tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53591889867378610162024-03-21T12:32:42.117-07:00Jo WallJo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-91948794917113592652011-06-25T01:20:00.000-07:002011-06-25T01:33:13.509-07:00Back in ‘The Alice’<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZM_ThNiSf3x_QCM6bPkXVjW7Hmf63GpLr0qbN3UzBh8pVrny92a200p4rTHmwH61MNIE7kMhTy2A0ISHQNcK_z-HUrMgGpIFlAKjCDXropNc2wuikbzZ7nbHN0qTS-92BIn55XQHcAE/s1600/P5170115.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZM_ThNiSf3x_QCM6bPkXVjW7Hmf63GpLr0qbN3UzBh8pVrny92a200p4rTHmwH61MNIE7kMhTy2A0ISHQNcK_z-HUrMgGpIFlAKjCDXropNc2wuikbzZ7nbHN0qTS-92BIn55XQHcAE/s400/P5170115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622071389115220690" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">I had been keen to do the Red Centre Stage Race for quite sometime now so boarding the plane and escaping to the arid but beautiful interior was exciting.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On the flight up we were able to see the effects of the wet year that we have had, Lake Eyre was pretty much at 100% capacity and it has taken 6 months for the water to make its way down from the north. It was an amazing sight from the air.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>I had been in Alice 10 years ago, after finishing uni, I travelled up and worked here for 6 months, it felt nice to be returning to a memorable place where I had spent some time in the past.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We settled into our comfortable cabin at the caravan park and then set about going for a little roll into town to spin the legs, we did a couple of laps of the town and catching up with some of the regulars from the mtb scene and registered for the race.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-34686534247405596282011-06-25T00:51:00.000-07:002011-06-25T02:37:29.662-07:00Alice Day 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MDTkIcalBEShWGYkPQH5uMrFHBPn6xIt9eUEG8ISnJlKK051sr19wDuuCcFWzd0wXPKdJu7-DwXuV2UT8jnRjTrdPo1TG71detOJgbRk05zO6-jNd955Z_GvH7ZqFDpBsjmAIOe0R90/s1600/P5150094.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MDTkIcalBEShWGYkPQH5uMrFHBPn6xIt9eUEG8ISnJlKK051sr19wDuuCcFWzd0wXPKdJu7-DwXuV2UT8jnRjTrdPo1TG71detOJgbRk05zO6-jNd955Z_GvH7ZqFDpBsjmAIOe0R90/s400/P5150094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622089028187385970" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Race day dawned cool and clear. Perfect Alice weather and great race conditions! We started out at the old Telegraph Station, my old place of work when I was up here, it was nice to see the old buildings and surrounds again.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHYUECEcCSoo5YoljKRTYIiMcxwWTTXYW3HI4WZ4WTxWZlGaYYr16xMeYAqzpqQUd4sb45XEu7JeOLTQ-xcxVE_oiMI40X8yj206GHwo3fa77QrHx6SFNdHeXIOCaQytRnzLbjcbCkIM/s400/P5150096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622081857032620658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><div><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> Dan, myself and Scotty prior to the race start</span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>Today’s stage was 49km, a mix of sandy fire road and some real special Alice single track. I was surprised at the amount of the single track around and also the quality of it. Full of razor sharp rocks and always loose and rutted, meant that you could never fully relax, there was always something round the corner to keep you on your toes!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>The start was FAST! Being 3 weeks out of the 24 hour nationals I had my legs screaming very loudly at me in protest in the first 20-30 min. Not having smashed any intensity for some time and still feeling a decent amount of residual fatigue in the legs, I found today tough and uncomfortable, all I could do was to try and stay as consistent and efficient as I felt I could, everything else was out of my control. </p><p class="MsoNormal">After the first half an hour I slotted into third place behind Jess Douglas who was chasing Anna Beck. I was riding the single track smoothly and controlled but found myself floundering in the wind on the open road sections and sandy climbs, it was pretty energy zapping stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Attempting to limit the time losses to first and second I managed to finish third, 8 min off Anna and 6 min off Jess…. It is a long week and I feel today was just the leg opener I needed after the 24hr. Hopefully the body will start to make those wonderful adaptations it does throughout stage races and I will find some more speed and comfort in the next couple of days!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-60446170861731575192011-06-25T00:46:00.000-07:002011-06-25T03:34:11.386-07:00Alice Day 2<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8nsVJPBVCgt5P7hnTVGL8ZsavpmdHLEWm_v2czF2whpnLbO6-Ldn4jV8AN2rdNHkEb_j4B3WW_jWeCEdsgL8HqhKv-rGVxlHlf36QNLxBeKfXN96ajC_8gmRCTTZkZPkIYkj0eYx6sU/s1600/P5170134.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH51BxgupsRI_svhu6F5HQ4qj1nEKYoqaXlMHXfl8SxelWNtB6awZ5ukQEsftnbcfhK5h6f57cg0U5sTuXcRQZDmkT1NBjWvfRrRdxbMdYs5Lxw0a_YB5cln8iMp29g3gXnjvKuuEhivI/s1600/P5170125.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-yJ1hGI5jvp37qHKrJkkqLslDfxWEAqxp0VhoY_WYeNBl8XKJT_HdeC_DSre2UcsR9iFfQWjW7oSYvZ31sTqum3Yr7YraoAzS_D_K6VyQk-FukiySW2EXwEPfpTLayx6e6x6FNMMGjQ/s1600/P5170107.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirftURebHSoZjwLvl53p1ea4jdGYhyphenhyphenia0YrPjTBSHZ5x1gfIxzh4gVjsup1lKuA1LM8zIAtafZCf_kw7MJo6x3T0O4Mb3JFGVMmGK2Ho0dCgnxUugGRIH2uizltxNDfDJiGyz_Y06Ow9Y/s1600/P5170110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirftURebHSoZjwLvl53p1ea4jdGYhyphenhyphenia0YrPjTBSHZ5x1gfIxzh4gVjsup1lKuA1LM8zIAtafZCf_kw7MJo6x3T0O4Mb3JFGVMmGK2Ho0dCgnxUugGRIH2uizltxNDfDJiGyz_Y06Ow9Y/s400/P5170110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622092328291984178" /></a> Dan and Jayden (junior Bell'ie) on the regular commute to the race start<br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Day 2 started with a pleasant rollout under police escort through town for 5km, it gave the legs a good chance to warm up slightly before the hammer was put down! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today was considerably shorter in distance, 39km, and the quality of the single track was optimum, not as rough as yesterdays stage. I felt I had recovered well from yesterdays race and the legs felt a lot more supple and free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was feeling more comfortable at intensity but still felt I was not able to sustain it. The first sections of the course went through some deep sandy fire roads, where everyone was trying to get a sit and ride as a group but the sand bought many people undone, crashing, loosing their line, and coming to complete standstills. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">My strategy was to stay relaxed, not fight it, so I just drop the speed a little and focused on spinning through till it firmed up. It probably was a bit slower but didn’t unnecessarily expend energy. I ended up riding with Jess though the first sections of single track, but yet again my legs felt drained of all power any time the terrain angled upwards, Jess ended up riding away from me leaving me to ride my own race. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-yJ1hGI5jvp37qHKrJkkqLslDfxWEAqxp0VhoY_WYeNBl8XKJT_HdeC_DSre2UcsR9iFfQWjW7oSYvZ31sTqum3Yr7YraoAzS_D_K6VyQk-FukiySW2EXwEPfpTLayx6e6x6FNMMGjQ/s400/P5170107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622093751558167826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><div><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> The finish line, taking in the glory lap of the velodrome!</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">An hour and a half later I rolled into the finish line which was quite exciting as we entered the velodrome and cut a lap to cross the finish line. So I came in 3<sup>rd</sup> again today loosing another 4 minutes or so to Jess, so now I sit 9 minutes back from Jess and about 10 from Anna. It was time to head home and get some quality recovery in before the afternoons’ hill climb stage!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>The hill climb was exciting! it was a great vibe with lots of locals out lining the climb to cheer all the riders on. It was a 300m length which consisted of a steep and nasty climb to the finish line at the top. Previous records were held by Jodie Willett with 58 seconds and Ben Mather with 42 Seconds. Tough times to beat! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH51BxgupsRI_svhu6F5HQ4qj1nEKYoqaXlMHXfl8SxelWNtB6awZ5ukQEsftnbcfhK5h6f57cg0U5sTuXcRQZDmkT1NBjWvfRrRdxbMdYs5Lxw0a_YB5cln8iMp29g3gXnjvKuuEhivI/s400/P5170125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622099201329346418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> The Caravan Park Crew hanging out on ANZAC hill.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal">The format was great, starting with the slowest time and finishing with the leaders of the elite men, so it was interesting to watch the riders coming up and the times getting quicker and quicker. I think I was more excited about spectating during this stage rather than racing, my time was slow, 1.22 reflecting how sluggish my legs had been feeling he last two days in the surrounding hills. Anne rode a cracking time of 1.07 but was just hedged out of the stage win by Anna Beck’s 1.04.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8nsVJPBVCgt5P7hnTVGL8ZsavpmdHLEWm_v2czF2whpnLbO6-Ldn4jV8AN2rdNHkEb_j4B3WW_jWeCEdsgL8HqhKv-rGVxlHlf36QNLxBeKfXN96ajC_8gmRCTTZkZPkIYkj0eYx6sU/s400/P5170134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622102507174828514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> Bellie smashing his way to the top!</span></div> <!--EndFragment-->Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-45812076760514996982011-06-25T00:41:00.000-07:002011-06-25T00:46:17.533-07:00Alice Day 3<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Well I woke up with a sore ‘froat’ (as Dean calls it!!) this morning which put me in a grumpy mood for the start of the day, it was going to be a hard day and now just a little bit more suffering would be required!! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today was the longest stage at 77km and was a new stage for this year, they had estimated it to take the winners around 3hrs and 15. On paper it all looked and sounded pretty straight forward, with 17km on sealed bike bike path and then a section of sealed road for 12km. I hadn’t studied the course description too closely and was quite surprised how tricky the first 17km were, lots of steep walking pinches and again some more very rough, sharp and loose Centralian rock! I was aware of being quite conservative here as it would come back to bite me for sure. Everyone was a little more controlled at the start today, Jess had pushed forwards into first position and I found myself riding with Anna Beck, in her yellow jersey, for the first 17km, she seemed to be feeling some fatigue from the last couple of days, we were both about the same pace and it was nice having some company! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We got to the first feed station at 25km and from here we hit the bike track. I felt decent here, just so long as it stayed pretty flat and I was sure we had a bit of a tail wind. I noticed Anna starting to loose contact with me, so I made an effort to stay consistent and strong. Pretty soon I caught up to two fellas who were happy to roll some turns with me, we set a cracking pace, with me dipping into the red zone and starting to struggle quite a bit, but I knew Anna was not feeling comfortable so it was best that we kept pushing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another rider joined us from behind and said that Anna had joined a strong group of about 8 and were only 200m behind us, I was tempted to sit up and wait so we could move with the larger group but we decided to keep pushing at our pace. I have to buy this lovely guy a beer as he was so accommodating in helping me out, he was happy to sit on the front and drive it, as I was no longer capable of rolling turns with any pace!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>So we hit the bitumen and caught sight of the group behind us, it seemed they had caught us, so again we just kept pushing, now with two lovely blokes putting in some solid turns. We were now heading into a head wind and it was very open and exposed on the road. After assuming that the bunch behind were onto us we looked around and they were nowhere to be seen! So we continued to push on and picked up another couple of workers for our roadie bunch. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We got to the second feed zone and saw the approaching bunch about 300m behind, they had pretty much caught us, we were swallowed up and joined their ranks soon after. We continued riding as a bunch on the fire road but it all got smashed up as soon as we made our way up onto the top of the escarpment, it got very rough, loose and tricky again, I was really suffering at this point, my throat felt it had almost closed up and I was coughing up solid chunks of yellow phlem. Some of the descents were really sketchy and Anna Beck opted to walk a couple, somehow I got to the bottom in one piece and also on top of my bike, bonus! </p><p class="MsoNormal">So a gap opened up, it couldn’t be far now so I just pushed on through yet some more sand until I was eventually spat out onto the bitumen road that led me home to the BMX track. I hardly had the energy to pump over the jumps and across the finish line….. so happy to be done, now it was off to the chemist to get some froat gargle!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-78083748340128555102011-06-25T00:35:00.000-07:002011-06-25T04:14:25.848-07:00Alice Day 4<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLm846GHevskpPcYb3rUUJKHyISNl5cyFliSZJvT_fmjNpBwygQY6u0POO0EIuBpQLVxNVOEelSlY-DQOkjXlC4LDlbPA3HWXuy0WimKTb-_oG8oww920lu6zu3aOFAelVHsWUpecASw/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today’s set up was quite different, we had two stages on the same course. In the morning we had an Individual Time Trial on a 23km circuit and then in the evening we had a night race on the same course, but going the opposite direction. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLm846GHevskpPcYb3rUUJKHyISNl5cyFliSZJvT_fmjNpBwygQY6u0POO0EIuBpQLVxNVOEelSlY-DQOkjXlC4LDlbPA3HWXuy0WimKTb-_oG8oww920lu6zu3aOFAelVHsWUpecASw/s400/IMG_0375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622111121258691762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></p><div><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> The start of the time trial, another perfect blue sky day!</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The time trial started in reverse order of where you placed in the general classification so for me being mid field it meant a bit more of a sleep in and a relaxed start to the day. My start time was 10.10am, they were setting people off at 30 second intervals. It was amazing how much warmer it was by this time of day, we got to a max temp of 27, bit of a difference to the cold Victorian weather! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The course was great, on the way out it was quite fast and flowy, the mandatory patches of sand to catch you out and then some quite technical hilly rocky stuff on the way home. I had not pulled up well from the big stage yesterday and was continuing to have issues breathing, so I just dialed it back and enjoyed the trails, not a cracking time (1hr and12 minutes), think I placed fourth in this stage! We then went back to our accommodation to get some quality time in by the pool before we needed to front up and do it all again tonight!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>Everyone was feeling very lethargic from this mornings time trial, and not super motivated to get dressed and back on the bike for the second time today, nonetheless we set up our helmets and bikes with our super bright lights and made ourselves ready to do battle with the night!