there maybe we could look after each other. Who knows what will happen. There is some time to go before I get down there.
How is HYPE Energy Cycling Team going? Well after a series of sicknesses and work committments we are slowly coming back together and getting back on the race track. We are now looking into expanding the team and seeking additional sponsorship. WIth a few unsuccessful sponsorship bids. SO if anyone knows someone who might be interested in investing equipment in a cycling team and using them for additional advertising and product testing let me know.
till next time ciao
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wedenesday 29 April
Wow, 2 days in a row.
THe course is almost over. Tomorrow is the second last day of the course but I have a 0630 start.
BUt having said that I have an early start I am still going to ride in. It is time to get the legs ticking over and what a better way than first thing in the morning while it is nice and fresh. Plus all the hills make it a nice workout, short but nice. It will certainly help get the legs ready for a hrad week next week and the intensive smashing they will get for the rest of the month to get ready for the Avanti CLassic and the Brisane Metropolitan Championships. Qiuetly I think our team has a good chance of a place in one of the 3 races. Fingers crossed. All I hope is that I can deliver someone to the line at speed or at least fresh enough to get through the chaos.
Sorry that this is only a short one but not else has happened today so I wont bore you with jibberish rubbish and just make stuff up.
Till tomorrow.
THe course is almost over. Tomorrow is the second last day of the course but I have a 0630 start.
BUt having said that I have an early start I am still going to ride in. It is time to get the legs ticking over and what a better way than first thing in the morning while it is nice and fresh. Plus all the hills make it a nice workout, short but nice. It will certainly help get the legs ready for a hrad week next week and the intensive smashing they will get for the rest of the month to get ready for the Avanti CLassic and the Brisane Metropolitan Championships. Qiuetly I think our team has a good chance of a place in one of the 3 races. Fingers crossed. All I hope is that I can deliver someone to the line at speed or at least fresh enough to get through the chaos.
Sorry that this is only a short one but not else has happened today so I wont bore you with jibberish rubbish and just make stuff up.
Till tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Whats been going on since last time I was here
Once again I have been delayed from posting on here, but thats work. Anyway what have I been doing?
After having a nice strong week on the bike and really feeling all the base work I had done paying off even after a 4 week break from the bike and no racing for nearly 8 weeks, I headed back out bush to finish off the training I have been instructing on. This week was all about old fashioned dig a hole and that is your home for however long you are told style of fighting. These days we call it conventional operations. It is similar to Korea and Vietnam era warfighhting.
During the week we celebrated ANZAC Day (25th April) which was a nice day, mind you not much time off. The day started with a 0415 wake up and then coffee served by the instructors at 0445. At 0500 the dawn service started with all the course staff and some of the top performing students being involved with some readings and phrases. By 0530 the service was over and the bacon and egg rolls were devoured by all.
Once the ANZAC DAy service was all over, it was back into it. It started off with qualifying the trainees with anti-armour rockets and then when that was over it was back to the trusty hole in the ground and on with the fight.
So how much sleep did the trainees and staff get. For the first 72 hrs it averaged out to about 3 hrs /night. Not a lot, but it is designed to take the trainees right out of their comfort zone and push them beyond what they think they can do and then more.
Anyway, that week is now over and I back in barracks and finishing the course on friday. Today I had my first hiyt out on the bike in jut over a week, and it felt good, legs wee a bit sore before I started but they certainly feel a bit better now. Had a sprint against one of the teams sprinters and without any bike time ( and him having plenty) and it was even. SO with some sprints under my belt and some bike time I will hit it out again and see if I can secure the teams Crit sprinter position.
Speaking of the Team. We now have our kit ad teh ANZAC Day races were our first race as a team and all in all it was a successful race. We had a rider in the winning break all day and the team put in a good showing. As for a result I think it was 6th or 7th on the line. Not bad for our first race together. Shame I missed it but there will be more.
Any way time to go but I will be back.
After having a nice strong week on the bike and really feeling all the base work I had done paying off even after a 4 week break from the bike and no racing for nearly 8 weeks, I headed back out bush to finish off the training I have been instructing on. This week was all about old fashioned dig a hole and that is your home for however long you are told style of fighting. These days we call it conventional operations. It is similar to Korea and Vietnam era warfighhting.
During the week we celebrated ANZAC Day (25th April) which was a nice day, mind you not much time off. The day started with a 0415 wake up and then coffee served by the instructors at 0445. At 0500 the dawn service started with all the course staff and some of the top performing students being involved with some readings and phrases. By 0530 the service was over and the bacon and egg rolls were devoured by all.
Once the ANZAC DAy service was all over, it was back into it. It started off with qualifying the trainees with anti-armour rockets and then when that was over it was back to the trusty hole in the ground and on with the fight.
