2011 METROS

There was once upon a time where every time I came to the finish with the main pack I would get a place. Not these days. Now I just go as glorified pack fill. Just making up the numbers so that everyone else can have a race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siqrnVnTSUY

Saturday morning at 7.30 am the criterium kicked off. If your new to the "crit" scene, 30 minutes plus 2 laps sounds easy, right? No.

The plan was to try and hold top 10 in the bunch at all times without actually going to the front, it's way too windy up there for me.

With 30 minutes down and the last 2 laps to, the hammer went down. Here I am getting pushed around like a skinny kid in the tuckshop line, TRYING to hold my position. Now with 1 an a half laps to go, I have found myself fully exposed to the wind, I am lactating to the max and looking for someone to give me a break from all this wind.

The end result was as you all thought. Pack Fill. I couldn't hold my position in the pack when it counted. So I paid the price for it. I've said it before and I'll say it again. There are 3 things that everyone should know about sprinting. POSITION POSITION POSITION.

Sunday came around too fast. Thinking back to last years 96 km road race where the Zulu placed 6th. He rode way above himself. As for me, DNF'd after 2 of the 4 laps on offer.

But today was was going to be differnt. Tim Delgleish rode off the frount in the first 600m. Yours truly went for a stroll down the road with him. God dam that choice hurt. After 16 km Timmy was getting tired of asking me to pull a turn. Luckily he backed it off to about 34 kmph untill the main bunch caught us. I would have been dropped if he didn't do that.

After lap 2, six riders road off the front and were never seen again. As every time the bunch would try an chase it got shut down. But thats racing. When your sitting on the back of a 40+ rider bunch, it's absolutely none of my busness what goes on up in the engine room.

All as I wanted to do was get through the hills on lap 4. And I did. Get to the finish line in the pack. And I did. Have a quick wash off a feed and injoy the 7 hour drive home. Which I did.

There is nothing like the drive home after 3 hours of hammering. We are always asked why we do it? There is only one simple answer. Because we love it. Wether it be a road race, the Noosa 100 mile or lining up for the sprint on Sunday to be first in line at the coffee shop. We dont just like it, we LOVE it!

Just one final note. I have always thought that Powermeters and GARMIN's as such were all a load of BS. Not now I say. As I am now the proud owner of a GARMIN edge 800. Mate, it has that much BS in it, it is unbelievable. Now, when I download my training rides or races, I am greeted with tall this BS, it excites me! I have all this information that I wouldn't have a clue what to do with, its BS! I love the GARMIN, I just don't know how to use it.

http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/au

Are You Behind The 8 Ball Too?

Here at M1 we have been doing a little bit of research on nutrition and how to get the maximum out of your body.

For weeks, we have been putting foods to the ultimate test, yet we are still behind the 8 ball when it comes to everyone elses performances.

After my long, grueling ride home lastnight, through calliope, then out to boyne, in blistering cold winds, I come home to this...

To the right is an example of perfect training food. It is easy to prepare, it is simple and nutritious in its ingredients and it is great value for money!

So guys, stop worrying about what you put in your gob! A simple family meat pie, and a 600mL coke after 8pm will do just fine! Just dont forget the tomato sauce.

For more great food ideas, just give Ben 10 a call. If it works for him, it WILL work for us.

Yarwun Race - 28th May

With only 7 riders from rocky and 11 from gladstone turning up for this weeks race at Yarwun, it was not looking good. Fortunately all the riders turned a bad situation into good, and made an excellent day of racing.

LG and I were off chop, and we decided it would be best if we just rolled and waited for Ben 10, Wormy and Macca to catch us. They caught on Yarwun hill, and that is when the pain really started to kick in.

I would just like to point out to everyone, that it was in my training plan NOT to pull ANY turns as I am on a taper for caneland classic. No, not really. I pulled one turn with the scratchies, and that was it. Lactate was through the roof, couldnt spin my legs over. My race was trying to hanging onto the scratchies wheels.

