Stage 3 and 4 and SALT

Stage 3- 112km with a big hill and the same hills as the day before. The KOM was on a 500m 15% climb which comes up suddenly. It is flat and fast all the way to the bottom and it doesn't change once you hit it except not flat.
I was tasked with keeping Tim with the Yellow jersey. So I paced for him, chased for him and drove the bunch at as high a speed as I could before Tim gave me some time to recover. Problem is no-one else in the team was in a position to take over so I sat in just behind for 1km and was back into it. We hit the climb at 45km/h and that was me, rapidly heading backwards as I suffered u the KOM. I got over the top just off the back of the main group(lots more behind me though) and motored at over 75km/h down a sketchy descent through light an dark, wet and dry, and off camber corners to catch the main group. After nearly over cooking a couple of corners I resigned myself to not catching the main group solo so waited or some other chasers and pickup some up and formed a nice working Gruppetto. We worked hard to limit the losses and ended up only losing 14min on the leaders.
A nasty crash in the lead group saw another rider going to hospital. The crash the day before saw the worst rider get a rod in his leg. All up agood day and I survived for another day.

Stage 4- 1.1km Criterium around the SALT Village.
This was always going to be a very fast and hard race, so I made sure I was near the front at the start. Sure enough the U/19 started off at a blistering pace with speeds in excess of 55km/h for the first 10mins. As a reult I over cooked myself and was going out the back at a rapid rate. At the 20min mark there was a bad crash with a rider hitting a parked car, which stopped the race. Just as the Coms were stopping the race they pulled me and the 2 other riders up and stopped us first. By the time the rest of the race had stopped they had decided that my group was going to get caught and we were pulled out of the race as lapped riders. When the race was restarted they had 4mins plus 2 laps. Why couldn't my group ride the last 4 minutes and finish the race properly. At least they gave us a finishing time not a DNF.

End result was 30th on GC @ 36min plus some change.

Time to recover and rebuild for the next event.
CIAO

Tour de Tweed Coast Stage 1 and 2

Stage 1-ITT-8km

Start time-07:37:30
After no warm up and a rushed start due to following another car who got lost, I took off. My main aim was to finish strong and not blow up. Also not to get caught by the rider 30secs behind me.
Well I manged all of the above and stretched the time between me and the following rider(not by much though). End result was an 8km ITT in 13:35. For me, as a non TT specialist, I satisfying result.
Time to get ready for a punishing 66km Road Race.

Stage 2-Road Race-66km

Start Time-1030
After warming up and a change of clothes from my ADCC skinsuit into my HYPE Energy Team kit, I headed off for a coffee. The roadie is setup ready to go and the team is gathering for a shot of HYPE and some coffee and food. The next thing you know a tyre explodes and guess what? Its mine, my rear Zipp tubular blows out the side wall. Probably a saving grace as the 21-11 gear was to big for the course.
We took of with ELite B, MAsters A and U/19 Boys all starting at the same time. 93 riders and a small part of the road to use. The comms were handing out fines for crossing double white lines and the police were doing it too and with a double demerit points this weekend things were a bit tame, until.....

We hit the first of the hills and from there it blew up. I got stalled on the KOM by a touch off wheels which helped in a big way to split the race. From then on in it was a matter of finishing and saving as much time as possible. SO the forming of a gruppetto of those whoi got shed because of crashes and mechanicals was on the cards and we rode a steady tempo to the finish. We came in 18min behind teh winner and survuved to race another day. We did mange a sprint from the gruppetto(which I won) to keep in some form for the Crit in 2 days time.

Anyway rest time. More tomorrow 112km with a lap of todays course plus a KOM on a 500m @ 15% climb. ANother update tomorrow

CIAO

Tour de Tweed Coast-2 days to start

Well we are now only 2 sleeps form the start of the Tour de Tweed Coast, the Battle of the Border, Cyclings State of Origin if you will.
Everything is going good. The bags are nearly packed the bikes are right to go. The legs feel good, and my mind is in the right place for where we are right now.
It will be good to have the family down there with me, even if they will only watch the Crit on the last day.
I have seen some names on the start list from some of my old stomping grounds in Newcastle. Curious as to their form, and some inquiries to some of my club mates down that way have not yielded any help, YET.
ANy way will post some stage results and reports daily once in location. I will also let you all know what the Salt Mantra Resort is like as well.
CIAO