So how much sleep did the trainees and staff get. For the first 72 hrs it averaged out to about 3 hrs /night. Not a lot, but it is designed to take the trainees right out of their comfort zone and push them beyond what they think they can do and then more.
Anyway, that week is now over and I back in barracks and finishing the course on friday. Today I had my first hiyt out on the bike in jut over a week, and it felt good, legs wee a bit sore before I started but they certainly feel a bit better now. Had a sprint against one of the teams sprinters and without any bike time ( and him having plenty) and it was even. SO with some sprints under my belt and some bike time I will hit it out again and see if I can secure the teams Crit sprinter position.
Speaking of the Team. We now have our kit ad teh ANZAC Day races were our first race as a team and all in all it was a successful race. We had a rider in the winning break all day and the team put in a good showing. As for a result I think it was 6th or 7th on the line. Not bad for our first race together. Shame I missed it but there will be more.
Any way time to go but I will be back.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Frustrations and bike riding
Well my week of riding is almost over, and although very good it has been frustrating at the same time. It has been good because I have been able to get out on the bike and keep some of base training in check and not let the legs go too stale. The frustration comes in because it has only been a week and now I am going away again. Now this trip away is only a week long and will be relatively physical, but not in a cardio or bike fitness sense. There will be plenty of opportunity to maintain leg strength and endurance stuff. But this week hasn't been helped by the fact that I have had this annoying cough and stuffed up nose. So I am hoping that I can shake it this next week ready to hit the bike hard when I get back.
Now what will I be doing when I get back. I will be doing long rides and interval sessions daily and in some cases both in the one day. Speed sessions with the HYPE Energy crew and some leadout sprint training. At some time there will be a team launch, most likely at the Chalk Hotel(http://www.chalkhotel.com.au) which should be good. It will be a chance for Sponsors, riders, families and friends to get together and meet and have a relaxing start to the 2008 season.
One thing that HYPE ENergy Cycle Race team needs is a Shop Sponsor, somewhere we can go to look after our bikes and if possible provide race bikes to the team so that we have the best equipment on race day.
Anyone out there own a shop and want a team?
Anyway better go I have promised to cook dinner tonight for my long suffering wife, and I can't dissapoint her. The kids are being good and nice and quiet and I think Emma is going to go have a coffee with a girl friend whose Hubby is over seas on operational service for the ADF. SO she is lacking adult conversation, not that he provides much that is adult. He is more sex crazed teenager than sensible adult. Just jokes he is good to her and their kids.
SO till I return from bush, just after ANZAC Day, enjoy life and ride a bike.
Now what will I be doing when I get back. I will be doing long rides and interval sessions daily and in some cases both in the one day. Speed sessions with the HYPE Energy crew and some leadout sprint training. At some time there will be a team launch, most likely at the Chalk Hotel(http://www.chalkhotel.com.au) which should be good. It will be a chance for Sponsors, riders, families and friends to get together and meet and have a relaxing start to the 2008 season.
One thing that HYPE ENergy Cycle Race team needs is a Shop Sponsor, somewhere we can go to look after our bikes and if possible provide race bikes to the team so that we have the best equipment on race day.
Anyone out there own a shop and want a team?
Anyway better go I have promised to cook dinner tonight for my long suffering wife, and I can't dissapoint her. The kids are being good and nice and quiet and I think Emma is going to go have a coffee with a girl friend whose Hubby is over seas on operational service for the ADF. SO she is lacking adult conversation, not that he provides much that is adult. He is more sex crazed teenager than sensible adult. Just jokes he is good to her and their kids.
SO till I return from bush, just after ANZAC Day, enjoy life and ride a bike.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Bravo Sensazione continue
To quote nearly every Italian Pro who has won a race, "I had good sensations today and thats what let me win".
I met up with Chris, one of my HYPE Team mates, and knocked out a quick 133km. We met at Sth Bank and then headed out to Mt Mee via Samford Village and then return. Had a steady headwind all the way out and then obviously the climb up Mt Mee. Mt Mee is a 6km 8%(average) climb, north of Brisbane. It is a very popular training ride in Brisbane. I haven't done this ride since mid last year and was surprised as to how I a ctually went today. Now I am not noted for my climbing ability, I am more of a sprinter than a climber. Now chris is a climber who can sprint, or is that a sprinter that can climb, I am not sure. But, all I can say is that once we hit the climb today chris just pulled away from me. I did however catch him half way up the climb. He got a flat tyre, and as soon as that was fixed we took off again and he pulled away again. He managed to about 2 minutes, or 3/4 of a banana, on me by the top of the climb. Then we made a rapid descent down where I led him all the way down using every bit of the road.
