So. A couple of weeks ago I conquered Mt Baw Baw.
After failing my first attempt, it was kind of a big deal to get it ticked off the list. For no other reason than I like to finish what I start.
This is how that day unfolded, in words, images, and a fabulous soundtrack (even if I say so myself).
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
A gawk at the Glasshouse
This is why I like cycling on the Sunshine Coast. The hinterland is full of views like this.
Seven Peaks Challenge: Dinner Plain (with a side of flies)
The final climb I would attempt (for now) of the Seven Peaks Challenge was to be Dinner Plain. The climb is basically the other side of Hotham, from Omeo rather than Harrietville.
Because we were nearing the end of our week's riding holiday, and we'd all done slightly different climbs on different days, there were some logistics involved to ensure we could all get the rides in we needed.
So it felt like a bit of an adventure as we set off in Freeburgh: four riders, two cars, two different climbs and one mountaintop rendezvous.
It almost sounds romantic.
Because we were nearing the end of our week's riding holiday, and we'd all done slightly different climbs on different days, there were some logistics involved to ensure we could all get the rides in we needed.
So it felt like a bit of an adventure as we set off in Freeburgh: four riders, two cars, two different climbs and one mountaintop rendezvous.
It almost sounds romantic.
Seven Peaks Challenge: Holy Mother of Hotham
For this sixth installment of the Seven Peaks Challenge I had a distinct advantage. Or disadvantage.
I drove to the top of Hotham to provide support to KKB and a friend 180ks through a long, hilly ride.
So I could see what was ahead of me on today's ride. I was apprehensive about this. But in retrospect, I think I am also happy for the insight.
I drove to the top of Hotham to provide support to KKB and a friend 180ks through a long, hilly ride.
So I could see what was ahead of me on today's ride. I was apprehensive about this. But in retrospect, I think I am also happy for the insight.
Seven Peaks Challenge: Falls Creek
Today I cut short what would have been a 120k ride to drive over to Mt Beauty and tackle just the 30k climb up to Falls Creek.
I know driving seems to be cheating somehow, but let's not forget I haven't been on a bike much since June...
I know driving seems to be cheating somehow, but let's not forget I haven't been on a bike much since June...
Seven Peaks Challenge: My old friend, Mt Buffalo
I didn't read Gerro's tips for Mt Buffalo.
I've ridden this climb before - in fact earlier this year I rode it twice in one day as the adjusted course for the Audax Alpine Classic 140. So I knew what I was in for today.
I've ridden this climb before - in fact earlier this year I rode it twice in one day as the adjusted course for the Audax Alpine Classic 140. So I knew what I was in for today.
Seven Peaks Challenge: Mt Buller
After yesterday's abysmal experience on Baw Baw, I approached today's climb up Mt Buller with renewed confidence.
I promised you, dear reader, that the Seven Peaks Challenge was not dead, and my commitment to you and the Challenge is unwavering.
I promised you, dear reader, that the Seven Peaks Challenge was not dead, and my commitment to you and the Challenge is unwavering.
Seven Peaks Challenge: Baw Baw aborted
Today's plan was Baw Baw, the second in our plan for the Seven Peaks Challenge.
It was always going to be a tough ask, given that Simon Gerrans' advice for the climb includes the words "steep" and "complete stop".
Though things didn't go to plan, I'm not quite ready to say that my quest for the Seven Peaks Challenge is dust. Not just yet.
It was always going to be a tough ask, given that Simon Gerrans' advice for the climb includes the words "steep" and "complete stop".
Though things didn't go to plan, I'm not quite ready to say that my quest for the Seven Peaks Challenge is dust. Not just yet.
Junk miles
With my road bike out order and with a need mostly to keep up base fitness, I've started doing a weekly or so bike commute to work.
My first ever cycling coach called rides like these "junk miles". They're not specific enough to give you good training results, and can leave you tired, so less receptive to proper training sessions.
I've done a bit of thinking about this and I've come to the conclusion that "junk miles", right now, are not junk.
I heart riding my bike
So it turns out that 24ks really was too much last weekend, compression socks or not.
Perhaps it was the combination of a 24k run on Saturday; a mega-early start on Sunday to officiate at Noosa Triathlon; and a massive Melbourne Cup Day? Either way by Wednesday morning I was back to square one in fighting off my cold.
