Fleche Opperman - Audax Australia

Transcription

No. 26 Summer 2005/06
Fleche Opperman
Results and stories
RAAM
A long long way
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National Committee
The Audax Club of Australia Inc.
Association No. A0014462N
President
Hans Dusink - 03 9314 3815
president@audax.org.au
Vice President
Barry Moore - 03 9803 6529
barrykmoore@optushome.com.au
Secretary
Greg Cunningham - 02 6288 6997
secretary@audax.org.au
Treasurer
Stephen Chambers - 03 5952 5969
treasurer@audax.org.au
Membership Secretary
Lorraine Allen - 03 5783 2427
membership@audax.org.au
Contents
No. 26 Summer
2005/06
President’s Pedals
5
Letter to the Editor
5
Fleche Opperman All Day Trial
6
Opperman Shield winners
6
Petit Oppy Results
7
Team Goldfields Giro report
8
Opperman Finishers 2005
9
Checkpoint
Gar Gar yet again
10
No. 26 - Summer 2005/06
13
Victoria Region News
14
West Australia Region News
14
Just do it! - by Steve Ambry
15
Glen Druery on RAAM
16
Pyrenees Magic ride report
17
Canola Canter ride report
18
Committee Talk
19
Garry Armsworth - 02 9416 7462
gwarm@optusnet.com.au
Semaine Federale
20
Lily And Donna’s ride report
23
Keith McCulloch - 02 4822 0908
kerob@bigpond.net.au
Rider Profile: Dino Morgante
24
NSW President
Chris Walsh - 02 9924 2200
sydney@audax.org.au
PBP Survey Results - Part 2
27
Membership Renewals
27
World News
28
Brevets
29
Committee Members
Henry Boardman - 02 4275 3130
henry.boardman@bluescopesteel.com
Gordon Cockcroft - 03 5368 7278
gordonc@myaccess.com.au
QLD President
Vaughan Kippers - 07 3376 6761
v.kippers@uq.edu.au
SA President
Ian Peak TAS President
Paul Gregory - 03 6229 3811
pgregory@bigpond.com
VIC President
Martin Haynes - 03 5674 2157
clothing@audax.org.au
WA President
Brian Hawes
brian_hawes@optusnet.com.au
RAAM
A long long wa
y
The Oppy in 2007
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Brevet Secretary
Peter Mathews - 03 9890 6089
brevets@audax.org.au
Fleche Oppe
rman
Results and sto
ries
A different kind of Audax challenge 26
Aussies at the Semaine Federale, France: pg 20
Editor/Producer
Patrick van Dyk
checkpoint@audax.org.au
Brevet Editor
Stephen George
checkpoint@audax.org.au
Distribution
Phil Bellette and volunteers
info@audax.org.au
Contributions, especially those
accompanied by photos and
graphics, are always welcome.
Closing date for the next issue
is 28 Feb, for publication by 20
April 2006.
Please send to:
checkpoint@audax.org.au, or
Editor
PO Box 12144
A’Beckett St
Melbourne VIC 8006
Cover photo: “Sunrise” - Reg
Pearce of the Wagga team
powers along at daybreak on the
2005 Fleche Opperman All Day
Trial. Photo by Ali Pearce.
Disclaimer Opinions expressed
in this magazine are those of
the respective authors, and not
necessarily those of the Audax
Club of Australia Inc.
Borrowing this copy?
To
receive your own copy, simply join
the club at www.audax.org.au/
membership.htm or write to the
above address.
Checkpoint Summer 2005/06
3
Farewell Mr President
President’s
Pedals
with Hans Dusink
Welcome to my last President’s Pedals.
I know you have read that before, but this
time is the last time. Chairing the Annual
General meeting in February will be my
last official function as President of Audax
Australia. It has been both a privilege and a
pleasure to have served you, the members.
As I write this column, I often wonder
whether anybody reads my comments. I
was surprised when a member approached
me and wanted to speak about something
I had written. I had forgotten the reference
and humbly had to be reminded about what
I had written.
During my tenure, I have served with
many hard working volunteers. Some I need
to mention by name. Firstly I want to thank
Lorraine Allen, our membership secretary.
Lorraine spends many hours in ensuring
that the membership data is correct. She
ensures that all the new members get their
new member kits and ensures that the rest
of us get our membership cards.
Gordon Cockcroft is another I wish to
specifically mention. The preparation of the
annual calendar is a long drawn out process.
Gordon was the person who put it all
together. I know that if you ask him, he will
say it was a team effort. It is but somebody
has to keep the ball rolling.
of work promoting Brevet Randonneur
Mondiaux rides in their localities. To these,
I say keep up the good work and keep
promoting our style of riding.
Patrick van Dyk, keeps Checkpoint
rolling out edition after edition. Patrick
makes sure that we all contribute our pieces
on time so that every edition is posted out on
time. Sorry Patrick for all the times that this
column did not get to you on time, including
this last one.
Before I go, once more I encourage you
to serve your club. If you have some time
to spare, ring a ride organiser and offer to
help him/her on the day of the ride. Do you
have a ride you use for training that would
make a good calendar ride? Why not map
it and submit it to the calendar organiser in
your region. Do you have any suggestions
that would benefit the club? Ring or email a
committee member. We are always looking
for ways to serve the members better. Why
not consider standing for a committee
position , either national or regional?
Next I want to thank my committee. Last
year there were several new faces. As I have
written many times, fresh faces and fresh
ideas keep the club healthy. The National
committee basically provides the framework
from which the regional committees and
ride organisers work.
This club could not exist without its ride
organizers and regional committees. I look
at the calendar now and compare it to the
calendar that I received in 1994 when I first
joined Audax. The Victorian calendar had
45 rides. Look at it now. I am sure that the
other states have seen a dramatic increase.
The regional committees have done a lot
Hopefully I will see many of you at the
Alpine, or one day out on the road.
I wish you all a Happy New Year.
Safe cycling.
Hans Dusink
Letter to the Editor
My name is Nobuko Sawada, I am the
chief organizer of the Okayama brevets in
Japan. I enjoyed reading Checkpoint very
much. It is such a wonderful magazine.
I hope that you and your members will
be able to visit Japan and Okayama in the
near future.
Thank you very much.
Next year I will be organizing the
following brevets in Okayama.
Audax Randonneurs Japan, Okayama
Nobuko Sawada
April 1: 400 km (start 20:00)
May 5: 600km (start: 22:00)
July 14: 1000km (start 19:00)
Though the course will be quite
challenging, the route will go through some
very scenic national parks.
The photographs are of national park
Daisen.
5
Oppy 2007
Gordon Cockcroft, National Calendar Co-ordinator
What is a suitable date to run the Fleche Opperman All Day
Trial next year? I am suggesting April 28th and 29th, 2007.
Over many years we have traditionally
run our Fleche Opperman All Day Trial
during the first weekend of November.
During this time cycling as a pastime has
become increasingly popular and, without
exception, in many States we, as cyclists,
have multiple choices when it comes to the
selection of what rides to do. It was with this
thought in mind that I proposed a change in
the date so that some of the conflicts could
be removed.
For example in Victoria on the first
weekend in November we have competed
with the Otway Challenge for many years
and some years ago this ride was actually
run as an Audax event. Further north on
the same weekend the Port to Port is run
between Mildura – Swan Hill and Echuca.
These two rides attract some 600 riders. In
other States Audax members have different
problems. In Queensland the weather
becomes critical about October/November
and riders are perhaps thinking of shorter
rides due to extreme temperatures and
conditions. This can also be said of West
Australia.
In Europe, the Fleche Opperman
is traditionally run at Easter and I am
suggesting that we run the ride about this
time.
As we all know Easter is a moon based
celebration so that this time of the year,
plus or minus one month will give us ride
days with a strong possibility of brighter
night conditions. It also has the advantage
of being possibly cooler for the northern
and western states. Now that the calendar
has been delivered to all members you
will notice that the November date for
the 2005-2006 “Oppy” is missing. This
gives us a chance to discuss the proposed
change and look at conflicts about Easter of
2007 or the ride year 2006-07. In Victoria
the most obvious conflicting date is when
the Murray to Moyne is run, usually the
first weekend in April and obviously one
would not want to run this and our ride at
this time. Conditions for major events and
road usage in the same area would not be
allowed or be considered unsafe. A further
consideration is the Easter school holiday, in
all States, and the probability that members
with young families would wish to spend that
time with them.
Hall of
Fame
While the object of the Fleche
Opperman All Day Trial is to take
part in the “spirit of the event”, some
teams push their teams to very spirited
lengths, trying for the “Opperman
Shield” which is awarded to the team
that cycles the furthest distance.
The recipient this year is the “Don’t
Know Why” team, who rode 415km.
Congratulations to Kevin Ware, Ian
De Bruyne, Wayne Ward, Chris
Rogers and Mal Shaw.
Summarizing the information for April
2007:
Easter break
April 6th to 9th
School Holidays
March 31st to April 15th – VIC
April 6th to April 22nd – WA
April 13th to April 30th – SA
April 10th to April 15th – TAS
April 6th to April 20th – NSW
Daylight Saving
Probably ends April 1st
Full Moon/s
April 2nd and May 2nd
My suggested Fleche Opperman date is
April 28th and 29th for all States in 2007.
Of course it is open to the suggestion that
the ride is put on at different times in
different States to suit local conditions and
conflicts. What do you think?
Reply by post to Gordon Cockcroft,
PO Box 12144, A’Beckett Street,
Melbourne VIC 8006, or by email at
gcockcroft@bigpond.com
For Sale
CECIL WALKER ROADBIKES
Reynolds 853 frame fitted with
Campagnola Veloce groupset. Triple
chainring (50,40,30) and 9 speed
13-26 cluster, Mavic Open Pro rims,
eyelets for rear rack and triple water
bottle mounts.
Two bikes for sale, one is 51.5cm
(suit rider 165cm) and the other is
57cm (suit rider 180cm). Both bikes
are in excellent condition and are
fitted with many extras.
These bikes are ideal for just
general road riding but with the
triple chainring and rear rack they
are perfect for longer Audax events,
Alpine Classic and multi day touring.
Priced to sell at $1000 each,
negotiable. Contact David or Linda
on 03 5258 3014.
6
Petite Opperman 2005
The Petite Oppy requires riders to
complete a minimum of 180km within a 12
hour period. One of the riders or support
crew must have previously completed a
Fleche Opperman All Day Trial.
Congratulations to those brave souls who
undertook this journey, especially those
riders who have never completed such a
distance before.
FINISHERS
In NSW there was one team:
The Crocks (220km)
Sieghard Hoffmann
Paul Vine
Elizabeth Buscaino
Eve Dodds
Bill Green
In Victoria there were several:
Shepp Bugs (210km)
Sandra Fraser
Kaye Tyers
Kerrie Tuena
Marion Brennan
Leah Ross
Libby’s
Lycra
Ladies
Libby’s Lycra Ladies 1 (189km)
Libby Haynes
Eileen Johnson
Heather Allen
Libby’s Lycra Ladies 2 (189km)
Robyn Curtis
Maxine Riggs
Kirsty Chambers
Team No Name (186km)
Glo Moscattini
Jan Panifex
Di Taylor
Liana Moore
Libby’s Lycra Ladies, Teams 1 & 2, comprised Libby Haynes, Robyn Curtis, Maxine Riggs, Eileen
Donnan, Kirsty Chambers and Heather Allen. Photos courtesy Peter Curtis.