The trip back was long and the wind had picked up a bit from the outward bound trip so it made it seem harder than it really was. On the final run into town through Ferny hilss we started to pull some TT turns at pace and rolled along comfortably at 45 km/h. It is going to be good to get the whole team together for some rides and swap turns at pace again.
THe legs feel a bit heavey after todays ride but thats about it and with a night in my SKINS I should be well prepared for another ride in the morning. The famed Brisbane River Loop, with Chris and Adam, another HYPE Team mate.
Till then.
CIAO
I met up with Chris, one of my HYPE Team mates, and knocked out a quick 133km. We met at Sth Bank and then headed out to Mt Mee via Samford Village and then return. Had a steady headwind all the way out and then obviously the climb up Mt Mee. Mt Mee is a 6km 8%(average) climb, north of Brisbane. It is a very popular training ride in Brisbane. I haven't done this ride since mid last year and was surprised as to how I a ctually went today. Now I am not noted for my climbing ability, I am more of a sprinter than a climber. Now chris is a climber who can sprint, or is that a sprinter that can climb, I am not sure. But, all I can say is that once we hit the climb today chris just pulled away from me. I did however catch him half way up the climb. He got a flat tyre, and as soon as that was fixed we took off again and he pulled away again. He managed to about 2 minutes, or 3/4 of a banana, on me by the top of the climb. Then we made a rapid descent down where I led him all the way down using every bit of the road.
The trip back was long and the wind had picked up a bit from the outward bound trip so it made it seem harder than it really was. On the final run into town through Ferny hilss we started to pull some TT turns at pace and rolled along comfortably at 45 km/h. It is going to be good to get the whole team together for some rides and swap turns at pace again.
THe legs feel a bit heavey after todays ride but thats about it and with a night in my SKINS I should be well prepared for another ride in the morning. The famed Brisbane River Loop, with Chris and Adam, another HYPE Team mate.
Till then.
CIAO
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Training coming back in
Well I have now had 4 good days on the bike and each day feels better than the last. My only fear at the moment is the fact that I know I wont be on the bike next week and will have to start all over again. I know that my current work tempo is affecting my bike racing but there si not much I can do about that. After next week the bike trainig and racing will begin to pick up as my temmpo will reduce for a while and I can massage my work requirements a bit more in my favour.
So what will happen after next week?
The course I am instructing on wil be all finished and I will be back to my normal day to day work. Having a good mate as my immediate commander, even though we are both the same rank, allows me the flexibility to do some more training. Plus more superiors have said I can have a bit more trainng time now that I am in a team. Must remember to invite them to the Team launch.
Any way so how do I feel generally, on the bike I am feeling stronger and once a few more races under the belt and some race fitness I will be good. Off the bike, is a different story. While out bush last time I nearly lost my voice , then got a virus and since have had this annoying cough. Now I have a cold which is getting worse each day. Training over the top of it isn't helping but at the moment has to be done. The cough I have, is a bit chesty and starting to really piss me off.
Now this sickness is probably due to being abit run down and fatigued because of work, but there is no chance of resting at the moment.
Once my training kicks off I will keep you all updated as to all my daily obs-Resting HR, Wt, kms, and how I feel in general.
Anyway enough for today. Please leave a comment. Let me know if there is anything you wanat to talk about
So what will happen after next week?
The course I am instructing on wil be all finished and I will be back to my normal day to day work. Having a good mate as my immediate commander, even though we are both the same rank, allows me the flexibility to do some more training. Plus more superiors have said I can have a bit more trainng time now that I am in a team. Must remember to invite them to the Team launch.
Any way so how do I feel generally, on the bike I am feeling stronger and once a few more races under the belt and some race fitness I will be good. Off the bike, is a different story. While out bush last time I nearly lost my voice , then got a virus and since have had this annoying cough. Now I have a cold which is getting worse each day. Training over the top of it isn't helping but at the moment has to be done. The cough I have, is a bit chesty and starting to really piss me off.
Now this sickness is probably due to being abit run down and fatigued because of work, but there is no chance of resting at the moment.
Once my training kicks off I will keep you all updated as to all my daily obs-Resting HR, Wt, kms, and how I feel in general.