By Friday I was climbing the walls after no training for nearly a week, so I rugged up and ventured out for a walk. I followed it up with another walk on Saturday, hoping that Sunday would dawn with a little less phlegm. Not quite ready to run, but there would be no walking for me. On Sunday, it was time to ride.
Perhaps it was the combination of a 24k run on Saturday; a mega-early start on Sunday to officiate at Noosa Triathlon; and a massive Melbourne Cup Day? Either way by Wednesday morning I was back to square one in fighting off my cold.
By Friday I was climbing the walls after no training for nearly a week, so I rugged up and ventured out for a walk. I followed it up with another walk on Saturday, hoping that Sunday would dawn with a little less phlegm. Not quite ready to run, but there would be no walking for me. On Sunday, it was time to ride.
France Retrospective: July 16, Mont Ventoux
After saying goodbye to Morzine, and to Hayden, Sue and the kids, we drove a long day to Carpetras for an overnight stay to ride Mont Ventoux. Located smack back in the middle of Provence, a wine growing region, Carpentras is not where you'd expect to find a mountain like Ventoux, but I think that is part of its mystique - its bleak, treeless shape protrudes from the flat countryside around it like a pimple in the middle of your forehead.
Of course, Ventoux is one of the legendary climbs of the Tour de France, with names such as Eddy Merckx and Marco Pantani being some of the big names to have won a stage finish on top of Ventoux.
While I certainly didn't have ambitions of climbing like those guys, I was looking forward to experiencing this legendary mountain for myself.
Of course, Ventoux is one of the legendary climbs of the Tour de France, with names such as Eddy Merckx and Marco Pantani being some of the big names to have won a stage finish on top of Ventoux.
While I certainly didn't have ambitions of climbing like those guys, I was looking forward to experiencing this legendary mountain for myself.
Another day, another country
We rode in to Italy today, climbing up Col Sastrierre form Cesana on the French / Italian border.
Tour trivia - Lance Armstrong won here in 1999. Needless to say, the Athletic Powerhouse's ascent of Sestriere was a little different. There were no crowds lining the mountain pass, it was a bright sunny day, I hadn't been riding for five hours before tackling the climb... oh and I probably took twice as long!
Of course we sought out a pizza slice and a proper Italian coffee at the top but were ill equipped to order it - we hadn't learned any Italian in preparation for our trip, only basic French! Lucky for us, "pizza" and "espresso" are fairly universal.
Tour trivia - Lance Armstrong won here in 1999. Needless to say, the Athletic Powerhouse's ascent of Sestriere was a little different. There were no crowds lining the mountain pass, it was a bright sunny day, I hadn't been riding for five hours before tackling the climb... oh and I probably took twice as long!
Of course we sought out a pizza slice and a proper Italian coffee at the top but were ill equipped to order it - we hadn't learned any Italian in preparation for our trip, only basic French! Lucky for us, "pizza" and "espresso" are fairly universal.
This is how VO2 goes
The goal of a VO2 session is... well I'm not quite sure what the goal of the session is. That's why I have a coach.
How it goes, is that you go flat out for a specified time. Then recover for a specified time. Then go flat out for a specified time, then recover, and repeat for the desired effect.
There are many theories on what the optimal intervals are. Actually, I don't really know, but my coach told me there was. He also told me that the intervals he gave me were the magic numbers, according to research. But I don't really know. That's why I have a coach.
What I do know is how a VO2 interval session goes.
How it goes, is that you go flat out for a specified time. Then recover for a specified time. Then go flat out for a specified time, then recover, and repeat for the desired effect.
There are many theories on what the optimal intervals are. Actually, I don't really know, but my coach told me there was. He also told me that the intervals he gave me were the magic numbers, according to research. But I don't really know. That's why I have a coach.
What I do know is how a VO2 interval session goes.
Like deja vu
I am tired, emotional, and physically bereft. Today's ride took in two of south-east Queensland's best climbs, and was long, lonely and hilly.
It was my longest day in the saddle to date in my current training program; the first of more to come this time around. It felt reminiscent of the first long training ride I did for my first Ironman, a ride which my friends and I still look back on with pain, pride, and disbelief.
My first Ironman predates this blog, and I haven't spent much time tripping down memory lane. This story deserves to be told though, because it has become pivotal in forming not only my training mindset, but also my friendships with Annie and Jill (my fellow "Ironmoles"). It's one of our favourite war stories.