Kirstie Chambers and Heather
7
Fleche Opperman All Day Trial 2005
Fairwinds, freewheeling &
fabulous weather
Stephen George of Team Goldfields Giro tackled the Oppy in 2005. Here is his story.
I had been advised that it was a good idea
to start an Oppy ride outside the city. This
would avoid the traffic and make the best
use of free country roads.
However, I rather liked the idea of
sleeping in my own bed and starting close
to home, so I started hunting for some likeminded riders. There were two definite
starters and two still making up their minds
when the deadline came so the course from
Melbourne to Rochester via the Goldfields
was it. I had planned to recruit a definite
starter or two at the “Climb the Tower
on Tarrangower” ride but came unstuck
when the car gearbox blew as we called
in to Woodend for dinner on our way to
Maldon.
In the end our team of three started at the
clock tower in Black Rock and headed for
the punt across the Yarra - a good chance to
blow some time at the very start of the ride.
Just by chance it was sitting there waiting for
us! A quick trip across the river and we were
off through Williamstown and Altona at a
fair pace aided by NE winds. The back road
up to Melton was a bit rough (and the wind
tending more northerly wasn’t welcome) but
we arrived in Bacchus Marsh on the quick
end of our estimated time to a great lunch of
soup, bread and cake provided by the lovely
Elizabeth, our support crew. We headed off
again along the Western highway with the
kind winds still on our rear quarter helping
us up the bumpy bits and arrived in no time
at Ballarat where we had planned to stop
at cafe Audax - poor planning on my part
because it wasn’t open!
After Ballarat the country roads were
a pleasant change from the highway. We
headed north towards Avoca and then
turned back east for Maryborough bringing
up the 200 in just under eight hours outside
Talbot. The dinner stop at Maryborough
8
was a great pasta place Elizabeth had picked
out for us. Terrific food and service. We
spent a lot more time on this stop than
planned. The pace after Maryborough was
definitely slowed as the evening had taken
the nice tailwind away. Not far outside
Maryborough my tyre ballooned but didn’t
blow. Luckily it was on the running surface
so was only really uncomfortable on smooth
bitumen. In the end it lasted the 80 odd
kilometres to Bendigo without a puncture.
We lit up just outside Castlemaine after
riding south through the bush along quiet
country roads with a pinky red sunset fading
on our right. As the dark set in I was really
glad to have an old fashioned QI headlamp
- even with 1/2 tonne of battery!
The hills rolling down into Bendigo
were great at night and would have been
an absolute blast in daylight. We arrived
at our digs only minutes off our schedule
and settled in for the night. We were off
again at 06:00 but the dawn had brought a
northerly blowing straight at us. We made
an unscheduled coffee break at Elmore
and had our cards stamped, as this was our
360km point. With a “heart starter” on
board and an enforced paceline routine we
headed off again to Rochester and arrived
with 15 mins to spare.
The weather was great, the winds from
heaven, the ride and company fabulous all
supported by the angel in the little green
car.
The team comprised Stephen and
Elizabeth George, Russell Freemantle and
Roger Marshalla.
Postscript
I was originally going to call the team
Goldfields “Girondeurs” after the fashion of
“Randonneurs”.
However, le Giron translates as breast from
French, and while I’m not sure the French
would call “Girondeurs” a word, I didn’t
think that the “Goldfields Breast Fanciers”
was quite the right team endorsement.
DARWIN – ADELAIDE
FROM THE ARAFURA SEA TO THE
GULF OF ST VINCENT.
“A CYCLE JOURNEY INTO THE
HEART OF AUSTRALIA.”
12 PLACES ONLY
31 DAYS
3090KMS
FOR RIDE ENQUIRIES:
Email:
cycleacrossoz@hotmail.com
or visit
www.cycleacrossoz.com.au
PH: +61 3 95835414
DATES:
July 28th 2006 to August 27th 2006
Audax
Clothing
Shop
The shop currently has a limited
supply of short and long sleeve new
style club jerseys in stock.
To order or enquire, please email
Libby Haynes at clothing@audax.org.au
or call 03 5674 2157 (after hours).
Be quick!
Finishers!
Congratulations to those riders listed below, who ventured out onto the open road, pushed through
the night and arrived at the finish, all in salute of Australia’s finest endurance cyclist, the late Sir
Hubert Opperman. You have all followed in his footsteps, and simultaneously attained not only your
own individual goal but that of your team. Bravo!
Changing Gear 409km
Jennifer Reed
Jan Smart
Wayne Smart
Arthur O’Connor
Sigi Muller
3+2=263 361km
Jill Edwards
Darryl Edwards
Lyn McConnell
Gail Bourice
Chris West
Wobbly Cranks 371km
Peter Dixon
George Dixon
Garry Skeers
Lionel Harmer
Michael Frogley
Wagga 402km
Ray Stenhouse
Shane Hackett
David Ham
Steve Lee
Reg Pearce
Leeton No1 374km
Andrew Raadgever
Denis Irvine
Gill Brooke
Team Havoc 385km
Paul Gregory
Andrew Heard
Peter Hammond
Tim Stredwick
Oppy 2005 410km
Andrew Moore
Barry Moore
Ian Boehm
Goldfields Giro 376km
Stephen George
Roger Marshalla
Russell Fremantle
Team Blondie 367km
Alfred Cook
Phillip Baron
Kerri-Ann Smith
Greg Cunningham
Michael Motolese
Suffering By Degrees 368km
Stephen Chambers
Martin Haynes
Leon Malzinskas
Phil Huguenin
Sax On Bikes 360km
Howard Duncan
Leigh Patterson
Kathryn Temby
And 360km
Derek Dawkins
Noel Cranswick
Simon Dempsey
Rainbow Tour 361km
Peter Cole
Steve Agnew
Graeme Staples
Phil Crenan
John Miller
Team Cherrybrook 371km
Steve Rawnsley
Bruce Loveridge
Martin Dargan
Brad Gibson
Don’t Know Why 415km
Kevin Ware
Ian De Buryne
Wayne Ward
Chris Rogers
Mal Shaw
The Tombstone Reds 360km
Chris Walsh
Tim Hoskins
Geoff Robb
Garry Armsworth
Graham Jones
Mountain Goats 413km
Bruce Giles
John Leary
Mountain Goats
Charles Taylor
David O’Brien
The Mongrel Dogs 368km
Greg Lansom
Aldo Vella
David Langley
Richard Pinkerton
Henry Boardman
3D 366km
David Minter
David Jones
Dino Morgante
Team Black 365km
Glen Druery
Ron Gauld
Roger Leigh
Karen Ward
Mark Carrington
Unknown 367km
George Caulfield
Frank Preyer
Allan Kellett
Al Sutton
Team Heath 366km
Bill Sargeon
Doug Kennedy
Jason Reid
Beaven Leach
9
Gar Gar yet again
by Ray Stenhouse
The report of last year’s Oppy experience was published under the title “We Are Gar Gar Again”.
The team name, and the closing comment went along the lines that we would be back next year,
that is, if We Are Gar Gar Again. Well, history has a habit of repeating itself and sure enough, come
Oppy time, I was there again, this time surrounded by four Oppy novices. So I must be Gar Gar.
Two of last year’s team, the Dixon brothers Peter and George, also lined up, this time as part of the
Wobbly Cranks. They must be Gar Gar too.
This year’s Oppy team began innocently
enough. Many months having passed since
the last one and the memories having
subsided enough to make thinking that
doing another was desirable. After a casual
Sunday afternoon ride, while sitting around
enjoying the coffee and cake, Charlie
Westerman, a relative newcomer to cycling,
remarked that he was looking for a new
challenge. Well, what’s more of a challenge
than riding 360km in 24 hours especially
if you haven’t been riding for very long?
Charlie accepted.
Well, with that a plan formed to share the
experience with a team of novices. Shayne
Hackett put his hand up. Reg Pearce did the
same. So it looked like this was a possibility.
Shayne was also a relative newcomer to
cycling whereas Reg had been a racing
cyclist in his early days but hadn’t thrown
the leg over the crossbar in years until just
recently.
A team of four would be good. With the
seed planted I let it mature for a while. All
was looking good until Charlie announced
that he was unavailable on the weekend. Oh
well, not to worry, a team of three can do it.
It’s been done before.
Reg mentioned the event to one of his
sailing mates, Steve Lee, a keen cyclist
too. Steve thought it over and decided to
attend the team meeting that was proposed
later that week. The meeting began with
an explanation of the event, its rules, and
my proposed route. Now to throw these
blokes into a 360km Oppy is one thing but
I thought we might as well up the ante and
10
The 7am control for the Gar Gar team, with The Wobbly Cranks in the (very) far distance.
I proposed a route that would total just over
the 400km mark. They all asked questions
and these were answered and when the time
came to sign the entry forms they didn’t
hesitate.
Steve mentioned that another sailing mate
might well be interested too. So Steve brought
David Ham around and I went through the
spiel again. He fell for it, err, I mean David
signed up on the spot and even showed his
team spirit by buying a Bicycle Wagga Wagga
jersey. So we were now a team of five.
The team name was decided upon. Wind
And Gas Get About. Given the four novices
have a sailing association, Shayne was in the
navy and dreams of sailing a yacht around
the world one day, and that in most previous
years the Oppy weekend had produced
headwinds for teams starting from Wagga,
I was hopeful that the team members would
be able to handle the wind that would surely
be in our faces for much of the journey.
As it turned out the team name was very
appropriate but not necessarily in relation to
the Wind side of things, more so the Gas,
but we wont delve into this at this point.
The support team was organised, Heather
Pearce and Lyn Stenhouse. All that was left
now was to do the preparatory work on
the bike. I have always followed a 12 week
programme developed by Mark Hastie and
this is what I based the team’s training on
again. We were able to get most weekends
however we only managed part of one ride
where all five of us were together. While this
isn’t ideal the everyday pressures of life don’t
always allow you to do what you need to do.
We managed a couple of night rides to test
the lights and to experience the differences
night riding brings. I would recommend this
to any team as it is very different at night.
When the team nomination and route
was submitted Sue Taylor sent an email
shortly afterwards wishing us all the best and
hoping for tailwinds. I replied that usually
the tailwinds we get are those that have
already been used by the Victorians. Being
the eternal pessimist that I am I expected
nothing less this time too. And I advised my
team members to expect the same as well.
Wouldn’t want them getting a nasty surprise
on the day now would we?
A day or two before the event David sent
an e-mail pointing to the weather forecast
on the ABC Radio which showed relatively
benign conditions for the weekend. In my
normal way I replied that you can’t believe
these things and to be prepared for the
worst.
A late change to the support arrangements
was made when Ali Pearce came on
board as official photographer and, more
importantly, her father’s personal assistant
at controls.
The Wagga team prepare for a move.
I arranged with Arthur O’Connell from
the Changing Gears team to join our team
in the traditional pre-Oppy dinner. Arthur,
together with Jenny Reid, Jan and Wayne
Smart and a last minute replacement
had formed a team that would start from
Wagga and cover 409km along the way to
Rochester.
I also extended an invitation to the
Wobbly Cranks, but they were otherwise
engaged. At the conclusion of dinner the
conditions outside were particularly nice,
but did I let that lull me into a false sense
of security? Well, of course not, I’d been
savaged before.
Home to bed and up early the next
morning to make the last minute
preparations. I could not believe how nice
it was and hardly a breath of wind at all.