Every thing right- Except the finish

Well the Metro Crit Title was run yesterday and another great race. Fast aggressive and all eyes on me. Being the defending Champ, I was a marked man and as a result so was my whole team. HYPE Energy made sure that we had a rider in every attempt to gap the race, giving us a chance at every point. THe boys did a mountain of work and still had enough in the legs to pull me to the front for the finish.
THe finishing 2laps, OMG, very sketchy. Bikes and riders going everywhere, chopping wheels, some riders power sliding on some corners. At one stage, I had one of my team mates bars under my leg and ended up sitting on them at 55km/h. The last lap I was positioned perfectly for the sprint but a second lineout on the right of me kicked at 200m and the wheels in front of me faded leaving me dropping of the pace a bit. I jumped across to the other line and started to sprint but all I ended up doing was saving myself from being passed. I picked up 2 slots and finished in 7th. THe first 6 places were pretty much lined across the course not leaving a path through, so being in the winning roup is a good result in the end.
Pictures to come soon

Good Luck to the HYPE Energy Team at the Metro Road Race at Mt Alford today.

For me it is time to get some TT training in and some hills ready for the Battle on the Border-Tour de Tweed Coast, next weekend. I ahve all this week off to ride and get the kms in and finalise my condition.

The plan is for Tim for GC and me for stage wins. But you know what they say about plans, theye go out the window as soon as the race starts.
Wish us luck!!! ;)

Been a while

Sorry it has been awhile since I last posted. But, due to work committments I have been kept decidedly busy.
ANyway tomorrow morning is the metro Crit Titles, which I am defending, so should be interesting. Just for nostalgia resons, this time last year it rained and I won. It rained again tonight after a hard rain period, so i Hope it is a good Omen. Anyway the HYPE ENergy race team will be supporting me.

1 week until the Tour of the Tweed Coast or Battle on the border. ENtry in and Accomodation in, all that is needed is form and condition. Army hasn't given me the best lead up but that as never stopped me and it wont now.
ANyhow,
Will let you all know how it goes tomorrow.
FINGERS CROSSED

Wishing Good Luck

I would like to wish my mate Ryan(thechargingrhino.blogspot.com) all the best during his month of living the dream in Belgium. Hope he has some some success and has a safe trip.
Keep us posted buddy with all your exploits and send heaps of pics.

Form coming in

After a good weekend on the bike, I have seen my form coming in. Racing at Murrarie on Saturday was really good. I felt a bit dubious about my form when I got there as I haven't raced at Muzz in a while and the differnece in speed and ability between Nundah and Murrarie is huge. But, once the race started and I got intot he flow of the race I wa pleasantly surprised. The speed was there the strength was there and the gaps found me.
Sunday I headed out to the Zupps bunch ride and once again the feelings were good. Legs were light and loose and the body was relaxed. When the ride kicked into top gear, I found it easy to move up to the front and get across the gaps.
The only downside to the wekend is small tear in my right Hamstring which started to hurt at the 100km mark on Sunday. But after 230km over the weekend with some very hard and fast racing efforts forming the majority of the kms I am happy.
Today, being a public holiday, I have had a quiet day, no bike as yet but I will probably get on the rollers for 30min just to spin the legs and keep them soft and supple.

Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Wade(US rider in Cinelli-Down Under Team) after his huge crash and Coma over the weekend.
Ciao

Tour de Tweed Coast

Yeah, I have my entry in and accomodation booked for the Battle of the Border or Tour de Tweed Coast. A bit expensive but when you break it down a bit into 4 races on some Championship courses, full tour village and tour atmosphere, it isn't to bad. Then my accomodation I got 3 nights for the price of 2 and the whole family is going.
o a family weekend with lots of bike racing thrown in.

Wish me luck

ANZAC Day Photos

As promised earlier. Here is some pics from ANZAC Day. Below is Rohan Winning in he 2 Up. Little ratbag cleaned up. Beating the Bank and some side bets. Also is me in my ceremonial uniform, with the kids. There is also some pics from the ANZAC Day parade in Brisbane.

