Rider Profile - Kevin Warham

1. What bike do you ride?

Trek 1500 - awesome bike.
Felt TK2 track bike - even better than the trek.
2. What would be your dream bike?
Any bike that runs quiet, and has a “comfy” saddle on it.
3. What's your day job?
Automation engineer at Boyne smelters.
4. What's your favourite ride?
I have two awesome rides; first one is one I used to do every day when I visited Broome in WA. Start off at cable beach resort and ride about 16 km up the beach to the creek, the sand was as hard as bitumen (used by lots of cars). Then from the creek back a bit and then cut through to the “eco” resorts and come back, bitumen all the way. – three hours from start to finish, three and a half if a swim was taken at the creek.

5. Most memorable biking experience?
First time I went under the hour for a 40km time trial sticks in my mind – I came so close so many times and then all of a sudden – BANG a sub hour ride, I can still remember smiling all week after that.
How things change now I am happy now if when the bell goes for last lap in a track race I haven’t been dropped!!!!!
6. Least memorable biking experience?
Anytime I have crashed (and there have been lots) my cycling club in the UK was called VC Halton, we were known locally as Kamikaze Halton, due to the amount of times our club members were involved in or caused crashes.
7. Bike rider you admire the most?
The flying Scotsman Graeme Obree - the epitome of what you can do on 4 hours of training per week - world pursuit champion and world hour record holder. He took the hour record from Moser an absolute legend and then went on to break it again, nearly 53 km (try doing that for 2 minutes let alone 1 hour!!!

Blogmistress: Kev is 2nd rider from the right.

Calliope to Biloela Race

A reminder that entries close tonight for the Calliope to Biloela race.

If you're not racing, but want to get involved, give Lord Garmin or IJ a tingle - helpers are still needed for this weekend and your support would be greatly appreciated.

Drivers with vehicles are also wanted to help get riders back from Biloela to Calliope. Anyone who is able to get riders / bikes back, please contact the shop.

Racing Wrap Up - 27th June

It was a mixed bag of lollies for the bunch of M1 riders who headed up to Glendale for the Kremese in the worst blustry conditions of the season.

In A grade - Apparently, Thunder could be heard yapping the entire race - from start to finish. In the end Thunder pulled off a third in the kick and Zulu - having worked like a trogun throughout the race, once again - come home in 6th place. And yes Zulu, there is such a thing as 6th place.

In B grade - In the tough conditions, the B grade bunch was busted apart but none other than LG and two other riders. The break stayed away to claim the first three places of the race, with LG coming home for third. Ekka found the wind too tough, but I think he still enjoyed the hit out.

In C grade - Yah for me. I finished with the remains of our bunch in 6th place. See Zulu, there is such a thing as 6th.

In D grade - On Thursday, Bloomers rode to the base of the Biloela range and back - his first ever 100k+ ride. Well done. No surprise, this took a toll on Bloomers during the kremese and it was a tough day in the office.

The Week That Was... The Weekend That Will Be

Wednesday nite saw Fossil run off the road and into a gutter after losing the bunch on the Wednesday nite smash. No major damage for Fossil which is good.

Racing this weekend will once again be at the Glendale Kremese course. For anyone wanting to test their legs before next weekends Calliope to Bilo, its the perfect opportunity. Racing starts at 2pm.

Nominations for the Calliope to Bilo close this Monday - 29th of June. Registration must be made on line via the Queensland Cycling website.

This coming Tuesday will be Special K's final ride in our bunch for a while. Special K is moving to the big smoke with his family.

Product Of The Week

The Rockhampton Club time trial championships aren't too far away, and if you're looking for the edge - and don't won't to go the aero helmet like Zulu - go for this weeks product of the week - Bontrager Race X Lite Time Trial tyres.

Weighing in at 180grms, these tyres have been proven to save the MOST time in comparison to other tyres on the market. So if you're wanting to shave off those extra couple of seconds spend the $89 and get yourself some of these puppies.

For full techno details, go to www.bontrager.com

Canelands Tour - Day 2

A huge congratulations has to go to SpyCat who cleaned up day two of the Canelands tour yesterday in Bundy.

Riding the last 15k on her own after dumping her bunch through the hilly circuit, Cat rode over the line a clear winner and stayed in front of all chasing bunches behind.

Congrats Cat on your first victory - and what a way to start. Guys, watch out on the Calliope to Bilo for SpyCat.