Well, there was still plenty of time for that to
change before the start. Don’t get cocky yet.
Arrived at the start at the nominated
time to find the team already there with the
packing of the support vehicles already under
way. David had experienced some significant
wheel problems of late and grabbed his son’s
front and rear wheels as added insurance.
These were loaded onto the roof racks. The
rest of the gear was split between the two
vehicles and packed away. All we had to do
now was wish the other teams every success.
The Changing Gears team was starting from
the same bike shop as us, while the Wobbly
Cranks would begin their journey of 371km
from the bike shop 50m up the road.
On the road to Rochester. Team Wagga.
Brevets stamped, the time reached the
appointed hour and the clicking of cycle
shoes into pedals heralded the start. The
Wobbly Cranks despite their 50m start were
not in a hurry and were passed by both the
other teams.
This was the last I expected to see of
them until the finish the following morning.
Their route took them westerly through
Collingullie, Lockhart, Urana, Oaklands,
Yarrawonga before dropping south with
their overnight stay at Mooroopna. They
would then finish it off by a visit to Kyabram
on their way to the final destination.
We passed the Changing Gears team not
far down Kincaid Street. This team would
share our route to Henty where they turned
east to head to Cookardinia before coming
back to Culcairn and heading to Walbundrie,
Howlong, Corowa, Yarrawonga, Katamatite,
Numurkah, overnight at Nathalia, before
heading to Kyabram and then Rochester.
The conditions were still perfect but me
being me I was sure it wouldn’t last. Our first
leg took us 98km to Gerogery, about 20km
south of Culcairn. After the little climb up
to Kapooka we settled into a good rhythm
doing two minute turns. The going was good
and we were going good.
We reached our objective, the scheduled
lunch stop, a bit after midday. I had briefed
the team about using Cassie Lowe’s
philosophy of maximising the time off the
bike. With 15 minutes scheduled for lunch
I was pleased to see the riders ready to roll
again in that timeframe. The support crew
did a fantastic job and the boys did too.
Steve remarked on leaving Gerogery that we
were nearly quarter of the way there.
11
The next leg would take us 76km to
Walla Walla, then Burrumbuttock before
passing through Howlong, then crossing
the border to Rutherglen. This was a very
pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Well, it was until David snapped a spoke in
his rear wheel just out of Walla Walla with
about 55km to go to the next control. The
brake was backed off and the wheel could
still turn so we now had to nurse this wheel
to Rutherglen.
Despite this inconvenience the conditions
were still extremely good and we still made
reasonable time to get the Rutherglen
around 3pm. David was quickly off the
bike and found that the rear wheel he so
desperately wanted was stuck on the roof
rack. Eventually it came loose and was fitted
to the bike and we were off again.
From Rutherglen we headed back across
the border to Corowa across the new
bridge. From there we headed to Mulwala,
then ducked across into Victoria again at
Yarrawonga, our scheduled dinner stop at
235km. Along this leg we had a five minute
break beside the road at Snake Island.
The location name didn’t inspire a lot of
relaxation and it was soon back on the bikes
again.
Along this section we were passed by a
minibus. In the rear window there appeared
Rochester: The final control
a young woman who suffered a wardrobe
malfunction, poor girl. Unfortunately for
those that were towards the front the view
was quickly obscured by a smoke screen as
the driver pushed the pedal to the medal.
This is the second instance I’ve had of this
behaviour along this section of road on an
Oppy as it happened when Craig Gibbins,
Narelle Hobson and I rode through there
in 2001.
As we were nearing Yarrawonga David
began to cramp. We dropped the pace and
hoped that the rest at dinner would give him
sufficient time to recover and continue. We
arrived at the park to discover the Wobbly
Cranks just finishing off their meal. It was a
real surprise to see them and their support
crew there.
We ate and readied ourselves for the
next leg, a leisurely jaunt of 36km to
Cobram. The Wobbly Cranks headed for
Mooroopna while we finished off our meals
and then we too remounted and headed into
the sun. David had recovered well enough
to continue and as the day was starting to
cool we were hopeful his cramping would
ease. This didn’t prove to be the case and it
was a sore and sorry David that rolled into
Cobram. Having had such good conditions
we were way ahead of any previous ride so I
was willing to have a longer than intended
stop while David rested up and tried to
treat the problem. One of the support crew
gave David’s legs and feet a massage which
brought a plaintive cry “I’m going to have a
cramp at the next control” from one of the
team members.
A scary incident occurred just before
Cobram. One of the local expert drivers
was out showing his friends how well he
could drive. He started a burn out while he
was about 300m down the road. He crossed
from one side of the road to the other and
continued towards us with smoke billowing
from the tyres. We thought he was out of
control and feared for our safety but then
we were forgetting he was an expert driver.
It would have been good if one of the local
constabulary was on hand to witness this but
alas this was not to be so. Unfortunately we
didn’t get the registration number; a pity, as
one of the local constabulary was refuelling
his vehicle at the control in Cobram.
On leaving Cobram we started off slowly
and before a kilometre was up David was
stopped, leaning over the bike. This wasn’t
a good sign and I thought that this was it
for him. But David climbed back on and
started again. We formed around him and
took up a more leisurely pace now. We
managed to cross the railway level crossing
at Strathmerton safely. A big difference
hitting this during daylight rather than as
normal in darkness.
We stopped just around the corner when
we turned off the Murray Valley Highway
towards Numurkah. There was a hitchhiker
at the corner waiting for a lift. I think he’d
been there a while and was grateful for the
company for the few minutes we spent there
before continuing our journey south.
The pace had slowed considerably as
we rolled along with David doing his best
to keep moving. Despite this reduction
in speed we were still far ahead of where
I had expected us to be. This helped to
temper the frustration but a little way out of
Nathalia the warm shower and the rest from
the bike started to become very attractive.
I was beginning to think that we needed to
give David some assistance but some words
of encouragement, well, that’s what I called
them, had David rise to the occasion and we
were in at the motel at 10:02pm.
The Changing Gears team support passed
us just out of Nathalia and were in the motel
12
Notice of
All teams had just gone around a sweeping
right hand corner and from there the wind
was directly behind. The Wobbly Cranks
were first away. The Changing Gears mob
was next and Arthur O’Connell had great
delight in calling “passing” as they went by.
We now had a discernable tailwind and this
was a great way to finish.
The happy finishers in front of the Oppy statue.
reception when we rolled in. We estimated
they would be another 2 hours or so. As it
turned out they were in at 11:45pm.
Showers, food, sleep or it could have
been food, showers and then sleep. Doesn’t
matter which order really but it was good
to be off the bikes for a while. Well quite
a while really. After seeing the Changing
Gears team depart the motel a bit before
5am we were on the bikes a little bit after, a
7 hour break.
I was concerned that David’s cramping
would return at any time but he seemed
strong and happy enough. Shayne has a
chronic knee problem, too much football
I think, and this had flared up in the week
before the event. The impact of the efforts
of the previous day were being felt. The
morning wasn’t as cold as I remember in
previous years and this made for pleasant
cycling.
The sun was just starting to rise on our
left as we neared Kyabram. Ali Pearce got a
great shot of her dad with the sunrise in the
background as the support crew motored
past. We arrived at the service station, the
control at Kyabram, after 366 kilometres at
6:35am.
The Wobbly Cranks were already there
having ridden up from Mooroopna. The
Changing Gears mob then arrived shortly
after. Seeing we were there earlier than
expected, having been assisted by the wind,
all three teams left the control before 7am.
The Changing Gears team was out
first, followed by us, and then the Wobbly
Cranks. The Cranks went past us and then
the Changing Gears team. We had not long
passed the Changing Gears team when the
7:00 alarm went for the 22nd hour control.
The Wobbly Cranks arrived in Rochester
a little before 8am. We arrived around
8:05 and the Changing Gears team wasn’t
that much further back. So that was it, a
plan to take four novices on a journey of
more than 360km in 24 hours had become
a reality.
We had the traditional photos with Oppy
and then took a visit to the museum across
the road. Initially some of the team didn’t
seem all that interested in the museum but
strangely it was these members that were
last out and could have stayed longer, for an
hour or more according to one. The trip to
the footy ground gave us a taste of what may
have been and we were thankful that we had
the wind in our favour. Cyclists coming the
other direction would have had a far more
difficult time than us.
I was particularly pleased with the team
dynamics. This was a big step up for all of
the novices from the 200km ride we had
done in preparation. While the conditions
were extremely favourable the ride was
still a challenge, especially mentally, for
those that hadn’t previously done it. One
of the strengths of this team was that they
communicated well, and assisted each other
when necessary. I think they should be
justifiably proud of their achievement.
The support crew did a superb job.
Every control was managed well, and every
assistance required was forthcoming with
little fuss. It was above and beyond my
expectation and contributed significantly to
the team’s success.
Thanks again go to the event organisers.
It is a great event, one of my favourites.
Without the dedication and hard work
of these volunteers an event like this just
wouldn’t happen. On behalf of my team,
I thank them, and know that each of us
appreciate the effort they put in.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
to be held at
BELLS HOTEL COVENTRY STREET
SOUTH MELBOURNE
7.30PM, TUES 21 FEBRUARY 2006
The Audax Club of Australia
Association A0014462N
PO Box 12144, A’Beckett Street,
Melbourne 8006
Come early and have dinner and catch
up with old friends before the meeting
commences.
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. President’s Report
4. Treasurers Report
5. Constitutional Amendments
6. Election of Office Bearers
•President
•Vice President
•Secretary
•Treasurer
•4 Committee Members
7. General Business
8. Meeting Close
It is hoped that arrangements can be
made for members outside Victoria
region to participate in the AGM by
teleconference. If this can be arranged
for your State/Territory, details will be
advised by the relevant Regional
President closer to the time.
And remember that ALL Committee
positions are open for nomination
each year.
So if you have a little time to spare,
want to make a contribution and/or
want to be the one complained about
rather than the complainant, please
nominate.
13
Victoria Region News
Martin Haynes, Victoria Region President
The Fleche Opperman has been run
for another year. This year saw the Peitit
Oppy conducted for the second time,
team numbers increased from two to six; a
great result for Sue Taylor. We again were
welcomed by the Echuca Brass Band at
Oppy’s statue at the end of a great event,
under the fluttering Australian and French
flags. The weather, for once, was perfect,
no teams retired due to the conditions, in
fact, no teams retired.
Lib and I have been fortunate to spend
time cycling in France, a wonderful
experience.
While we were away the Victoria
committee was ably lead by Gordon
Cockcroft – thanks Gordon. Gordon has
been coordinating the production the
Victorian and National calendar, almost a
full time occupation during its construction.
Most ride organizers are well organized
with future plans in place; some are not so
well organized, which creates extra work
for the Calendar coordinator. Remember,
rides are often in the calendar 12-18months
ahead of when they will be run.
Which brings me to highlight the terrific
work of the Ride Organizers, as often said
- “No rides, no club”. Ride organizers are
the unsung heroes, the backbone of our
club. Please acknowledge them, and the
assistants, on your next ride. They give
their time to plan a ride, to run a ride, to
cater for a ride, to complete the necessary
paperwork and financial reports after a
ride. Often a couple days work, or more,
from start to finish.
You can assist Ride Organizers by
doing the little things, making contact
early, having entry forms fully completed
(including car registration number, and a
person to contact in case of an accident),
having the correct money ready. Notifying
the Ride Organizer if you are unable
to ride, for whatever reason, is a basic
courtesy.