So for the next 48km of the race, I got to see how this race unfolded from the best seat in the house. Macca, Worm, Mick and Ben 10 worked extremely hard to catch everyone infront of us.

Long story short, we caught every rider but 1 by the second lap.

It was that firm, that I had to let Marty go infront of me, just so that I could have just a little more slip from the wind.

The race came down to the last 2 hills very quickly, and we had 10 or so riders hanging on the back of this train. Worm and Ben 10 let the throttle loose on the first hill, shaking most the riders. It came down to the last hill before the downhill straight into Yarwun, and it was just Macca, Marty, Ben, Mick, Worm, Dylan and myself left. Macca gave it a little on the last hill and gave the bunch what for. I'm not to sure on what was happening behind me, or if my story is straight or not but all I can remeber is Marty giving me enough wind break to jump onto Macca's wheel who had jumped down the road, and boy was I in pain...

I sat on Macca's wheel for the last kilometre, trying to stay in his slip so I wouldnt get dropped. We got the front marker 200m from the line.

Even with limited numbers, the race was great. it was fast, it was painful, and we caught everyone.

1st- Brian McLeod, 2nd- Brad Lawlor, 3rd- Andrew Knight, 4th- Dylan Nankeville, 5th- Martin Cooper, 6th- Mick Newell, 7th- Ben wriede, 9th- Chris Hughes, 10th Matthew Tennent. Anyone know who got 8th place?

Well done to everyone who participated, and a big thankyou to all the officials who gave their time and came down from rocky.

Please post up your version of events, because I sure as hell do not remember much.

The Thursday Floaters and The Weekend That Will Be

Another thursday float ride has just come an gone. I would say it was a perfict night for riding. Not to cold. Not to windy. Just right. Big thanks to LG in regards to last weeks bus roadrage. Did anyone noitice how far that bus went around us last night? Like, man! You could have fitted another bus in between. All in all it was one tidy bunch. We looked like bike riders. A wise person once said- "Fake it til' ya make it!" Good to see the Snow Man coming through for some turns.

On another note. Racing is out at Yarwun tomorow. Make sure you are there before 2 pm. Brad will be riding from the shop at 1pm if anyone is keen to ride out there. It is a 50km handicap race. It will be very interesting to see how it unfolds. The Dom is in full psych mode for this one. Im putting my money on the scratchies catching aswell.

Hey, maybe I am a bit one eyed. But I could never gloat about winning a handicap if I started on an easy mark and the back markers never caught. So, to anyone who knows they can be put back further, say someting! It makes the racing oh so much better, and you actually feel good about yourself, win or lose.

So bring it on Saturday. Dont forget if anyone has a roady an wants to have a go at racing. You can get a day licence for about $50 (day licence- $33, nomination fee- $10, transponder hire- $5).

For me, I'm heading to Brisbane for the Metros criturium tomorrow. It will be 30 minutes of full gas and max pain, then two laps of a little push an shove as i'll make my way to the front to win the sprint. Hopefully I can get myself to end in the pointy end of the bunch all in one piece...

And yes LG I will only ride to win. See you in Bundy bro.

Speed Concept Runout

This Speed Concept 7.5 retailed $4499. The new retail price is $3999. matty is dumping this bike for $3499 with the Bontrager Aeolus carbon wheels. Only 1 Medium available.

If you have a look at the Trek website, the 7.5 does not come with the Aeolus carbon wheels.

For those that do not know, the Speed Concept 7 series bikes are the 2nd fastest bikes on the planet, behind the Speed Concept 9 series of course!
http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/road/triathlon/speed_concept_7_series/speed_concept_7_5/#

The Weekend Roundup

It was a huge weekend in m1 land, with riders travelling to one side of the state to the other, all in the name of cycling.

Zulu, Bam Bam, Dark Horse and Rays Brother all headed South for the Noosa Century Ride.

http://tiktok.biz/noosacenturyride/2011/0474
http://tiktok.biz/noosacenturyride/2011/0544
http://tiktok.biz/noosacenturyride/2011/0123/
http://tiktok.biz/noosacenturyride/2011/0195

Well done to all the M1 Riders for completing the 160km ride.