Anyway enough for today. Please leave a comment. Let me know if there is anything you wanat to talk about
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Good sensations/ Bravo Sensazione
Well after a nice sleep in with my lovely wife Emma, the first in quite a while due to work committments, I went out and had a solid hit out on the bike. After putting in a good warmup in the small ring, I jumped intot he big ring and put in some solid tempo efforts. Each effort was 10-15min long using the 53/15 and a95-100 rpm cadence. 4 of those through out the ride both into the wind and with the wind. The route I rode today was the standard Zupps route through the Northside and Bay suburbs. THe end result for the ride today was 80km at 32.8km/h average speed. Considering 3 months ago I was doing the same ride solo with an average of 34+km/h to come back after 4 weeks of no bike with an average of 32.8 is very encouraging. The temps today were quite warm and all in all I had soem really encouraging sensations on the bike. It appears the strength is almost there and some early form is within reach.
Once this course finishes I have about 3 weeks to get race fit and hit some form, not neccessarily top form. The first main event ofr me with HYPE Energy is the Avanti Classic, an Open event with lots of hills big hills. Then a week later is the Brisbane Metro Championships, which are my main focus for the team, as a win in either the Crit or the road race will be good for the team and the sponsors.
After the Metros I am away again with work down in NSW for 4 weeks. But this trip ahs plenty off opportunity for some real high level racing with some potential for some good results for the sponsors. With Gunnedah-Tamworth, Rosemount Estate Explorer, as 2 of the main races plus some local club stuff. But the weekend of the 5-6 July is my priority for this year with the ADF Cycling Championships. This year they are being held in Sydney in the middle of winter, yeah its going to be cold. By the way I dont think I have shown you all the new HYPE Energy Team jersey. So here it is.
Anyway this week on the bike is going to be great and a hope the Bravo Sensazione continues.
Once this course finishes I have about 3 weeks to get race fit and hit some form, not neccessarily top form. The first main event ofr me with HYPE Energy is the Avanti Classic, an Open event with lots of hills big hills. Then a week later is the Brisbane Metro Championships, which are my main focus for the team, as a win in either the Crit or the road race will be good for the team and the sponsors.
After the Metros I am away again with work down in NSW for 4 weeks. But this trip ahs plenty off opportunity for some real high level racing with some potential for some good results for the sponsors. With Gunnedah-Tamworth, Rosemount Estate Explorer, as 2 of the main races plus some local club stuff. But the weekend of the 5-6 July is my priority for this year with the ADF Cycling Championships. This year they are being held in Sydney in the middle of winter, yeah its going to be cold. By the way I dont think I have shown you all the new HYPE Energy Team jersey. So here it is.
Anyway this week on the bike is going to be great and a hope the Bravo Sensazione continues.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The small pleasures in life
Oh my god, I cant believe it has been over a month since I last put a post on here. Really it doesn't surprise me s I have been so busy with work that I haven't had the opportunity nor the time.
But I will give you a quick run down of what I have been up to over the last 4 weeks.
First off I had a week out bush, doing Army stuff. Teaching new trainees the basics of Infantry soldiering. A fairly intense training week with minimal sleep and plenty going on at all hours of the day. The week finished off with a formal assessment of the skills they had been taught and practiced. If they failed this assessment, (no they don't die) they are sent back a couple of weeks in training to do it all again, possibly in a different location. Luckily for these guys no one failed, mind you some should have and it wouldn't have hurt them to redo the training package. But that's life I suppose.
After a quiet Saturday off, which involved repacking all my kit ready to head off again, I had a nice bottle of French wine with my beautiful wife. Oh and my Mum turned up from Victoria to see me and the kids. Sunday morning rolled on, and in particular 0430 arrived, and i was up again and waking my wife to drive me into work. I was going away again, this time or 3 weeks.
This 3 week training period was to be split into 2 packages. The first was a confirmation of the previous weeks training however stepped up a notch and using real live bullets(the type that kill if pointed in the wrong direction) and another formal assessment. This time we had some that didn't make the grade and much to the relieve of the staff and some of the trainees. That lasted all of 1 week before changing the focus of the training.
The next 2 weeks involved Urban and Security Operations, which is the way we are currently focused as a Defence Force.
So what did the trainees do. The learnt how to move tactically in an urban/built up environment be it a small village or a large city, how to fight in the same types of environments, how to search and clear buildings both single room/floor structures and multi room/floor building, how to secure buildings. Clear and secure are 2 totally different things. How to manage the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and search vehicles. They also learned how to deal with riotous local populations as well as those who are pro coalition types. So all in all a very mentally and physically draining training period. Although physically draining, it had no positive influence on my bike fitness. I can assault a multi storey building and walk in full combat gear for as far as you would like but do you think I could ride my bike this morning without nearly dying every time some effort went into the ride. My fitness levels were certainly not helped by the fact that I got sick while away. I caught a virus off the trainees, lost my voice for a week and finished off the week with a chesty cough which I still have.
