M1 Cycles

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Trek TDF Bikes

Here is the list and price of all the bikes on Treks Tour de France Sale.

Remember that there is a Madone 5.5, 5.2, 4.7, 3.1, Speed Concept 7.5, and plenty of 1 series and FX bikes in shop.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Yarwun Race Day.

I think that everyone would agree with me that we need the blog mistress back on the job.

Saturday was a great day of racing out at Yarwun. What made the day even better was that the usual front markers were back a little further, it was just good to see them getting up a bit. I hate seeing good riders winning a race with an easy handycap.

Another pet hate of mine is looking at dirty bikes on raceday. When I was a little fella playing league in Cloncurry, my dad always made me clean my football boots the night before the game and I always had tape around my socks so they wouldnt fall down.

First time racer Russ had a great ride, coming in top 10. You will have your day in the sun for the Calliope race. The Dominator decided to use his heavier wheels so that he wouldnt get airborn this time. I think it paid off. Old Silent Assassin had a blinder as well. Just needed a bit more strength hey old mate.

As for the Big Bopper an LG. Well... One trained too hard and smoked himself in the race. But don't worry, we will see the results of that one in three weeks time. Did you hear that the other one has a Great Dane now?

If you didnt go Mountain Biking with us on Sunday then you missed out in a great day. We went up on the Sunshine track and smashed out two laps with no stacks. Oh yeah, Brad, I'm right hand rear aswell.

Tour de France Sale

Friday, June 24, 2011

Do as I say, Not as I do

Yep! I blew the diet. Now I am back to day one again. Where did I go wrong you may ask. It could have been the coke zero, or even the coffee with milk. This is what happens when you run the carby to lean, you blow the big end.

Now, onto the training side of tings. I sort of did the float ride last night. Everything was going good until my old mate Marky Chadwick phoned me. Damn mobiles. Anyway, it turns out that he is starting a new job as a sales representative for Focus Bikes. The Katusha team rode them in the Tour, Robbie McKewan also rode for them last year.

Who is Mark Chadwick you may ask. He is one very good road sprinter. I am pretty sure that Mark won the South Australian criterium series this year. Everyone will know his brother, Glen Chadwick. Glen rides the New Zealand team, Pure Black Racing.

After chatting on the phone and trying to ride my bike at the same time I just rolled back to the shop.

28km.. Ok we will call that one a recovery ride.
Got home, knocked over 2 glasses of red wine on an empty tummy. Made myself a feast. Afer that I started on the LCM bars and any other junk I could find.
Weight- Don't bother.
23 Days to go.

If you want to become a roady, be you have to get off the merry-go-round that I was talking about earlier.

Quote of the day- Do as I say, not as I do.

http://www.pureblackracing.com/

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A GOOD COACH

First of all, I need to say that Cameron Jennings is on of the best cycling coaches that I have ever seen. Not that I've seen many coaches. Every rider that Cam has had anything to do with has improved out of sight. Micky Newel, and now old Ray. He has been on the Cam Jennings stable for 3 weeks and is riding out of sight. I have my money on ray for the KOM in the Calliope Classic (C grade). There are a whole lot of other riders that Cam coaches. Might I add that Ray is a mountain goat first, roady second.

Last nights ride lived up to its name for me. I think I should have just floated around marina with The Dom an Brad.

60km of Hell Ride. Done... Slow with heavy legs.
This mornings weight- 80 kg.
A little core work and some stretching, feeling a bit sore and tight from yesterdays training. Will float tonight with 6 to 8 small gear sprints at the end. I do the small gear sprints now as the legs are too sore to crank a big gear. But this will still stimulate the fast twitch muscle or something like that. Ask LG, he knows how it goes. With the science bla bla.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sunday Mountain Bike Ride

If anyone is interested in doing a mountian bike ride on Sunday, it will be an 8.30 am start at the Choice Petroleum on Philip St.

This way if you do the bunch ride you still have time to have a brew, get home and grab the MTB. It wont be hard as there might be some tired legs in the pack from the Yarwin race.

I hear that Ray has been doing heaps of work on the Sunshine track. So we might head up there for an inspection.

25 Days... But Who's Counting?

I went out with the Snowman and his bunch for a lap lastnight. Only did 16km to float the legs. Remember, recovery rides are just as important as those smashes.

Day 3- Morning training session then this afternoons smash. 25 days to go.
Awake 4.50am.
Weight 81kg. What the hell! I dont know if the scales are wrong or if I am ment to be 45kg on race day.
I set the ergos up the on Tuesday night. Woke up, had my normal breaky. Meusli with protein and black coffee.

First up, I had to get through 4 sets of 5 minute strengthys at 60 to 70 rpm. Done.
Next was the 20 sets of 30 seconds high cadence work at 115 rpm. Did that in the 53-18. By about number 15 these babys start to get a bit sticky. My total training session was 1 hour and 10 minutes with roll down. Did some core work. Oh yeah... Core is KING! I do core work at least twice a week.

Tonight, I will be trying to get my head around the Wednesday night hell ride. It is the one ride that I am a bit shy of. If you want to know about the Wednesday night hell ride. Turn up and find out.