Matty, Kate and Ben 10 all went North to Mackay for the Rogers/ O'Meara Memorial Handicaps. First race was taken out by Macca from rocky, and not a bad effort from Ben 10 who came in a smooth 13th place. The second day didnt go so well for the scratchies, with one of the front markers taking out the win.

Matty could not even begin to describe how painful the racing was on the weekend. I believe it went a little bit like this, "I couldn't even pull turns with those guys, and this was before the scratchies caught us! We came around this corner, and I herd Wormy yell out "LIGHT IT UP!", and that was it, gone."

This Weekends racing is at the Metros in Brisbane. Matty and Zulu are looking to improve on last years results. Matty aiming for something better then 4th in the Crit, and Marty 6th in the Road race. Incase anybody doenst know what the metros Road Race is like, it's similar to the River Ranch Hills Circuit, only longer.

Club racing aswell is at Yarwun this weekend, and I believe that we have a commisaire for this one.

The King Kunda Farewell Ride

KING KUNDA SAYS FAREWELL IN FINAL RIDE

Adnuk Fognik, aka the King of Kunda, farewelled all his fans on Sunday, in a ride orgainised by the Sunshine Coast, for his retirement. The ride was called the "King Kunda Century Classic", and it gave all the King's fans the opportunity to ride with the King for one last time. Almost 2,000 cyclists turned out to tackle either the Century ride (160km) or the less challenging 100km event.The King said he was humbled by the big turnout to farewell him, and said it was an overwhelming occasion. In recognition of his long term cycling friend, the King wore a full M1 Cycles kit on the ride.He also wanted to pay tribute to a rider, who stopped and introduced himself as Sean. After Mr Kunda had punctured at the top of the first big climb, he stood on the road side stranded like a sheep in a cow's paddock for about 5 minutes. Those who know Mr Kunda well, would know he was notorious for never carrying spares. Along came Sean, who willingly gave up his spare tube and gas canister, so that the King of Kunda could continue his farewell journey. The King was quoted as saying, "this was a great act of generosity, and I am very thankful and appreciative for this kind gesture". He also went on to say that Shaun was also a very strong bike rider and that he had to give the nod of approval for Sean to leave him behind as he did not have the legs to ride alongside, or on his back wheel for that matter.

The Winter Gear

We've already had one little cold snap, but I'm sure that's not the last we'll see of winter this year.

To get prepared, M1 has pulled out all the winter gear - arm warmers, leg warmers, gloves, knee warmers and wind vests. A new addition this year are the undershirts from Klimatex. Now I kidd you not, these are the warmest undershirts I've ever tried (and I've tried a few!).

They're lightweight and dry fast, so if you do get a little sweaty you're not going to end up shivering cold from a damp undershirt. There is a huge range of sizes in the shop already. Sorry, the model doesn't come with the shirt ;)

The Shots

With racing upon us, sometimes we all need a little bit of something extra to get us home at the end of the ride...

M1 Cycles has just received a BIG delivery of caffinated goodness in the form of Shotz Energy Bars and Gels. There's all the usual suspects, Berry Flavour, Lime Flavour and Matty's favourite - Sticky Date Explosion!!!

The 6.2

We have just had a TREK Madone 6.2 Project One with full SRAM RED, and some very nice Aeolus carbon clinchers land in shop.

I would have to say that this is one of the sexiest Madones come through the shop.

The SRAM runs crisp, the Aeolus wheels howl, and the finish on the frame is amazing.

Can't say who the lucky man or woman is yet, but he or she will be cannot wait to get on it!

Speed Concept. Bike of The Year?

The team at "220Triathlon Magazine UK" have reviewed and rated the 2011 Speed Concept bikes as THE triathlon bikes of the year.