Canelands - Handicap 1

Day one of the handicap racing outside of Bundaberg saw LG start off 22 minutes and SpyCat off 15 minutes. In the end, all bunches came together except for those off go. Despite having them in sight, the chasing bunches couldn't pull them in.

Over a tough and hilly course, both SpyCat and LG came home hard and finished in at the front of the chasing back.

Good luck tomorrow guys.

Closer to home in Rocky racing, A and B grade divisions were combined for a scratch race around a Cawarall circuit. Zulu flew the M1 flag and pulled off a second place at the finish of a tough race.

Saturday Ride - 20th June

In the midst of winter, I got a glimmer of hope this morning that summer will soon be back with us. According to Whiffo at Maccas, Monday is the shortest day of the year. You guessed it, that means we'll soon be back smashing around the block, sweltering in sleveless jerseys. Come on Monday.

With it not being as cold as last weekend, the numbers were up, despite the Canelands tour being on today and tomorrow. The bunch picked up Big Red Riding Hood before Hanson road, and the pack was complete. Fabbio has forgotten bunch ettieque in his time off the bike and had a close call swinging across to the off side.

Woody pulled a flat before Haddock drive. Must have been that horrid pumping action Woody. Bloomers, LG and SpyCat were already at Maccas when the bunch arrived. Somehow Bloomers completely forgot to bring a bike.

MTB State Titles

If you're not real keen on the 98k Calliope to Bilo race on the 5th of July, but you want a bit of adventure, then head up to Rockhampton for the weekend.

The MTB State titles are being held on 4th & 5th of July for both cross country and downhill disciplines. Sign on starts at 7am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.

For more details, contact Ekka.

Tuesday Ride - 16th June

Boy oh boy. The temperature increases just a couple of degrees and the riders come out of the woodwork like ants.

It was a fantastic paceline this morning. The entire bunch staying together until the turn point at Stickmakers roundabout. Bob's saftey vest wasn't really effective at the Port roundabout on the way back... how the motorcyclist missed 16 lights is beyond me. I'm just glad he did his fish tail dance and pulled up before he plowed into us.

Just about the entire bunch headed for Haddock after surviving some very ordinary truck passes along Red Rover. As usual, Haddock was a land of hurt with IJ scooting off in the distance up the hill.

To finish off the ride, new rider in the pack Mark "Crash" Lewis came down heavily on the chase out of Cockatoo Drive. Lucky not to be cleaned up by the following ute, we think he's come out ok. Must have something to do with Big Lew being in the pack this morning.... funny how all our big crashes happen when Big Lew's around??!! Don't ride near me.

Club Logo

A reminder to all those riders training to race the Calliope to Biloela that the event is an open race.

As the event is Open, the Rockhampton Club logo MUST be on your M1 jersey if you are intending to race in M1 colours. You must also have your paperwork completed - which is available from the shop.

Lord Garmin & SpyCat are able to get your jersey embrodied for $10. Please see them for details.

Weekend Reports

Congratulations to Lord Garmin & IJ who both had great races at Browns Lane (Yeppoon) on the weekend.

In B grade, Lord Garmin pulled off a second in the bunch kick - hard work must be paying off LG. In A grade, IJ took out 3rd place in a very very close photo finish.

In local M1 news, Grazza was once again spotted powering up One Tree hill in the late hours of yesterday afternoon. Where were your partners in crime Grazza? Or was it secret ekky training?

The TC Ride - Saturday

The one thing I dislike about winter riding is having to set my alarm 10mins earlier before a morning ride. Why 10 minutes? Well, 5 minutes to convince myself that I will EVENTUALLY get walm if I hope on the bike - yeah right - and 5 minutes to actually get dressed in all the additional layers of clothing. Roll on summer.

Only a few brave or TC riders turned up at the start. Carter was making the bunch cold with his lack of leg walmers. Bob the Builder has upgraded his saftey vest to an electronic version - I must admit, I was impressed.

Red Rover was full of mechanicals and the official temperature reading in the Haddock Hollow was 3 degrees - not that I would know. Along Kirkwood, Grazza saved Thunder and Woody from a chewing out from a Kiwi Trucker who hard big arms - and no, Í'm not refering to the bloke beside her.

BSB was the only other rider spotted out this am. Where or where were the Blockers????