It was my longest day in the saddle to date in my current training program; the first of more to come this time around. It felt reminiscent of the first long training ride I did for my first Ironman, a ride which my friends and I still look back on with pain, pride, and disbelief.
My first Ironman predates this blog, and I haven't spent much time tripping down memory lane. This story deserves to be told though, because it has become pivotal in forming not only my training mindset, but also my friendships with Annie and Jill (my fellow "Ironmoles"). It's one of our favourite war stories.
A lesson in history... and the value of hurting
I stayed on the Moreton Bay Cycleway this morning to complete my ride with a high cadence. This is a recurring training session designed to build balance and strength on the bike by providing some instability.
I was approaching home when I started making ground on an older gent who was pedaling along at a decent pace. I thought twice about making the pass, because my session today wasn't about speed, and I always feel discouraged when someone I've passed gets me back. Given I was focusing on skill rather than speed, I thought it likely.
What I hadn't counted on was the conversation he sparked up with me when he did pass me back, and the food for thought he provided.
I was approaching home when I started making ground on an older gent who was pedaling along at a decent pace. I thought twice about making the pass, because my session today wasn't about speed, and I always feel discouraged when someone I've passed gets me back. Given I was focusing on skill rather than speed, I thought it likely.
What I hadn't counted on was the conversation he sparked up with me when he did pass me back, and the food for thought he provided.
Discovering Mt Coot-tha
I know, I know. I'm always banging on about how I did something new or different, and how great it was, and how I shouldn't have been worried about it after all.
I won't put you through that same old story again. But I will write about my discovery of Mt Coot-tha.
To set the scene - I've been a cyclist in Brisbane for eight years or so and for most of those years I lived a maximum of five kilometres from the base of Mt Coot-tha. Although I've often ridden up the front, I hadn't, until this morning, ever been up the back. Many of my friends, including KKB, find it incomprehensible that I've never ridden up the back. So much so that it's almost become a joke around the posse.
It might be surprising to some of you that I tackled this 'first' by myself. When I was driving there, knowing I was riding alone, I considered many options that would get me out of this predicament. But I knew there was no way out, so I parked at Toowong and set off.
Across the overpass (another first), up the bottom bit past the Mt Coot-tha Gardens and Planetarium then on around past Slaughter Falls to the start of the climb. I don't know why I was surprised, but I was both surprised and delighted to be all of a sudden surrounded by many fellow cyclists, all toiling away up one of Brisbane's favourite training locations.
What I thought would be a lonely, onerous training session was, yes, physically demanding, but beyond that, a real buzz. Particularly after weeks being holed up at home on the home trainer due to rain.
An excellent discovery. And I'll be back. Next week in fact. And I may never ride up the front again.
I won't put you through that same old story again. But I will write about my discovery of Mt Coot-tha.
To set the scene - I've been a cyclist in Brisbane for eight years or so and for most of those years I lived a maximum of five kilometres from the base of Mt Coot-tha. Although I've often ridden up the front, I hadn't, until this morning, ever been up the back. Many of my friends, including KKB, find it incomprehensible that I've never ridden up the back. So much so that it's almost become a joke around the posse.
It might be surprising to some of you that I tackled this 'first' by myself. When I was driving there, knowing I was riding alone, I considered many options that would get me out of this predicament. But I knew there was no way out, so I parked at Toowong and set off.
Across the overpass (another first), up the bottom bit past the Mt Coot-tha Gardens and Planetarium then on around past Slaughter Falls to the start of the climb. I don't know why I was surprised, but I was both surprised and delighted to be all of a sudden surrounded by many fellow cyclists, all toiling away up one of Brisbane's favourite training locations.
What I thought would be a lonely, onerous training session was, yes, physically demanding, but beyond that, a real buzz. Particularly after weeks being holed up at home on the home trainer due to rain.
An excellent discovery. And I'll be back. Next week in fact. And I may never ride up the front again.
... and beyond
Sunday's ride was up Mt Nebo. I was a little apprehensive. Believe it or not, I've never ridden all the way up Mt Nebo before. My only other attempt was a couple of years ago. I tagged along with KKB and his posse on one of my first rides back after a break from training.
(I know. What was I thinking?)
Unsurprisingly, it ended in tears, with me heading back down the hill after making it all but a few ks from the top. I was determined that this time would be different. I knew I was fitter. There was really no excuse.