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was a beautiful warm and calm night, I just raced in a jersey, no undershirt required! The mass start was quite chaotic, there was a mandatory crash off the start line which I managed to avoid, and then it was hard and fast elbows out to gain a good position heading into the single track, the amount of dust that was created from the pack was amazing and I was not at all enthused about being able to see what I was breathing in!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Once we got into the single track it was pretty slow, a bit like world cup racing, with lots of bottlenecks as the whole field tried to squeeze single file into the technical trail. So for a bit it was pretty slow and at some points off and walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eventually things spread out and I found my own space, I was really starting to enjoy the night riding, it’s always an extra challenge not quite being able to define obstacles and also what lay around the corners. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">About half way through I cam across a pile up where Anna Beck had come down pretty hard, she was quite out of sorts but all in one piece, I asked if she wanted to jump on my wheel and follow me home, she gratefully accepted and she nursed her self home, it felt good to be able to help out even if it was just a little. We later learned that Jess Douglas had also had a pretty nasty off managing to crack her helmet, such are the joys and the challenge of night racing!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-33572265688748596382011-05-23T00:20:00.000-07:002011-06-25T00:34:54.838-07:00Alice Day 5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__TEWLnjy83GOO3flU5S_o2EhvmSqitfV7FgE-s93NA4nVvS8O9KUzAP9UW1Vjs9ynzPaUsMznb28coa-iB-dYRvNxl5HM21FF0q_E22_vbuJGAzMxPIOzk98g045XMo1HWLlpeA4qbs/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__TEWLnjy83GOO3flU5S_o2EhvmSqitfV7FgE-s93NA4nVvS8O9KUzAP9UW1Vjs9ynzPaUsMznb28coa-iB-dYRvNxl5HM21FF0q_E22_vbuJGAzMxPIOzk98g045XMo1HWLlpeA4qbs/s400/IMG_0383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622057370833615042" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Wow it had been a long week and we were finally on our last day. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today we had a mere 40km estimated to take between 2 and 2.5 hrs, we started by riding the time trial course backwards over all the technical rocky sections and then looped round to the north western side of town to finally finish at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today I just didn’t really want to get on my bike, my cough had now developed into a snotty and chesty cold and I knew that by continuing to race I would be digging myself an even deeper hole, but it was the last day and I wanted to hold onto my podium position, so off we went! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I felt pretty good for the first hour then by the first feed zone the wheels came off and I just willed myself forward, very slowly getting myself closer to the finish line and also the end of what was an epic week. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I enjoyed the second half of the course, there was lots of new single track and the views were amazing, I contemplated stopping to take some photos but reminded myself that it was still a race! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I had a quite exciting finish, we had to cross the sandy river bed of the Todd river to get to the finish line, and as I was stepping off to run the remainder of the boggy sand Anna Antrecht had managed to sneak up right beside me and we ended up having a little race the last 20m to the finish line! Anna bet me to it and placed third for the final stage with me close behind with fourth!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>So I managed to hang onto my third position and was happy for my performance to be what it was for the week, I always knew it was going to be touch and go after the 24hr, but you have to put yourself in these positions to learn and confirm how long it takes for you to recover and be on top of things again. </p><p class="MsoNormal">It was a fun week as always with the team and also an added bonus of having my partner Dan race also. He ended up having a great week and surprised everyone including himself with his result, 4<sup>th</sup> in the open men’s category! All in all a great week of racing and i'm definitely motivated to come back next year and have a crack!! </p> <!--EndFragment-->Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-65443277009902722082011-04-26T21:57:00.001-07:002011-04-26T21:57:36.561-07:0024 Hour Solo Nationals<div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">We were all sitting round the dinner table on the second last night of the Terra Australis Stage Race, Fenz put it out there; “You should do Solo 24 Hour Nationals!”</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Chalkduster;">The seed was planted, I weighed up the do ability of it... the main positive was that it was during the school holidays, plenty of time to prepare and then also recover,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"> but was I prepa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">red to put myself through all that sustained pain and mental battering??</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">For some reason the answer was yes?!?! I embraced the opportunity to gain yet again another ‘experience’ and have a crack at different discipline of MTB racing!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><o:p>We travelled up the Hume to Canberra and upon arrival made ourselves comfortable in the TORQ pit area. We had an amazing set up, Dean had towed the Caravan up wh</o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">ich provides some real luxuries; microwave, couches, beds, stereo system, fridge and of course a toilet! Not that I would be spending much time in the caravan over the next 24 hrs!</span></p><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6-GF1JrsfoLEC65ZjG1ZUuQHl76_I0-H7t4R-UaOs2dTVNMpWr8V7g0aeLSouqK0MpXzN87WGvaofMCnHH98vPa-lZ-YveVrFXBjTlVbnhv6jOJR38FIJZ7wktoyrQM025hM5FXFHDE/s400/P1010179.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600094448052844914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Chilling out and conserving energy before the race start!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Throughout the last 4 years Stromlo has been a constant in my mtb racing experience. In the past I had raced numerous Cross Country National Titles, a World Cup race, and memorably a World Championship.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">It felt nice to be returning to familiar turf to attempt something altogether different!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">I had two team mates who were competing also; Mark Fenner (the evil instigator) and newly signed Scotty Chancellor, who is well known for his talent and results within 24 hr racing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8Yaug-us6Z4mSV5-g79hAGPLdXBH25v79Zhc3xKfK0WL6g6Xg-WbXc7qhykUG2xY2jV4nl4CX3LpSh7OYk5-fqPl3QDCDxPkJPByvmwu_0IEV6soE9WHS3VrR6jtqRumEPtPcY13Puw/s400/P1010182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600095168107096658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">The three crazy ones; Fenz, Me, Scotty</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">I felt blessed to have an exceptionally dedicated and passionate support crew, they would be relied upon hugely during the course of the race.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Dean: the owner of Torq Nutrition and the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">and manager of the team</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Dan: my wonderful partner</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Dave: Dan's enthusiastic and excitable Dad who kept my bikes ticking along perfectly with his attention to detail and skills with the tools</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Kerry: Dan's proud Mum who provided continious encouragement great photographic talent and precise timing skills and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Angus: one of Mark Fenner's good mates who helped get all my nutrition requirements just right!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecZOhQtMJN_c6nyUcJv33kBTbGKSFAWpSrZ0mZvv5mVftjBnaNXZ9EWVKf-tC1hf7smnD9gsFLsy7HERwHBmc7ZioreAEUJA4y1VWQM1_IcFs_tX3QJ1QDHn5LHpqA8GWzexGoHIWpsY/s400/P1010240.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600098563949975714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center; ">The Pit Crew!</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">My race strategy?? I basically had no idea, being my first 24hr race, the plan was to ride conservatively so that I could complete the monster! The longest time I had spent on the bike was a 7 hr training ride, so it was going to be interesting!!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">My main competition would be Jess Douglas, she is the current World Champion and had ridden a heaps of 24hr races, she has fierce determination and knows how to win in this discipline, so yes I was nervous and felt like a small fry!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZXbMWB32Tfir3S8qsyfjBehaPDo-0FHhpqKCN8N0Z1SFkpmbJjHukRt_J0H5gAP34r_cXiLp_ndnKuknb4JgG1pteYsY-Ex-TvzkZNJuaLfh6ERf7Nh9XHxsWlQ2o7tX-2lTKYyXlQU/s400/P1000951.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600099365735065154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center; ">Jess Douglas Current World Champion</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">The gun went off at 12:03, just after the men's category were sent off. Jess immediately assumed her position at the front of the race and dictated the pace. Being fresh, rested and feeling tip top, it was really hard to hold myself back and take it easy. Jess continued to pull away from me, keen to get a gap, I chose not to respond, it was going to be a very very long race and I needed to conserve everywhere I could.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">The other girls behind me had dropped off and I was left riding my own race with no one else around. I would get the time gaps given to me each time I came through the pits.... Jess continued to increase her lead steadily by about 30seconds per lap, so this was how a World Champion races a 24hr race.... I just couldn't match it!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">We got through to dusk and the lights went on to my bike, I felt a bit of a lift, simply with the change from light to dark and felt I was riding smooth and consistent. I was conscious of maximising any positive sensations as from here on in it would become more about my mental state than my physical capabilities.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">My race was tracking well, my lap times were super consistent, I was eating and hydrating well and I felt pretty good considering I was now in unknown territory. I was working in 6 hour blocks and the second block coming up to midnight I had planned a treat; a quick wash and a change of clothes... I got to midnight and the gap between Jess and I gradually started to break down, I was now gaining 30 seconds a lap.... so no time for my planned treat, things were really starting to happen!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QbO8hyphenhyphenpPNDiN060aNHhyphenhyphenjGpkIEKSO-7_QqjV1lCVk6JMAu1InmvcsHw8QjmE9yMd5l6QRXLOeG8h1YAQQHgrgIiei1KjNIt_Fnx_E7djcRajyGThDaB4Arcper2DnDjYhqxQjc1pzGE/s320/P1010197.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600102661594587186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center; ">Kerry's teacher skills on the whiteboard recording my lap splits!</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">I had now reduced what was once a 9 min gap down to 4 minutes, I was pumped but Jess remained illusive and was nowhere to be seen. Finally at 1.30am after 13 and a half hours of racing I came up behind her on the single track, I was blown away, I had actually caught the World Champ!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">I made my pass on the fire road and instantly all my pain was forgotten, I felt like I was pedalling on air, it was the most amazing feeling. I made an effort to remain consistent and gave myself the goal of gradually opening up the gap in the next 3 laps, to give myself a buffer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">I got to 3.30 am and had my planned first hit of caffine, ( It was about at this point that Dan told me Jess had gone to the showers to clean up and assess her situation) this carried me through for another 2 hrs feeling great both mentally and physically. I was so surprised and impressed that I was feeling so great at a point in the race where I should be feeling the worst. From 1am til dawn are known as the 'witching hours' the long slog through the dark and the coldest part of the night, I just kept telling myself that when I got to dawn I could expect another positive sensation with the growing light, being able to see the track again and the fact that there would only be 6 more hours of racing to knock off!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp-3Q0xtuyzIfgW6AEAgevfE1r4ZsHDwg5swPMXuxnFH4QEXRcBmo3bdISR1y7S7SMPIWupZ8hSWU-M75uO5-Xv9uZxN5yNm3vc1AB9qkoJvDcG-ox5ca4oM3KqZijM6OdBoyORLMnlc/s400/P1000967.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600104962480796050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">The coming of the new day yeeeehaaaaa!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">I did my 'Dawn lap' with a feeling of contentment but started to crash and burn, my body ached everywhere from the repeated battering of the rocks and undulations.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Jess had since pulled out opting to not complete the race which left me way out in front now with nearly 3 laps up on Anne who was in second place. These were all massive positives and it was looking really good to take out the title, but I now found myself </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">experiencing my lowest point in the race.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">It was decided that I would jump off the bike, have my planned wash and change of clothes and a hot meal of gnocci with pasta sauce. Being off the bike was great, but I could hardly walk and was really hurting all over.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYkqFiHVEpCeT6S7vVmqstR0-BhP1aW0O2NhWiws7BfsraVXzT-f2losuAcUZ5g_eiX7KpOhpj7xbuQPUcoqycpQthfdS_nQ1uHLVi5ABr0nKiWOwekF-WhtAIGwZZ1xxayLzJzgn0GU/s400/P1010205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600107453744644834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">A fresh change, hot food..... not so motivated to get back on the bike!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">After a lap I said to Dean " You need to figure out how much longer I need to stay on the bike in order to secure the win, because I am done!' I was thinking as I was 3 laps up perhaps I could stop at 10.30am. I had so much time up that 2nd place could not overtake me in the time remaining. I was devastated to learn that in order to finish you had to cross the line after 12 midday.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"> I couldn't pull up early even though I had a substantial lead.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">So the plan was to do another lap, then have a sit out for 40 minutes then get back on and complete 2 final laps in order to cross the line after the all important 12 O'clock!</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrXBwIfp4inAyQdgIezVdpmPEB-Sul9_2yXYTsxWT9gLO7UBOXOUKb0BTYBAkge1QM8HBU8amQ0qg25GQkBogassU-Icrq9beP-fsZRQvZzevVKKrsBLxIBpJYZU-hhinv4dZj4DmRaA/s400/P1000970.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600109880111296002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">Fenz Trying to get my body working again during my lap out.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">The final two laps were the hardest both mentally and physically. I no longer had any strength to push the pedals and I was not even moving fast enough to keep warm. Although I knew it was only 2 laps and I was done, it was so hard mentally knowing that I was so close. I so badly wanted to curl into a little ball and let the earth swallow me up!