ANZAC Day vs Qld State Criterium Titles

Well, it is that time of year again. State Titles and ANZAC Day. First of the 2 is ANZAC Day and I have to march in the city. But befroe the march is the Dawn Service. The Dawn service starts at 0430 Saturday morning on the 15th April, along with a a gunfire breakfast. What is a gunfire Breakfast I hear you say? It is a hot cup of coffee with a very generous shot of rum in it. then after the service we are having Bacon and Egg rolls straight off the BBQ.
AT 1030 we have to be in the city so that we can march. The parade will last about an hour and then it is back to the barracks for a day of remembering lost soldiers and mates on active duty. This involves alot of drinking and story telling.

Once ANZAC Day is over it is time for the State Criterium titles. My race is on 26th April at 1150am (so a little sleep in to recover). The race is to be held at the Nundah Crit Circuit, Albert Bishop Park Nundah. THe ride there is a good little warmup and should blow out the cobwebs from ANZAC Day. Anyway riding Masters 2 and with a field of 40+ should be good. I have already noted a couple of numbers that need to be watched so will make a note on my head stem and just try to stay near the front and out of trouble. With 2 team mates there hopefully HYPE can come away with something for the day. Fingers crossed. Will get some pics from the ANZAC Day parades and then the State Crit titles and post them sometime next week.

Ciao

Back on the bike.

Well I finally got back out on the bike after a week of poor weather conditions. It has been all up 1 month of no bike thanks to work and weather.
Anyway went out and did a steady state session with Adam and Chris over at Murrarie. Besides the course being covered in disgusting water that wil make you as sick as a dog, it was a really solid session. Pulling full lap turns on the front before swinging off, for the first 45 minutes, followed by 2 laps easy for recovery then 1/4 lap efforts before swinging off and tagging on to the back. All up I managed to knock out a solid 86 km for the first hitout.
Hopefully the weather will remain clear and dry so I can prepare for the Masters STate Crit titles the day after ANZAC Day.

Well time for recovery.

Tweet Tweet

Just signed up to twitter. DOnt know much about it but slowly sorting it out. Come and tweet with me and all my friends.

1st Term is over and I am tired

Well in the terms of breaking up the year into workable packages, Term 1 is over. And, what a term it has been. With a rough start to the year where, nothing had been organized and I was dumped in the deep end of a logistcal and sub account nighmare. It has finished in a slightly better position. Logistically things are slowing moving in th eright directiona nd processes are in place and "I haven't lost anything" YET!!.
But the last month has ben hectic. Preparation for a predeployment shake out, has had the heirachy spinning in an evertightening circle, whilst surrounded by junior leadership incompetance. The last 2 weeks has been physically and mentally fatiguing and as such I am really struggling to find motivation to get on the bike. I am tired from the time I wake up and it doesn't get better anytime through the day. My eyes are sore and my back and neck ache from poor sleep and from poor sleeping conditions. Did you know that the desert is very windy, very dusty, and gets very hot during the day and very cold(occassioning Frost) at night. Thats what I have been up to.
Now, that the term is over I am hoping that I can recharge the betteries and find some motivation for the bike. But with the knowledge that 2 weeks after the school holidays I am away again for 2 weeks and then very shortly(anyhwere from 1 -2 weeks later) off again for anywhere upto 6 weeks away all over Queensland, time on the bike right now seems to hold little importance other than saving some sanity and to get out of the house and away from work for brief periods.
So why the training tempo, well really I dont know but if I was to guess than I couldn't tell you anyway. But Mr K.RUDD will probably say something soon which will probably have severe implications to my bike time and family time in Australia. Having said that atleast I would come home (fingers crossed) and be able to fully upgraded my roadie, trackie and get a TT bike, with all the options I want. Ohh and I would own my house. But until Mr KRUDD says something, I will be busy making sure I ready for whatever.