Rider Profile - Chris Jacques

1. What bike do you ride?

Trek Madone 4.5, I hardly seem to ride it at all at the moment, hopefully things will change soon.

2. What would be your dream bike?

I used to love Colnago's when I did triathlons, I would prefer to have dura-ace gearing though.

3. What's your day job?
Policeman at the Gladstone Station.

4. What's your favourite ride?

The Brisbane river loop, quite a lot of nice sights when you are riding along the bike path near coronation drive and also around University of Queensland.

5. Most memorable biking experience?

Completing the Gidgee to the Gulf ride when I lived in Far North Queensland. We started at The Combo Waterhole near Winton, apparently the story goes that Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda there and ended 7 days later at Karumba. One day was 120klm through dirt on a mountain bike that I had to borrow and half of that was through bulldust, that was a long day. Also the first time I rode the Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious loop, only 75klm's but a seriously hilly ride. I always loved the bike leg of the Noosa triathlon, smooth, fast roads hitting a top speed of about 85klm/hr coming down the big hill on the way home.

6. Least memorable biking experience?

Everytime I have had a spill is pretty ordinary, falling off on Sandgate Road at Boondall on a weekday in peak hour after clipping my mates back wheel with my front wheel at about 35klm's. I landed on my helmet splitting the back of it open and then skidded into the second lane of inbound traffic. I couldn't believe how lucky I was when I looked up and the closest traffic was about 200 metres away. Lost a lot of skin but at least I didn't get run over.

7. Bike rider you admire the most?

Cadel Evans is a bit of a personal favourite and I always liked Marco Pantani. I hope Cadel can go one better this year at the Tour de France.

The Block Stopper

Now that winter and the subsequent bitter cold have well and truly arrived, I'm pondering how many tuff nuts there are in the bunch who are still contemplating the block ride on Saturday morning????

Pyney, Sumo, Scottie, Whiffo???? Any takers?? Surely even you guys must be beginning to lean towards the townie ride.... its' much walmer!!

Popey - I thought you were heard mentioning in the pack last Thursday nite that it doesn't get any colder in Gladstone? You must have been the jinx.

Rug up boys.

Swine Flu Notice

If you receive an email from the Department of Health telling you not to eat tinned pork because of swine flu - ignore it. It's just spam.

What A Weekend

What a weekend of cycling activity for riders from M1 land. We've already covered the results from the Mt Perry MTB race but in addition to this, riders raced in Rocky and the Tweed Coast.

Bloomers won the D grade event at Glendale in Rocky. Have A Chat also placed well with a 5th place in the sprint. In B grade Fabbio was up in the placings - pulling off a third place (I think). Whiffo was on follow car duty for C grade and said that - for a change - a break away stayed away for the win.

IJ had a very tough weekend of racing in very tough conditions. With rain, hills from hell, a loose back skewer and a fall in the last 2k's of one of the road races - it was an event of survival. Despite all this, the last tex from IJ was that he was keen to return to the event again next year!

The SEQ M1 riders (Karen, CQ Pedro & Woody) did an epic social ride from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast. The guys covered over 260ks with almost 17hrs in the saddle and have the chaffed cheeks to prove it - just ask Woody.

The tandem twosome were last spotted heading south with the tandem strapped to roof for a couple of days of big k's touring around the Noosa region.

Phew, thank goodness the weekend is over.

Tuesday Ride - 9th June

I think it is fair to say that winter has arrived. Well, I would say that - but given that Tugmaster turned up for the Tuesday smash with just a skimpy pair of arm warmers, I may be wrong. I won't mention that I had three layers of clothing including a layer of thermals! Joan had the right idea with a very warm looking scarf!

The numbers dropped as did the temperature. Greyhound made a return to the pack after his fall and we picked up Woody - I'm assuming it was Woody, but hard to tell with the head gear he was wearing - before the paceline started. Must have been the cold - did I mention that already???

Only 5 of us ventured into the freezer - it was even colder out there - for the Haddock hill. At least it was warmer on the other side and I for one was greatful to get into the sun. Boy I love winter.

Mt Perry - MTB Results

From the sounds of it, everyone who raced at Mt Perry on the weekend had a great time. Results are as follows - thanks to Ekka.