</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-yXEE6mhlRmUVDqDrt2gXIylGL3gmtrSv3Bw4QHysbZNDc9LgUzIGMFJ9MspnUd2UXl6pd6M045IC3TfEYHidqqvsb67LEtM_qdV4fm_TJE7rfAGnBE9b0sB5_6GFLc8jvaFnmQ0Tq4/s400/P1010227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600111588205549074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">Crossing the finish line.....done and dusted!!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ILfaPXdbr3KZ9EJY8GDCia5UnYT48UBo93pG7XW0Uw33Ew3zBedGQsVCzKzzRaDOSIME1oIbjq-TPwASiLIRVSFTcHsgholuNmrK2gAgw_2_zPTkdXORawLNCCC9XkT4x2311zwbTc/s400/P1010243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600112313770486658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">Congratulating Jason English The mens winner, who is also the current World Champion!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iJM3g3rgpV7DHc_X1fmohQyHeDt0vTX3QUqvWUrp099jhy8ljKmfiiad72NzGi9v9lOMH8jX3ys3xLVivYF_I9Jn9l8WnE7WM5XM6m5i1bzzAOKET3Jr-0tn3yTn6jq6UVZjp03VUEs/s400/P1010272.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600113074533586434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">Being awarded the 'Green and Gold' Jersey was an amazing feeling!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">Winning the National Title gains you automatic selection to the World Championships and the question was asked of me; " So do you think you'll continue racing 24's and compete at the Worlds?" I concluded with " Not a good question to be asking me at this point in time!"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">24 hour racing has provided me with a rich and unique experience where I feel I have been stripped to my very being and learnt so much about my constitution as person. I loved that it was an experience for our group of people and not just myself as a competitor, my pit crew lived through it with me, the highs, the lows, the lack of sleep and of course the elation of winning. Much thanks to my crew!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">That is all!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Chalkduster;">All photos credit of Kerry MacMunn.</span></span></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-29223286628847575092011-04-25T22:12:00.000-07:002011-04-26T22:18:02.394-07:00Solo 24 Wrap Up<div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">Winning the National Title gains you automatic selection to the World Championships and the question was asked of me; " So do you think you'll continue racing 24's and compete at the Worlds?" I concluded with " Not a good question to be asking me at this point in time!"</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">24 hour racing has provided me with a rich and unique experience where I feel I have been stripped to my very being and learnt so much about my constitution as person. I loved that it was an experience for our group of people and not just myself as a competitor, my pit crew lived through it with me, the highs, the lows, the lack of sleep and of course the elation of winning. Much thanks to my crew!</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">That is all!</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Chalkduster;">All photos credit of Kerry MacMunn.</span></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-66755728084518346562011-03-02T02:17:00.000-08:002011-03-02T18:03:18.868-08:00Otway...Third time Lucky<div style="text-align: left;">Over the last 3 years The Otway is the one race that has consistently denied me any satisfaction and sense of achievement!</div><br /><div> </div><div>When I first attempted the Otway in 2009 I got 4 punctures on the first 50km and lost touch with the race, completely disheartened I pulled out at the 70km point.</div><br /><div> </div><div>Determined to tick it off my list I made my second attempt in 2010. I had made a great start, climbing well and taking out the KOM at the top of the hill. All was well until I managed to come off on the steep descent in the private property section, knocking myself out and also one of my teeth! Miraculously in a concussed state I managed to make it out to the first check point where I got off my bike and went straight to the Geelong hospital!</div><div>So 2011 was all about knocking it off and finishing with all my teeth!</div><br /><div> </div><div>Listening to the rain pounding the roof on Friday night was not a particularly soothing sound, it was sure to be an interesting day! The morning actually dawned pretty dry, quite warm but very windy.The pace was steady up the climb, and I chose to drop back and climb at my own pace, letting the roadies up the front battle it out for the KOM glory. </div><br /><div> </div><div>Nicky Fisher and I ended up rolling turns to maintain momentum until we hit the dirty fire road section, she gaped me on the descents, she was riding like an absolute mad woman!! It was unbelievable slippery and steep and I was just a little cautious with last years memory playing out in my head!</div><div><br /></div><div>Once we got into the sustained climbing on the freshly graded fire road which had turned into one slick clay pan, I seemed to be rapidly pulling some position back. I entered the muddy fire road section in 8th place and well before the red carpet decent, I had managed to work my way into 2nd place, was quite surprised!!</div><br /><div> </div><div>I managed to hold my position until we were almost at the footy ground, Peta caught me in the single track and we rode together into the first feed zone. Peta took off in front of me and smashed it on the fire road climb, the legs were starting to feel pretty slow on any incline now! It seemed a gap of about 2 min was established and Peta seemed to hold this for quite some time. </div><br /><div> </div><div>Going into the final loop, I gave the fire road climb everything I had, as I figured there had to be a decent amount of descending I was hopeful that I might be able to work at closing the gap to Peta. Sure enough, I caught sight of her at the bottom of the very slippery descent. The sledge hammer was hilarious!!! I could see Peta just 20m up ahead, so close but the harder I tried at moving faster the worse it was. We were both attempting to run but struggling to stay on our feet and keep moving forwards and upwards!!! I worked hard to keep Peta in my sight, she was fighting so hard and managing to gap me on any open sections. </div><br /><div> </div><div>Coming up the final fire road section she slipped out of view and left me to cross the line 20 seconds in her wake! It was great to have such a close race over such a long distance and extended time. We both finished around the 5 hrs and 52 minute mark. </div><br /><div> </div><div>The final placings for the race saw a drastic re-adjustment, and I only learned of this once we had finished. Gracie, who was 4 minutes up on Peta and I had been given a 30min time penalty for taking outside assistance. The race rules were that you could not feed or accept any technical assistance outside the designated feed zones. Apparently Gracie had been given a camel back at the top of the main climb by a team van. She accepted the feed unaware of the penalties that would apply. It was a really tricky situation, I believe that the act did not give her the winning edge, it did not enable her to ride faster and take the win, but on the other hand they are the race rules and the officials needed to be seen to stick to their guns. So unfortunately Gracie was relegated to 6th position which bumped Peta and I into 1st and 2nd. </div><br /><div> </div><div>Regardless of the days result I was just ecstatic to actually get to the finish...... but also with the bonus of retaining a full set of pearly white chompers!!!</div><br /><div> </div><div>So the Otway has been well and truly ticked off.......... until next year!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXQmq9Dhzx069qZvaddXAT9xBVhznaUxuDw_AJzc0gkq4qS9Z7uWFqy0R89Dft6_qVXNDmg8GZBI0TRGWV2zYVVmE3QERf5PlVEXL8Waobo_XBfEkyEyUHIp5B7aFEZ6FhhznCEtIn-w/s400/OO10-008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579599622969480450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-83931651898877998612010-09-29T03:57:00.000-07:002010-09-30T02:43:14.684-07:00Tour of Timor 2010<div><div style="text-align: center;">Flying over East Timor in the plane was a harsh wake up call for what the following week was going to involve. I peered out the window and down to the spectacular and severe mountains below, it was beautiful and harsh, my legs began to ache in anticipation!!</div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div align="center">On arrival we were greeted by the official welcoming party they were all very excited to see us and had huge happy toothy grins! We were all processed in the VIP lounge and amongst other things we were issued a waiver to sign so we could travel in UN vehicles, these would be used throughout the tour to transport us and our gear, bit different!<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Once we had checked in to our accommodation Jen and I decided to head for a spin to stretch the legs and make an attempt at acclimatising to the oppressive heat and humidity. Coming from one of the coldest and wettest winters in Victoria certainly was a shock to the system; Dili was a hot and sticky 36 degrees!!</div><br /><div align="center">The road code in Dili is quite interesting, anything seems to go, overtake on the left, right, gutter, any side of the road will generally do and it seems that you don’t need any reason at all to use your horn!!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522290274297182242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FFsaHsl5pbMt9Vxb2tvA4g34T-nhWUnJptlv6kPoolPNWNE460PMXBEk7qZh6in1aZUq7BW9lrF7CHj-E74ZuyHxYZxUwHX_n7F6_Sdt2QUynOw2fU7LiKNLrXqInhBEADnrjWmlHgI/s400/Timor+066.jpg" border="0" /><p align="center">The animals are actually the main hazard on the road, all villages on the tour route were asked to keep all livestock locked up (most cases this meant in their houses!) so as not to cause accidents to bunches of riders during the race.<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522291965039373602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC_oTL5tP-j92aS9mDCE7hZ-361vypy5w67vqvdas3-wEOlJCaOW9yceGHD0fGH0wJzMLKpTdnhOl7DuXPrz-_HUJxir5n_yyDMtIz4cdExyzeKkqO5CqD2-DSEum1KQMc1EktZo18P8/s400/Timor+093.jpg" border="0" /><p align="center">The early morning ride down Dili's main street to the race start at the presidential palace.</p><div style="text-align: center;">It was an early start each morning, we had to have bags packed and loaded on the gear trucks by 6am each morning. It was essential that the front gear trucks start at least 2 hrs before we did as they needed to get to the next nights camp before us. Due to the conditions of the roads and the terrain they traveled at a much slower average speed than what we did on the bikes!</div></div><div><br /><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">The talk of the road conditions had everyone quite intimidated, mainly because the racing would be done In bunches and when in the bunch you have a great view of the wheel in front of you and that is all. The frequency of massive potholes, animals, washouts and land slips put everyone on edge. Some of the potholes we came across were deep enough to stand up in, luckily these were marked with a couple of random rocks placed round the outside of the hole! Never seen anything like it!<br /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522293557501517922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFMznouuNX0HssvJWnQwxqBA0L9Fbmfox7r5xawODAlLKJslFutMDbvQmTy6MOPYyrgUXmikEFdDzxR6IUMd3d6Gk55qmikVRE4V09zaE1IfqrdCUkexe0zazFakbyGB8XgCndG8aKXM/s400/Timor+101.jpg" border="0" /><div align="center">Before the race start outside the Presidential Palace.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522295256537675570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xYxsYBd3cDrYxOQoUIiIm5gQcABZ3xXnJQiMmEWAghLf3z2Dt4RCdZ4hBdZJbFLtuvSvn2VccVsUkraHZ2F6cMN1KJbywCJtqGAGreh5mhBs9qDTuJUnX9QYPBrKvTT79qomA21SsBs/s400/Timor+114.jpg" border="0" /><p align="center">The tour had 350 riders, so jostling for a good start position was always a good idea.<br /></p><p align="center">Day one went from Dili to Balibo, it was the longest day at 123km but considered the easiest due to the profile, it was mainly flat, following the coast line and then climbed up to the Village of Balibo in the last 20km. I found day one really tough, mainly due to the heat and humidity, it was always going to be a day of adjustment, getting the legs going and sorting out adequate hydration. I found the flatter stages along the coast some of the hardest days , the humidity was oppressive, any gain in altitude away from the coast seemed to be much better!<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522296862617544834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJC4bv02c-38ng-sov-g9_Wtp3g4nqY56Drix9Fxenx9gpy7brmAmerZCyy6ExSiT6vD6b1qLaaeq7JjGVL1T_vKZKwIx-ecTUyHxdJu18TDmGiywsj-D5IxPEGb5TQ57pwCz9GeNgNA/s400/Timor+119.jpg" border="0" /> The school kids were ecstatic and no doubt were happy to have the opportunity to get out of the classroom cheer us on (it would have taken all day for the entire field to pass through!)</div><div><br /><div align="center">The energy gained form the locals was AMAZING! Every village we passed through pretty much had the entire population lining the road, cheering , smiling and enjoying what must be a very strange and new spectacle for them. Each village that we stayed in for the night had declared a public holiday for the region as the road had to be completely closed to all traffic and we were pretty much eating and sleeping in the schools classrooms!<br /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522298639074253010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33m4MW2jrH_DuT_nUWljYry1kW1l4nXoPG6SHTmoLpzrM2jmDGkxQdCoACQ_J9pu2DdY-B50wn0Gc4PA6LnKSW6qpGdi5j5jaHOkXgL6Pd2h7l2QW5muc-vFHtSjc43ViY_DMhjb2xmk/s400/Timor+227.jpg" border="0" /><p align="center">It was a real treat to find some tables and chairs to consume our dinner, very civilised!!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522301137004990674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TpWXET3PNXvmsTIivn1VKFa7REnmbVDnulcCUrDRlnltclIHzvGwsI1sUfKbC5UNbajkyLWI7G-OFzDJVmRr7rOVa49F4l3CvABL0JgdWLzcusOztOAHmtamlMvBY1jvnVoLMIuJDE8/s400/Timor+136.jpg" border="0" />Crossing the finish line in Balibo was a huge relief, some serious rest, recovery and chillaxing was required! Just trying to replensidh the energy stores ready to do it all again the next day!<br /><br />Travelling through Timor we were constantly reminded of the horrific and reccent history that has taken place in this small country. Riding up to Balibo thoughts were of the 5 Australian journalists who were held captive and murdered in the 70's. Throughout many other villages there were carcasses of buildings left in ruin from bombings and just never been repaired or rebuilt. For what these people must been through they are an amazingly peaceful, gentle, shy and most of all a very happy people</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522302673766631730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskRna0Mi-k1rcgsbW-cEnrfwE1Le1RvK-S64ruuzvy3TIWoBr4zMNQYCgMn252h4X_xTazes6ZLccCUKuS-XVjn3JksdZ3NVnurBElpZDatw1hYzWFSdrvMMQ3F8KadJcF8xPK7oKk3o/s400/Timor+148.jpg" border="0" /><br />This was the sag wagon! They were kept very busy picking up the stragglers and their bikes and giving them a much needed lift to the finishline! The medics dealt with 32 cases of severe dehydration on day one and a couple had to be airlifted back to Dili, pays to look after yourself!<br /><br />Everywhere we went there was always an audience, the villagers thought of us as great entertainment, they simply stood and stared, it was never intimidating but quite humbling! This bloke was very happy to show off his prize rooster! The people in the background thought the massage tent was very interesting!</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522304318192060450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeHsfyGAqus6KcG2vEUnyZq-1NYgb0_WOvTv1p2jQDkvI6N5HTFjDjnjFp5pBu06Iqc_e7gFtF5jRR88_avAuvTwpXnlc_ekOehDJ2mB59_r-2tT4S2Eb8fB83vnWw7XLN8tnUM6yId4/s400/Timor+135.jpg" border="0" />While we were waiting for the gear trucks to arrive there was a massive downpour, very unseasonal apparently in the dry season! We all huddled with the locals under the huge banyan tree.