Im not sure on the details as to why they came up with such an obvious review. Could be the integrated "everything" or the stiffest, most aerodynamic frame on the market. Lets get real, it's Trek we are talking about isn't it?

To celebrate this achievement, Trek is giving away a FREE Bontrager Gift Pack with every Speed Concept purchased, until 31 May 2011. This includes 9, 7 AND 2 Series bikes!

Not only that, 220Triathlon Magazine will also throw in a 2XU t-shirt and a 1 year subscription.

The White Knight

Today's ride is all about Sweeny Todd and his trusty steed, White Knight. For the last couple of weeks, since Sweeny's return from the land of the long white cloud, he's been on fire during the Tuesday morning paceline. Today was no different. I don't know what you picked up from NZ Sweeny, but it's worked a treat for you!!!

Quote of the day came from Thunder just after the Coin Slot kick.... "If you had of given it 100% effort you could have gotten on the back of LG's wheel". Um, I was buggered, I WAS giving it 100% and it was LG's wheel I was trying to tack onto!!! Seriously, give me a break!!

Massive Merida Sale

Thunder has gone mad... again!

M1 Cycles is moving ALL Merida bikes at a massive 30% off RRP.

We have a full range of Merida Scultura's, Reacto's, Ride Lites, Race Lites, Matts TFS Hardtails, Matts 40-D's, and Crossway bicycles!

This special only applies to bikes in stock, and only while stocks last!

The Garmin Dealer

M1 Cycles is now your only local dealer for Garmin products.

Now I'm only new to the Garmin scene but, my Garmin "talks" to the node sensor in my Trek frame - so I don't have to have the extra sensor bits etc hanging off the frame (much better bling bling!!!). It also has a lighted display so even in the dark climbing hill circuits I can see how slow I'm going and how much my heart is hurting!!

LG is the guru on the Garmin range - that's why he's called "Lord Garmin"!!!! - so if you need any tech info, LG's the one to harrass!

Check out what's available at www.garmin.com.au and then scoot on into M1 Cycles to score your Garmin.

The Long Sock Ride

In the dark, the riders assembled at Bunny's for a sock inspection before the ride could begin - Zulu, Brownie & BSB - shame on you for your short socks!! To everyone else, wahooooooo!!!!!! I'm sure we all looked really attractive cruising around town in our long sock attire!!

I think it was a good thing that we planned the LSR ride today, it felt about 5 degrees cooler than yesterday???? The Red Rocket had a turn in the box this morning.... I can sympathise with you Red Rocket, I quite often have that feeling!!

In the LS competition I think it was a tie between Red Fox and SpyCat with TrySmurf coming in a close runner up.

I've done the math: 2 coffees for Thunder and I, twice a day, seven days a week x 52 weeks equals $7,280!!! That's the equivalent to say ummmmm a new madone!!!! DONE!!!

The Haddock Does The Bunch Ride

There's no race at Yarwun today but Grainfed is taking a ride from the shop at 2pm this afternoon - not sure what it involves so you may want to contact the shop if you want more details.

By the time the bunch ride had even started a few riders had clocked up a few k's - most notable was Zulu, doing the block before the 5:30 start. It turns out that 4 riders went around the block this morning - none riding beside each other!!

By the time the bunch had finished the paceline, it had doubled in size - that's without the concrete truck that decided he wanted to rotate a couple of turns with us along Hanson Road! That was a little scarey.

Ben 10 may be an axe on the bike, but he climbs like me when it comes to eating cream donuts - you are a disgrace in the cream donut eating arena Ben 10 - you should stick to what you do best!!

Don't forget tomorrow is Long Sock Ride day...... Thunder won't need long socks, his legs will already be warm from the "massage oil" he purchased yesterday !!

Sunday's Long Sock Ride

Now SpyCat and I have been planning this for a while, and with the arrival of a bit of a cold snap, I think its the perfect opportunity to have a SUNDAY LONG SOCK RIDE!!!!!!! Incredibly mature I know and it goes against all cycling ettique rules ever invented - but who cares!!! At least our legs will be warm!!