So now I am finally home and have 1 week at home before going away again for 1 week. So what have I done since getting home on Wednesday night. Went to work on Thursday and had a day at the grenade range teaching the trainees the intricacies behind using and throwing grenades, its not as simple as you might think. Then on Friday we had some trouble finding a sitter for the kids for the day so I was fortunate enough to be allowed to have the day off to look after Eilish and Rohan for the day. Now what a fantastic day it was. Went to the bank and caught up with a mate who is about to return to the Middle East for the rest of his Tour and then the kids and I went and saw High School Musical on Ice. What a fantastic show. The kids absolutely had a ball. They sang all the songs and cheered and whistled all the way through the show.
SO today is now Saturday and after returning from my ride, I have had a haircut, helped my darling wife with some of the house work(now that she has a job the house work is on the weekends) and have taken the kids for a bike ride around the block as well.
So why the heading for this post?
Sometimes when one is away for long periods of time you lose the pleasures that you take for granted. The kiss from your partner at the start and end of the day, a shoulder to cry on when things are a bit tough, having a muck around with your kids after a long day at work, sleeping in your own bed instead of having to sleep on the hard ground or in the dirt and mud, home cooking when all you have is Army combat rations, a shower, porcelain toilet.
For most people, these are things that are taken for granted but to our soldiers overseas serving our nation these are some of the most important things in the world and are longed for everyday.
So I urge everyone out there to give your partner a hug and thank them for all they have done and on ANZAC Day(25 April) spare a thought for the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force crews who are half way around the world doing a job that the rest of you wont do and go unappreciated day in day out.
But I will give you a quick run down of what I have been up to over the last 4 weeks.
First off I had a week out bush, doing Army stuff. Teaching new trainees the basics of Infantry soldiering. A fairly intense training week with minimal sleep and plenty going on at all hours of the day. The week finished off with a formal assessment of the skills they had been taught and practiced. If they failed this assessment, (no they don't die) they are sent back a couple of weeks in training to do it all again, possibly in a different location. Luckily for these guys no one failed, mind you some should have and it wouldn't have hurt them to redo the training package. But that's life I suppose.
After a quiet Saturday off, which involved repacking all my kit ready to head off again, I had a nice bottle of French wine with my beautiful wife. Oh and my Mum turned up from Victoria to see me and the kids. Sunday morning rolled on, and in particular 0430 arrived, and i was up again and waking my wife to drive me into work. I was going away again, this time or 3 weeks.
This 3 week training period was to be split into 2 packages. The first was a confirmation of the previous weeks training however stepped up a notch and using real live bullets(the type that kill if pointed in the wrong direction) and another formal assessment. This time we had some that didn't make the grade and much to the relieve of the staff and some of the trainees. That lasted all of 1 week before changing the focus of the training.
The next 2 weeks involved Urban and Security Operations, which is the way we are currently focused as a Defence Force.
So what did the trainees do. The learnt how to move tactically in an urban/built up environment be it a small village or a large city, how to fight in the same types of environments, how to search and clear buildings both single room/floor structures and multi room/floor building, how to secure buildings. Clear and secure are 2 totally different things. How to manage the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and search vehicles. They also learned how to deal with riotous local populations as well as those who are pro coalition types. So all in all a very mentally and physically draining training period. Although physically draining, it had no positive influence on my bike fitness. I can assault a multi storey building and walk in full combat gear for as far as you would like but do you think I could ride my bike this morning without nearly dying every time some effort went into the ride. My fitness levels were certainly not helped by the fact that I got sick while away. I caught a virus off the trainees, lost my voice for a week and finished off the week with a chesty cough which I still have.
So now I am finally home and have 1 week at home before going away again for 1 week. So what have I done since getting home on Wednesday night. Went to work on Thursday and had a day at the grenade range teaching the trainees the intricacies behind using and throwing grenades, its not as simple as you might think. Then on Friday we had some trouble finding a sitter for the kids for the day so I was fortunate enough to be allowed to have the day off to look after Eilish and Rohan for the day. Now what a fantastic day it was. Went to the bank and caught up with a mate who is about to return to the Middle East for the rest of his Tour and then the kids and I went and saw High School Musical on Ice. What a fantastic show. The kids absolutely had a ball. They sang all the songs and cheered and whistled all the way through the show.
SO today is now Saturday and after returning from my ride, I have had a haircut, helped my darling wife with some of the house work(now that she has a job the house work is on the weekends) and have taken the kids for a bike ride around the block as well.
So why the heading for this post?
Sometimes when one is away for long periods of time you lose the pleasures that you take for granted. The kiss from your partner at the start and end of the day, a shoulder to cry on when things are a bit tough, having a muck around with your kids after a long day at work, sleeping in your own bed instead of having to sleep on the hard ground or in the dirt and mud, home cooking when all you have is Army combat rations, a shower, porcelain toilet.