</p><p align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522606306745892850" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3fh-AvqV5Ruj_H5DZJM51WmrcMYZtOZx_KY_doLARYTJ2Q8HIgbvQLD5i2GG8-U1tWiyKBndpS0SxhIDqjTxNvkEUjATkUaVbO2gGSrFT_4yvX_88W5wlZPC4VlbJLytmtTSKFv-V0Y/s400/Timor+147.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center; " /></span></p><p align="center"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522306159177598114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLDvCPUdD_xGZe5qOOCteBN0aTtWFVvjACSjXTIaABfcagsgZXL2SwqEt4-W4OPRE3LLderLIUJcVZXv-zQLFtoQBiDAqz5ora6sQwYQvxzd8aDBXus6FNt-LiqJsa_H8TUEOkggv-ww/s400/Timor+140.jpg" border="0" />The unseasonal rain caught many people out. Most riders had pre-purchased the camping package which consisted of a roll mat and a mosquito net, three out of the five nights we had rain so it was manic with the organizers sourcing free verandah space, and empty classrooms for people to sleep in, some people were even taken in by some of the locals, lovely people!<p></p><p align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522307844405553186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkr7iRl8pyEmfZq7fWBqbXKlrZX5XpfqKbmaXdYXvu7qcGsVorJI-CgVwrWJ4n9u-KLCBnAEFoMNqpXgc7E8fdylIe3z5Bl4KD1eccWi_DWWUm4vLD-yMMWkRDdkWBE-Cr4cgqUYPbjE/s400/Timor+174.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">I collected 50ml in my drink bottle in only half an hour<br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522309129397694050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF7v1Hoe5KhLmnQml8txaIFn8xuQiqHNdLiX5Yy0m05ApOVjviF7KV80gWgvbNQoOTPxqIvKfKk5tN78pJBSSef7B5QG0_CTr1pm2Io8VklQM95w2Kglq0FGrZ6yKI2LVaBHI6dP-OP8/s400/Timor+149.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">The showers were interesting! They were pretty much made out of palm fronds on the ground and walls, then there was a big barrel of water with a scoop to pour water over yourself, sounds quite rudimentary, but to be able to wash away the sweat and pain of the long day was great!<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522599819211869538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs10Gw_8MLq0SBaRDZTd2gOiK5qFjfGhcOM7Chf7E_mdWmB_Oj1uZVxQ0s40Ho5kBCLrsKLrfUH3poxXs9nv12x-o8tDFBZClMvjGL3y6LZkEpYboB9iMYji4AoAB9Kxh8Oak0NC6v4G8/s400/Timor+143.jpg" border="0" /></p>The president made an appearance at most of the villages we stayed at. It is ‘The Presidents Race’ he is passionate about rebuilding Timor and the Tour is just one of many incentives aimed at harboring trust, promoting peace and making vital connections and building positive relationships with other nations. He considers sport to be a great way to promote these values and to showcase Timor as a peaceful, safe and absolutely stunning country. As Timor has been ravaged by war for so long they have not really experienced any forms of tourism. It was an amazing opportunity to see Timor before the people and the places become influenced by many foreign visitors.<br /><p align="center">Day two was said to be the toughest day of the tour due to the hills, from memory it was 93km but with some massive and very steep climbs. We descended from Balibo which was quite hairy in the big bunch lots of potholes and sweeping half gravel half bitumen corners.</p><p align="center">The main climb went for 30km with two ‘King of the Mountain’ sprints in the space of 10km… it was steep, open, exposed and so so hot. But the scenery was amazing When we got to Maliana we travelled along the most spectacular ridge line through many remote little villages, unfortunately I had substituted the space in my pockets for food in place of the camera, so I didn’t capture any of it but I was very happy to have the food that day.</p><p align="center">We had a beautiful decent down in to the town of Suia which was just off the south coast, we had crossed East Timor in a day!<br />Unfortunately one of our team mates Gracie came down really hard on the descent and managed to dislocate her shoulder, so out team was down to 3. On the up side she got be chaperoned by the president himself in his private chopper back to Dili</p><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522600532691522738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 362px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0zYziibKAwX9ioFsEW9I49ggIBXutrngjfhILSVqXdgHBPLNfnqcQmeflUWlh5Pk5mY_8WyKIts1uziZnum-UV5_fod8he7hBqYrkONZ3Za-lUnXD6xucijZzdd_62aKwrz9hhLbUCY/s400/Timor+166.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522600528390369698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJWn0bm1GGXPR2zSy4dHQ1wn6R1fX4wsa1ol8Us8wwbwAssIBS91SrTMnEXSHHyI0HE3rwOoyo1aPZtQt0BgGvvq5GYemR3po9xFqcBrbSxhpnbiyHHK5S5evz1ai51-VxUdSEQ63BEc/s400/Timor+165.jpg" border="0" />These boys were very happy that our camp was set up in their school, they got to have two days off school!<br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522601452450342466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh960dkMtAxzM4U1dQfn0GE71d1jm2nC5Lsp84mM4wsZEM_JcBpGBhstqi5ZfkAPqDu7TxtV907c8Ce8XA60b49bKH8irW2jiUvWWiLeXouyac_hSCs90QjhaaZaK4c-beRoOfqZx6_G2g/s400/Timor+167.jpg" border="0" /><br />This Timorese rider was part of the PNTL (National Police) he explained that this bullet proof looking vest was great for carrying all the food he needed for the day “I get so so so hungry…!!” He just couldn’t fit enough food in his jersey pockets. When I asked if he got hot wearing it he said “It great, it is no problem!”<br />The Timorese riders had absolutely no idea about race nutrition, I would come across riders who had no water and no food, I gave one guy a caffine gel and 5 minutes later I was left in his dust!!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522601765523144498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLmBeIU70mcoxqDWztxfBwVfsCXb5EWjTjJ3w_T1-cG6qfrdRrENPUCa_G6HFfwTOceE1GE3mWuztFHAb1m-3auZuk6JBWv1UL_5Ha3jghqLXRQO0mTZdxc0kSCtBA3aCNd1eMrRwyHE/s400/Timor+168.jpg" border="0" />The start line for Day 3. In the background a new church was in the process of being constructed.<br /><br />Day 3 was written up as a ‘rest ‘day, being only 67km and 50km of it being flat. I found day 3 the hardest. We were back on the coast so the humidity was unbearable and the road conditions were the worst yet. At one stage it had been sealed as there were the token patches of asphalt but the rest of the road was a myriad of potholes. </div><div>As it was flat the pace was being driven and everyone was trying to ride as a big bunch and get a good sit, but the potholes made the bunch really erratic, as the front guys were accelerating out of potholes we were just hitting them so it was like a huge elastic band trying to hold the wheel in front of you and not loose the bunch to be left by yourself.</div><div> After 40km of this we then hit the ‘best’ section of sealed road in the whole of East Timor, pretty much smooth hotmix asphalt, beautiful! From here we climbed up to the beautiful village of Ainaro. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522602673562704002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4exWOQpt7eRMAWMmLWrtJDMOioKmTgI7gBUQedZrJ7w1lOcp_qx_-7QMdJCobgXXYLpb8lSqElhPJc2wA_esTHKFR5Gg09xP_11YAk0kI53O4unk8H-CNVbk8psN9CcDxhdBP6HYJG10/s400/Timor+171.jpg" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;">Quite a reception on the finish line at Ainaro, having a Timorese commentator had the crowds in!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522602987086628018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQuU9A8Im_JIinJs37-uGbct3AS9IvYR6oIfUpGtEE2UWJw-pFLz0XutAdHlXoC_eNfPACuAEZMUfeTrQj6m_RDrhSelkGmZX0fxrPPgB4vwZFh7yBjl2aemOHhgBt7HlAvEsv_u_3HM/s400/Timor+178.jpg" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;">The local Gals!</div><br />Ainaro had many ruins of 16th century ornate Portugese buildings left over from the Portugese occupation. Many of them had been bombed during the more recent indonesian invasions. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522603776456634434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO7aKDDTEkGzLF2oUTAh7vbA2bYMmfnVMjC-Zzyhxk3g67u-cLHGgTj-0ZQnOQ3zxA-LqwHjYvI-eWEtRcEJ4Tdh6T66xcoNMVxVcEe1zfXqf-hmmpCrLb5wB8SK9hCM0SSt4XynQn44/s400/Timor+190.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522603767101225202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ5396nqIDaorxS8J1E0NA_uzgVKQd4cBJhi6pz_WkPhjtsvQq_TMF9XhwnHbzcXpfdqWfGPsGFfgiqrOyEG2VyH9n4RXMjZMZpgjWpTKFnLwVO_bLYjOLl9T9ROWvY10hyphenhyphenleguuoFhk/s400/Timor+180.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522605212301170770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrG56tbC832sAtjQlcMtWpE8LMHcFgEQl1FNc9Xry5BzWFa5ZZd2Uuliy9075RuU5yKRVQzRcmD5S4VwAipB51kAe9OlClua0CUjD15irWisP0hRRz12TxZOkhksA5Zr9JISs-zE37dQ/s400/Timor+198.jpg" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;">The queue for dinner, it was well and truly worth it!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522606321406096706" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFrLFYkNmTwfQ0GzTygkqJezhyphenhyphenskpzzr1Xafss5k36B1t0WIVMDK0VCedaVuprUWxAKIttN3JV6S4YWE-q31xr2qOqkG38anq-4saBfDiWcEG9tdaGrtLQYmRyfpBQixGkeITdDg74V4/s400/Timor+199.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Presentations before the start of day 4. Steele was thinking ahead when he packed all his jerseys in the gear truck and waited bare chested to be awarded the under 23 leaders jersey for the days ride (hope he had sunscreen on)!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522606325731687138" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuEGVJUjGTRzexLIecyFBb2-Y0-F3I7s5Vg4CBK2C2ctZUaPBiqiEm2p-mG9vMDDV738z6G5mLWIo-WbYX4bjYEXgSJ6vPw-4jRamT-hYBrrN7b3VLGUeTK0Gmjfo0r1SGQmo4UnxxM8/s400/Timor+201.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The start grid with the top 20 riders ditching their bikes and seeking shade while the role call for the other 320 riders is completed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522606334793831506" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolJyDoyQ68CfIhKjnzY1Vuzfek6-TIErbTE9Yqv0HnLJHS4JRGtyHxuuLXxLXU41ThgaHswzG7XpCkk-Bpht4i9Y9UfVd6WrO6hBu9BM85hL36erBrd3s3jnzNuev_STWy6gcvpy6LM8/s400/Timor+206.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Day four was another spectacular hill climbing day. We started climbing immediately out of Ainaro for about 30km then had a series of smooth fast descents down to the village of Aileu.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607457842778786" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgnqzX1c3UQCifWNAQeMhlWOdnqTf6e3MMzrnDcLlV3AyeGM5RyN5R6YQ19pmV4BLA-N8vqx82HgHOVcm0tpW-HVcy6FpUg2gBB_UHYpLp9dlxBH0gUUuXCIEXt4BdAF_p91uUh3iSrg/s400/Timor+209.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607468858475266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgpK_h2z2fkwWE6qzcCy8bWZXiItf73eAt65Z1use2oG-JsNC9W44l2UvUQmRksHU8Xcum15cx56FemU5W63rTh2VQc8L2ktiRFgkwi19wfvZdxOavY4EVTPFko1DgefSdeOh-DhN99o/s400/Timor+210.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see the road below that I have just ridden up, it winds up, up and more up!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607471943868146" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbUAe62ahNAm3ZSs51a_Io_rIH5nyqKKZdHDKsUR4v-bu87AaMC5pIPyrFkQqEDVsSpwB62Y3WO8zwBV0bDIsmtir3rIoIkTDB03XVAuisO4jzuP5qp70F1T6vchIi5YcnBEBn3lPxtk/s400/Timor+215.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally the KOM (King of the Mountain) signifying the top of the climb and the oncoming descent! I actually had to zip my jersey up for the descent, we had gained quite a bit of altitude today, reaching the highest point on the tour at 1900m.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607476164904290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL2M1_1z7-S2aSi-oAchgoSrFl60Tx-08YRIQQjm1x4Zad2cvwMINzL1HJvW8xTy9zZnxPiB6rmSFloX5y8FmPf_ld6f9r03DmOj7LgkVHlL9kulI9meIwvx7N-hyB2O500ceNRx4pXw/s400/Timor+218.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> The down begins!</div><br /></div><div>Finally day five! We all had a smile on our dials today, as we were descending back down to the coast and finishing the tour in Dili!<br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607841789184178" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycRlFFZ2kcVNxPvHjF23OqHHmVl42yVkcPjkfk-4EjQ_5oohrnMI8_ssj0FcSOxBKuk2GBUuLF-wkJ41JeUBABD12EiN_3TEfP16sfY3O0u6ArjcMtZNZvDbkMUOZhC8ywTZRDyY0hAA/s400/Timor+232.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607844768889074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ42lUyv4VC_fMG7wqWV12tgnQNX7eloTwQTGVlrjkKCTCna_9RsSr9fSjo50QtEV1w6Wo65qTmXeoG_tU03F4r1ECA0pStQ7EosXTAytq0H8b_wlS2ijDp7USSSUmZDx5xEjCcacOXK4/s400/Timor+241.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ahhh the north coast again!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607854692798802" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxo38JiuReEUf4FP10jwjLgXh5RBFpoJGQf_hdh2dJYyZyKbA00BGRvNIrMIL5rLYcJhVR6kxoO9-pP-Rc1lCJ7-CxsVZhH2ztRoZB6yuBlf7AmMd621RAia_mpeThGdi-wgCqEey7Gc/s400/Timor+245.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the start of the much talked and warned about loose singletrack descent!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522607859412129554" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtO98fNVNgW0hhTqsFZPWPSDY4guYDz2yTJ0dlb7Xya7sxcaWzWWFrlSonYKp3zlDY01HEONk9iXKWSCSaqyWS0IZOq859fw6kD1JkbFB-rcHQYrnBBkyIIXDbI1YjujxQRZpTFcU0NU/s400/Timor+248.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Looking back at the last climb on the coast road into Dili, happy to see the back of it!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522608402088227746" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcr2OHwnVDvnCUe9ClZVIBlGpCa5jNxWxHSHxaXHt60Sex_bw3-r0d6atgx0ecgu6_m8u_aJ3loZLassuf3IT-SrN4wVssmUiy0WxfdcahiSRMhXS3mKo5ABiV6iKgpJDzK44Lc6qmb4/s400/Timor+250.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">From this point I could make out Dili in the distance… a very welcome sight to my very sweaty eyes!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522608406041329634" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoyWg0OC6b59geZhgAIoUtEFuATo_ng5cLPDZ6Y2oB-j_wdwSvGfmTRpzz2xquNH-r16pt0BxwEUONA3Im64H7q2yUr7BZqyI4F1cm6p3g7VSiHKEYRYhLI5TvzOZTGPT0YgAbIRUhfc/s400/Timor+260.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The streets of Dili were lined with people like this for many kilometers, as close to the Tour De France as I’ll ever get!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522608412975678226" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kS-iLiZXu1_e323A4sK29_VFdR1tfTfS6ttK9bQ74jmE8WmYIMAgCFvUlaHQoIZg6wlmnQN_R2JwExOTKbw8tgZ8RjwIye9vc6EE8AtRfjgXNPC5Ux1bwErKDW75ZblToiU5ULyM2kk/s400/Timor+275.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The women’s Teams podium at the final presentations with poor Gracie all stitched up!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522608418714931778" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbGbCmaRTV9xaAbZ4nFuQz2uVSjIJMa2NEf-auqXv9DASMET4qZSPnwiIEQZijheZwrcdxiO5Wx-FpbuyfK_eSMVTfZZ5VEoGky7wzcen8PdQDQCs-neFjXHNvSrEXFQ9D1KGTQHjFs4/s400/Timor+279.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The last supper, it was huge, could have fed 3 people easily with my stirfry!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522608425490819714" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1ebc7fTHIRQTOtJkQpxnVLNKFkah6dVsQfHTQKwE9OemBz-3QXDWwHTv1n6VAo1VxnduG_wWdDbIWQ6WaGtLMbC6rT8dL3DehUgPdfc93BfFn39J9UvUfGNidPNf6cRqAonL4T0AZnk/s400/Timor+283.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Finish the night off with a very entertaining taxi ride, the most laughs I’ve had for 2 dollars!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-84929386263258612242010-05-20T02:01:00.000-07:002010-05-20T02:04:03.452-07:00Bike the Rock @HuebachLast weekend we made the trip north a couple of hours to Huebach for a German National race. We travelled through Stuttgard which was a rather large city, it is also the home of a lot of major European car companies; Mercedes, Porsche, Volvo, so was interesting to see the massive factories and showrooms on the way through.<br /><br />The Huebach race is a Hors category race which means that there are heaps of UCI (International Ranking Points) points up for grabs for the top positions. This attracts a world class field, pretty much of the same quality that you would see lining up for a World Cup. So for us Aussies it was another weekend of trying to not lose too much time to World Champions!!