Tuesday's New Sprint Finish

As the town is getting busier, and the group is getting bigger, The King decided that the sprint into the spinnaker gates is becoming too dodgy, especially around that corner.

The sprint will be to the 60km/h speed limit sign, just before the coal port roundabout.

The King is allowing the pace to wind up to a hammer after the stickmakers roundabout.

Remember, it's a 4.45am start on Tuesday mornings. See you all out there!

Newsflash

In news just to hand, it appears that Bam Bam thought she was still riding around Bedrock this morning when they left the bakery after the ride.... apparently Bam Bam had left her helmet at the bakery and only just noticed about 100m from home when the wind was blowing freely through her hair!!!

Nice one Bam Bam.

The Peach Blossum Boys

It seems that our bunch Peach Blossum Boys are getting bitten by the HU bug. On the bunch ride this morning Croz and Boki turned right and rode with the bunch until Church Hill. We picked them up again just on the other side of Shillings Lane and again they stuck with us until the rollers coming into Calliope.

Good on you boys... just got to get you both over Haddock next!

Bam Bam & SpyCat

Nice photo girls!

Sorry Bam Bam, I just can't call you Pebbles. Something sounds wrong with it!!

The Bed Sock Ride

Somehow Whiffo forgot to take his bedsocks off this morning before he came for the bunch ride. I thought BSB was bad with the sock thing, but Whiffo this morning just took the cake! Good thing you didn't come to the coffee shop Whiff - you and your socks would have been plastered all over the blogsite by now!!! Classic.

I think there was a little confusion at the Yarwun turnoff this morning - Thunder, Zulu, Bam Bam, Darkhorse and SpyCat all went left...... What was the go with that??? Sounds like there must have been a bit of phoning around in advance to organise the left turn rebellion???

The Hitters were actually pretty controlled this morning and the ride was pretty much uneventful except for Ray's Brothers acrobatic display in front of the entire bunch at the Calliope River Sand Bed. Doh!! You really should do those things when you're at the back of the pack Russ!!

Coming along Kirkwood all I could hear was my phone texting.... what's this Fabian at the brew shop!!!!! Oh man, shame he was gone by the time I got there.... maybe tomorrow!!

The Bottle

Here's a funky little product that is a must have for the die hard bling bling riders who must have the LATEST of everything!!

Its a water bottle that allows you to store your gels and water in the same convenient bottle.... no more reaching in your pockets to squeeze out gel all over your face, no more stuffing the empty gel packets back in your pockets just so the remains can leak out and make your jersey sticky... how cool is that???

They're available now at M1 Cycles...

The Fabian

Ahhh, the latest edition of Bicycling Australia has finally landed in the stands of the newsagency and as usual Thunders like a kid at a candy shop.

But what's that, Fabian Cancellara on the front cover in his new Trek Leopard kit.... Oh, that's right Fabian rides for Trek now - perhaps I should read the blog more often !! wink wink.

Mattys Gone Mad Sale... Again

We managed to get some more of the MET Inferno helmets
CHEAP. These MET's retail for $269, and again, we are dumping them out for $140.

Only Red/ Silver and Blacks left so hurry.












On a different sale, we are clearing out all ELITE stationary trainers at a whopping 25% off.

And no, The TREK doesn't come with the trainer.

In The Box?

It was good to see the old Trek rep come up and see us again. The last time we saw this hitter was at the Trek Demo Day down at the Tannum Sands Triathlon.

After a swift conversation with Kerrie when the paceline had finished (which by LG's stats we averaged 41.01km/h), Kerrie the Trek rep briefed me on what he did BEFORE the bunch ride. On the bike at 3am, interval training, and TT efforts, then backed up for the paceline. According to my sources he finished the ride with a smash over Haddock Drive.

Just so everyone knows, I won the sprint.

Ben 10 Pro Racing

In Ben 10's first pro race at Geelong on the Australian Triathalon circuit, he's finished just outside the top 10. By the sounds of it, he's pretty darn happy - as he should be.

Awesome effort Ben 10!

The Name Dropper Ride

This mornings ride was off to a good start. A flattie by Roxan in the first 2ks. I thought it was going to be a very long trip to the coffee shop - fortuntately I mistaken! A few new riders in the pack this morning - Drewe and Rodger.

It appears that the sprint for the coffee shop is going to wind up from when the bunch goes through the lights at Phillip St and onto Sunvalley Road. More of a time trial than a sprint if you ask me! New boy Drewe is responsible for this mornings wind up.

Well done to Lisa who stuck to the back of the pack over all the climbs this morning - keep turning up Lisa and I assure you it will get easier!