For most people, these are things that are taken for granted but to our soldiers overseas serving our nation these are some of the most important things in the world and are longed for everyday.
So I urge everyone out there to give your partner a hug and thank them for all they have done and on ANZAC Day(25 April) spare a thought for the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force crews who are half way around the world doing a job that the rest of you wont do and go unappreciated day in day out.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Back into my training
Yeah!!
Got back on the yesterday and had a solid hit out over to the Muz and back. Didn't race but certainly gave the legs, lungs and the shoulder a go. Averaged over 32km/h and HR average was 144.
When I got to the Muz the Elite A guys were just finishing off the Pre-Race brief and then took off. As expected it was full gas from the first lap with a break away getting 10sec before the 1st lap was over. The break consisted mostly of Bike king and Virgin Blue guys with a few others, including Chris aka"Beetlejuice", who is one of the Hype Team riders. So it was good to see him getting away with some of the known heavy hitters.
After about 40+min Chris was out the back of the race, much like nearly every other non Bike king and Virgin Blue rider. So Chris and I sat on the side of the track watching and generally chatting about bike stuff.
Once the race was over we both left and headed home. the new team kit should be out in about 3 weeks. Apparently looks good even though it is another black team kit.
For the rest of the day the family and I headed north to Australia Zoo. Being in the Army has it benefits. FREE entry into the zoo for me and Emma and everyone else in my group gets 10% discount. now when there are a few people going that can sometimes be a good saving.
Now seeing as this trip to the Zoo was for my nieces 5th birthday, my Sister in law offered to pay for my kids to go. So that made for an extremely cheap day. Free. except for the drinks and anything else we bought inside.
The kids had an absolutely fantastic time. They enjoyed feeding the Elephants, Camels, kangaroos, watching the Croc shows, kids zoo(farm animals), the Tigers show and just walking around relaxing and having fun.
If you have never been to Australia Zoo then you must make the trek and go for the day it is excellent. Just take a picnic lunch as food is expensive.
Anyway went for another hard hit out toady, concentrating on cadence. Tried to maintain a cadence over 100 for the entire ride and to finish 2 hours later with an average of 90 Rpm was very happy considering the weather. After the ride put my Skins on straight away and still have them on and kegs feel good ready for another session tomorrow morning before heading into the city to get my new Tattoo.
Anyway will try to gets some pics a the new tattoo tomorrow for all to see.
Till then safe riding
Got back on the yesterday and had a solid hit out over to the Muz and back. Didn't race but certainly gave the legs, lungs and the shoulder a go. Averaged over 32km/h and HR average was 144.
When I got to the Muz the Elite A guys were just finishing off the Pre-Race brief and then took off. As expected it was full gas from the first lap with a break away getting 10sec before the 1st lap was over. The break consisted mostly of Bike king and Virgin Blue guys with a few others, including Chris aka"Beetlejuice", who is one of the Hype Team riders. So it was good to see him getting away with some of the known heavy hitters.
After about 40+min Chris was out the back of the race, much like nearly every other non Bike king and Virgin Blue rider. So Chris and I sat on the side of the track watching and generally chatting about bike stuff.
Once the race was over we both left and headed home. the new team kit should be out in about 3 weeks. Apparently looks good even though it is another black team kit.
For the rest of the day the family and I headed north to Australia Zoo. Being in the Army has it benefits. FREE entry into the zoo for me and Emma and everyone else in my group gets 10% discount. now when there are a few people going that can sometimes be a good saving.
Now seeing as this trip to the Zoo was for my nieces 5th birthday, my Sister in law offered to pay for my kids to go. So that made for an extremely cheap day. Free. except for the drinks and anything else we bought inside.
The kids had an absolutely fantastic time. They enjoyed feeding the Elephants, Camels, kangaroos, watching the Croc shows, kids zoo(farm animals), the Tigers show and just walking around relaxing and having fun.
If you have never been to Australia Zoo then you must make the trek and go for the day it is excellent. Just take a picnic lunch as food is expensive.
Anyway went for another hard hit out toady, concentrating on cadence. Tried to maintain a cadence over 100 for the entire ride and to finish 2 hours later with an average of 90 Rpm was very happy considering the weather. After the ride put my Skins on straight away and still have them on and kegs feel good ready for another session tomorrow morning before heading into the city to get my new Tattoo.
Anyway will try to gets some pics a the new tattoo tomorrow for all to see.
Till then safe riding
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Inury may delay season start.