Your club takes the Ride Organizers
and partners to an annual dinner at the
14 Checkpoint
Summer 2005/06
club’s expense; a small appreciation of the
work they carry out on your behalf. We
have introduced a Ride Organizers voucher
scheme whereby an organizer receives a free
ride for organizing a ride, a little reward and
acknowledgement for their efforts.
We are always looking for new Ride
Organizers to plan new rides for us, to take us
to different places, to show us their favourite
rides. If you want to organize a ride, or assist
with a ride, please step forward. You will get
a real reward
to see riders experience what
you have already enjoyed. The Audax web
site has the information in place to take you
through the process of organizing a ride.
Contact Gordon, or a committee member
for assistance.
In the past few Victoria Region News
articles, I have highlighted a few of the
people on the committee. One stalwart
of our club is Rodney Snibson, at present,
secretary to both the Audax Victoria
committee and the Alpine committee.
In fact he does a lot more than that on
the Alpine sub committee, he is Phil
Bellette’s right hand man. He organizers
the volunteers and much more. He is at
present studying for a nursing degree and
working, not bad for a person of Rodney’s
vintage! Well done, I for one, do not know
how he does it. After a meeting, the minutes
are always ready in a couple of days, he is
well organized.
The Alpine Classic is a beast that never
rests. Once one has been conducted,
plans are afoot for the next. Rides have
been changed for the next Alpine, from
a distance basis, to the number of hills eg
one to four climbs. The four climb option
is the 200k ride. The event requires a large
number of volunteers to function. If you
are able, please consider volunteering. A
volunteer package is in place to help with
the costs incurred as a volunteer.
As, always, a good ride is one safely
completed.
Good riding.
!
"#
$$$%#
Perth AGM
The new committee officers elected at
the recent AGM are as follows:
President: Brian Hawes
Treasurer: Ken Dupuy
Secretary:Rod Marston
Membership Secretary: Adrian Giacci
Rides Co-ordinator: Bjorn Blasse:
Committee Members: Ralph Morgan,
Alan Tolcher, Klaus Hagedorn, Stephan
Monot, Carol Dooley, Colin Laws and
Nick Dale.
Colin Farmer has retired after a long
stint as President and we all thank him
very much for his efforts for the Club and
Audax in general over the years.
Cycle Coaching
Tanya Bosch
Level 2 Accredited Cycling Coach
Whether your goal is 50km or
1200km, it can be achieved!
For professional coaching please phone
Tanya on 02 9369 1436, 0419 217 974 or
email onyabike@ozemail.com.au
Just do it!
by Steve Ambry
My first ever organised group bike ride was the 100km Alpine Classic in 2005. I rode on a 14 speed
steel frame, steel 27” rims, steel cranks and toe clips. I have owned it for 20 years, and these days
look for spare parts whenever there is a hard rubbish collection. Tyres are getting hard to come by,
and having elected to carry a spare I had to tri-fold it and Velcro it to the frame, my attempts to
find a folding tyre being fruitless.
I had never actually ridden 100km in a
day, but knew I could do 85, so upgraded
my entry to the 100 the day before. I
purchased new brake blocks, tyres and a
new chain to do the event. Very reluctant
was I to even enter, having 2 cycling
brothers, both veterans of several Alpines
(the 200), one doing it in under 8 hours and
the other trying for under 9, and was fully
aware of the type of machinery most riders
push around. I was wearing runners, a tshirt, leather “rigger” gloves, and a pair of
home-made nicks. I only got one comment
from an official (who asked “are you right
there?” - probably couldn’t believe his
eyes!) when I turned up at 7:20 with what
seemed like thousands of others. I had no
real idea what was ahead of me, my training
consisting of Saturday trips from Boronia
up Mt Dandenong from the North via
Ridge Rd, doing the climb twice back-toback the week before.
Someone started counting down. There
was an almost deafening roar of cleats
clicking in to pedals, and we were off.
I just plodded along at my usual pace.
Followed the group for a while until they
disappeared in to the distance. Got to
a checkpoint and took my jacket off as
I had warmed up. Carried on back to
Bright. Drank lots of water. Refilled my
water bottle. Ate fruit and current buns,
riding off again still with a bun in hand to
consume en-route. “Don’t turn left at the
roundabout in Porepunkah” one brother
advised me the day before, so straight
through I went and followed the signs to
Mt Buffalo. Just plodding along... then the
hill started. Just plodding along. Came
round a bend, and there was a water tank.
Great! I had emptied my bottle! Refilled,
stretched my legs, and off again! Plodding
along.
Started passing people - how can this
be? Plodding along. Came to the Chalet
turnoff - FOOD! God, I was hungry! The 8
Weetbix I’d had for breakfast (and the same
for supper the night before, about 3 hours
after a restaurant dinner) and the food in
Bright had apparently worn off. An official
came out to greet me (gee, aren’t these folks
friendly!) and asked what event I was doing.
“The 100”, I panted, to be told I had to
keep going as the checkpoint was “a little
bit further on” at Dingo Dell... FOOD! my
body said... but on I went. Plodding along...
Finally saw the checkpoint. Dropped my
stub, and off again.
By this stage I must have lost my mind
somewhat. A very pretty girl came up and
started chatting to me. Having been single
for 18 months after 20 years, it was one of
those occasions one dreams of! What did I
do? Stopped for food! She carried on down
the hill. Sadly I didn’t see her again. Sniff.
Passed more people on the road in to
Bright. So I just plodded along and did the
event in 5:11. In retrospect I could have
dropped 25+ mins off that, and possibly
had pleasant company on the way down the
hill! I’ve put in for the 200 next year - I have
a new bike with an alloy frame and 100’s
of gears.
What are my points?
I got a real sense of achievement from
doing the event. I finished within the
time allowed, and could have done much
better. I did it on MY bike, warts and all,
even with one of the crank bearing cups
Araldited in place. If this had been a
competitive event, I would have no sense
of achievement - I would have come about
300th! I have continued riding, doing
other events on both my old and new
Steve Ambry: always prepared to just do it.
bikes, although my steely did attract a
few comments at another event. It is still
great to ride, I know every ball bearing,
spoke and nut, and carry enough spares
to get me anywhere. I’ve also qualified
for a Nouveau Randonneur award. I have
started training for the 200 in 2006 by
riding to, then along, the Warburton Trail,
up Donna, then back home again (133k
round trip) - still on my old steely – and
joining the Middle Distance Bicycle Club
(MDBC) and riding with them on my
“shiny new machine” as often as I can on a
Sunday morning.
This is to me the achievement of Audax.
You can, but don’t have to be, a 22.5 km/h
fixed wheel purist or a first-to-finish Alpiner
- just be a participant. See if you can do it!
There will always be faster and slower riders
than you are, regardless of their sex, cost of
the machine, or any other factor.
Just do it!
PS Maybe I’ll see her again next year…
15
RAAM 2005
Courtesy Glenn Druery & Andrew Stewart
Australia’s Glenn Druery rode the Race Across America (RAAM) as part of Team JDRF VeloKraft in
June this year. In September, after he’d had time to reflect on the event, radio station journalist
Andrew Stewart interviewed him. Here is Glenn’s story.
RAAM has been described by many as
the toughest race in the world - in any field
of endeavour.
Glenn’s overall impression of RAAM is
that it is one of those experiences where you
learn a great deal about yourself. You don’t
just participate in RAAM, you live RAAM.
You realise what motivates you, and what
you can do, both physically and emotionally.
Glenn said “It makes Paris-Brest-Paris look
easy, despite the toughness of that ride.”
During the event he describes his state as
“a sleep-deprivation induced RAAM blur”.
There is nothing else in life - there is no
escape. RAAM would make the ultimate
reality TV show.
Glenn said the first 6 hours of the
race were exhilarating, with hyped-up
participants excitedly yelling and shouting.
Glenn actually led RAAM for a while,
before being overtaken by some elite time
trialists.
For Glenn, the race typically consisted of
a series of 45 minute pulls at time-trial pace,
in hot, humid conditions, with heart rate
surging along at 180+. Glenn got around 2-3
hours sleep per day - not in one hit, but 10
minutes here, 1⁄2 an hour there. He managed
to wash himself just three times over the 6 1⁄2
days of the event. First, in the desert using a
Enough time for twenty winks
16
Heading off, only a few (thousand) kilometres to go.
solar shower, second in a family’s home along
the route, and lastly in a creek. The plan was
to alternate through 4 jerseys, ensuring clean
clothes, but the humidity meant that the
jerseys never dried. His appearance during
the event was akin to a WW1 flying ace filthy with dirt, with cleaner sweat-streaked
patches where his sunglasses had protected
him from the worst of it.
Glenn described the logistics and
crewing arrangements as being somewhat
less than ideal - there were three beds for
11 people, and the crew became stressed
and irritable, making mistakes and getting
lost more than 10 times. Abuse and tears
were not uncommon within the various
RAAM crews. The strain on the crews
cannot be underestimated. During the
previous RAAM one solo rider had to pull
out because his crew abandoned him - the
strain had become too much! RAAM places
a great deal of strain on the crew as well as
the riders.
At times morale waned. Glenn reported
that one rider decided to stop halfway
across a bridge, on which cars were not
permitted to stop. This rider had reached
his limit and just didn’t want to go any
further. With the aid of a Police car, his
support crew eventually made it’s way onto
the bridge and convinced him to continue.
Glenn considered letting his tyres down just
to get some rest, and endured a time when
he seriously considered crashing, perceiving
that this was the only honourable way out.
RAAM “screws with your head”. Glenn said
he felt tired down to his toenails. It was the
hottest RAAM on record. Some days would
reach 45 degrees, one night didn’t get below
33 degrees.
Simple things would boost morale
- a beautiful sunrise, the occasional
motivational word, talking with the solo
riders - (Hello (20 second pause). Hi (20
second pause). How are you doing? (20
second pause). OK. (20 second pause).)
Glenn’s recumbent, a VeloKraft NoCom,
attracted a deal of interest during the race.
Glenn believes his team had the fastest
bikes, and that the potential of recumbents
in RAAM has not been fully exploited as
yet.
Glenn fuelled himself with a variety of
mostly natural foods - grapes, yoghurt,
nuts, berries, fruit juice, bread, protein
drinks, plenty of milk, and masses of water.
Amazingly he only lost around 3 to 4kg
during the race. Glenn is not a big fan of the
high-priced energy gels, and was amazed at
the “crap” that some other competitors ate.
Glenn plans to compete in the next
RAAM as a solo competitor.
A quick break in the desert.
Glenn’s team, Team JDRF VeloKraft,
finished in 6 days 15 hours and 46 minutes,
6th place. A time penalty of 15 minutes cost
them 5th place - amazing after 6 days of
racing. After the finish Glenn slept for 14
hours, waking in the same position he went
to sleep in. He rode about 40km on a road
bike and felt pretty good. He attributes this
to the thousands of kilometres clocked up
during training for the event. He feels happy
with what he did and said he could look back
and say he did the right thing by the team.
He describes himself as not so much of a
team player, so the solo environment should
suit him better. However, doing RAAM
solo is a whole new challenge, and Glenn
will need to prepare well and pull together
a good support team. With his level of
determination I’m sure he will be there at
the staring line for the next RAAM, as a solo
competitor.