SSS over for another year. Here is my race

Well the Sizzling Summer Series (SSS) is over for another year. Although I only manmaged to make it races 3 and 4, it was a good hitout for me.Race 3 saw me, finish in the top 10 after getting away in a break that was pulled back by a determined bunch. With a very scappy last lap with plenty of argy bargy and touches of wheels it came to a drag race for all the sprinters. The wheel in front of me got chopped forcing the rider to bawk, in turn washing off a bit of my speed. the end result was a top 10 finish. Today was race 4, the last in the series. With the overall already sealed it was purely an attempt to gain some data from the power tap and fine tune my sprint and race craft. Although already in a good position, with no pressure to do well it was time to have fun and experiment.Any way the race kicked off with a neutral lap and then into it. Rolling over the line to start the race proper saw me drag the bunch through at a solid 50km/h letting every one know that today was going to be very fast and hot. A seires of hard fast attcack followed with many attempts to form breakaways. Nothing succeeded. Then the whistle for the prime was blown and I was sitting pretty about 10 wheels back with a team a few wheels in front watching for any teams breaking down either side. With 600m to go for the line one of the tems lined out on the right and a shout to my team mate and he was on it and I was on his wheel. The leadout was going nicely and at 50m left a rider form the Uni team took a flyer from a long way back after missing his train and just rolled my on the line. So 2nd in teh prime was good, first would have been nicer but thats sprinting.After letting the bunch continue through me to catch my breath and recover a bit the race settled for a couple of laps with all the teams just reassessing their plans.The rest of the race a series of attacks and more attempts to breakaway and once again nothing succeeding. Then the 3 to go sign came out and the sprinters strted to get their trains together and the pace went up about 10km/h as every one jostled for the right wheel.I positioned myself early and watched the right people. 700m to go I got washed out a bit and lost touch with front but made a move down the outside and took the long way around the bunch but I was to far back and ended up in finishing just inside the top 10.Overall a good day with an average of 44.9km/h. I put some pics up from race 3 in my last blog but have none from today as the teams photographer Gaylene was unavailable due to work committments with Bayers Trading Post, one of my sponsors. I will look for some pics from the other photographers that were there to see if any one has some good ones and pass on the link.Next SEQ Open for me is the Glamorgan Road Race, held in conjunction with the QLD U/19 Road Titles, a week after Easter.

Lets go back a week!

Here are some pics from the Sizzling Summer series Rd3!!

What a relief

Just did the Biological age test. After hearing all the press about checking your biological age compared with your real age I though I would give it a go. Now, I expected to get a real shock and have to start thinking about changing a few things about my life. My job is not overly friendly on the body and stress levels and therefore I thought that this would go against me.
Well surprise surprise, the results are in. With a real age of 34 I have a biological age of 35.

What I dont understand about things like this is why they insist on using BMI as a weight assesment tool. i am 178cm, 78kg and have a body fat of less than 10%, yet my BMI says I am 24.6 and therefore it says I should lose some more body fat. Anyway I dont like BMI as a tool and as such pay it lip service.
Oh well the results are good so I must be doing something right.

Ciao and good health

Cycling and Cyclones

Well I have decided that Cycling and Cyclones dont mix. They definately dont make for fun training time. I know, the Australian Cycling Team both track and road are called the Cyclones, but that doesn't help me. I will be a cyclone and right now I might as well be riding in one. Brisbane is being, shall I say, Gently buffeted by the outer edge of Cyclone Hamish which is situated just of the Nothern Coast of Queensland. Although down graded recently we still suffer the affects over 1000km away. At least for now the arain is staying away and the rain we have had has been insignificant, from a training point of view.
Yesterday was a day of continuing my training and staying on the bike. I met up with Chris(Beetlejuice) for a training ride over Mt Cootha followed by a loop of the river. Now I have always said I cant climb, but maybe this training thing works. My last attemptof the Mt was a dismal 12min 50secs. This time I cruised, never went into the red or felt like i was doing it the hard way, in an easy 10min 40 secs. So just by riding I have dropped my time. Maybe I should ride this Mt more often to help me when the road goe up in a race.
Now we all, who ride it, call it a Mt. Really it is a hill that has a solid effort climb of about (or just over) 2km @9% with ramps of 10%. Mt Cootha is a beautiful spot for a ride both on your Roadie or your MTB. With great downhill, X country trails, walking trails, picnic spots and of course the Sealed loop for roadies. I think a full loop is 10km which is good if you want to do a hill session and dont want to have to head miles out of town to do it.
Anyway knocked out 70km yesterday moring with Chris and then a recovery roller session tonight. Back out on the bike tomorrow for hmmmmmmmm. Maybe the Mt again??