Well, had my MRI on my shoulder today. Depsite every one saying you can get claustrophobic in the MRI machine, ands maybe some slight trepidation on going in, I felt quite good even comforted in the close proximity of the whole process. It is a marvelous machine although quite noisey. Lots of thumping and banging while it does its' thing. But after about 30-45 min in the machine and maybe a small nap(thats how comforted I felt)and it was over.
I then had to sit around Holy Sprirt Northside for a further hour while I waited for my films to be ready. I had to take them back to work with me.
I got back to work and immediately reported to my Medical Officer. he had a quick look at the films and hinted that he couldn't read MRI films. He then said that what he was looking at was suspicously like a fracture. Now my concern levels are coming up. However he ended the visit by saying let's wait for the report to arrive and go from there. So now I have to wait until tomorrow to get that bit over and done with.
Hopefully it's not as bad as he thinks.
N.b I would much rather a fracture than a tendon or ligament injury
Will keep all posted. I am hoping that I can keep my season on track as planned.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Getting Back to the bike
Well ,
Woke up this morning and not having to go to work today because of my shoulder was good. Helped Em get the kids ready for school and then sorted myself out. Got on the bike at 10am and tried to do an interval session but 30-35 minutes into the shoulder was hurting to much pulling on the bars to maintain the intensity of the interval. So I got off and let the pain ease of a bit and then got back on the wind trainer and rode for anothre hour but with little to no intensity. I rode as if I was out on the road just having a cruise around the Zupps route. Keeping the HR at around 150bpm.
Finally got off the wind trainer at about 1230 after about 1.5.hrs of peddaling. Legs feel good just wish the shoulder was the same.
Went and picked up the kids from school with Em which Rohan thought was pretty cool as it is the first time I have picked him up this year.
Got an email last night from Chris, one of my HYPE team mates, saying that he has seen the new team kit from Triple Play and it looks great. It is a carbon fibre pattern with the sponsors names all over it. Triple Play are putting the kits together as of today so hopefully wont be much longer until the local pelotons see it on the front of the bunches.
Hopefully the team launch should be good and a fewpwople turn up to meet the crew.
HYPE is to be an Elite B team and hopefully expnd into A as well which would be good. I suppose we're another team to take on the Victor B team. As soon as some pics of the team become available I will put them on here for all to see.
Anyway will pop into work tomorrow to have shoulder looked at and assessed if I should go bush or not. Hopefully there is a date for my MRI as well.
Anyway stay safe and upright.
Yours in cycling
"BUTS"
Woke up this morning and not having to go to work today because of my shoulder was good. Helped Em get the kids ready for school and then sorted myself out. Got on the bike at 10am and tried to do an interval session but 30-35 minutes into the shoulder was hurting to much pulling on the bars to maintain the intensity of the interval. So I got off and let the pain ease of a bit and then got back on the wind trainer and rode for anothre hour but with little to no intensity. I rode as if I was out on the road just having a cruise around the Zupps route. Keeping the HR at around 150bpm.
Finally got off the wind trainer at about 1230 after about 1.5.hrs of peddaling. Legs feel good just wish the shoulder was the same.
Went and picked up the kids from school with Em which Rohan thought was pretty cool as it is the first time I have picked him up this year.
Got an email last night from Chris, one of my HYPE team mates, saying that he has seen the new team kit from Triple Play and it looks great. It is a carbon fibre pattern with the sponsors names all over it. Triple Play are putting the kits together as of today so hopefully wont be much longer until the local pelotons see it on the front of the bunches.
Hopefully the team launch should be good and a fewpwople turn up to meet the crew.
HYPE is to be an Elite B team and hopefully expnd into A as well which would be good. I suppose we're another team to take on the Victor B team. As soon as some pics of the team become available I will put them on here for all to see.
Anyway will pop into work tomorrow to have shoulder looked at and assessed if I should go bush or not. Hopefully there is a date for my MRI as well.
Anyway stay safe and upright.
Yours in cycling
"BUTS"
Sunday, March 2, 2008
A quiet day
Well, Today has been a quiet day spent with my son, Rohan. So lets start with this morning.
My wonderful kids let both Emma(my wife) and I sleep in. They are the best kids ever. Then when I got up at around 0730, which is a sleep in for us, I had coffee #1. Then after some Bacon and eggs for brekkie coffee #2.
Decided it was time to go get the other car from work, so off we went. There was some soldier at work wandering around no shirt on, no shoes on, and talking on his phone. A big no-no so I got up him and will report him to his supervisor/commander on Monday.
Then Rohan and I went home and kicked the footy in the yard, until he kicked it over the neighbours fence. So out came the soccer ball, and we played soccer.
Emma and Eilish(my daughter) have had a day at the shops collecting bargains and just doing girly things. Honestly I am so much trouble when Eilish gets older.