Pyrenees Magic ride report
by Andy Moore
It was a bleak start to the day, with
thunderstorms from the night before still
clearing when we arrived at Avoca to set up.
It was quite unusual this year, no riders
arrived until after we were ready to take
entries and hand out pre entered brevets.But
this was the calm before the storm. By 8.30
there were people everywhere, and the late
entries table was under siege.
We ran out of pre organised brevets and
had to write some out on the spot. This was
a surprise to me as I thought I had plenty
of spare brevets organised. After the riders
had left I found that we had 41 riders turn
up unexpectedly on the day. I would usually
allow for around 20.
At the riders briefing we were able to hand
back an under seat bag lost in movement to
the starting area. A quick reminder that it is
not a race and road rules are to be adhered
to, and they were away, all across the road. So
much for the talk. They quickly returned to a
more orderly fashion of 2 abreast.
One couple were away slowly after having
to put some air in a tyre. The ride started well
with all riders away without any incidents.
There was a bunch of 51 still together at
Moonambel. This group had broken up
by the checkpoint at Landsborough. All
riders had passed through this checkpoint
within an hour, keeping the ladies very busy
indeed.
The day, after initially looking very bleak,
was clearing into a nice sunny day with mild
temperatures - very pleasant riding conditions.
At the Nowhere Creek turn around, riders
were, “SURPRISED” by a secret checkpoint,
with water and jelly lollies to help them on
their journey back to Avoca.
A cross wind through Amphitheatre,
followed by a tail wind for the last 10km
made many riders comment that it was a
magical ride.
A big thankyou to all the helpers that turn
up every year to help make the ride run as
smoothly as it does.
Here’s just one of many emails received
from among the 158 riders:
Hello Andrew,
I did the Pyrenees Magic ride with three
of my friends yesterday. It was the first
Audax ride we had all done and we weren’t
sure what to expect.
Just wanted to tell you that we enjoyed the
ride immensely, were really impressed with
the organisation of the event (and all the
snacks!) and plan to come back next year. If
you have some means to do so, please pass
on our thanks to all the people who worked
to make it such a good ride.
Cheers,
At the finish, riders were surprised to
receive a multi tool to go with their cloth
badge.
Helen.
17
The annual Canter
by Ray Stenhouse
The day of the Canola Canter in 2004 was absolutely perfect. It would be too much to ask to have
the same sort of weather for 9th October 2005 wouldn’t it? Well, it was too much to ask and the
weather forecast didn’t sound too good, and the rain on the roof overnight didn’t help dispel any
fears that the weather wouldn’t be ideal.
There wasn’t anything that could be done
about the weather. The ride was happening
and all that could be done had been so there
was nothing left but to get the riders out on
the road.
When I arrived at Wagga Beach at
around 06:30 the car park was like a pond
with the overnight rain pooling in many
places. It wasn’t very warm either and there
was quite a stiff wind coming from the west.
I had barely started to unpack the car when
the first rider rolled in, a rider that hadn’t
registered, so that gave me hope that there
were riders out there up for a challenge.
After that the riders started to arrive,
some by bike and others by car. There
was a bit of a scramble as several more
riders decided to register on the day. Keith
McCulloch volunteered to scrutinise the
200km riders for adherence to the lighting
rules which eased the pressure for me as did
the assistance provided by Heather Pearce,
Bicycle Wagga Wagga’s new Secretary.
All in all, a total of 7 riders lined up ready
to take on the 200, down from the 11 last
year. A record field for the 100, 32 starters,
were keen to go too. A hurried briefing,
made all the worse as I had grabbed the
50km Briefing Sheet in my haste, and the
riders were sent on their way right on 7:30.
The route for the 100, and consequently
the first 100 of the 200, leaves Wagga Beach
and goes out via North Wagga and onto the
Coolamon Road. The first of the inclines
on the Coolamon Road separated the group
as riders settled in for the long haul. About
12km down the road there is a right hand
turn onto the Marrar Road, which has a few
undulations in it just before reaching the
first control in Marrar itself. Being generally
northerly, the winds were crosswinds but
were fairly buffeting all the same.
18
At Marrar the riders were greeted by
Joanne Cheshire who has always managed
to put on a fine spread. With brevets
signed, most spent a few minutes enjoying
the fare, or was it just a way of avoiding the
headwind that was now going to make the
going difficult across to Coolamon? Most
riders had formed little groups and were
helping each other taking turns at blocking
the wind. It wasn’t a day where you really
wanted to ride solo.
Last year a couple of riders miscued their
turns at Coolamon and ended up riding a
lot further than they had planned. This year
only one managed to get lost at Coolamon
but at least she had a slightly shorter ride
back along the Coolamon Road rather than
going a long way over.
From Coolamon the route travels
generally southward so the wind, once again,
was more to the side than in front. While
overall it is downhill to the Old Narrandera
Road there are a number of rises that can be
testing. Some of the riders reported getting a
touch wet along this section, but the showers
were scattered, with some riders getting
around without being touched by moisture
at all.
This year the Millwood control was
manned by Geoff Marks and Ann Harvey.
It was almost a shame to have to pull up
at Millwood because once the riders had
turned onto the Old Narrandera Road they
had a roaring tailwind. But pull up they
did, and between them all, the snacks were
completely demolished.
With the tailwind the slight push up across
the Malebo Range wasn’t too difficult. The
downhill off Malebo provides a fair bit of
momentum anyway so the final kilometres
into the Beach was a very pleasant way to
finish off.
Distance
Starters
DNF
50km
7
3
Successful
4
100km
32
3
29
200km
7
0
9
Total:
46
6
40
Another good turnout for the Canola Canter,
despite the weather.
The 100km riders, finished for the day,
headed off home to get into the warmth and
settle down in front of the television to view
the car races. The 200km riders rested a bit,
ate a bit, and coaxed their bodies back onto
the bikes. With the tailwind the trip out to
Wantabadgery wouldn’t be too bad. The
Waters family acted as the control at their
farm just out of Wantabadgery.
From the farm the route once again heads
north so the wind was at the side again. Junee
is the next control and the Windsors were
waiting for the riders, Jeff having done the
200 last year. Some of the group stopped for
coffee in town to steel themselves for the final
leg. While not directly into the wind the wind
was still a hindrance. At least the temperature
was a bit better during the afternoon.
At 8:30 it was the turn of the 50km riders,
7 in total. The route takes them out through
North Wagga towards the CSU before getting
onto the Old Narrandera Road. From there
it’s out past Euberta to Millwood where they
turned around and retraced their tracks.
Generally the 50km riders aren’t as strong
as those attempting the longer distances and
I felt a fair bit of sympathy for some of these,
one of which was attempting her first ever
50km ride. They had 25km of headwind
to the Millwood control plus the climb up
Malebo Hill before they could turn around
and enjoy the tailwind. The headwind took
its toll with 3 finishing the distance but failing
to get back in time.
As always these events rely on the
willingness of many people that volunteer
their time. Heather Pearce did a fantastic
job with the entries. Lyn Stenhouse spent
hours of her Sunday at the Beach. Joanne
Cheshire went out of her way to be at Marrar
control, as did Geoff Marks and Ann Harvey
at Millwood. The Waters family once again
looked after the riders at Wantabadgery and
Jeff and Carole Windsor did a great job
at Junee. Without these people this event
would not have been as enjoyable for the
riders and we are extremely grateful for their
efforts.
A bonus this year was that the strong
winds probably kept the pesky magpies at
home instead of out swooping unsuspecting
cyclists. The reports of magpie attacks were
few and far between in contrast to last year
when there were some very aggressive birds
about.
This year saw riders travel a fair way to take
in the sights and delights along the route.
Riders came from Melbourne, Goulburn,
Canberra, Leeton, Yanco, Albury, Young,
Cootamundra and Junee. A little under half
were visitors. Despite the ordinariness of the
weather hopefully all had a good time, even
those that did not finish and look forward to
coming back again next year.
www.audax.org.au
You can help keep the Club’s
website up to date.
The club’s website provides a great
resource for members and nonmembers alike. It is manned by club
volunteers, who do not necessarily
have first hand knowledge of all the
content.
If you become aware of incorrect or
outdated information, and can provide
correct or current information to
replace it, please email the request to
change to the Club’s webmaster, Sam
Blight, at web@audax.org.au. Changes
will be processed as soon as possible.
Thanks!
www.audax.org.au
Committee Talk
with Barry Moore
Two committee teleconferences have been held since the last
edition of Checkpoint: 6 October and 17 November. The items
covered are listed below.
• Cycling Australia has informed us that
out affiliation fee will be unchanged for
next year. Put together with our healthy
financial state, this has allowed us to
retain unchanged membership fees for
2005-06. (Note that the Audax financial
year is aligned with the calendar year: 1
November to 31 October).
• Membership renewals are coming
in strongly. For those who have not
yet renewed, please note that your
membership (including ride insurance)
expires on 31 December. From the Club’s
perspective, the most convenient form of
renewal is online via the website.
• Following a suggestion from Andy Moore
(Victoria Region), the Committee agreed
that a more flexible form of family
membership will be provided. Family
membership will now include children
under 18 and/or full time students. In
addition, a category of Junior Members
has been added, for members under
18 years of age. The purpose of these
changes is to encourage younger members
into Audax Australia.
• All Audax rides of 200km and above are
controlled through Audax Club Parisien
(ACP). ACP sets the rules and conditions
and homologates the brevets (ie, validates
and records). ACP has concerns that
some national associations have diverged
from the intended principles of Audax
rides (eg, by becoming too commercial).
For this reason, ACP is proposing new
agreements with all countries organizing
Audax rides. The Committee is concerned
that the proposed agreement is with an
individual in each country, rather than the
organization. We also have reservations
over some other aspects of the proposed
agreements. These concerns have been
communicated to ACP and they have
indicated a willingness to negotiate. By
the time this edition of Checkpoint goes
to press, the issues should have been
resolved and a new agreement reached
with ACP
• Following a suggestion from Peter Moore
(Victoria Region), the Committee
endorsed a proposal from Martin Haynes
to establish awards to recognise the
contribution of ride organizers. Awards
will be made on the basis of the total
kilometers of rides organized. Martin will
finalise the details.
• It was agreed that the constitution
approved by members at the AGM in
February 2005, would be amended to
address the deficiencies identified by
Consumer Affairs and taken to the 2006
AGM for ratification (rather then calling
a Special General Meeting). Changes
needed to provide for the intended
structure of Audax Australia will be
considered later.
• The Committee agreed to Martin Haynes
proposal for the purchase of new jerseys to
restock our gear store.
Tape or no tape?
All things being equal, you may
receive some reflective tape with this
issue of Checkpoint. Stick the white
on the front and the red on the back
of your bike. The silver sew-on can
be washed warmly and gently. Happy
New Audax Year.
Tony Bolduan, Victorian Committee
19
Semaine Fédérale
The Semaine Fédérale Internationale de Cyclotourisme, 2005, was held at Oloron Sainte-Marie,
France. Martin & Libby Haynes were there to enjoy the spectacular event.
What is the Semaine Fédérale?