Bring out your Pippy Long Stocking socks, your footy socks, your brown socks (if you must BSB!) or whatever long socks you have and turn up at Bunny's on Sunday morning for a casual float to the bakery.

I'm sure there's a brew in it for the most creative long socks.....

The Star Gazers

Whilst some people were at home last night staying out of the cold, others were out smashing themselves - and others - to pieces on the Wednesday night ride.

Actually, I think that may be a little bit of furphy about "smashing"..... somehow two riders spent a fair amount of time on the top of Haddock Drive and then again on Beep Beep Hill "star gazing". If the reports are correct, they actually turned out their lights to enjoy the full effect of the night lights on the second stop at Beep Beep Hill.

Surely the reports can't be true?????????

The Sad Day In Italy

On the third stage of this years Giro D'Italia, tradegy has struck.

http://www.leopardtrek.lu/

The Slug

Here's a picture of TrySmurf's "slug" that he decided to pull out at the coffee shop table whilst we were having a brew. Come to think of it, I think SpyCat was first to spot TrySmurf's Slug.... hmmmm.

Charming TrySmurf, just charming!!!! No one really wants to see your lycra slug!!

The 6hr MTB Ride

At the time of posting, there is still roughly 40minutes left to run for today's 6hr MTB race in Rockhampton..... for some.

From the looks of this photo from ThunderCam, it appears that the Zulu has in fact "done a Zulu". For those of you who weren't around - or who were living under a rock - when the Zulu philosophy was aired on the blog, it goes a little something like this.... The Zulu is a warrior. When he sets out for a run or a ride, it is flat out for as long as the maximum pace can be sustained. Once maximum pace can no longer be sustained, you turn around and walk home. True story.

Results will be posted when known. Be sure to be on tomorrow's Bunny's ride to find out all the goss. This means you Croz!!!!!

The Dylan Ride

Where oh where has the Zulu gone on a Wednesday nite????? His absence has been noticed on the Wednesday nite rides since the circuit swung around to the modified Haddock course. Perhaps the Zulu is doing his own secret training on a Wednesday nite?????

The only thing that came out of Wednesday's ride was a bit of nutritional information from Thunder about Cucumber (Matty's favourite!!!) is actually a negative food - its true.

Young Dylan certainly didn't come out of the ride with anything, in fact he actually lost something on the ride - a bit of bark - when he dogged it going around a downhill corner. Ouch!!

The Dirt Clown Ride

If you're looking to get off road tomorrow and away from the traffic, then head north to Rockhampton for the Dirt Clowns 6 hr MTB race.

It starts at 2pm and will run through until 8pm at Seeone Park on the Rockhampton - Yeppoon Road. You can nominate as a solo rider - if you're like the Silent Assassin, an absolute legendary MTB rider - or in a team - if you're like me, a custard arse on a mountain bike!!!

Well well well, I just went to have a google at the dirtclowns website and whose mug is plastered all over the front?????? Nice one.... www.rotorbolts.com/clowns/

Just don't do a Matty who snuck out on the Sunshine track for a little pre race training!

The Retirement

King Kunda Announces Retirement

The World of cycling is in shock after the King of Kunda announced his retirement from cycling over the Queensland May Day long weekend. The King said his retirement is effective immediately.

After numerous attempts to return to some semblance of his former best, Mr Kunda acknowledged that his life was now consumed with other pressing committments, none more so than his wife and three children.

Mr Kunda shot to prominence in 2003 when he won the final Kunda Park criterium of the season, held by the Sunshine Coast Cycling Club. Although the winner of the event, he went on to build an anonymous character by the name of Adnuk Fognik, a German cyclist in Australia on a student exchange program with the University of Queensland.

Speculation reached fever pitch over a six month period, with the question on everyone's mind, who was the King of Kunda? In July of 2004 German cyclist Adnuk Fognik presented himself at the start line of a Kunda Park criterium. Adnuk finished second in the race before vanishing as quickly as he appeared.