Hey, I hate hills as much as any sprinter. But if you want to be at the end of a roadrace, and line up for the kick, you first must get yourself over some hills. Weight is everything. So... if your training consists of rolling around the marina, YOU will never be at the end of any road race.

Thunder out.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

21 DAYS TO BREAK A HABBIT

Did you know that it takes roughly 21 days to break a habbit. Damn. I only have 19 days to go until i break my habbit. I am trying to get out of the habbit of eating well for 3 days, then blowing it for 1. So far Ive been shmick for 2 days. Lets see how it goes in the next 24 hours.

In this sport of bike racing, weight is everything. Anyone who is over 40 years old, and can keep their weight down, and stay lean has my respect. Man its hard. I am sitting here, looking at my coke and thinking to myself how bad of a drug sugar is, and how hard it is to kick.

Day 2- The Tuesday morning town smash. 26 days to race day.
Awake 3.50 am
Weight 83kg
Food. Meusli with protein powder.
Distance. 70 km. Did a warm up lap around Glen Eden with 3 x 53-14 sprints. Turned up on the bunch ride at 4.45 am. Small bunch. Dave the Dentist, Silent Asassin, Sweeney Todd, Dave from the Gold Coast and Me. I think we only averaged about 37 0r 38 kmph for the paceline. We needed LG with us. And Im not sure how to download my statistics off the Garmin.

If I wasnt so desperate to get some form on board, I would have took the shortcut home. Ended up doing heaven hill plus Haddock drive and the extenson. Through in a few kicks along Kirkwood Rd.

Will head out tonight for the Tuesday night float to roll the snot out of the legs. Maybe 25k. Thinking Snow Man and I can form a team.

Quote of the day- Weight is everything.

Monday, June 20, 2011

PASSION

What has this photo and M1 Cycles have in common?

I was down south for the weekend, and Kate asked me if I wanted to watch my school play rugby. HELL YEAH!

Toowoomba Grammar is one of the smallest GPS schools. I am proud to be a part of this. Whether it was swimming, athletics, cross country or rugby. We would lift to the bar that was raised. We played with such passion.

As you can see in this photo, the young me were heading heading out to battle against a school more then twice its size. Brisbane State High School. For the record, we went down. But there was one thing for sure, BSHS came up the mountain smug as smug. TGS home knowing that they played for every point. Its been like that for over 100 years. And it will be the same for the next 100 years. It was bred into us in year 8 and that hunger grew.

As old Cross Country coach would say every time. This is easy. Im only asking one thing of you men. Beat as many across the line as you can. That is what you call passion.

I have been in Gladstone for seven years now. I have been teaching ordinary people how to ride, I rode with my riders in the local Rockhampton club race, I have raced with them down south. The one thing that gives me the biggest kick of all is seeing ordinary people turn into extraordinary riders, watching these riders lift to another level, and watching these riders raise a bar further then it has ever been raised before. You can only get this through the passion within. Its the passion that gives them the will to hang in there to the very end.

There is only four weeks to go untill the Calliope Classic road race. Every year it has it's own story. This year will not be any different. This road race has been one of those races that I, one reason or another could not or have not won.

I jumped on the scales yesterday. I came in at 85kg... That was easy to put on. I have four weeks, and a lot of hard work before race day.

From today, every day, for the next four weeks, I will log my training on the blog. Everything from weight, km's, time, ave cadence.

Monday- 20 minute roller session. 85kg. average rpm 105 bpm. Felt terrible. Did a bit of core work aswell. Am not looking forward to tomorrow mornings ride.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Tour Wrap Up

Day three of the Tablelands Tour and there was a lot at stake.

Thunder had gone from 3rd on GC to 13th with his tremendous effort in the TT. Placing 6th in the TT moved LG up the ranks and into 3rd. The top 4 or 5 placings in B grade were pretty tightly contested at this point in time with mere seconds separating 2nd to 4th placings - it was all going to come down to the final stage - NO PRESSURE.

I know I was feeling the pressure through out the tour. I'd been given the job of Tour photographer and head cheer leader. I'd exhausted myself that much on the first day of racing that I needed a massage in the afternoon, followed by a kinder nap when the TT was on the following afternoon.... we won't mention that countless spa baths I had to take just to recover my legs from all of that pacing I was doing!!

Anyway, let's get serious - back to the final stage. The boys had 93k, SpyCat had 60 something k. I chased B grade out on course during the first hour and at that point there was a break of two riders off the front with about a minutes lead over the main bunch. At the KOM, LG was throwing his bike in desperation to claim the 2 second bonus that was up for grabs in an attempt to protect his 3rd GC place. 10 minutes down the road and SpyCat's grade came flying past in the opposite direction... the tail was up, the head was down and she was still hanging onto the pack.

Having been given instructions to capture the finish for blog purposes I scurried back to the finish to take my place. They had moved the finish line further down the road this year. With about 1000m to go there was an absolute screamer of a downhill section, probably 70+ speed, followed by a false flat of around about 300 - 400m finishing with a another short decent of about 100m to the finish line.