Solo Male - Ken Ridden (BSB) 18th

Male Pairs - Team Awesome 14th (Chris Carter & Liam Barry)

Male Pairs - Two Daft Twats 18th (Ekka & Partner)

Male Pairs - StepToe & Son 23rd (Adrian Lohmann & Andrew Lohmann)

Mixed Pairs - The Trekkers 5th (Clint Swanton & Bec Josey)

Apologies if I missed anyone out who raced!!

Strange Places

Sometimes things appear in the smallest, strangest places. Personally, I'm pretty keen on the whole mental motivation thing and yesterday I found a little gem.

Whilst putting on my new Bontrager shoes - thanks Kerry - I noticed some writing underneath the first velcro strap. The words were - Always Lead, Never Follow.

Very clever and potentially very powerful to the right person. Oh, and the shoes are actually pretty comfy too.

Racing This Weekend

IJ is off to the Tweed Tour this weekend. Racing starts tonite with heats of the "sprint". Racing over the next couple of days will include a time trial, criterium and a road race which includes some serious bergs.

Good luck IJ.

Local racing in Rocky this weekend is a scratch race at Glendale - the Kremese course. Racing will start at 2pm as usual.

Good luck to all those M1 riders who venture up for a hit out.

Love Your Sport?

If you think you love your cycling - think again. There's a temporary rider in the pack from the Big Smoke Brisbane who loves it soooooo much that he's got the tats to prove it.

Chris Mylne has had his arm tattooed with a set of chain rings. Now that's dedicated bling. I think those chain rings mite be a bit flexi.... or saggy.... in a few years time....!!

Late Weekend Up Date

Congratulations has to go to Woody (Bob the Builder) for his performance at the HotRock MTB race in Townsville on the weekend.

The event was 8hrs and Woody claimed overall victory completing a massive 170+ks. Very impressive.

In other MTB news, Mt Perry is on this long weekend. I believe there are a few M1 riders heading down for a hit out around the hill. I'm sure you'll all have a great weekend.

Trouble Trouble and More Trouble

The ekky trainers were at it again yesterday afternoon. Bustard right at the bottom of One Tree Hill were the Trio of Trouble - Lord Garmin, Grazza and Have-A-Chat. They even submitted photo evidence for proof of their bustardness - I don't think that's actually a word.

Just ask Lord Garmin - the others made him do it. Yeah rite.

Product Of The Week

I always look forward to visits from Kerry the Trek Rep. Why? Because he always brings the bling and this time was no exception.

The product of the week is the Trek wireless computer. For RRP $249, the computer includes a heart rate monitor (with strap), cadence, temperature, altitude and a whole lot more. This represents great value for money - a heart rate monitor integrated onto your computer, without having to spend a HUGE amount of money.

A few are now making their way to the shop and I for one are looking forward to their arrival.

Weekend Up Date

The biggest news from the weekend, which most of you have probably heard about by now, is the crash at racing on Saturday afternoon. Both IJ and Greyhound (Johann) came down hard at Yeppoon after Greyhound clipped a back wheel.

Greyhound was thought to have broken his arm, but was later cleared in hospital. Both are now missing a fair amount of bark. On the good side, both bikes came out pretty unscathed.

IJ is back training already, Greyhound may take a little while longer to recover. We all wish you a speedy recovery Johann.

Rider Profile - Ric Reid

1. What bike do you ride?
Trek Madone 6.9. 2008 model, Team Astana colours, XXX Race Lite wheels. Very cool bike – just ask Kerry. Done.
2. What would be your dream bike?
Trek Madone 6.9 – 2009 model.
3. What's your day job?
Company Director.
4. What's your favourite ride?
The ride that springs to mind has got to be the K2 in the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. This is one hilly 200km loop.
5. Most memorable biking experience?
Riding in the Oceania Games in 1995 in Townsville and breaking away with Matt White, dropping him before half way and staying away to win. Or should I say riding in the 1996 Olympics with Miguel Indurain, Lance Armstrong and my favourite rider Laurent Jalabert. Or should I say winning the National Championship Road Race in 1996.
6. Least memorable biking experience?
Winning a stage in the 1995 Commonwealth Bank Classic and doing a two arm victory salute. The wind caught my front wheel and blew it 90 degrees to the direction I was traveling which ended with me going straight over the handlebars sliding on my arse across the finish line – also bringing down the guy in second place.
7. Bike rider you admire the most?
The Cannibal aka the great Eddy Merckx – by far the best rider of the last century, if not all time.