<br /><br />The course was pretty challenging and quite different to other cross country tracks. From the start line it was a relentless grovel of a climb in your easiest gear (and sometimes that wasn’t enough) for up to 15min, then from the top it really only took perhaps under 5 min to get back down to the start/finish. The decent was quite fun though, it had been super wet and slippery the days leading up to the race so it felt quite good to get to the bottom in one piece!!<br /><br />So it was a tough day, almost seemed not to be racing but just trying to get myself up that hill each lap without blowing a gasket! I ended up being one of the last riders to get though on the ‘lead lap’. That is finishing my last lap on the same lap as the winner, although the winner was a good 15min quicker!!<br /><br />The Men’s race was hard, they would have had about 80+ riders start and there were only 30 that got to finish the entire race, the rest were pulled of as they were in danger of being lapped by the race leaders!<br /><br />So Huebach was a good training and a solid hit out before the last World Cup for this trip which is coming up this weekend in Offenburg!Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-76535409308164922722010-05-14T09:05:00.001-07:002010-05-14T09:24:49.536-07:00Ski Jumps and MonasteriesAndy and Rosie lashed out and hired a car for a few days, so having ticked off the training for the day we thought we would make the most of possibly the best weather we have had yet in Germany and hit the road to have a look beyond our regular training routes!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>We took one of the main tourist roads that climbs to the top of one of the main ridgelines, all the peaks were around 1000m high. A couple of days ago when we had quite cold weather and heaps of rain they must have had quite a bit of snow as there was patches of snow on the sides of the road. Having had so much bad weather it was a nice change to be up high and actually have a view visibility has been limited due to all the low cloud and fog lately.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the highlights of the day trip was the massive ski jump we came across, it was up among one of the ski villages and we were blown away by the sheer size and steepness of it. </div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471158554346270034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5RLMrMuaii-Uu0OiR6HEbt6_fl2cwaotRcdmsZC5wgkPx6u_SZxzJG24RbWi9zXuQx_O5dj_bL4hlb8cGZ5GfV-fVzru8tK7fawIxCm7upmmsi_tyG85261gCUolQHZ9q1Rb58UC2S8/s400/Durbach+087.jpg" border="0" /><br />Recently watching the winter Olympics I thought I had a fair idea of how big these athletes jump, but seeing it in the flesh was a whole different story, the steepness and length was amazing. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471158842854392802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1uYev4ytgyj1CGkRNPtlVy0SgbHB0sX7fslgXdECADYIB7EEGvPtbjL-kh934jhA-fNoqYwKhvyZas6oblWNMPfklFlUkhp2fQnSdoEBS1a270ETAgxMyXZbtcpsmEZ6SImEhyphenhyphen6O1Sk/s400/Durbach+093.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is the ramp they jump off at this point they can’t even see their landing 80m down the slope, scary! </div><div><br />This is at about the 80m mark where they land it is so so steep!!<br />Just down the road we came across some ruins of a very old monastery. </div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471160695046109458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2S11K-iCyDFi3KAWUWEHtX9pe36vHoVJG1NoITwZLNOtc3OcjlB4pMjFtcLVu2EVNyUHrR7RrZp4eYGaSFlbF0MiCZ_zv3jcaofGdcPzjw7qpc0hSkGdHxi2zbHbHtooKR24fuyX7Vg/s400/Durbach+091.jpg" border="0" /><br />Further down the road we came accros some old ruins of a manastery. The Allerheiligen monastery was built in 1191 and is of gothic architecture….. pretty old!!<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471160884565443810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuolfohKUTbQMR5MZH1Irnpn3ueVvAGYez5jP1RQhWiT5UIJ6DzYidXYQQDVgHzvxV3pLLSxsQgTfpMkpBQhIa0IM6TMX7jUNZED6baYE-pMkTAvYyWqKmTitvPAHTj3q5Wr-CqkhAtvY/s400/Durbach+095.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471161063734410274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzcWmdFeiv3HfaIj7EQAwEemu2_-KR2bBYwdHRSSxpREhACNZ-WigGcP6BW-rajJZQBuHe9bsbx4PLIAC1oQVT03GkGGi1mNTmCzjHe_5q7BZ2b91GMcedOrTbAKLfazrSkY6DsP5llY/s400/Durbach+105.jpg" border="0" /><br />Further down from the monastery was a nice walk through some cascading waterfalls or wassenfalle.<br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471161588037045314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOibuaXJQIm0blZYdxG8UBU42Q_x6X1fvEjiZXydOBGIbbuOHiu0jknbi0eePcpdr_X2Vcsi40F6kUB4rD9Qt7NuQ2wwIzzc_LvaE4B4ImXok8q2S4KpPwsxnvGVHkV7GyawiypfaxoYw/s400/Durbach+108.jpg" border="0" /><br />Apparently they are the largest waterfalls in the Black Forest, cascading for 83m<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471161381823783138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinASc8qMExlj16Rsd2_NdKX36_TH8nOnng152ZG1cvxMFNyY8X2WRflo14hyphenhyphenj8diyiuCjv_rpxrHbMsbMFkI_3tna_OxX0CbIYTr7VqplOEsnSTy0Uzl3VXuywTe8_TpTyyPqpMhTegvI/s400/Durbach+107.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-43925242118902065262010-05-14T08:41:00.000-07:002010-05-14T09:05:43.534-07:00A Coffee Shop Ride Across the Border.So I had a flat ride scheduled for today and thought I would venture across the border into France and go check out Strassbourg.<br />From where we are staying in Durbach it took me about 1.5 hrs to ride across the farmland between us and the city, the bike tracks are great, you can pretty much get everywhere without using busy roads and being worried about traffic.<br />I eventually came to Kehl which is the German town right on the border. The border is the Rhine River and once you cross this you are in France.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471153826698816146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzo2Ffs4UNqNGoNie2-uL8FpcUZiMQ-yf97BHHVBZF3C4Tz6WMv-0tux7yGYhTJa0WkxuHDZq89kc7W53oetedojAaDsBOvMIvRe5IRyXt1g2qgxJb3UmPoyBnBCXFyrVU2PwATSX8OA/s400/Durbach+047.jpg" border="0" /><br />Crossing the border into France. </div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471154284989528274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlnY6qe7LYgKgcvfrPv8toWDEb2O9WVGMWgOnq-mhW7p2tTO0IqJzVKVDxWtWTbmLuU5CgcHus5BiGcH2S56v3EcfxoyclXunLyG7cX9KdpNMnS1WHNYwryb9r3_9vQsCWGZ4bp_DE0w/s400/Durbach+070.jpg" border="0" /><br />The centre of Strassbourg is actually an island as it is surrounded by a network of canals. </div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471155741081505986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gk2aBOBybY_uYAIbWALe739gSQ_H2X8fPRyBCNFj-N3dOukswb_nDjZFPFtdlHepLXvZL0rILV7Hze3dTeuDKtxMxM8erVjS5KsDc4sg3ntMdnSv2uKj-AjxZnMP4RGhENhLVgameIc/s400/Durbach+049.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471155559807048706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ryRLrrNhvDLB_sPpn6V8w7gAzp2Xy7Kdlm0fbCTvkjV8bhC4tjgoxdRFfOW_Ham5g9z_eBFnf4MinJuysbHhLuP4x3MJ7n_2aBHfH065w175PWZUa9W9_94HIy-SuVmb4fHW0iZWI98/s400/Durbach+071.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The Cathedral is definitely one of the more prominent highlights in the city, towering 143m high above the surrounding city.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471155929989873074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPj-3-N29B6v1N_b0TvLcy-4V5G9DGpDATMmMDU5JGpT3adNVbFuRmP_UHtV0W7a0-DQxeQ0yflTWoA9qE7mLucBVD8wfzLwVOxcAfyHiUOR7HBwtzcjtLVjTGjuZApTPwVhcwezr5sk/s400/Durbach+053.jpg" border="0" /><br />The streets and buildings were amazing, and a lot of these were only accessible by foot, or of course by bike!!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471156584764351666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLL1C7NdPO-KLizjMcbH3BwWzS_3jEwkGiKQODoKtoPwHGTSHQ04cJyWx3DQO4jX2mRpLGUPeVTg_6XF5MDSCaUU2LoEVPbNUFg4u5EaW4ILWl_DtTuYeM0UIpeCh6dUo6Raz13XrF10/s400/Durbach+054.jpg" border="0" /><br />Doing all this touristy stuff can be quite tiring so I found a coffee shop and settle in for a much needed coffee and some lunch! </div><div> </div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471157345101267554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbAIk_JvWJxDIjI0KP0_6qKjO6oMzEZiOVOVrMhe6FUEIlB1CbMGwMisxItdANmpfAmhXtcJXxrWZPfn_gtiJvLSEYGUXysEIvr_yaijIEYYgiICK8WuwTwpGObC5eSLEQD1mUVaB7II/s400/Durbach+063.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-90870668006661701962010-05-07T05:56:00.000-07:002010-05-07T06:08:29.162-07:00SchwarzwaldvereinSchwarzwaldverein is the famous ‘Black Forrest’, we are based right on the edge of it and it stretches for 100’s of km north and quite a way also south. It is the perfect training ground, it is really well signed, letting you know how far surrounding villages are so you can never really get lost! They also hold quite a few marathon events in the forest so there are multiple circuts you can ride ranging from okm to 80km+<br /><div><div><div><div><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468511702900731506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ2dQ0OzlqY95Rq9O5-tUfRAVG4eU9ocOvjK7Ql1ZwmUQOsZ6b_7trLjqabiBES_EFC1tta4_bgiuq6PF3cxqJh3iVCQPgVUdZ8e44tipWuu5xpeXz0jl8TGVaHGSjAyuAjlmRFnWS-c/s400/Durbach+018.jpg" border="0" /><br />The forest is beautiful, it is incredibly lush and green and the trails seem to go on forever!<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468511710374972466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dOHPOqlzkP29leFwDAStX1BZbK15lV43NJk7gc6p21CK5B6hcWcKYGIXKrr5I6-9fMVzqOrlVkZVrfdgv9W9Q2ctfY_TQvJlbQJxUVGCc_i21FswLCH4HNgEdTWLWUAR0pQWuk6R3R0/s400/Durbach+017.jpg" border="0" /><br />There are also plenty of interesting things along the way, I came across these old ruins in the middle of the nowhere. I couldn’t read the sign as it was all in German but it must have been pretty old as some of the dates mentioned were right back to 1123! </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468512350580456210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCIAON58kOb-BQlTQPL17GdH3FC72jbUdgY1Ehz5YdYMzG16ntSd60XBxPPsp415vc7uRbekkygxobZfevabv-lU5eEff63CmFSEI24F0EHh-YWvmYM_VJBTcGOu97oYi7RmZWueQMFk/s400/Durbach+015.jpg" border="0" /><br />I climbed to the top of one of the higher hills (973m) and found this tower. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468512359450721794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkukQPJWjl6-cgtASR9ej2SnpL4-uaB76GFCi1JK4Ulvn-qZfyJ-d7flP0Ipt-Y9alLW9uYoAEm3jwPcQ1qv3zxcw0YDhsLHwb2qO-SVNF6hIVIlL3zn8jbquen9dxfDFtufETSs8-JA/s400/Durbach+028.jpg" border="0" /><br />It was just like a light house, I was able to climb to the top and appreciate the view. Shame the weather was not so good that day! </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468513143536406242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd_YDLIRH0AzcSSfDMuU94yCQotIpsWAGbq5W5JFJZT4Lg5P1kTGzmlzr10PqYzin8vwkBWzBE1gyIKiteFngCVpFuEA7YiNYvy61Ejyj8HnBzN3I2MO-vAW5uROMA3-YBfrWoCuItL0/s400/Durbach+027.jpg" border="0" /><br />The view from the top! It was incredibly windy!!!<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468513148090880114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlFc-IMdFNxUW8W9hnCwolu64v2vJy5J6jVE9MrZGWt8NCJ370x1DmDQindO7UWmJQ-D4Sr19gNZQz9DumG8JyEXIcpo1pKCGo7jClqr8qN13-uaWysI-qP7ZuwYtMJ1s9uLoqDXp0lM/s400/Durbach+024.jpg" border="0" /><br />The Germans are amazing wood stackers, it seems to be almost an art form! These are everywhere in the middle of the forest, quite strange really, obviously no threat of bushfire here!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468513520834643746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50Gm2D_v200A8rkGDUejEGMX1ijqlO4lP1dlrnTzIQuuIA_M59nWST6XwXhaDEPMLWv6zIozXuf17_hgiIxk1LScrGdglPRXwNPM4XAxAB3mNuy_XrMHNHVi-EZjipyY6Nr-D4LiTyHE/s400/Durbach+019.jpg" border="0" /></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-29683793183818411592010-05-07T05:46:00.000-07:002010-05-07T05:56:39.968-07:00DurbachWe are now in Germany where we will be based for the next 3 weeks. The Offenburg World Cup will be held here in 3 weeks time and it is a great place to be based to get some quality training in.<br /><div><div><br /><div><div>Durbach is a small quaint village that is surrounded by vineyards, and apple orchards. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468509787046220946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4y-ykYAN_j0wpfVRD9BxIEwLHmvb9PJMpLdGDATT8EdkpmDEoEHbSw2NXn-nQfQwsgkO7stqlcE592V5U_hnlAMB7pea4GUu80gdBi7hktYzoWZKilIV-xBLRK4h7kK6UxG-Im61d0c/s400/Durbach+046.jpg" border="0" />The quaint main street of Durbach<br /><br /><div>We are staying in a small apartment at the bottom of a big German house, this seems to be a very common set up. As it is quite a touristy area, most of the families in the area have a guest house on their property. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468510784883295314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictXmfLrBlAo1JZ6qR9JxCDb3vxQHqr4KlkuVrAt_BEnhwI9zGH8cQEmcwFVW6E6tZmGonabi__Gqk2t_0pXlAOsLQkdmunUrOaQI7vY0R-k__9hTKCOuxh0EiwkmVFbrCUb5RzawE8d4/s400/Durbach+044.jpg" border="0" />This is the families home and farm, quite the set up!</div><div><br /><div>The family we are staying with has 3 generations living on the same property, they have been making wine and schnapps here since 1782! The owner gave us a tour of his distillery, where they make the wine and schnapps, we also had a tasting, the schnapps sure does take your breath away!<br /></div><div>About 2km up the road there is Durbach’s ver y own castle, now days they have functions and wine tastings here. It is quite a spectacular view down into Durbach. </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468509783078035634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1KTyu6yO10EZzAJWL6tADPzm2PiE3r5PlqmB3A21IOOJa2e68uRjEDUn9O55uzXtkBNN-hZFSSWUr6GcnYs0c6kyK0ScVLb8H_-E1LS7B0JQ_Tzbg4HKlms5QPeumAYIG0j7Ub1Ur30/s400/Durbach+040.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468510233707664786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTv83N_6iC0CgYWatUTHZaKp7g73RVyRJTeCNmlKqbk94ZIGxUqozCtbhz1b7TofV0q4Pmfn7Qkj-O8MGA_9zunPm9wHURzSBY4TtSqsIE8gWawAAx-osbDEGnq-W0zV7rHHR4-0KxNdQ/s400/Durbach+034.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468510223262070466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8x0qfSeiQPEAqDF6Sv1vpz2A_an-qGPN1ME5hKR5JXZb2oCe5En2wSj8gR38SuckkcQvRegJjzf-H6Pa25rjx19srYF5wfOD3jonIJRIfmrLOVaeiT3nPsUqyA3-LhCM1MlhoTEH7fM/s400/Durbach+031.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-74686102553935688342010-05-07T05:39:00.000-07:002010-05-07T05:46:28.313-07:00Houffalize World Cup # 2Wouldn’t you know it, for the entire week we had beautiful warm sunny weather and come race day it had dropped to about 8 degrees was pouring with rain, not the most appealing race weather! I find racing in cold wet weather itself not so bad it’s just the time you need to take warming up getting saturated then sitting around and getting cold waiting for the race to start. It also makes for a huge clea up job after the race, soaking clothing, getting all the grit and mud out of the bikes drive train etc.<br /><br />As predicted the start loop was absolute mayhem, the 19% street climb was real hard, I pretty much died about half way up and fell back through the field, then the decent down to the course was incredible, at some points I was at a complete stand still as the entire field tried to fit single file into the narrow single track, meanwhile the riders at the front of the race were half way round the course, such is world cup racing!<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468507504676483202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq-mOpKloDprQ7AsCM0ieeC0V7AepkLFxMHMj0iKKQgleq4CFjUO3s6qmPTo_eTxN9XXaZpS3yIYKcANp2IR7he6_TdHONDHaVC44kqaKx02W0U-CPxrGJLGrPNaNuh-tqrOOMJks-fQ/s400/Houffalize+059.jpg" border="0" />This is the view from the start loop over to the main climbing sections of the course. The track went up this slope on two different tracks and also down on two different tracks, The organisers like to have it all in a compact area as it is good for the spectators!