At the bakery we were joined by a couple of big names - Cadel Evans and Robbie McEwen. Not sure that Bob spelt his name right though for his coffee order. I wonder who will turn up for next Sunday's ride.... Andy Schleck??? Fabian Cancerella??? Maybe even Lance himself.....

Bike Of The Week

Coming ready-to-race straight out of the box, the TREK 6000 will give you everything you need for cross-country mountain bike racing racing, and lets you enjoy that sunday bash through the bush.

The TREK 6000 retails for $1199 everywhere else in Australia, but not at M1 CYCLES, where you can get this machine for $999!

M1 Cycles, where you DON'T pay extra for fancy overheads of freight charges!

Something to try...

If you are ever wondering how the best of the best get where they are, check these vids out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q8tuJiZn5U&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDawlrIeaVM&feature=related

The Farewell Ride

Last nite the bunch said bon voyage to the Pilot, Carmen and beautiful baby Aurora as they get ready to set sail for their new home in Newcastle.

In true M1 spirit, the bunch headed out for a couple of laps before pulling up for a road side snack consisting of chippies, carrots, beer, chippies and more chippies (just ask the Gobble Dot!).

You will be missed in the bunch Tuggy - I won't miss you though when I've been busted by the bunch and you've offered to ride "beside" me.... hammering me all the way home!!

Tuggy has already been checking out the local cycling bunches in Newcastle and I'm sure we'll get some pikkies for the blog - don't forget to wear your M1 colours!

Farewell To The Pilot

There will be farewell drinks at the marina for jake (aka tuggy, ex-tuggy, pilot) this Thursday the 17th of February.

The bunch will do 2 laps, then will pull in for drinks and nibblies at Spinnaker Park.

There will be NO lettuce leaves for the stick beatle club, just Lard But quality chips and drinks.

Did we mention that its Dom's birthay?

Tuesday Morning Start Times

Reset your alarm for next week boys and girls. The King has made the call that the Tuesday morning rides will start at 4:45am.

The "Yes I'm 18" Ride

Not much to report from this mornings ride except that the Dominator turns 18 tomorrow.

The ride started at 5:00am, it was raining on and off, it was windy the whole time, the traffic on Hanson was horrendous and the Dominator turns 18 tomorrow.

Only 3 riders headed out to Haddock, don't know if they all made it or not and the Dominator turns 18 tomorrow.

This picture has nothing to do with today's ride, its from the Barry Big Arms ride last Thursday. And did I mention that the Dominator turns 18 tomorrow???

And Another Ones Gone.....

Now seriously everyone... this is getting a little ridiculous. I'm sure you can all find some other way of getting on the blog!

Yet another rider went down after this mornings ride. The Pilot (aka Ex-Tuggy) was out doing a bit of ekky with SpyCat and went down going around a downhill corner at 40k/hr. Unbeknown to the Pilot was the fact that he had a flat front tyre..... as you can see, it didn't end well....

Please people - stay upright!!!!

Here's a song just for you Pilot.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE

The Gone Fishin' Ride

Another excellent day for riding. About 16 turned up at Bunny's at 5:30am, including Darryl's wife from the Sunny Coast Monica. Monica has a really really nice Colnago (serious bike envy!!).

Try Smurf was late. Try Smurf thinks that because he lives near Kirkwood road, he doesn't have to get up early to meet the bunch at Bunny's. His reasoning - What's the point of riding all the way down Kirkwood to turn around and ride all the way back???? Um, I don't know Try Smurf....

Now, the bakery. 7 pies in total were consumed by those who went to the bakery. I don't know if you can really class Dark Horse's attempt at a pie as an actual "pie". More of a "petit miam" pie if you ask me. Next week, Dark Horse is going for the Babychino to match his petit miam pie!

Oh, and Petit Miam is French for yummy pie :)

The Pie and Sauce Ride

Right from the get go this morning something was a little different in the pack. The numbers were down - only around 17 or 18, there was a bit of wind and it was definately heaps cooler than the last few weeks. Even the pace was off as we headed out to Yarwun!!

The hitters were more than a little tentative this week as we headed out to Targinnie. It didn't stop Zulu and Bam Bam from lighting up the tandem and peeling a few bananas on Church Hill and out to the turn around. According to Zulu, Bam Bam had a score to settle after Thursday nites ride. You go Bam Bam!!