Over the following week, after much talk, an official finally realised Adnuk Fognik spelt "King of Kunda" backwards. Then the witch hunt went into full drive until the true identity of the King was revealed.

The King was paraded in front of a full Cycling Queensland committee where he faced quite serious allegations. The King put his version of events forward before later receiving a $200 fine and a six months suspended sentence. The King said he was grateful to a long term cycling friend and associate who was on the committee at the time, referring to him only as Rusty. He said, "if he (Rusty) had not watered the whole thing down, there were a minority who wanted me thrown out of the sport totally for a year. My thanks must go out to this bloke".

King Kunda started his cycling career in Mount Isa where he did most of his cycling. The King said these were his happiest days in cycling, and possibly his most successful. He went on to say he also did a season in Rockhampton that he also enjoyed very much.

When asked what his greatest achievement was, he said there was no one moment that defined his amatuer career. "I have had top ten stage finishes in three international tours in Thailand and New Zealand. I have won the Club Championship in Mount Isa and Rockhampton. I have finsihed the Grafton to Inverell four times. I have had podium placings in a number of National Series races. I have worn the yellow jersey in the Tablelands Tour and Top End Tour. All have been significant and meaningful at the time".

He attributes any and all success he has had in cycling to his parents, and his long term cycling friend Matt Jenkin, a bicycle shop owner in Gladstone.

Three ticker tape parades have been organised throughout Queensland over the coming weeks for any fans who wish to come out and farewell the King. They will be held at the following centres.

Watch local guides for further information.

Mount Isa - West Street - May 27, 2011

Rockhampton - Archer Street - May 28, 2011

Sunshine Coast - Kunda Park - May 29, 2011

The Labour Day Handicap

I don't think we could have had better conditions for this mornings handicap race in Rocky if we had of asked for it. Absolutely perfect.

Full credit to every M1 rider who raced today - Thunder, the Dom, LG, Grainfed and SpyCat. No M1 rider started higher than Cotton Wool Club - which was myself and the Dom - with a handicap of around 16 minutes 30. SpyCat was in the group behind on Chopping Block and LG, Grainfed and Thunder made up the following bunch on Scratch.

In the end, only two of the front markers stayed off the front with all of the remaining bunches being mowed down by Chopping Block and Scratch. Thunder came home for 5th place - 3rd in the bunch kick and Grainfed claimed 6th place. SpyCat took out the first unplaced female rider and undoubtly had the ride of the day out of all the M1 riders.

Thunder claimed fastest time of the day and openly admits that without Grainfed and LG dragging his "fat bum" to the finish he wouldn't have averaged the 42k/hr it took to get the prize. In true sprinter fashion Thunder hasn't stopped whinging since we left Rocky - apparently there is no other place than 1st if you are sprinter - anything less doesn't rate!!

The 5 to 4 Ride

Finally, after seven years of riding in Gladstone the girls outnumbered the guys on the ride this morning!!!!! Well, for a little while anyway..... until the Zulu and Compedo turned up. For those of you who don't know, Compedo (as we found out at the brew shop) is actually Italian for Peter - true story.

At the start of the ride at Bunny's, Rocket had the best ever comeback to the King when he made comment that Rocket, Red Fox and Tom Tom couldn't ride with the carbon club. It was an absolutely corker!! And for once, the King was speechless - whilst we were all having a good ol' chuckle.

BSB finally came out of the woodwork this morning and will be in charge for tomorrow's 6:00am float. I hope you're at home practicing your bark BSB, it was a little off key at the brew shop this morning!

Best of luck to everyone that's racing tomorrow.... the trash talk and alliance forming has already started. According to LG he's looking forward to catching the front markers tomorrow.... you'll need to outpace the pack of Redskins drafting behind Chief "Big" Redskin. "How???" - said the Redskins.

Remember Dominator, tomorrow's race is an out and back course. No turns required!!