Having left the boys in mid race, I had no idea if the break had been caught or if it had all come together. I was hoping it was together. Why? Well, for almost 8 years I've watched The King race and I know that if it comes down to a bunch kick and if the King's ANYWHERE within koo-eee of the bunch, then he'll take it out. I kidd you not. I've seen him do it sooooo many times before. He becomes a man possessed. Anyway, they closed the road off when the riders hit the 1k mark and the call come out that the bunch was together. As the police vehicle and lead car came over the hill it was only a couple of seconds before the blue helmets of the M1 boys popped over the top. Thunder in the lead, being chased by a Townsville rider who was being snapped at by LG. This is the way the race would finish - M1 First and Third.

On GC, LG retained his 3rd place for the Tour. What more can be said - the training had paid off and LG reaped the rewards of his efforts.

C grade wasn't too far away and it was another big bunch finish. SpyCat was there, chasing the boys down. Another awesome effort from SpyCat in a male dominated Tour. Besides Ruth Corset who was riding A grade in preparation for her return to racing in Europe, SpyCat was the only chick who didn't ride D grade.

That is all. I'm exhausted.

Kym Ayling - 2000km in 20 days

We had Kym Ayling stop through the shop this morning for a minor repair. I later found out that he was riding to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Aiming to do the 2000km in 20 days, Kym has also set himself the target of raising $5000 for the foundation.

If anyone would like to donate to his cause, here is the website- http://www.everydayhero.com.au/kym_ayling

To follow his blogsite-
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/kym_ayling

Or on Facebook- kim ayling

Monday, June 13, 2011

2011 Tour de Tablelands

Day 2.

Another day up in the far north of beautiful Queensland had the boys and girl slog it out for another stage of the 2011 Tour de Tablelands.

The 75km scratch race came down to a sprint. Dodging a crash just before the 600m uphill sprint finish, Matty "thunder"Jenkin has managed to whip out the goodn's to take home stage 2 of the tour. I rekon he has found that hunger for winning again. How about you Thunder?

Close behind was LG in 4th place.

Catriona came home with the bunch in her 57km scratch race.

The Individual Time Trial in the afternoon was set to put all racers in their place.

LG brang home a solid 6th place. Matty, well... We can all guess how much effort he put into it. I believe Thunder placed DNT. He was also the only rider in the tour to pull up for a toilet break. That took matty from 3rd in the GC to 13th.

Well done guys.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

2011 Tour de Tablelands

Day 1.

3 M1 riders and 1 support crew made there way up to the tablelands to fly the green and orange flag at this popular bike race.

B grade had a 72km scratch race which took the bunch through Lake Tinaroo. The race was full of breaks, which had Lord Garmin and a few other blokes chase down every time. All LG's hardwork payed off, going down the road in a two man break away in the last 5km. Unfortunately, LG could not pull in Wallie Dingo, who went down the road earlier. Mick got nipped in the sprint, and took home a noble 3rd place.

Soon after that, the main bunch came in, with Thunder taking 4th place by taking out the bunch sprint.

Cat rode extremely well in the 57km C grade scratch race, holding strong in the race, and coming in with the bunch sprint.

Stay tuned for Stage 2 of The 2011 Tour de Tablelands.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Half Wheel Harrys

Come on now, you all know who I am talking about. We all have had it done to us at one time or another. Good old Half Wheel Harry.

We all know how it goes, you are riding along at a steady pace of 29/30 kph and old Harry has his wheel just in front of yours. We pick the pace to 31 kph, and what do you know? Harry is half a wheel in front again. By the time we get ourselves sorted, what went from a steady 30 kph, we have the bunch stretched at 35 kph plus! Arghhh!

I remember the Zulu complaining about Johan half wheeling him for 50km. Man, did I give the King of half-wheeling (the Zulu) a gob full!

So... I am asking everyone to dob in a Harry half-wheeler. If you are named, you have to explain why you feel the need to half wheel someone.

Zulu, you are up first!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Bilo Ride This Saturday

The newly-returned Bushslasher and Ray's Brother will be riding to Biloela this saturday the 11-06-2011.

The ride will leave from McDonalds at 6am, so maybe rock up a little bit earlier and have some brekky. That boston bagel is amazing.

As quoted by Ray's Brother "Anyone interested will have to find their own way back."

And on that note, see you all out there!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

The Action Man

Every once in a while you come across an action photo that's worth keeping.

If you haven't already seen it on the M1 Cycles Facebook page, here's one of the King in action at the Metro's Criterium last weekend.

Great photo Thunder - you even made the fridge door :)

The Train

They don't come anymore awesome than this. Here's a pic of the M1 boys spearheading the B grade race like an express freight train just before the finish..... Ben 10, LG, Thunder and Grainfed.

Unfortunately due to a fall in the closing laps the Train couldn't deliver Grainfed to the line in first place but still.....awesome effort and AWESOME photo.

Sunday sees the boys and SpyCat line up for the 60k handicap roadrace at 8am.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Merida 29er Demo Bike

To all them fury legged mountain goats out there in M1 land.

We have a Merida 1000 twenty nine in the shop. If anyone would like to take it out for the day, come in and see Grainfed.

Frame size is a Medium.

I have to send it back some time next week, so be quick.