As we rolled down De-Brief hill we came across Wazza, Ron, Bloomers and Pyney on the side of the road. At first glance it just looked like the boys had pulled up for a picnic. But then we noticed Pyney was covered in red sauce - which would have gone really well with the pies everyone ate at the bakery!! Pyney had come a cropper in a big way having clipped the wheel in front. Ouch ouch ouch - even Pyney's socks were soaked with sauce! It was (another) trip to the hospital for Pyney.

According to Wazza, Smithy also went over the handle bars before the Yarwun turnoff after he blew a front tyre. Sweeny Todd was there to pick up the pieces..... actually, I wonder if Sweeny Todd has been making pies for the bakery????

What's Your Favourite

Back at the bakery again today and the boys are back into the goodies. It appears that pies are definately becoming the choice for many. I've heard of the Ned Kelly and the Silent Assassin was munching on what looked to be a Potato pie this morning, but what's your favourite???

Me personally, I'm a cream donut kinda girl....

Road Bike Sale

Here is another unbelievable sale.

The Trek 1.1 road bike is retailing for $799, and Matty is dumping them out for $649. Again, there is an overload of stock and they must go!

The Biggest Ever Trek MTB Sale!

Never to happen again, The Biggest Ever Trek MTB Sale.

These Bikes were a $399 bike, now going for $333.

Matt has 30 of them and they need to go!

The Flat-Fest Ride

Today's ride shall forever be known as the Flat-Fest ride. And Auckland hill is no longer, Auckland hill - it is Flat-Fest hill.

In the space of 100m the bunch suffered 4 flatties. At the bottom of the hill, SpyCat blew first. Thunder explained the anti-discrimination rules of flatties in the M1 bunch to the new riders at the top of the hill before we crusied down to help out SpyCat. Girls = the bunch pulls up. Boys = we'll see you at the brew shop!!!

Johnno was the next one to puncture, with a double whammy whilst we were waiting. Good thing we had a bike shop owner and a bike mechanic in the bunch to work out how to use the gas cylinder!! Flat Bar guy - Andrew I think??? - had an absolute screamer of a time getting his tube reinflated. We even got proof!

When we eventually got going - 15 minutes later - the paceline was an absolute shocker and just about everyone went home early.

Bet you're glad you risked getting your butt wet for this mornings smash Floyd!!!

The Birth Of The Trek Madone.

I have been in this factory, it looks even better in real life. 3 things i can say is, clean, spotless and clean. Make that 4, UNREAL!

Give this video a watch, and remember that the technology is 3 years old, you can now see why the Trek Madone is rated THE best road bikes ever made.

Remember, a bike is not the running gear that surrounds it, its the frame and the quality that it is made with. Bikes are not toys, they are a high-tech piece of machinery, and this is how the worlds best bike is manufactured.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nVbmcnsXXs

Start Time Change

After this mornings somewhat adventerous paceline, discussion arose as to whether or not we should move the start time for the Tuesday morning rides to 4:45am - 15 minutes earlier.

The main argument for this is that the traffic along Hanson Road for the 13k paceline is getting somewhat "hairy". A 15 minute earlier start time will give us just that little bit more breathing space. The main argument against this is that you'll have to get up 15 minutes earlier (boo hoo!)

Your thoughts please.....

The Ergo-nator

Ahhh, what more could you want on a Sunday afternoon - kicking back, relaxing with a black rat, enjoying a DVD or two. NOT LIKELY!!!

Meet the "Ergo-nator". Related to the Terminator? I think so. Young Grainfed backed up for the second week in a row for a self-torture session on the ergo. The program consisted of "Reggies" - 1x 5minute block followed by 2x 10 minute blocks. There ain't no secret training here boys and girls, its all about pain and LOTS OF IT! See Thunder if you want the "Reggie" program....

If you're into torture sessions on the ergo, check the website http://www.thesufferfest.com/. Check out the pictures of everyones ergo setup!

The Window Shopper

This picture reminds me of a song:

How much is that Trek in the Window? Woof Woof. The one with the shiny bling bling. How much is that Trek in the Window!

Sorry, but - No Trek for you S.P.Y!

A free tube for anyone who can name the "M1 Window Shopper"!

The Bakery Strikes (Yet) Again

Nom, Nom, Nom. Another one bites the dust.....

The Sunday Social Ride

The twitter around the pack this morning still revolved around yesterdays action packed hitters ride. I finally thought of a name for Dave the Dentist - Witch Doctor. No relation of The Doctor. I don't know why. I just know Thunder hits him up about remedy's for his aches and pains all the time!

Zulu was the solo ekky rider this morning. Not so sneakily doing the block before the ride. Mind you, it was at an easy Zulu "rolling" pace of 34k/hr.