You could call it France’s equivalent of
Bicycle Victoria’s Great Victorian Bike Ride
held annually in November. However, rather
than being a mobile operation, the Semaine
Fédérale is static. Run by the Federation
Francaise de Cyclotourisme (FFCT), a
voluntary organization which oversees this
annual event, Semaine Fédérale is a highly
organized week of cycling, entertainment,
meals and accommodation, catering this
year to the needs of over 14,000 riders
and their families. Planning is vital to the
running of such a massive operation. Towns
willing to host the event must prepare a
submission four years in advance and in true
French style, various levels of government
need to give their approval before an
application goes ahead. The local mayor,
through to Regional Departments, need to
give the nod as logistics need to be thought
through from camping facilities, building
availability, sewerage, traffic control,
feeding, entertainment etc. Once accepted,
volunteers and unpaid administrators work
tirelessly over that four year period to ensure
that the event will run smoothly. Organizing
such a cycling week, is a massive logistical
operation, but after so many years (this was
the 67th Semaine), well-oiled wheels are in
place and volunteers cope admirably with
their numerous assigned tasks.
We were going to France to cycle, and
were persuaded by Peter Moore to put in
an application for Semaine Fédérale, who
described it as “an experience of a lifetime”.
The huge task of organising 14,000 riders
is handled by several hundred staff and
volunteers.
20
The choice of roads, the scenery and the atmosphere combine to make a great cycling holiday.
We forwarded an application in April which
asked for the type of accommodation, meals
and food/drink vouchers we required. We
sent this off together with payment, but
had received no conformation letter of our
application by the time we left in mid June.
We duly arrived on Saturday 30th July in
Oloron and were amazed by the traffic jam.
We knew we were in the right place by the
banners and flags welcoming participants. It
took 3⁄4 hour to circle Oloron on the town’s
by-pass, jammed with like minded people in
cars and caravans all carrying bicycles. This
was our unofficial introduction to Semaine
Fédérale. We checked into the Permanance
where the administrative hub was housed,
to see a mass of people quietly queuing to
collect their documentation for the event.
It was efficiently handled with people who
had received their application number,
receiving large envelopes containing security
badges, a set of detailed maps for each day
of riding, meal and drink tickets, camping
park number etc. Without our assigned
number, we headed for the section reserved
for internationals only to find that although
they had our envelope, the finances were not
in order. With patience and understanding,
this was quickly remedied with the handing
over of more Euros. Directed to one of five
camp grounds, we drove to the security
guard for our camp, our name was ticked
off and a volunteer rode his bike to our
designated site, which was numbered and
roped off. No mistakes here!
Our camp site was terrific, a site you
would pick yourself – well shaded, plenty
of room, near a quietly flowing river and
away from the ablution block. In fact the
showers were 500m away requiring another
bike ride. We were lucky enough to have a
portable toilet close by which saved a long
walk in the middle of the night! We soon
discovered that we were in the International
area, and were surrounded by riders from
Britain and Scotland. We were to meet
riders from Denmark, Belgium, Spain and
Holland and our neighbours across the
way, who were well set up in their caravans
and tents, were all French. After setting
up camp, we investigated the campground
and its facilities. Many of the French and
Dutch riders had brought their campervans
or caravans, bringing their families and
making the week a family holiday. Tents of
all shapes, sizes and colours were scattered
around the campground and we were
pleased to find one belonging to Peter
Moore and Jan, set up near the the camp
entrance. As with Bike Victoria, multiples
of showers, toilets and washing facilities
were in place, as well as an information tent
where the essential French breakfast item,
the baguette, as well as croissants, could
be ordered and collected the following
morning. There was also a small buvet or
bar area together with a privately run food
stall, serving such dishes as paella, steak
and frites or sandwiches.
Dinner time beckoned, and as we had
paid for our evening meal, we set off in search
of the Restauration, ie the building housing
the restraurant which was located away from
the Permanance complex. One hour later Dinner at restauration Friday night, estimated 2500 diners.
with stomachs touching the backbone and
unable to find our destination, we settled days rides are split into different distances
The restauration building’s main floor
for a local supermarket diner which was and degrees of difficulty, varying from 30- space was filled with parallel tables, each
busy with a mixture of riders and others.We 40k to over 200k on some days. All manner capable of seating 40 persons and enough
were disappointed, this was to be our worst of information are carried on the maps, tables to hold 2500. The facility was filled on
meal in France. Back to the camp ground elevation profile, checkpoints, places of the last night for the dinner on the Saturday
for a shower and sleep. It had been a busy interest, everything. Each days ride would night . Most nights saw perhaps half that
day.
head off into another direction, perhaps number. Eating in the restauration proved
north one day, south the next. During to be great, as we mixed with the French
Up early, with a light breakfast and on the course of the week you have plenty of riders, we made it known early on each night
the bike for the Sunday ride. Each days opportunity to investigate the surrounds. as we sat at the tables that we were from
ride(s) are carefully denoted by coloured The rest stops are called accueils, and can Australia. Their eyes would light up; if their
arrows pasted to the road surface or curb be a delight, with the towns or villages going English was as bad as our French, they would
showing the turns. No navigation problems to great lengths to entertain and feed the call someone over to help with the dialogue.
for these Aussies. Maps, wonderful maps, riders.
The paper tablecloths proved very useful
are included in the envelope for the entire
in the nightly geography lessons. On the
week, a different map for each day. Each
Oloron Sainte-Marie, being in the Tuesday night we arranged to meet others
foothills of the French Pyrénées, is part of the Australian contingent at the factory.
A table for 100 please. Riders are well fed in a of the Basque country. It had it all, from Don and Enid Halton, Peter Moore and Jan,
large centrally based sports hall. A great place to days of riding the cols, to running along Bernard Collins and Andrea, Amanda and
rivers on flattish rides. You could doddle Gilbert Moore. They were not camping, but
meet other riders and practice your French.
along, or you could try and emulate Lance staying in a gitê, several kilometres away.
Armstrong up the cols, or you could just do
your own thing.
Each day was full, riding, eating and
tasting. It took us a couple of days to get
By the Monday night we had found the into the routine of the Semaine Fédérale.
restauration, as we went by bus, and enjoyed It was not until later in the week, we
a wonderful meal. The building housing discovered Oloron St Marie, sitting aside
the restauration was an old factory, which the Gave d’Aspe river, a town of 10,000
proved ideal, with the large floor space, souls. A typical French town with winding
although the location was hard to find, as streets, stone and plastered building, large
it was well away from the Permanance. We cathedral with its square, surrounded by the
went a different route each night, as we rode newer developments including the ring road
our bikes the 8km from the camp site. This with its many traffic islands, new housing,
was a highlight of the week, riding back to supermarkets, factories etc. The old section
the tent after a four course meal, plenty of was a delight with its narrow winding streets,
local wine and good company, in the balmy houses fronting directly onto the road.
clear summer nights. A delightful sense of Open the front door and you come out onto
freedom in pedalling back to the campsite the street, no front gardens, just a footpath
on the quiet country roads.
or road, if there is no room for the path.
21
At the Permanance (the headquaters and
trade display areas), the foreigners were
invited to join the organizing committee
for a drink and nibbles on the Wednesday
afternoon at 5.00pm. A number of us
attended, were welcomed by the President
and made comfortable. In all, about 500
éstrangers were at the Semaine Fédérale.
The trade displays were housed in
tents, selling and displaying their wares,
all manner of goods were available; with a
captive audience, they were doing a mighty
trade.
The buvet, or bar was handy too, selling
cider, beers etc., a popular spot after a days
ride. Entertainment was to be had near by,
usually in the form of male group singers.
Entertainment was available every night at
various venues around town and this was
advertised in the local riders’ paper each
day.
Thursday, was picnic day. A ride to
Monein-Point d’accueil - via a vineyard. The
vineyard we were directed to had been in
the same family since 1658 and was only 3.5
hectares. The owners wife spoke excellent
English as she had worked in the USA and
the UK She answered our questions, gave
us a tour of the cellars and told us it was
becoming difficult to sell their produce with
competition from many countries including
Australia. Fortunately they also ran a local
restaurant which was a good outlet for their
wine. The wine variety was Jurancon; if
picked early it produced a dry white, but if
picked two weeks later, produced a sweet
white. A lovely drop and unfortunately too
difficult to carry on the bike!
Leaving the winery we rode up and
down some very narrow, steep roads to
the picnic area at Monein, where we were
treated to a marvellous lunch with the local
band playing. Riders soon got up a started
dancing; a friendly happy affair.
Saturday night arrived all too quickly,
signaling the last night of Semaine Fédérale.
Tickets were all sold out for the last dinner
at the restauration. The crowd massed at
the front of the old factory but we were not
allowed in until 7.30pm. The doors opened,
the crowd quietly moved in and were
directed to fill the tables by the volunteers.
No paper tablecloths tonight, linen service
and the good cutlery. The wines on the table
were not the ‘vin ordinare’, but the better
local ones. Soup, entrée, main course,
cheeses, sweets. A grand meal. Fuelled by
the abundance of wine, the riders were
becoming very excited. A group would start
to sing in one corner, this would be followed
by another section singing their local song,
linen serviettes were being swung around
the heads and being made into peculiar
shaped hats and you got the impression
that we could have been at a soccer match.
It was spontaneous and typified the French
joie de vivre. The doors to the outside were
Dancing in the streets at Monein: Villages along the route celebrate with parties, fetes, attractions
and amusements for riders.
opened as the temperature rose inside,
heated by 2,500 very happy diners. The
singing continued, the waving continued.
Where was this leading? Nowhere. People
just enjoying themselves in true French style
like Albert, the 73 year old sitting opposite,
who was on his feet leading a song much to
the delight of everyone on our table.
It was time to leave; we had enjoyed
ourselves immensely too and were richer for
the experience.
We made our way to the catherdal square
for a liquor; a band was playing and people
were dancing under the coloured lights. The
party continued.
Sunday morning was time for the grand
parade - le grand defile, and we all gathered
on the arena behind the Permanance.
French cycling groups assembled in their
riding jerseys, some went to a lot of effort
in dressing up. Large polystrene cheeses
were carried on the heads of one group,
others dressed as chimney sweeps with
ladders. Some towed large wine bottles
behind their grapevine decorated bikes.
Highlighting local themes, this colourful
collection of riders were ready to clog the
streets of Oloron. The town hosting the
2006 Semaine Fédérale, Chateauroux, lead
off the parade, followed by the ‘éstrangers’
ie us, plus the other internationals. We
were totally unprepared for this; we wore
our Audax tops, but we were lost as our
small group was swallowed up in the parade.
Next time, we need to be organized like the
French and look like a team, be dressed with
an Aussie theme; to be noticed.
The parade wound around Oloron
township, often coming across itself, and
blocking the streets. The crowds lined
the streets and lanes, cheering, clapping,
photographing this strange cycling parade.
It continued for 3 hours before dissolving
and dispersing for another year.
We’ll be back. It is a marvelous
experience; a festival of cycling, celebrating
the human spirit, in the French style.
In 2006 the event will be held in
Chateauroux, south of Paris, between 30th
July and 6th August.
The
official
2005
Semaine
Fédérale website can be found at
www.sf2005.org/
22
Lily And Donna’s Ride
by Chris Rogers
Well it looked good on a map, OK. First we could ride 38km from Lilydale to Warburton on the Rail
Trail. From Warburton one of my old bushwalking maps had a dotted line leading up one of the
spurs to Mt Donna Buang. Probably an old fire trail, but it would give a brilliant 100km dirt ride back
to Lilydale. So onto the calendar. Work out the details later.
Then later in the year Frank Preyer
organised a great road ride from Yarra
Junction that took in Mt Donna Buang, and a
few more hills as well. From near the summit
I looked over at my spur. You couldn’t ride
a wombat up it, let alone a bike. Serious
reappraisal time.