Ciao

Once again Happy where I am at- For now

This weekend was a good weekend of racing. Yesterday, the HPRW Nundah Crit was on and it was a fast hard hitout. With a large field of 60 with many teams represented it was always going to be quick. The ave speed for the race was 45km/h with an 8 man breakaway lapping the field with 5 minutes to go inthe hour long crit. Not surprising when you look at who made the break and how quickly they got organised and efficient they were.

Any way a nice hot fast day in the saddle. Happy with how I went.

Today, was race 3 in the Sizzling Summer series(SSS). now I haven't race din teh previous 2 races and was a bit unsure of the standard of the course and the type of rider attracted, particularly since there have been a few crashes in all grades. Anyway, Emma and the kids came out to watch and get a couple of pics and have a bit of a family day. Not too hot(31 degrees C) with a bit of a breeze. Elite B kicked off at 1215ish(the hottest part of the day) and ot straight into it. WIth a rider jumping of the fornt almost immediately. So with out wanting to let things get away to quickly I jumped off the front and had a crack to keep it together. it worked and was quickly kept in check by the bunch. Seems I was being marked a bit. Oh well. Anyway another 2 riders made a go at getting away and this time I let it go. One of the 2 escapees was Damon Stefani from the ADF cycling Club, so I wasn't going to chase him down. They stayed away for most of the race. Then with about 10 min to go the officals came out with the 2 laps to go sign. A lap later they were yelling out 10 min to. A bit of confusion with many still contesting the sprint thinking it was over. I was a little more alert and although having to dodge a few wheels and yell to riders that it wasn't over. I hit the front and smashed a lap at 55km/h to drag back the break, although the accellerations for the not quite last lap had done a pretty good job.

It was then time for me to sit up and save my legs for the real finish. Adam did a good job of keeping me up near the front but not on the front. After a couple of sketchy corners the last 500m came and went very fast. I was sitting in a nice position behind Adam about 6 wheels back. A move came down my left at the same time a move went down the right. Adam followed the right hand move and I followed the left. The wheel I was on got chopped and he bauked a little but taht was enough to allow me to be swallowed up and finsh the race in the top 15 not in the top 5 or in 1st. Maybe next week hey??

Now I said it was another hot day. Lately we have had some absolute stinkers, both hot and humid. Now taking that in mind I have come across a fantastic product to help with saddle sores and chaffe etc. It is not known for being a chamios creme but I use it as one and find it superb.

Neat 3B. It is long lasting, but it is medicated as well. Plus it is cheaper than your traditional Chamios cremes. Check it out and look for it in your local Chemist.

http://www.neatfeat.co.nz/p_3b_action_cream.htm

Sponsors- Place your name HERE!!!

Sponsorship! Probably one of the hardest things to gain with the current financial climate around the world. businesses are not willing to take a gamble against the market to sponsor a cycling team.
HYPE Energy is in the process of attempting to gain further sponsorship in order to not only expand the team but also move the team up into the next category. One of the biggest things that a cycling team can offer sponsors is a wealth of exposure through the rolling billboard that is the Teams training and racing kit. Add to all of that the teams word of mouth to other riders and interested people alike.
Anyway so where is this going?
If any one out there is in a position to invest in the HYPE Energy Cycling Team we would love to have you on board. 2009 is lookinglike it will be an exciting year in the SEQld cycling scene and as such any business could benefit from the added exposure that HYPE can provide. If you look at the top of the page you can see how much room is available to a new sponsor to place their Company logo and any other details this want on the front and the back.

So if you are interested please feel free to HYPE Energy Cycling Team via email lukebutler1@optusnet.com.au to discuss any details and invest in an ever expanding team and sport.

Ciao

Work is in the way again

Well here I am at Wide Bay. It is hot , Humid and I am at work. Some of you might remember when I was here at the end of last year for 6 weeks. Guess hat it hasn't changed one bit. Damm.
The only difference about this trip and the last trip is this one is over on Friday and I don't have my bike. Damm.
Anyway, it is an opportuity for my legs to have a little rest prior to the weekends 2 big days of racing. When i get home on Friday I will spin the legs out on the rollers for a bit and then get some rest for the Saturday Nundah smashfest(hopefully not a crash fest), then Sunday Sizzling Summer Series races Rd3. It is supposed to be hot again so hydration this week is important.
Anyway will chat again soon

Ciao