A few riders - SpyCat, Croz & The Doctor - went MIA after Auckland Hill... not sure what happened there.

Sweeny Todd went for the kick about 2ks from the finish, with Witch Doctor hot on his tail. Don't know who got it in the end????

Our little mate from a few weeks ago was back at the Bakery this morning..... a little bit older but still as cute!

The Bakery Strikes Again

I don't know boys.... this bakery idea doesn't seem like a real good idea for post ride recovery. Yet another rider - Chrissy A - succumbed to the temptations that lie beyond the ever so welcoming doors of our local brew stop....

You have now been dubbed - Choc Top Boy. What's with wasting all the chocolate that's left on the inside of the paper bag!!! Come on Chrissy, you should have licked that paper bag clean!

At least you weren't busted going back for seconds, like someone else we know... but we won't mention names... Bloomers!!

The It Had To Happen Sooner Or Later Ride

Sitting at the bakery after this mornings ride, with lovely wet socks and a face sprayed with mud, I was listening to the stories being told about the bunches biggest crash to date that happened along Targinnie Road on the Hitters Ride.

Now I'm a pretty trusting sort of person, usually believing most things that I get told. But something caught my attention about these stories. "Supposedly", there was a wallaby. However, no one in this BIG bunch of about 15 "supposedly" reasonably intelligent blokes in lycra actually "saw" this wallaby in the flesh. Sound suspicious???? It did to me - kind of like in Madagascar where the pengiuns pop out of the ground and say to Marty "You didn't see anything".......

Wallaby or no wallaby - LG has a pretty ferral looking shoulder and one really sad looking face. Bushy has a bit of bark missing, a stuffed pair of shoes and a cracked frame. Jason from Emerald will probably never ride with us again and will be sore tomorrow. Ben 10 is trying to destroy his spare bike but once again, his skin came out of things pretty unscathed!

Thanx for the tow into town Wazza - see I didn't forget you!

Thursday Float Ride

There must have been 30 plus riders (don't let the truth get in the way of a good story). I am pleased to say the whole pack is riding well. The older riders are taking care of the new ones. Step back a few years... we were all green horns once.

As we can see Young Davy Smith in his Barry Big Arms shirt. So... it is official. This Thursday's night ride (8th) is going to be a Barry BIG Arms Ride. So bring out your sleevless shirts for Barry Big Arms Day.

The Yasi Ride

What can I say? The wednesday night ride is traditionally a smashfest, but when you are doing over HALF the open highway speed limit, somethings gotta give.

All we know is that The Zulu (AKA as Yasi) got to the front and riders were going out the back.

End of story.

The Sale

Its been living in the shop for just under 12 months now, sitting on a shelf looking pretty. Thunder's decided that the Leopard Trek with Di2 is the way to go, so the ol' racer is on the market for a new owner (hopefully one that will take her for a ride!).

This bike is just about brand new - only ever ridden in a handful of races last year + one coffee shop ride! - and is now for sale for $5,000 neat. Of course its got Dura-ace, a Node 2 computer (that's Trek for fancy computer), a 6.9 carbon frame (that's Trek for "she goes real fast") and a lifetime frame warranty (that's Trek talk for - "you'll never have a problem!").

Drop in and speak to Matty if you're interested.

The Leopard Trek

The Schleck brothers are riding them, Stuart O'Grady is riding one and so is Cancellara - now you can too!

If you're in the market for a new Project One - and there are a few of them starting to filter through the M1 pack - you now have the option of the Leopard Trek design. This design is the latest to be added to the custom schemes you can select from through the Project One site.... shame it wasn't two months earlier!!

Head to http://www.trekbikes.com.au/ and follow the links to Project One to check it out!

The Coffee shop

After more than 6 years at the same brew shop, a few weeks ago the M1 bunch was forced to try and find another coffee shop. It turns out that the bunch ended up at Craig's Bakery on Sunvalley Road.

The coffee is quick, the service is fantastic and the yum yums are even better!! As a result, we haven't left and Craig's has now turned into our regular Saturday and Sunday coffee shop stop.

Ron the owner of Craig's has even started riding with the bunch! Don't know that the pies should really be a regular on the menu for post training recovery!!

The Slackers Ride

To all you slackers in M1 land who didn't turn up on the ride this morning - and there are a few of you - I want to know your excuses!!! There was no Yasi, there was no wind, there was no rain.

Your excuses had better be good - Woody, Dave the Dentist, Thunder, myself and bakery boy Ron are exempt as we actually turned up!! SpyCat is only half exempt - she was spotted out at the marina but missed the start of the bunch ride.

Excuses please slackers.......!!