Back to the map and a more sensible option
appeared. We could ride from Lilydale
to Warburton on the Trail, then meander
along the gently undulating Woods Point
Road beside the Yarra River to O’Shannassy
Lodge before returning to Warburton. I did
a reconnaissance ride along the route, and
really enjoyed it. There was plenty of tucker,
and a generally flat route - an almost perfect
100 km road ride.
The ride started at Lilydale Railway Station.
Twelve riders had booked in. I got to the
station early to be ready as the riders arrived
to start. Then I noticed an excruciating
noise – there was loud music being blasted
from tin-pot speakers throughout the carpark. Because the speakers were at different
distances the sound arrived out of phase to
give a horrible noise. Also there was only one
set of songs that was played over and over
again. Also the songs were by an apprentice
tenor belting out operatic arias. It was
agony. I now know why one of the standard
techniques used to soften up prisoners prior
to “interrogation” is to play heavy-metal music
endlessly at high volume. I was later told that
Lilydale Station car-park was a hotbed of car
vandalism and theft, and that a consultant
had been paid a million dollars to come up
with a way of combating this – the idea come
up with was that distorted opera music would
be such a deterant to ne’er-do-wells that
they would go and commit their anti-social
behaviour somewhere else. Well it seemed
to be working, because there wasn’t a single
ne’er-do-well to be seen. Just me.
Riders had come from all over. Many
were locals, but the travellers’ prize went to
Andrew Raadgever and Peter Stoneman who
had come down from Leeton for the ride.
The twelve riders were wearing an assortment
of jerseys, knicks and shoes. Then I noticed
Andrew standing stoically beside his machine
wearing an immaculately polished pair of
soft kid R.M. Williams boots. When I
complimented him on his rig he confessed
that his cleated shoes were actually still in
Leeton, but that he had come this far. Peter
Curtis then told us that as he was getting his
bike ready in the garage at home one of his
tyres self-exploded when all he was doing was
looking at it. Hope it’s not an omen.
Paperwork done we all headed off at 8
o’clock. After one kilometre there was a
pause. Another of Peter’s tyres had selfdestructed. He decided to ride Robyn’s bike
back to the car to get a replacement. Then
Andrew decided that R.M. Williams boots
and cleated pedals was not a happy mix, and
that he would go back to the Lilydale bike
shop and wait till it opened at nine o’clock
and try and buy a pair of flat pedals.
Riding to Warburton a number of riders
had puctures. Peter Stoneman was fixing one
when his pump self-destructed, and he had to
wait for a later rider to come by and help out.
Just out of Warburton Charles Lethbridge’s
chain broke. He rang his wife to get rescued.
They called in to see a friend on the way
home, and ended up spending the rest of the
day helping concrete a driveway, so it was not
a fully wasted day.
We did well with the weather. There
had been predictions of rain and possible
thunderstorms, but there was only light
drizzle at times, and nothing more than
a breeze. The weather was actually in our
favour as there were few walkers on the trail,
and almost no traffic on the road beyond
Warburton. The Trail has an excellent hard
clay base, and although slightly heavy in a few
spots was in great condition after a wet winter.
Because of the time lost with mishaps a
number of riders pulled out at Warburton,
had a nice lunch, then ambled back to
Lilydale. Some others decided that the
clock was against them, so tootled along just
enjoying the ride for its own sake. Andrew
was able to buy a set of pedals in Lilydale, and
finally set off an hour after everyone else. He
did well to come in beating the clock by 19
minutes. Unfortunately his kid boots looked
like he had spent the last four hours mucking
out the dairy. Of the dozen who started five
finished within the time-limit. Well done to
Steve Ambry, Shane Balkin, Simon Dempsey,
Andrew Raadgever and Chris Rogers for
completing the ride in times between 5 hr 19
and 6 hr 21. Everyone enjoyed the ride for the
scenery and fine food.
After getting back to Lilydale I waited
at the station for other riders to come in.
Unfortunately after a while the opera singers
were starting to have an unexpected effect on
me. I was starting to mumble, and was looking
sideways like a ne’er-do-well. I felt a coming
desire coming to do unspeakable vandalism
to nearby vehicles. I had to get away. I was
tempted to break into a car and steal it just to
escape. Just in time I pulled myself together,
got into my own car and hightailed it out of
there.
PS. The hardest thing of all about the ride
was knowing where to put any apostrophes
in the name. I asked four English teachers
at school, and they all gave different answers.
Not wishing to offend any of them I went for
the option that none of them suggested. Maths
teachers are allowed to be illiterate.
PPS. Next time the ride starts at Lilydale
Lake.
23
Rider Profile
Dino Morgante
Thirty-seven year old Dino Morgante, a Site Engineer and Senior Technical Officer from Brisbane,
kindly shares his cycling experiences with Checkpoint readers.
I started this missive two weeks prior to
the Oppy with next to no time on my bike.
The Oppy was to be my longest Audax
ride for this year and longest since starting
Audax. Seven weeks off the bike and no
other physical exercise, compounded by
work commitments and a distinct lack of
sleep with a new born on the scene, was not
the best preparation. I survived – just – with
enough functioning body parts to submit
this to Audax.
At what age did you start cycling?
As well as I can recall, I think I was five or
six years old when I rode my first bike. It was
a “bitsa” my dad and neighbour concocted
from an small purple steel road frame with a
large rear wheel and small front wheel, high
rider handle bars with back pedal brakes
(all courtesy of the local street collection).
From then on I have always had a bike
of some description. I progressed from
the aforementioned mean purple street
machine to a BMX at 10, then bought my
first road bike at 16. My current transport is
a Trek 1400, now 2 years old.
Have you cycled all your adult life?
Pretty much. For the last 15 years or
so cycling has been my principal source
of exercise. Prior to that football (soccer)
was my passion from 5 to 20 years of age.
I bought my first road bike in Year 11 and
rode to school regularly. I then continued to
ride to work and Uni, trying out triathlons
for a couple of years along the way. A lot of
my riding was done on my Pat Malone until
joining Audax in 2000. I still like to ride by
myself where possible as it gives me a chance
to mentally organise coming days and clear
my head of crap that has built up over the
days since the last ride.
How did you start with Audax?
I was introduced to Audax in late 1999
when David Minter asked me to provide
support for “The Midnight Century” that
year. Before then, I knew nothing of Audax.
24
Funny though, that November night was
cold, rainy and windy and I remember
thinking to myself while taking shelter in
my car – “These guys are f***ing nuts to be
doing this. Won’t catch me doing it!!” The
next year I did my first ride. Oh well, people
change.
When was your first Audax ride?
My first Audax ride was a 50km ride in
January 2000 – loop starting at Beenleigh
train station out to Jacobs Well and return.
I actually rode 35km on a tandem (for the
first time) from Brisbane to the start of the
ride at Beenleigh with David, while his wife
(who rode the tandem for the Audax 50km)
transported my bike down. Unfortunately,
Susan arrived late and I started the ride
about 10-15 minutes behind. So being very
eager on my first Audax ride I sped off to
catch up to those ahead while dealing with
a good mix of medium to strong oblique
cross-winds and head winds on the way
out. It went reasonably well until, BANG,
I copped a bad leg cramp (more on that
later) with about 10km to go (that was real
fun – not). Anyhow, I still managed to finish
the ride ok.
Which Audax distances have your attained
to date?
I have typically covered 50k, 100k, 200km
rides, with 300k rides included over the past
two seasons and the Oppy this season. I had
hoped to complete a 400k and 600k ride
this year but my body had other ideas on the
400k and had to pull out at the 200k mark.
There’s always next year.
What are your cycling goals for the future?
My main goal is to one season complete a
significant proportion of rides for the year
including a first attempt at “Glorious Mee”.
So far work commitments and sickness
seem to come at inconvenient times and
are strangely preceded by periods of a
lot of cycling. Must be that “elite athlete”
syndrome. However, my other goal is to
Morgante: Ready to ride
complete a Super Series next year - finish
that 400k and attempt my first 600k. PBP
is nowhere on my radar for the moment,
perhaps in about 15-20 years when I have
more time and money.
Do other members of your family cycle?
Lets put it this way. 16 years ago I bought
my then girlfriend (now wife) a $300 bike to
go riding with me – she rode it three times
– it still sits under the house collecting dust.
I occasionally take my four year old to the
park to ride her bike (can’t rush these things
you know – I found too much of one thing
and four year olds get bored real quick). As
for the little fella, well I have time on my
side to work on him. My brother did some
cycling up to a few years ago, but living in
Sydney put paid to his interest.
What do they think of your Audax cycling?
Ha! My wife just wants me to return home
from any bike ride. My parents think I’m
nuts because “you might get hit by a car”. My
friends outside of the cycling fraternity think
I’m absolutely stupid because “there must be
something else better to do than ride around
for 10 bloody hours on a Saturday doing a
200k ride”. Most of them consider driving
100k in a car a big enough task.
My wife, unfortunately does not have a
sporting bone in her body and her interest
in cycling follows suit. Her interest in Audax
is best described by our dialogue for “ride
notification” which goes a bit like this: Me
– “Lisa, I’ve got a 200 on next week, are you
ok with that, am I right to go?” Lisa – “How
long will you be gone for, half a day or a
whole day?” Me – “It’s a 200, we’ve been
through this before. It starts at 7am and I’ll
probably be finished before 5pm barring
disasters.” Lisa – “So is that a half day or a
whole day, just tell me?” Me – “Ahh, that’s a
whole day, honey.” Lisa – Oh, let me check
my diary.” Yes, interest is high.
However, I’m pretty sure my daughter
shows more interest in my cycling. She tells
me she likes the colour of my cycling shoes
and I often find her walking around in them
on the back deck. And she asks questions
like “What’s that daddy?” “That’s a bike
pump Jessica.” “What does it do??” “I use it
to pump up my tyres.” “Ohh, how?” Hey, it’s
a promising start from where I stand.
What do you think of Audax cycling?
I think Audax offers a happy medium
between touring clubs and racing clubs.
Being timed rides there is no pressure
for competition, but does allows those
who are a little keener to push themselves
to achieve better times. I also enjoy the
mateship amongst the cyclists because there
is a general willingness (individually or as a
group) to provide support and incentive to
a new or struggling cyclist during the ride.
With a wealth of experience in distance
cycling in these groups I learnt it was very
important to ask questions, and lots of
them. My quasi mentors (once I realised
who to target) when I first started Audax
were David Minter and Lindsay Green. I
just used to pick their brains to death, with
some timely advice saving me from some
potential blow-outs and DNF’s while doing
my first 200’s.
The one thing I have been able to build
on since starting Audax rides is my mental
toughness. This has allowed me to push
through some pretty crappy periods during
rides whether it is due to energy deficit and
fatigue and, more common for me, bad leg
cramps. I find singing songs to myself, in
rhythm with my pedaling, a good distraction
and mental coping tool. For example, on
a 300k earlier this year I was seriously
struggling at the 120km mark. I may as well
come to a dead stop. I was going so slow on
the flats (10km/h) I was nearly falling off my
bike so I told the group to head on. I spent
a bit of “me time” riding by myself, got up
Peachester Range, and had a short spell with
the guys who waited for me at the top. I got
a second wind, and was good and strong for
the rest of the ride. Hence, I was bestowed
the name of Lazarus for that ride – you
know, back from the dead and all that.