We headed out through The Gap and started up the climb. At McAfee's Lookout a couple of the team turned back, but Megan and I continued on. (Megan had no excuse either. Her boyfriend had put a 27 tooth cluster on especially.)
Neither of us really took in the scenery, but we definitely appreciated being out in the bush instead of on suburban streets. I pointed out the exact spot I'd stopped last time, opposite a driveway on a bit of a gradient. It really was only about 4ks from the Cafe.
We got to the top in good time - we beat the boys who'd gone off-road via South Boundary Road. We didn't wait long, just replenished quickly and turned for home. The descent was nice - though there is a fair share of ups on the way down. We battled through the suburbs back to Park Road.
Although I didn't get up quite the Ks that I thought I might, it felt good to this time go beyond where I'd previously given up.
(I know. What was I thinking?)
Unsurprisingly, it ended in tears, with me heading back down the hill after making it all but a few ks from the top. I was determined that this time would be different. I knew I was fitter. There was really no excuse.
We headed out through The Gap and started up the climb. At McAfee's Lookout a couple of the team turned back, but Megan and I continued on. (Megan had no excuse either. Her boyfriend had put a 27 tooth cluster on especially.)
Neither of us really took in the scenery, but we definitely appreciated being out in the bush instead of on suburban streets. I pointed out the exact spot I'd stopped last time, opposite a driveway on a bit of a gradient. It really was only about 4ks from the Cafe.
We got to the top in good time - we beat the boys who'd gone off-road via South Boundary Road. We didn't wait long, just replenished quickly and turned for home. The descent was nice - though there is a fair share of ups on the way down. We battled through the suburbs back to Park Road.
Although I didn't get up quite the Ks that I thought I might, it felt good to this time go beyond where I'd previously given up.
TDU - Stage 5 Snapper Pt to Willunga
The vibe of a stage start is awesome. Spectators have the opportunity to get up close to the cyclists, so the excitement is quite palpable. We were rewarded for our early start with a couple of great shots of Lance, George, Jens, and of David MacKenzie interviewing some of the Aussies for the live SBS coverage - Michael Rogers and Robbie McEwen.
The tour passed through the coastal village of Snapper Point twice more, but while most of the locals stayed put to soak up the atmosphere of the tour coming to their town, we make an escape to Wilunga Hill - after all that's where the race-winning escape may well come to pass.
I made my way to the top of the hill to an even more electric atmosphere. The top of the hill was packed with cycling fans. On the first pass there was a substantial breakaway with the young guns from Garmin and UniSA again making themselves known.
Somewhere on the second lap, things changed. It was exciting to see Cadel Evans lead the first breakaway up the climb for the last lap before the finish. What would happen next? HTC Columbia were still working hard to protect Andre's jersey...
We piled back into the Tarago for the trip back to Adelaide and found live radio coverage on ABC Grandstand. The commentators were beside themselves that Cadel might get the stage... and the tension filled the Tarago too... in the end, Luis Leon Sanchez, who'd tucked into the breakaway with Cadel and Alejandro Valverde, stole the victory.
Back to the Tour Village for more cyclist spotting. I scored the jackpot, getting photos with Matt White and Jens Voigt... what great guys!
The tour passed through the coastal village of Snapper Point twice more, but while most of the locals stayed put to soak up the atmosphere of the tour coming to their town, we make an escape to Wilunga Hill - after all that's where the race-winning escape may well come to pass.
I made my way to the top of the hill to an even more electric atmosphere. The top of the hill was packed with cycling fans. On the first pass there was a substantial breakaway with the young guns from Garmin and UniSA again making themselves known.
Somewhere on the second lap, things changed. It was exciting to see Cadel Evans lead the first breakaway up the climb for the last lap before the finish. What would happen next? HTC Columbia were still working hard to protect Andre's jersey...
We piled back into the Tarago for the trip back to Adelaide and found live radio coverage on ABC Grandstand. The commentators were beside themselves that Cadel might get the stage... and the tension filled the Tarago too... in the end, Luis Leon Sanchez, who'd tucked into the breakaway with Cadel and Alejandro Valverde, stole the victory.
Back to the Tour Village for more cyclist spotting. I scored the jackpot, getting photos with Matt White and Jens Voigt... what great guys!
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