</p><p><br />Due to the amount of steep climbing the course (290m each lap x 4) it was always going to be tough in the dry but the rain just took it to another level. The steady rain that we had overnight and prior to the race had really changed the way I raced the course, cornering was tricky and quite hard to stay on the bike without loosing traction, the gears I were using were totally different as there was so much more drag due to the mud. </p><p><br />So I ended up being pulled off the course 1 lap down, due to my lap times falling below 80% of the leaders lap time. This is always a frustrating result, not having the opportunity to finish the race can be quite disheartening, but out of 125 starters only 70 odd managed to get through to finish the race. </p><p><br />Having finished my race I always look forward to watching the men’s race, perhaps it’s because I know how much it hurts!! The men have an even tougher fight on their hands, they had 250 on the start line, it was pretty impressive to watch them come up the start climb! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468507218741233074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzUldhd7KjaXDGsvFu7M5GQPZnkjmDEeOk6MXq6UVx77QNgEQ_hkAZLKwcyBDWr5ImIBgFIzmVUWiP8h6gG6sEmqdmvtkk1NZNT8DQW6dNsSyIXe2Hm8dLh_CkINVNrpry-G9d8W6ETc/s400/Houffalize+053.jpg" border="0" />Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-68816655435876690572010-05-07T05:37:00.000-07:002010-05-07T05:39:32.374-07:00On the Road to BelgiumAfter the race at Dalby we had to head home and start the task of packing as we were heading off at 6 in the morning to start the long trip to Belgium. Our long trip turned into a very very long trip indeed! On the drive down to London we had some van troubles. Ian our driver decided it was best to call into his place at Nottingham where he knew a mechanic who could look at it for us, this wasn’t too far out of our way but the van was blowing thick blue smoke and moving at about 50k an hour!<br /><br /> As it turns out it was a quick fix but with the time taken for this diversion we were no longer going to make our original ferry booking. The next ferry from Dover left at 7pm that night so we had a bit of time to kill…. By the time we got over and into France it was a 4.5 hr drive to Houffalize where our accommodation was, so this trip to Belgium was almost as long as the time it took to get from Australia to the UK!<br /><br /> We finally arrived at 4.30 I the morning absolutely ragged, needless to say we had a huge sleep in in the morning!!Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-23324011783676092102010-05-07T05:34:00.000-07:002010-05-07T05:37:40.892-07:00Dalby Forest World Cup # 1<div>It all came about pretty quickly, having had a pretty disjointed start to the trip. Having only been in the UK for 2 days I found myself lining up on the start grid for the first World Cup, it was quite a surreal feeling. On one hand I was worried with the lack of quality preparation and on the other hand the adrenalin was still pumping having actually made it and it seemed a real novelty to be lining up for this race at all!</div><br /><div><br />Race day threatened with some early rain, but it didn’t eventuate into anything, it was really only a sprinkle, enough to just slightly wet down the course. The women’s race had about 120 entries we are all seeded on our international ranking, being pretty low I was in the last few lines on the grid. I was quite surprised to be lining up right next to many times over World Champion and also Olympic Champion, Gunn-Rita Dahl! She has since taken a break from the sport to start a family and have some time away from professional mountain biking. She was great, we had a bit of a chat, and discussed the predicament of starting this far back from the front, definitely not a position she would have been accustomed to!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468506129250750770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ylFRy2sC_dvNseniLYpHKV-o3gds9DZxN1XBb2VXWLZ_QXH2knJhCv52uWi12iNskxm4IZmywJB7UeExUf8hBtL3jdkDyHkl72iTWssNekmyyFUQu-GxAJQmXfAAYfQ5RDMJ_4T6B_c/s400/Dalby+080.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Apart from a bit of a pile up due to a crash on the start line, my race went very smoothly, I felt really good and was pleasantly surprised with the fact that I was in pretty good nick considering the lead up! I felt like I was getting quicker on each lap, once I managed to work my way forward and pass a few of the slower girls I was able to gain some momentum and settle into the race. I just managed to finish on the lead lap (You get pulled of the course if your lap times fall below 80% of the leaders lap time.) and crossed the line in 71st position, it is a long way off where I need to be for World Championship selection, but I was happy with how I felt and the form that I’m in, things can only get better from here surely!!</div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-60523729694975083562010-04-29T07:28:00.000-07:002010-04-30T05:46:40.457-07:00Life in BourcyThe place where we are staying is beautiful, it is not flash but it has a lot of character and is very practical! As a group of cyclists we are pretty happy when we find a place with a well decked out kitchen, a washing machine and at least a couple of toilets!! This place has it all, our group has grown now to about 10, and it is nice to be in a place that can cater for all of us!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465566858934189394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUUITf47hfyP0Ki6ISKdHgEy9HIOhkOqXleqtWKkMSLDFu9hHorRZfMDBeRQ_8slHoBn1ZQIKrviUBrrk5GiG2KA6CuLAOrYjaCV6jieBvm9TZhQjZrF0kO2s_i95q4KaBPLQAt4C-C0/s400/Houffalize+001.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Our farm house!<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465904249008709858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBubYjA8kJBMoAtULJXMTvsXMXHMv5GvS8qGGYsJRFRh4uQUUWksOT0tRikqo1aAcFTtVgKBWqeNWLmUr5FNcoeAC0dZ2pGlkAstilRf3ttKzthIPbGuyAb3QQFUoFjpO4597SSGTb9pU/s400/Houffalize+008.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>This is the bike shed, heaps of room!<br /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465568556703324242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK_7KHV6Is1wQ2BDXQta6B5F9wSsFUANgkNTN4XniHBv7qeHo9kpiJPVjPnNDVPNxUPvaEeLwCVnFZ9o-Lk0OL0lt9icqtObMGVRQTku4rRizraT3sxYyhfZn5opyoiV17GeKG2qtgRo/s400/Houffalize+009.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The team photo before our fist ride in Belgium<br /><br /><br /><br />I am always still blown away by how old everything is here. We are in an old farm house in a very small village called Bourcy, it pretty much consists of a handful of similar farm houses that service the surrounding properties. The stone work is beautiful and this is very typical of this area, there are pretty much no modern buildings or residences to be seen. The country side is beautiful, the paddocks are amazingly green and lush and the cows are the most well feed and good looking cows I have ever seen!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I had been preparing myself for some horridly cold and wet weather, as in previous years the race here has been in pretty testing conditions. Amazingly Belgium has turned it on for us, each day has been blue skies and sunshine, not hot by any means but very pleasant none the less. I think this is all about to change though, the forecast is for very cold wet weather, should makes things very interesting! We are situated a little distance from Houffalize (which is the village where the race is held) but from our back yard there is a bike path that takes us all the way into the town, it is great, I’m sure it is a rail trail as the gradient is quite gradual and flat all the, a perfect way to warm up before hitting the race course!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465570252354150674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OQKRsSBzWjhHCNmJhunGf_2er6wlfCNjjsY0wGnWlR_bcq4T9crLM09zhCUQfn8houNkc7TmubMNWSubxZoQwWf5Y8j4hb1YNA7tllnh1oTn_mpeMW9PWNfxOBh3ApT7jEeHsUxhTLY/s400/Houffalize+021.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465570255817057266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sh-tdvd-zb2y98Zl9GtjTIluDX7UJM_Df9l0147PrmBuv0p_hWbk0H0VrZs_IBGDKSkOznk6M_4Lqmg4YKLSAbVMFdvxQFna6HXDQnY8bf7haww23Za7Dm_Y8wbrb7adBL_cYW0TGA0/s400/Houffalize+023.jpg" border="0" />The Houffalize course is one of the oldest on the World Cup circuit, apparently they have consistently hosted a World Cup race here every year for the last 20 years. It has always been renowned to be the hardest of the courses in terms of it’s climbing. The race starts right in the heart of the village in the main street. The legendary start loop goes straight up a very steep street with a 19% gradient for about 400m, this opens big gaps in the field as the better climbers burn everyone else off and sprint for the start of the single track at the top.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465906219292830450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ANQK2cTeNqgflxaw3xFZSzyQjSMsRxkLz1_QcgM3Ksnki0nIlQRcFcqKfxvssp8Ios6C2ysy-xXWcTeurNcR1zKkbNQ3ANCZT6J2tuAWGuBm2DRNknYqLpgQEldMoZfERHOfOIAKk8I/s400/Houffalize+033.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465570272383533154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAWO2ZmBKD55dQE9qNclLkGlzRXZ6oSNGZnwsrFdu2E0JOZTRAlbVbERUCm0ekfFn2MdvKMtoMo4bh4xMeRHEJLGu5cMnD7wnIMtpLlb2NPQYwKzvlGXQssdIOoP_lbF5ChGQLi01y4g/s400/Houffalize+035.jpg" border="0" />Me looking very relaxed on the 19% start loop, i'm sure it will be a different matter on Sunday!<br /><br /><br />This particular climb is used in the Leige-Bastonga which is one of the bigger of the spring classics on the professional road racing scene. You can see the names of Frank and Andy Schleck written on the road, this is pretty much a hometown race for them as they don’t live far from here, and the support would be pretty strong for here for these boys!<br />It is great having the course through the middle of the village, during training sessions it is a bit of a treat to re-group and finish with a coffee at one of the many cafés.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kddfzn9daDPAofVibPi2wXliBipyJulyW708R3DncCLJJlArPTxfSJF_uOXApvuPbFY5YoLjXOCL9-PVU7gxgFZ77Epyr6Rp5pyQJge0zeyqIwCbU6DAHBKjKLgmFKuKGyClcz6kj6Y/s1600/Houffalize+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465570262701799618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kddfzn9daDPAofVibPi2wXliBipyJulyW708R3DncCLJJlArPTxfSJF_uOXApvuPbFY5YoLjXOCL9-PVU7gxgFZ77Epyr6Rp5pyQJge0zeyqIwCbU6DAHBKjKLgmFKuKGyClcz6kj6Y/s400/Houffalize+029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-34167411238110493252010-04-24T10:37:00.000-07:002010-04-24T10:57:43.425-07:00Finally in the UK!!!Well it has been an amazing build up to the first World Cup, and at one stage I was certain that I was not going to make it.<br /><div><div><br /><br /></div><div>I was scheduled to fly out on Sunday night but due to the volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano all European and Uk flights were cancelled. A couple of us were trying to get into some of the southern European airports that were still open and then contemplating the massive overland journey to the UK. I’m so glad this option did not eventuate as carting a bike box and heavy luggage around train stations is HARD work and it would have been hugely expensive as the cost of land transport had tripled and was jam packed with all the drama of the volcano!<br />So eventually, after multiple bookings and changes and also a practice trip to the Melbourne airport on Monday night, (only to be told that Venice airport had since closed after we made the booking), I got onto a flight that left on Wednesday night arriving in Gatwick (London) which was extremely exciting and a huge relief.<br /></div><div>All 5 of us in the TORQ team were originally scheduled to travel together but with all the flight upsets we were separated, all coming in at different times and into different airports, I landed in Gatwick, Kath and Ray came into Manchester, and Dan and Bec flew into Heathrow!<br /></div><div>I have never been to the UK, let alone London, so the train trip to London and up to York was quite an experience! As it happened I was headed to the middle of London to Kings Cross Station in peak hour, this was full on and I didn’t make myself many friends by taking up 4 seats with my bike box and luggage while the rest of the train was packed like sardines! From Kings Cross I got on a train that took me 2 hrs north to Yorkshire, the trains go really fast over here, the 400+ km journey was over in no time!<br /></div><div>The English countryside is beautiful, although it is cold and quite bleak, there is still something very pretty about it. Spring has just started, there are lots of baby lambs in the paddocks, daffodils growing on the side of the roads and trees starting to become green and leafy. The villages have heaps of character, they are very quaint and the buildings very old and generally made out of stone. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463760675094674770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPT7lLumcRcBK7VFKf8uSqRjIgyA8yWavupA7AgoKQztxbO4P33FbSkvHZaVieqywVMXyqM3J7qugdbB_yaP9BMd53MWMx88b3t5-qlNyG27K6U5nzM3LNgZyeCxDFM9Pm41g_KlgIzI/s400/Dalby+004.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the the view from our cabin, and one of the many phesants that seem to roam around here, strange birds!!<br /></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463762981606068114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dKoOH6FCbWAjC0XDWsojAngaI5158xgMzIRPogE3Ob3huomdKw793po5WmdCPiF5ot-nOBgMuaNXjh99L3VmVmJX3XTPasxyGOGgoCSHtAVkMRBXbKmUBV4M0YO0j4owvE03I0JCNEM/s400/Dalby+018.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>This is the TORQ UK set up, quite impressive really, and it is is great to have a place to hang out and have some support while at the race!</div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463763504956298882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9ORm-xn6Vb2up1Gp78GZvksVXX4bu459PjWk35vaEs7YHocvVyZr0iddke53Pi0lGgMQZJUrRVJ8hTPYFP-K6hdVMG88e3BuaG3Dwhxmkj1OxpaOHc7fy4o4H0V-2-CkgWwGxIcr52k/s400/Dalby+021.jpg" border="0" />These little contraptions are called 'Nomads'. They are portable bike wash systems that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter in your car so you can give your bike a wash when you have finished riding some muddy trails!!<br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463762412465516002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6MazOsrzLxli-mbA4RGpl_QFfZKYcs0XnyoLR4_fOQjtpBZkyWcHb4cNmWDhYkV5du4JBchopDHzkDzdrhAFRyWfDjWljdu6FYVFHbMeBYXOCPktW1GJtwkmXGGqW2QBXfY3XOMrs9w/s400/Dalby+009.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div> </div><div>A few of us enjoying a cool down in the English country side!<br /><br /><div><div>Since arriving we have spent a couple of days out on the course practicing and preparing for the race. It is a really fun course with a few tricky bits that keep you on your toes but it is by no means a technical track that requires a lot of skill, It has been beautiful dry sunny weather and it is forecast to be the same for tomorrows’ race day!</div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463761823162983986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 354px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsS4KJMPN1wHQJ4RWJ-BJqR_t-av17kwDe0_bOA-ulSknohGzUZbGEhNy0bps3_o0inH7Y-PAM2-XGqIFcUAQpVlR0_srv7qU7Z_gfB6HUkOJn7BC6-Ul2mA-aVpeAOB5Rr2rfbeI7kJg/s400/Dalby+006.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>We are getting very efficient at packing and unpacking the van each day, it is quite a procedure!</div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-47266013232962540082010-04-12T04:03:00.000-07:002010-04-12T04:18:56.945-07:00Not Long Now!Well the count down is finally on, 5 more days until I fly off to the UK to embark on another overseas World Cup racing experience.<br /><br />It is a slightly shorter trip this year of about 5 weeks which will include 3 World Cup Races and a German National race.<br /><br />The WC races are; #1 Dalby Forest in the UK, #2 Houffalize in Belgium, and #3 Offenburg In Germany.