But they have had fun.
As for bike stuff today, not a great deal. I managed to sit down and watch Stage 7 of the Tour of California (ToC) on the free2view menu on http://www.cycling.tv/.
Really would have loved to have caught up with Groover, AMR, Whitey, Rhino, and all the Zupps crowd this morning for a ride and then more coffee, but I think fixing my shoulder is more important ATM. Maybe next weekend.
Tomorrow I think I might be able to get on the wind trainer, which will be good. Just see how my shoulder feels in the morning.
My shoulder has felt relatively good today. If I move the arm slowly there is no discomfort in the shoulder. But if I move it quickly in a pulling action, similar to pulling shoelaces, it really hurts again and then aches for while. the pins and needles in my little finger are still an issue. Although very faint it is noticeable and it is a concern as it indicates some nerve damage.
Time for another coffee.
Anyway until next time Safe riding and make the most of every situation.
My wonderful kids let both Emma(my wife) and I sleep in. They are the best kids ever. Then when I got up at around 0730, which is a sleep in for us, I had coffee #1. Then after some Bacon and eggs for brekkie coffee #2.
Decided it was time to go get the other car from work, so off we went. There was some soldier at work wandering around no shirt on, no shoes on, and talking on his phone. A big no-no so I got up him and will report him to his supervisor/commander on Monday.
Then Rohan and I went home and kicked the footy in the yard, until he kicked it over the neighbours fence. So out came the soccer ball, and we played soccer.
Emma and Eilish(my daughter) have had a day at the shops collecting bargains and just doing girly things. Honestly I am so much trouble when Eilish gets older.
But they have had fun.
As for bike stuff today, not a great deal. I managed to sit down and watch Stage 7 of the Tour of California (ToC) on the free2view menu on http://www.cycling.tv/.
Really would have loved to have caught up with Groover, AMR, Whitey, Rhino, and all the Zupps crowd this morning for a ride and then more coffee, but I think fixing my shoulder is more important ATM. Maybe next weekend.
Tomorrow I think I might be able to get on the wind trainer, which will be good. Just see how my shoulder feels in the morning.
My shoulder has felt relatively good today. If I move the arm slowly there is no discomfort in the shoulder. But if I move it quickly in a pulling action, similar to pulling shoelaces, it really hurts again and then aches for while. the pins and needles in my little finger are still an issue. Although very faint it is noticeable and it is a concern as it indicates some nerve damage.
Time for another coffee.
Anyway until next time Safe riding and make the most of every situation.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
THe first of many babbling sessions
Well, Welcome to the first of many sessions where I can babble on about my time on the bike and if you are lucky experiences which,although very rare, have nothing to do with the bike.
So where do I start. I know, what has caused me to be starting this blog and not riding.
Well last week I was away with work. For those who have never had the misfortune of meeting me or seeing any other cycling related forum, I am a soldier in the Australian Defence Force(ADF). I was out in the field training new soldiers in shooting. See nothing special. Anyway, On Thursday night after finishing a long day of shooting I was opening the rear hatch of an Protected Mobility Vehicle (a bloody big truck covered in armour plate) when I felt a sharp pain in my right shoulder.
Knowing this to be a bad thing I immediately went to see the medic. He did his thing, Thank Gaz, and diagnosed it as probably a Rotator Cuff tear. Not good but a big inconvenience. SO Friday arvo I get back to my base and go see the Doctor, He sends me off to book in a MRI and then gives me the next 4 days off to recover.
So why is this injury an inconvenience to me. Well, My coach, who doesn't know of the injury just yet, so shhhh, has set my program to peak in time for the Brisbane Metro Championships and this is going to put a spanner in the works as I cant ride my bike for the next few days and at worst maybe 1-2 weeks. However that is dependant on what the MRI says.
Right now I cant even get on the wind trainer but I am hoping that by Monday I can do that instead of nothing. Maybe I will regardless just to keep the legs ticking over and my form in the right direction.
Enough on that stuff for now, but I will keep you posted.
Now while I have been out field I have had a serious lack of good coffee. Only get International Roast(Industrial Rust really) so today I have been topping up my caffeine levels again. I am going to go to ALDI and purchase a espresso machine this week so I can have my favourite espresso's at work.
Back to training stuff. Soon I have to go away for a training course for the Army which goes for 4 weeks. But when I return I will be able to start work a bit later so that I can train on my bike a bit better. So come the 01 May those who do regular rides up Mt Mee and M Nebo(Brissy climbs) I can come and join you. But me being more of a sprinter and not a climber you will have to go easy on me for a bit.
Any way for now I will go but I will return and keep you all in touch of what is happening both on and off the bike.
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