<br /><br />These are the selection races that need to be completed in order to hopefully gain selection to the 2010 World Championships which will be held at Mont Sainte Anne, Canada, during the first week of September.<br /><br />Our group is quite diverse, consisting pretty much of all the Aussies who will be racing WC's. We have banded together for our travel and accommodation arrangements, quite different to previous years where there has been a 'National Team' which no longer exists due to funding cuts.<br /><br />So hopefully we will be leaving the cooler weather behind and hitting Europe at the onset of Spring and decent weather, although I hear it can still get pretty cold!!!<br /><br />Stay tuned for more updates!!!Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-15251386152708547172009-08-19T21:13:00.000-07:002009-08-22T04:58:01.694-07:00Life at 3000mUpon my return to Australia the pre Worlds organisation starting taking place. I was given the option to attend an additional 2 week training camp at the AIS in Canberra which would have a group of us based in the altitude house and getting stuck into some pretty intense training and testing leading into the World Championships.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>After some negotiation and organisation with work I was lucky enough to be released from my duties at school to be part of the training camp! I feel extremely fortunate to have a very supportive Principal, and understanding staff, parents and students who are backing me 100% on my World Championships campaign!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV7S-Ik6kTyQ0b_c65lERnKA34F9f8R5gPxPZ5r-MOrReHkJH0OyIyTgJzX2f6nr_LltdWxNIEYtYhxoBc-RrNTIsHX8BkhaZMe88jBIk95M66njR63BN0K1_S__wqWum1YNzrKy9aDo/s1600-h/P1010112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372642374773210066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV7S-Ik6kTyQ0b_c65lERnKA34F9f8R5gPxPZ5r-MOrReHkJH0OyIyTgJzX2f6nr_LltdWxNIEYtYhxoBc-RrNTIsHX8BkhaZMe88jBIk95M66njR63BN0K1_S__wqWum1YNzrKy9aDo/s320/P1010112.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Our huge line up of bikes, both road and mtb that get to live in the lab down stairs.</div><br /><div></div><div>Upon arrival at the AIS we were briefed on the objectives for the camp and how the first week would pan out. Basically the camp is doubling as 'training' for us as athletes and it is also a unique opportunity for the scientists to gain valuable data and research on a group of elite level mtb athletes leading into a home World Championships. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4qVOM4LHoGApEnRfGDSsaI7HnRzq3CNPAc_5IfP2doKy98ZPIbcE_lByWv1z0suNy3by73Ine_xA289wE_LsPRYbO1kWN8tUuW_vRZFX1uX1uuoXQogRrDbTLo8w7_MYkp5R7entC6w/s1600-h/P1010100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372641746673199698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4qVOM4LHoGApEnRfGDSsaI7HnRzq3CNPAc_5IfP2doKy98ZPIbcE_lByWv1z0suNy3by73Ine_xA289wE_LsPRYbO1kWN8tUuW_vRZFX1uX1uuoXQogRrDbTLo8w7_MYkp5R7entC6w/s320/P1010100.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The gals after our first testing session on the course.</div><div> </div><div>We are living in a house which has 4 bedrooms, a bathroom and communal kitchen, all of these areas are regulated to simulate 3000 metres of altitude. We have filled all beds in the house, our group consists of are 5 girls and 6 guys. They would normally start you off a lower altiude say 1500m and generally get up to around 2000m, but for us they have decided to chuck us straight into 3000m for the entire 2 weeks! To gain the full benefits we need to spend between 12 and 14 hours at altiude each day, so that is typically made up with a game of poker before bed, a nice long sleep, and breakfast in the morning. All our training is done either down in the lab through testing or out on the course and local road rides.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9fF7c_3UAgGUZh_NP9-sIMdQ4FdCLt2kalY2sbeQn77nWxsrrkXS4PGolpk_YascopQuS5HgYPPBW6r48zrsL3TR1-pRKPU6NXQy8Ma7BmAjYIZ4Tx8vAHgeSY5di0xfl4Dbu4-3ZBU/s1600-h/P1010134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372643067403756274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9fF7c_3UAgGUZh_NP9-sIMdQ4FdCLt2kalY2sbeQn77nWxsrrkXS4PGolpk_YascopQuS5HgYPPBW6r48zrsL3TR1-pRKPU6NXQy8Ma7BmAjYIZ4Tx8vAHgeSY5di0xfl4Dbu4-3ZBU/s320/P1010134.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div> </div><div>One of our regular evening poker sessions, a great way to wind down while at 3000m!<br /><br />The theory of living at altitude is to increase the production of red blood cells. It is the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body, so in effect if there are more of them, more oxygen can be distributed at a more rapid rate which is particularly handy when you get really puffed during intense exercise!! </div><br /><div>During our first week here, we are going through a very intense 4 day training block. Day 1 involves lab testing where we are hooked up to a machine that measures our Vo2 Max. This is a lab test where you see how long you can ride for while the gearing on the bike continually gets harder every 3 minutes. Once your cadence, or revolutions per minute, fall below 70 the test is over. It is quite uncomfortable as you have to breath through a mouth piece and and every 3 minutes they take your blood to test your lactate levels.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6jQa4VIguh498RKoMOgzuL9s4_J0Cku-jiKrR97VZO4BoKz8XtMF4t0rziuOS3sNCMKTvl5IS-J_X-DwxUDzVapIbBfnH9FBvDdJA8Eil5cFEV6zsrle46hgfKbNrZds6wYvCrAjLbY/s1600-h/P1010114.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372642492226734706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6jQa4VIguh498RKoMOgzuL9s4_J0Cku-jiKrR97VZO4BoKz8XtMF4t0rziuOS3sNCMKTvl5IS-J_X-DwxUDzVapIbBfnH9FBvDdJA8Eil5cFEV6zsrle46hgfKbNrZds6wYvCrAjLbY/s320/P1010114.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>One of the boys completing his Vo2 Max test with the scientists recording all the essential data, ahhhh pain!<br /></div><br /><div>Straight after this test we do an 'exhaustion test'. A hard gear is selected based on the outcome of your Vo2 test and basically you ride until the cadence falls below 70rpm and by this point you are well and truly EXHAUSTED, my personal best was 9 and a half minutes!!</div><br /><div>After lab testing we head out in the afternoon and do 'paceline' training which is basically a small version of a road race, where we roll through turns at pace, each taking a turn on the front of the group</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr2mkpYb-uqb8x0za2B8fHSlWit-8V8F3NXjVMSxWXA2rYnY513l85Ej7vq_9Zq4e-jLg7_1wnramupuoGHbhBPs0kLaVdyvX6a5fYX8dmqWkPbe6gM9SqlBiZE9vRFwTEm2pFhIaxHk/s1600-h/P1010102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372641950685115698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr2mkpYb-uqb8x0za2B8fHSlWit-8V8F3NXjVMSxWXA2rYnY513l85Ej7vq_9Zq4e-jLg7_1wnramupuoGHbhBPs0kLaVdyvX6a5fYX8dmqWkPbe6gM9SqlBiZE9vRFwTEm2pFhIaxHk/s320/P1010102.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Out for our afternoon training session, a great way to work up an appetite for another visit to the AIS dining hall! </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoD5vQry5hvGaYN6vPL3H4i4yE46WZS6eU_g6UaQjakBFpou93la4Ei4zsVa23UFtiZSE4kSppztAYb_fpu6717bOchV5JZYiYIATDSYXuHauEHktbY_nwhJmdPZvq4lRFutQi8GzwwU/s1600-h/P1010105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372642127121876066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoD5vQry5hvGaYN6vPL3H4i4yE46WZS6eU_g6UaQjakBFpou93la4Ei4zsVa23UFtiZSE4kSppztAYb_fpu6717bOchV5JZYiYIATDSYXuHauEHktbY_nwhJmdPZvq4lRFutQi8GzwwU/s320/P1010105.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>The Coach came off at 55km an hour and it was not pretty, fortunately he survived with just a couple of broken fingers...... amazing!</div><br /><div></div><div>Day 2 Is a little more fun but certainly no easier, it is on course testing. We ride out to Stromlo, the race site, and do timed 'splits' (timied sections of the course). These splits are done on the main climb which for us women is up to 9 min and the descent which takes just over 4 min. The first lap we go as hard as we possibly can then get a 5 min break, then we do 2 consecutive laps at race pace (a speed that we can maintain for the entire race).</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R0Dnqitft2s-HcTXty3FvUc_9MdOGhAHZEB-Vrt3nEs4qKkJrp6vQRtArNlzluwTU2zA2ktl9QsFSAbZa1dsstXPs9uSm5-5RyLZ3PmcxWNRLRT03gJCtpSMYyWZ8uRN-Z4HLbw8jl8/s1600-h/P1010119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372642675477664562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R0Dnqitft2s-HcTXty3FvUc_9MdOGhAHZEB-Vrt3nEs4qKkJrp6vQRtArNlzluwTU2zA2ktl9QsFSAbZa1dsstXPs9uSm5-5RyLZ3PmcxWNRLRT03gJCtpSMYyWZ8uRN-Z4HLbw8jl8/s320/P1010119.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>Testing at the course, doing the weigh in before our timed efforts, and making use of the shelter conveniently placed on the track!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZPcSB2TMq3vfvQzs8zrOK7ivHdo-al0mjexih0TEAsR8EMEtk7fetytYGsJWyQuQ8kV8Jx2OCujG5e86nojKm1GYiNY6-2LPcJMg3K3eFfeJx4VB2rWrUXWx8b1xFIrfEb2PjxH1I0I/s1600-h/P1010124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372642867078701858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZPcSB2TMq3vfvQzs8zrOK7ivHdo-al0mjexih0TEAsR8EMEtk7fetytYGsJWyQuQ8kV8Jx2OCujG5e86nojKm1GYiNY6-2LPcJMg3K3eFfeJx4VB2rWrUXWx8b1xFIrfEb2PjxH1I0I/s320/P1010124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hmmmmm... now how did that come to get <em>there</em>? Must have been during that spectacular and embarassing crash on course today!</div><br /><div>After we have done these two days we start the cycle for the second time, and repeat it all over again for the next 2 days! It is an amazing environment to train in, I am amoungst a group of elite athletes who are all trying to get themselves in the best possible shape before what for most of us will be our biggest race to date. We are all trying our best to increase our home course advantage.</div><br /><div>It is a highly competitive environment, our daily results/times are posted in the kitchen for all to see, they are talked about, compared, analysed and commended. You always seem to dig deep and push yourself to find that extra bit of energy and effort when you know your results are being recorded and will be up for all to see! Needless to say we are looking forward to a well earned recovery day at the end of the intensity block.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDO7wTQETJ_6YvOkjgJ93yrPpbmttA1jeSWZbdYnVOB3inLM6Xu9O8Uw_j75rSFnLJXr22Pkz8owOoYwDqmqRibRIP16MzUALAlZy-nlNbluxtcx3-KcFyMBo-MQM8MfCIYe_isqP15Y/s1600-h/P1010141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372643500687204306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDO7wTQETJ_6YvOkjgJ93yrPpbmttA1jeSWZbdYnVOB3inLM6Xu9O8Uw_j75rSFnLJXr22Pkz8owOoYwDqmqRibRIP16MzUALAlZy-nlNbluxtcx3-KcFyMBo-MQM8MfCIYe_isqP15Y/s320/P1010141.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>The much needed coffee shop ride, yay!<br /><br />Here at the AIS we have everything at our fingertips to help us progress and train as elite athletes; physios, scientists recording all our data, massage, plunge pools for recovery and of course the AIS dining hall serving up fantastic healthy meals with no dishes or cleaning up to do! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TeJOQk-2uhEDHydQz_rk5C0COhUZNE3PCQIqdn2kBbbvaqiuXPFOmmekNYHURNF-7_fqQICYV6HTMlWUOdIwHreuPW4GXeChi74AFm7gMtpAtC41nJ35CGxXD6XT93NhpnlzjV69Fvc/s1600-h/P1010131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372643214326304338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TeJOQk-2uhEDHydQz_rk5C0COhUZNE3PCQIqdn2kBbbvaqiuXPFOmmekNYHURNF-7_fqQICYV6HTMlWUOdIwHreuPW4GXeChi74AFm7gMtpAtC41nJ35CGxXD6XT93NhpnlzjV69Fvc/s320/P1010131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>The girls braving the cold of the plunge pool, at a chilly 12 degrees!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGc9RNOt3a_sjH3EuZd2hGCJkyhNt91eObuiaeA7rRI6_xrrSxsVzlP927MNcSsNTSLSTiHQC2AmGHz_g2pnSiWnIb4ACvVFdYQR39Bk3_4641SQ_J68z3Jx-3_O_J0MU34giC67E8xs/s1600-h/P1010133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372750616771240114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGc9RNOt3a_sjH3EuZd2hGCJkyhNt91eObuiaeA7rRI6_xrrSxsVzlP927MNcSsNTSLSTiHQC2AmGHz_g2pnSiWnIb4ACvVFdYQR39Bk3_4641SQ_J68z3Jx-3_O_J0MU34giC67E8xs/s320/P1010133.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Gracie enjoying her 3 minutes of spa before she has to brave the plunge pool.</div><br /><div>In the recovery centre we do hot/cold this varies but will generally consist of 3 minutes of hot then 3 minutes of cold and is repeated untill you have clocked up a minimum of 7 minutes cold in total. The cold water works at lowering your core body temperature, and the variation in temperature increases blood flow and helps repair damaged and fatigued muscles. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-48963674042203746222009-08-19T20:53:00.000-07:002009-08-19T21:13:29.810-07:00Bigger Fish to FrySince my last blog entry I raced the last Canadian World Cup at Bromont, it was 'interesting' conditions, ended pouring with rain part way into the race which turned the course into another mud battle, seems to be a common theme with these Canadian races! Anyhow, my result was an improvement on my forst world cup race, coming in at 34th, so was happy with the race, nothing went wrong, just got to keep working on getting quicker!!<br /><br />From Bromont I started the trek home to Australia which again was 'interesting' I had connecting flights from Quebec to Vancouver which is where my international flight departed for Sydney. Getting to Vancouver was quite a mission! My connecting flight to Toronto was set back because they were observing 'tornado'watch and had ceased all operations for 3 hours. So our plane landed and we waited the 3 hours to get to a gate and then disembark. I made it to the gate for my connecting flight to Vancouver only to find out that they had already filled the flight with people who had been bumped off other flights that were behind. As a result I arrived in Vancouver at 2am and had well and truly missed the international flight to Sydney, the next flight would run at midnight the following evening!<br /><br />I did have a stroke of good luck, I got chatting to an elderly couple, Hugh and Wilma, who very kindly offered me a bed for the night/day and to drop me back at the airport that evening to get my flight home!<br /><br />Hugh and Wilma were wonderful, they took me home gave me a bed, breakfast, took me on a tour of Vancover and also took me out for dinner! It was a huge random act of kindness!<br /><br />To finish this last Canadian episode off, whicle I was waiting for my connection to Sydney got a call from Neil Ross the National Coach to say that I had made selection for the National Team, and that I would be racing the World Championships in Canberra in less than a months time! It was great getting this news to travel home with, kind of made going back to winter, no daylight and a week of work more bearable!<br /><br />So the goal for my Canadian trip had been fulfilled, I had made selection and I would now get the opportunity to don the green and gold and repesent my country in a sport that I love.Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-7604361337708022932009-07-23T19:23:00.000-07:002009-07-28T14:51:08.754-07:00Down to Business, Count Down to Race Day...So it was time to head back to Mont Sainte Anne and do our final training and preparations before the first of the two World Cup Races that we are here to do. We had to do some precision packing to get everyone in with bikes and bags, it was a tight squeeze!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>We arrived on a Wednesday and although the race is on the coming Sunday, things were really starting to buzz around town, all the professional teams roll in with thier big team trucks and trailers, mechanics set up work stations to service all the riders, you start seeing riders out on the course that you have read about in magazines and watched in videos. It is an exciting time and in general there is a sensation of something big is building.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>So race day finally rolled around, it was warm and overcast then of course as they were calling us all up to the start grid it began to absolutely hose down, big fat raindrops that would have made any Australian jump for joy, sure made for an interesting race. Ended up loosing most of my gears due to the mud and grass build up in the drive train of my bike, there was alot of running again and I had selected a dry tyre, for use in dry weather, so in the rain I had pretty much no traction, I spent alot of time picking myself up from some pretty spectacular crashes, all soft landings though!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>I was happy with my race considering the preparation I have had. I ended up finishing in 40th position out of a field of 76 and third Aussie girl across the finish line, I did loose alot of time on the leaders of the race, and was a long way off the 10% of the winners time (which is the selection criteria to make the National Team and ride the World Championships in September) but all in all I was fairly happy with my race, and quite relieved that I got through in one piece!</div><div></div><div>So next weekend I get to have another chance at qualifying with the second Canadian World Cup, so fingers crossed for some super speedy legs and a good solid race!<br /></div><div><br />This is the team in the pit area they also call it the 'race village' It is where each professional team have a big truck and tent to service all the bikes and provide a base for the team riders to, chill out, and also warm up before the race.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BHQIHyZ9Qp-ke1Sq_Y5OdOvuQw03K8sUUsBybGm0dcUja7K0tJxCCIfmiN8Hm08dUcoM2A4DQWR5e6IG0nzbDwiMF_Mevb6AT1oPKI58USxMhIgwQYvrqgmNLfk6U_8i2jWDJlH5FFc/s1600-h/Qubec+275.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361851540246498482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BHQIHyZ9Qp-ke1Sq_Y5OdOvuQw03K8sUUsBybGm0dcUja7K0tJxCCIfmiN8Hm08dUcoM2A4DQWR5e6IG0nzbDwiMF_Mevb6AT1oPKI58USxMhIgwQYvrqgmNLfk6U_8i2jWDJlH5FFc/s320/Qubec+275.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><div><br />This is my bike getting some much needed TLC before race day to make sure everything is working perfectly and minimise the chance of any mechanical issues that could slow me down.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Pn_Ttm4Snnq0jYp5aUwuq06GRXse4-omoGfI-X5mizN_OfOZN_SEt7wvbxcC1uJFhOzcXXlCHo6z6jtHsvG28ItgdhcnCunPS7GonQzJ1RxjX5p5izgyl93lYR58l2B9_Xy-xI7VvQ/s1600-h/Qubec+314.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363615026822284130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Pn_Ttm4Snnq0jYp5aUwuq06GRXse4-omoGfI-X5mizN_OfOZN_SEt7wvbxcC1uJFhOzcXXlCHo6z6jtHsvG28ItgdhcnCunPS7GonQzJ1RxjX5p5izgyl93lYR58l2B9_Xy-xI7VvQ/s320/Qubec+314.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is our TORQ team with the Pro GT International Team along with the mechanics, these guys are all paid 'really' good money to ride thier bikes! Lucky ducks!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYFYva8DOPfugIHp-eYF-VvhORpb_e09gogptxf3S3uAS-Kz-nV2ge9Xm17izAn-Omsx3SBkt74BEHDR_9oX7cxyZmwpfHaQ_xGb-mAAewH7FKF3DHq_7kd1kJj7xc5-8Bhsj97vRmRo/s1600-h/Qubec+316.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363616330616659314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYFYva8DOPfugIHp-eYF-VvhORpb_e09gogptxf3S3uAS-Kz-nV2ge9Xm17izAn-Omsx3SBkt74BEHDR_9oX7cxyZmwpfHaQ_xGb-mAAewH7FKF3DHq_7kd1kJj7xc5-8Bhsj97vRmRo/s320/Qubec+316.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div>This is our poor attempt at having a professional team van, we felt quite ashamed with out set up as everyone else in the street had huge big trucks all painted up in the team colours and design!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhqmsOqIMMOhRMLoe-xT4kJsV5UibGVVerIApA7z5mwgiztppQdbnjY7h6uc0lUXj8dm6KtVRNTPb2AW921UaFB7LP-DXBUnirqCpACh8PxCAV0lQ7rkn8vECqrxaPRX-N3wTlUZSIIw/s1600-h/Qubec+256.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361849578545203186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhqmsOqIMMOhRMLoe-xT4kJsV5UibGVVerIApA7z5mwgiztppQdbnjY7h6uc0lUXj8dm6KtVRNTPb2AW921UaFB7LP-DXBUnirqCpACh8PxCAV0lQ7rkn8vECqrxaPRX-N3wTlUZSIIw/s320/Qubec+256.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>At the World Cup races, there are 3 disciplines: Cross Country (my discipline) Four Cross (pretty much like BMX) and also Down Hill. </div><div>This is Sam Hill the winner of the Down Hill, pretty much the fastest guy on a bike in the world, and he is a fellow Aussie! He ended up smashing his nearest rival by 3 seconds and in Down Hill racing this is a huge margin! </div><div>These guys are lucky It takes them about 4 minutes to complete thier race as opposed to ours which is generally 2 hours, but the potential for serious injury is a lot higher in the Down Hill as you can see by the equipment they are in!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrWWYkifgq2UEaI_8jUe9mujGMEaqNiacdosLshScZpauLgNR-4gnSBIoS87kVMf5ARob0lsE39tM6VS_O12S68-PHn-qIsK1piUon3KEAbBdh0gJ1n5kni37KzFrzT-lfZ1Egh7T9lo/s1600-h/Qubec+339.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363617561168441506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrWWYkifgq2UEaI_8jUe9mujGMEaqNiacdosLshScZpauLgNR-4gnSBIoS87kVMf5ARob0lsE39tM6VS_O12S68-PHn-qIsK1piUon3KEAbBdh0gJ1n5kni37KzFrzT-lfZ1Egh7T9lo/s320/Qubec+339.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the drops on our cross country course, was quite steep this one and very sketchy in the mud and rain on race day!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKXSw-Tbwn1jZmOQL6rZlt2Fkcgq5m3XIDQscB5aPCc8PZPv5W5qc5v5oJVeNc6BHaeyUk-PS7FKbY-zxl5_LcKlZ_9Yeq143hrX-TGMWNscTRC2XFH_sZ3zLf-e8nc4eAMZBN3gzADw/s1600-h/Qubec+207.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361850637625039506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKXSw-Tbwn1jZmOQL6rZlt2Fkcgq5m3XIDQscB5aPCc8PZPv5W5qc5v5oJVeNc6BHaeyUk-PS7FKbY-zxl5_LcKlZ_9Yeq143hrX-TGMWNscTRC2XFH_sZ3zLf-e8nc4eAMZBN3gzADw/s320/Qubec+207.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div>This section of the course was the most technical section, It is called the 'Squirell' and it was pretty much a waterfall of rocks, quite fine to ride in the dry but on race day it was covered in mud, most people were running down it, which was pretty sketchy in itself! The commissaire (course inspector) said it was too hard and dangerous so they had to build an easier track on the side of this one the day before the race!! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvQisqvuyMXdB-ck2dwNIduPng0fp_uT5b4_l0OCGG9EZLVLtl_RHtAKmki4CrbmeELKMPosTjJJ8i8h5Ok1vuL3tNr9XAlUogPQT3bmIOLqqwwQvtAgYE_fkq1pjtryzzXW6WB6K3-Q/s1600-h/Qubec+210.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361847150841594722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvQisqvuyMXdB-ck2dwNIduPng0fp_uT5b4_l0OCGG9EZLVLtl_RHtAKmki4CrbmeELKMPosTjJJ8i8h5Ok1vuL3tNr9XAlUogPQT3bmIOLqqwwQvtAgYE_fkq1pjtryzzXW6WB6K3-Q/s320/Qubec+210.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQYX8q-kpMxkCd-7cMPjbx5ZDOSQXKM9KF_HgLnPxW4kF7qQerdfG23toiO-03UyitSOXuwv5wDQS4OephNMvS-Aqy96KN77m2rFYMJZDuboY0dCKb7k7-UfrQuc8kWuMInBb-kEBYuw/s1600-h/Qubec+213.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361850287042150786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQYX8q-kpMxkCd-7cMPjbx5ZDOSQXKM9KF_HgLnPxW4kF7qQerdfG23toiO-03UyitSOXuwv5wDQS4OephNMvS-Aqy96KN77m2rFYMJZDuboY0dCKb7k7-UfrQuc8kWuMInBb-kEBYuw/s320/Qubec+213.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvQisqvuyMXdB-ck2dwNIduPng0fp_uT5b4_l0OCGG9EZLVLtl_RHtAKmki4CrbmeELKMPosTjJJ8i8h5Ok1vuL3tNr9XAlUogPQT3bmIOLqqwwQvtAgYE_fkq1pjtryzzXW6WB6K3-Q/s1600-h/Qubec+210.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />This was the elite men's race only about 10 riders in the field of 120 were riding this section, and alot were crashing, making use of the mats and hail bales on the side! </div><div>Needless to say this section drew a huge crowd, everyone want to get a piece of the action!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXq1FXnF_LOg3o11CsxrqnyeA1XXsCcbqskWboNKMcCJ-FU1L_nUqo9DSnR3MTxQjxlPTXS9lC9uxGZAJ8wqpnHvMQ5WYiNgbv8ZQt7mkh-1ygWsCSfEG6CFN5W6_e3wz3RnIVTFUJuc/s1600-h/Qubec+368.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363618507353312450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXq1FXnF_LOg3o11CsxrqnyeA1XXsCcbqskWboNKMcCJ-FU1L_nUqo9DSnR3MTxQjxlPTXS9lC9uxGZAJ8wqpnHvMQ5WYiNgbv8ZQt7mkh-1ygWsCSfEG6CFN5W6_e3wz3RnIVTFUJuc/s320/Qubec+368.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br />Me getting into some post race tucker while watching the men's race.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpQIP-T_q9pNNJgWkUyD_6tfXSAySb0MW2tWd-fz_bE7tsxoJ0eNamHVgwqchriXn_EAf-L-dc4uO7WfGi_Ot-vXzxYlkbZDK54dXIvSzTQMCwFgueV15VDr5y214Sni-t8qk2xbMwAc/s1600-h/Qubec+371.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363618048213951858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpQIP-T_q9pNNJgWkUyD_6tfXSAySb0MW2tWd-fz_bE7tsxoJ0eNamHVgwqchriXn_EAf-L-dc4uO7WfGi_Ot-vXzxYlkbZDK54dXIvSzTQMCwFgueV15VDr5y214Sni-t8qk2xbMwAc/s320/Qubec+371.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZkAw3KZf1MKq0ckSR_No2lpskJDJ4shdzsSvb23n6V0JEGoQRCAI1tI9Z4a7P3tCVDR1VKXODB4RSR-3FNsplig6MviFC1Osp3x757aeEYdYi7_P27enkBOzvB7H-3QCZBswZvuGSU/s1600-h/Qubec+322.jpg"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZkAw3KZf1MKq0ckSR_No2lpskJDJ4shdzsSvb23n6V0JEGoQRCAI1tI9Z4a7P3tCVDR1VKXODB4RSR-3FNsplig6MviFC1Osp3x757aeEYdYi7_P27enkBOzvB7H-3QCZBswZvuGSU/s1600-h/Qubec+322.jpg"></a></div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZkAw3KZf1MKq0ckSR_No2lpskJDJ4shdzsSvb23n6V0JEGoQRCAI1tI9Z4a7P3tCVDR1VKXODB4RSR-3FNsplig6MviFC1Osp3x757aeEYdYi7_P27enkBOzvB7H-3QCZBswZvuGSU/s1600-h/Qubec+322.jpg"></a></div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><br /><br />This is Edgar. I always manage to make some fantastic new friends along the way!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZkAw3KZf1MKq0ckSR_No2lpskJDJ4shdzsSvb23n6V0JEGoQRCAI1tI9Z4a7P3tCVDR1VKXODB4RSR-3FNsplig6MviFC1Osp3x757aeEYdYi7_P27enkBOzvB7H-3QCZBswZvuGSU/s1600-h/Qubec+322.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363618900356020402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZkAw3KZf1MKq0ckSR_No2lpskJDJ4shdzsSvb23n6V0JEGoQRCAI1tI9Z4a7P3tCVDR1VKXODB4RSR-3FNsplig6MviFC1Osp3x757aeEYdYi7_P27enkBOzvB7H-3QCZBswZvuGSU/s320/Qubec+322.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrZkVdnEoIxWgk6j-NaM_UyvbplX2MGqeQ_MJY3uV96vzjDt4t8qBr3-5sc6sh-PMigMcM0KjBVHFkSQ1Kfa54YIngyqjN8Ok1tuDyHuTogYw9kRrjTqKdK97Ywzyliwzg83KE95k0TQ/s1600-h/Qubec+298.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Another one of my new friends Cha Cha on a walk to the waterfall!</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrZkVdnEoIxWgk6j-NaM_UyvbplX2MGqeQ_MJY3uV96vzjDt4t8qBr3-5sc6sh-PMigMcM0KjBVHFkSQ1Kfa54YIngyqjN8Ok1tuDyHuTogYw9kRrjTqKdK97Ywzyliwzg83KE95k0TQ/s1600-h/Qubec+298.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363624452952401234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrZkVdnEoIxWgk6j-NaM_UyvbplX2MGqeQ_MJY3uV96vzjDt4t8qBr3-5sc6sh-PMigMcM0KjBVHFkSQ1Kfa54YIngyqjN8Ok1tuDyHuTogYw9kRrjTqKdK97Ywzyliwzg83KE95k0TQ/s320/Qubec+298.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrZkAw3KZf1MKq0ckSR_No2lpskJDJ4shdzsSvb23n6V0JEGoQRCAI1tI9Z4a7P3tCVDR1VKXODB4RSR-3FNsplig6MviFC1Osp3x757aeEYdYi7_P27enkBOzvB7H-3QCZBswZvuGSU/s1600-h/Qubec+322.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5359188986737861016.post-56911686560045025242009-07-23T18:56:00.000-07:002009-07-23T19:23:22.350-07:00Blissful Bromont<div><div>We have made the trip back to Bromont to meet the rest of the TORQ team who have now arrived in Canada! So the plan is to spend the following week training on the course and finally soaking in some beautiful summer sunshine, it seems the weather has finally turned it on for us!<br /><br /><div>We are staying in a lodge/retreat which is set in the rolling hills about 10km from the town centre, it is quiet, peaceful and very relaxing!</div><br /><br /><div>This is the local 'swimming pool' which is literally a 5 minute stroll from our accommodation. Perfect for an afternoon swim after a hard training session!<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZIm-m9n0zkslT2JkpANcRs0J28hnB-P7BpRw-7kMaMd1Pl3aG-PdirYrpeCgSxDLHdpw5l6D4O3Z8kaEgS9pUAxpw75DiW9RP0BEMRb8iXIGGpOHrj36x5QI69Vfyu7Ahsmn1ZhQnX8/s1600-h/Qubec+235.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361840636149326642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZIm-m9n0zkslT2JkpANcRs0J28hnB-P7BpRw-7kMaMd1Pl3aG-PdirYrpeCgSxDLHdpw5l6D4O3Z8kaEgS9pUAxpw75DiW9RP0BEMRb8iXIGGpOHrj36x5QI69Vfyu7Ahsmn1ZhQnX8/s320/Qubec+235.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /> </div></div><div>This is our amazing 'bike shed'!!! It has plenty of storage space for the whole team. Generally don't use the front door as they have to pull these open with big ropes, the side door is much easier!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQWWk3KdaLpEniPAGSp9eInRwC9sHJEm4Eo4MJthLdJ_TgcpRma-JN4Vh2pMCGws_YW1lVvy1FJgP7VXngrDB_qQDmiJoJtly8GIQ1-BXbekhKv24AXcQvyG4Sowalkzalacrq0AB4HE/s1600-h/Qubec+221.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361841796958332402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQWWk3KdaLpEniPAGSp9eInRwC9sHJEm4Eo4MJthLdJ_TgcpRma-JN4Vh2pMCGws_YW1lVvy1FJgP7VXngrDB_qQDmiJoJtly8GIQ1-BXbekhKv24AXcQvyG4Sowalkzalacrq0AB4HE/s320/Qubec+221.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy92hrhTYLffgaH9F4KCy9y4jTTYNWnNlMgEgx2HYa82Y7J4fF5djVqPEGnOH-bgaqDiSCNX5-yTqtBzR_87USY294tmorXRSWC2TjEdGIzD-tuWB_59t4c6BUUoxxFqACgNypSmRHqo/s1600-h/Qubec+222.jpg"></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br />There are deer everywhere, these ones are regular visitors, they come in and eat the apples that fall to the ground. I'm sure me taking a photo of a deer is similar to a tourist in Australia taking a phot of a kangaroo or even a rabbit!! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh405dSYkPxNNlDxBQkANkG7eMkjeBT62qbUS3PW9B5Q1MS3EueAG9rry4UitgzFe25GdDjp6wE-hs0mId1_QPwNvmXJgU-ECnsVyiLCnh6vBFrdnf6FszW0ulkO-BZR_WXrvPGJwnxnw/s1600-h/Qubec+236.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361842276394558274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh405dSYkPxNNlDxBQkANkG7eMkjeBT62qbUS3PW9B5Q1MS3EueAG9rry4UitgzFe25GdDjp6wE-hs0mId1_QPwNvmXJgU-ECnsVyiLCnh6vBFrdnf6FszW0ulkO-BZR_WXrvPGJwnxnw/s320/Qubec+236.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>This photo is of myself and one of my team mates Tory before training, the after shot may not have been so clean!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy92hrhTYLffgaH9F4KCy9y4jTTYNWnNlMgEgx2HYa82Y7J4fF5djVqPEGnOH-bgaqDiSCNX5-yTqtBzR_87USY294tmorXRSWC2TjEdGIzD-tuWB_59t4c6BUUoxxFqACgNypSmRHqo/s1600-h/Qubec+222.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361841040395877346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy92hrhTYLffgaH9F4KCy9y4jTTYNWnNlMgEgx2HYa82Y7J4fF5djVqPEGnOH-bgaqDiSCNX5-yTqtBzR_87USY294tmorXRSWC2TjEdGIzD-tuWB_59t4c6BUUoxxFqACgNypSmRHqo/s320/Qubec+222.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div>Katherine one of my team mates trying to get up close and personal with a deer we saw in the forrest.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE93OYsyY5sDZgFMTYok8_84VODDRLriDaOoIoRWl37yKqHTSqyLsq6GoKn-uNuCN5bq4QvUa7QvrBqVdNQ9heysgRyj-JrRybY3Qve6t8mjv9I2HtfGsfB-dO08O7x8lp4_pP0ugN1rU/s1600-h/Qubec+246.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361844848456636242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE93OYsyY5sDZgFMTYok8_84VODDRLriDaOoIoRWl37yKqHTSqyLsq6GoKn-uNuCN5bq4QvUa7QvrBqVdNQ9heysgRyj-JrRybY3Qve6t8mjv9I2HtfGsfB-dO08O7x8lp4_pP0ugN1rU/s320/Qubec+246.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div></div><div>The countryside is typically beautiful, rolling green hills, lush forrest, and quite county roads to train on! <div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdRxIU8ySH0Y3qKhmCfJqFh3MIhGIn0jLb4ucdmrkiq4ETQY283OP4MMbOBXYaIG7CpAGI6zcXUL6l5qb1YRNQ8Tqu3lOUT365BNPsjd4wCMCdpgaYpFHUV2RDrGnBk1Y3bwpJesWouM/s1600-h/Qubec+226.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361845980185578850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdRxIU8ySH0Y3qKhmCfJqFh3MIhGIn0jLb4ucdmrkiq4ETQY283OP4MMbOBXYaIG7CpAGI6zcXUL6l5qb1YRNQ8Tqu3lOUT365BNPsjd4wCMCdpgaYpFHUV2RDrGnBk1Y3bwpJesWouM/s320/Qubec+226.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZIm-m9n0zkslT2JkpANcRs0J28hnB-P7BpRw-7kMaMd1Pl3aG-PdirYrpeCgSxDLHdpw5l6D4O3Z8kaEgS9pUAxpw75DiW9RP0BEMRb8iXIGGpOHrj36x5QI69Vfyu7Ahsmn1ZhQnX8/s1600-h/Qubec+235.jpg"></a></div></div>Jo Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04406192014903756119noreply@blogger.com0