How many times a week would you ride?
Well that varies greatly depending on work
and family. I’ll have purple patches where
I might do three rides a week excluding
Audax, down to no riding (including Audax)
for weeks at a time. In terms of distance this
varies between 250k and 0km. Just prior to
the Oppy on 12/11/2005, I had been off the
bike for seven weeks – OUCH that really
hurt!! And probably like most cyclists, I get
withdrawal symptoms if I haven’t had my
butt on a saddle at least once a week.
Do you do all your own maintenance?
No, I just do the basic stuff like trying
to keep it clean, a bit of lubricant here and
there, changing tyres and bar tape when
required – not much really. I don’t have a
great range of mechanic bike tools, so for
mechanical servicing (every 6-12 months) I
take my bike to the local bike shop, Flashing
Pedals.
What has been the best technological or
equipment improvement in cycling for you?
There are too many to list – STI, clip
pedals, composite frames, computers. But
I’d have to say STI shifters. The advent
of STI and the like – what a godsend. Up
until mid 2003 I had ridden my trusty steel
Vitus frame shod with old Campag Record
six speed down tube mounted friction
gears (purchased second hand in 1986)
intermingled with a borrowed Cannondale
with indexed gears. Having friction gears
really taught me a lot about being smooth
and maintaining a good rhythm when
changing, particularly when climbing hills.
STI just makes this so much easier.
What do you like to eat and drink on rides?
I eat just about anything, but then again I also
go through fads with different pocket food to
see what best suits me. At the moment I tend
to carry muesli bars of various types with a
sugar backup of snakes. As for fluids, I use a
combination of both – water and Gatorade
(powdered mix). On my typical weekend
rides and Audax 50/100k’s I carry a bidon
of each. On the longer unsupported rides,
both bidons contain Gatorade with water
in my two litre Camelback. At checkpoints,
well it depends what my taste buds want
and what looks and smells appealing at the
time.
Do you recall a particularly difficult ride?
I have a few and they are usually the ones
where I suffer leg cramp real bad. But I
would have to say the “Long Weekender”
200km I did for the first time early in
2005. There was a bit of climbing in and
around the Gold Coast and northern NSW
hinterland culminating in a 6-7km hike up
Mt Tomewin Rd inside the last 25km. I think
I partly psyched myself out from listening
too much to Vaughan Kippers describing
what lay ahead. End result – I stopped about
half way for a couple of minutes breather.
I got back on, completed the climbing and
down the other side. I did finish the ride,
but not before misreading one direction and
restarting the “out” loop for about 5km. As
I rode along, I thought, “Hmm this scenery
looks familiar, something is not right here.”
One quick phone call and I was back on the
right track. I was going to add the recent
Oppy, but that would be another chance
to break out the violins. Anyway, I have
adopted the motto, “What doesn’t kill you
only makes you stronger.”
Do you enjoy riding at night?
Due to work and family commitments any
week-day ride is normally a night ride, which
I have been doing for some time now. Apart
from the inherent and accepted risks of
riding at night there are many good points.
Reduced traffic, generally less effect from
environmental conditions (heat especially),
you don’t worry so much about hills (you
can’t see the top of the climb in the dark),
and the calming clatter of chain on gear.
The only Audax rides where I have ridden
at night are the 300k’s.
Do you have any other hobbies/sports?
I do a bit of walking and find it is good
for general fitness and stretching out the
hamstrings which cop a bit of abuse from
cycling. I played tennis up until 4 years
ago, but my knees are too broken to cope
with that anymore. I “try” to play the guitar.
Any type of motor racing is a big interest for
me (I have a need for speed – and no, not
the stuff that goes up you nose). Speaking
of speed, one other side interest is seeking
out downhills, of course. My best to date is
92km/hr (no pedaling) with a penchant to
crack the 100km/hr mark soon – back to
Mt Alford next year (and no braking on the
bends this time).
25
A different kind of Audax
challenge
by John Short
What about an Audax series that provides the usual time management challenges but actually
improves your bike handling skills and allows you to experience some of the most spectacular
scenery in Australia in a virtually car-free environment? If that sounds too good to be true, you
should have joined us on the Blue Mountains Dirt Series.
For those who are not aware, a dirt series
consists of three rides (35km, 70km and
100km) each ridden at an average speed of
10km/hr or more and run predominantly
off the bitumen.
Don’t let the shorter distances and lower
speeds fool you into thinking that dirt road
Audax is easy. When travelling on rough
and rocky tracks with steep climbs and hair
raising descents, even a 35km ride can be a
real challenge. As Maria Matuszek said on
our first ride, “It’s a different kind of Audax
challenge”.
The three rides of this dirt series covered
the Blue Mountains between Leura and
Glenbrook. All three rides incorporated
the famous “Oaks Fire Trail” (with some
variations) and used other fire trails in the
Blue Mountains National Park to make up
the distances. The majority of each ride
was on true “bush tracks” and most was
car-free.
Ten riders completed the first ride
(35km) from Woodford to Glenbrook with
a diversion to Euroka Clearing and a side
trip to Mount Portal.
The first 12 km of The Oaks Fire Trail
is a “roller coaster” of rough climbs and
descents, including one known as “Red
Wire Saddle” which is difficult enough to
walk, much less ride. The track then settles
into a long slow descent before turning off
to Euroka Clearing. Of course the descent
must be paid for, and the climb out of
Euroka recovers the debt with interest. The
return trip to Mount Portal, although short
and seemingly innocuous on the map, was
26
a gut-buster with a very steep climb and
finishing with a rough track to the lookout.
No one on this ride will forget Mount Portal!
At least the spectacular views of Glenbrook
Gorge, the Nepean River and the western
plains of Sydney were compensation. After
a descent into, and climb out of, Glenbrook
Gorge, we finished the ride at Glenbrook
railway station.
The second ride of 70km started at
Wentworth Falls and travelled to Woodford
via Andersons Fire Trail, then to Glenbrook
along The Oaks Fire Trail with a side trip
to Nepean Lookout in lieu of Euroka and
Mount Portal.
Andersons Fire Trail is a relatively remote
track with, overall, a better surface than
The Oaks. However the descent to Queen
Victoria and Bedford Creeks is very steep
and rough and both creek crossings are just
under knee deep.
The track climbs steeply, very steeply,
from Bedford Creek. For most cyclists
the first 3km required the “two foot” gear
(ie walking) and then it was a steady but
rideable climb into the town of Woodford.
The beaut Woodford General Store was the
checkpoint and food stop before continuing
on to Glenbrook down The Oaks Fire
Trail.
The side trip to the Nepean Lookout
provided great views of the Nepean River
gorge. We then rode back to The Oaks Fire
Trail and, as on the first ride, rode into and
out of Glenbrook Gorge before finishing in
Glenbrook.
The third ride (100km) started at Leura
and finished at Glenbrook. The group
of eight cyclists met at 6am for a sunrise
start half an hour later. The early start was
necessary to ensure the ride was completed
before sunset. There was some misty drizzle
at the meeting place but this soon stopped
and we were blessed with perfect cycling
weather. Cool, but not cold, and overcast
with weak winds.
We crossed the Great Western Highway
as a group and rode over a small hump
before descending to the Mount Hay Road.
That hump was to be the highest point of
our ride but no one, it seemed, believed me
when I said “It’s downhill all the way”.
Mount Hay Road soon turned to gravel
and then to dirt. As it is open to cars, the
corrugations were pretty awful. Maria
Matuszek lost her water bottle on one
particularly bad patch. In my usual “tail end
Charlie” position I was able to rescue it for
her. Alan Dunn said the corrugations were
so big that you had to “drop into the small
chainwheel to climb out of them.”
The track became rougher and more
eroded although the fantastic scenery and
good company more than made up for any
difficulties.
As the road to Mount Hay was an “outand-back” run, we were soon waving to the
faster riders as they cruised past, heading
back to Leura.
The track became rougher and narrower.
As it circled around the side of a hill I
realised how precarious it was. Looking
to the right was a sheer drop into a gully.
Looking to the left was a near vertical cliff.
I’m glad we didn’t meet any cars at this
point.
The Mount Hay Road finishes a few
kilometres from the actual mountain and
it was here that we were to turn around.
We stopped to rest, eat and admire the
spectacular views. To the east we could
see the western plains of Sydney. Mt. Hay
loomed over us to the north. To the west we
looked into the Grose Valley covered in low
cloud and fog with “fingers” of fog filling in
the smaller valleys which connected to the
Grose. The vista reminded me that one
of the best features of riding in the Blue
Mountains is the scenery. At this early hour
the crisp, cool air and low sunlight made it
magical!
However there was no time to waste. We
still had over 80km to go and the clock was
ticking. We pushed off and headed back
along the track, making our way back to
Leura without problem.
At the Great Western Highway we turned
left and enjoyed blasting downhill on the
bitumen. We turned off the highway to
enjoy more downhill past Wentworth Falls
Lake before crossing the railway into the
main street of Wentworth Falls.
This was our first checkpoint. After a
brief rest we rejoined the Great Western
Highway for a couple of kilometres before
turning into Kings Table Road and then into
another side road heading east. This road
became Murphy’s Fire Trail and we enjoyed
some more fast dirt cycling.
Black cockatoos are to be found
throughout this area. Two riders found
themselves being “escorted” for quite some
distance by some low flying cockies and one
flew across the track at head height narrowly
missing Maria.
The track narrowed and started a steep
descent to Bedford Creek. The last 200
metres before the creek is very steep and
I’m not ashamed to say that I walked that
section. A trip over the handlebars would
not have improved my chances of finishing
the ride.
After the creek crossing we started the
3km slog to the top of the ridge and then
rode into our second checkpoint at the
Woodford General Store. Here the friendly
owners signed our brevets and provided
much-needed food and drink. This was a
very relaxed stop. With “only” 40km to go
to the finish at Glenbrook, we felt we were in
good shape to finish comfortably.
Membership
This was the third time we were to
tackle The Oaks Fire Trail and there
was a noticeable improvement in our bike
handling skills. Descents and climbs that
had been approached with some trepidation
on the first ride were attacked with gusto
and, as a result, we made good time.
Renewals
Our variation on this ride was a return
trip along the Red Hands Cave Fire Trail.
By this time I was starting to feel the effects
of a day in the saddle. I was using much
lower gears than I normally would and it
seemed to take a long time to arrive back at
The Oaks Picnic Area.
After a few kilometres on The Oaks Fire
Trail we turned right into Bennett’s Ridge
Fire Trail and descended into Euroka. I
found the climb out “testing” to say the
least.
From the top of this climb however I
knew it was only 5km (and one climb!) to
go. Again we completed the final test, the
crossing of Glenbrook Gorge. Despite my
tiredness I was able to ride out of the gorge
and into Glenbrook.
Maria and Alan finished in front,
making me the last rider to finish but of
course that didn’t matter. We were a happy
bunch and congratulated each other on our
achievement. Not only had we completed
the 100km ride, but we had just qualified for
our Dirt Series Awards. As Maria had said
“It’s a different kind of Audax challenge”.
from Stephen Chambers
Membership renewals are going well,
with over 70% of members having paid
up as we were going to press. If you
still have not got around to it yet, don’t
delay – renew now and ensure that you
continue to receive Checkpoint, plus the
other benefits of being part of the Audax
family.
Also, renewal has never been easier,
with the new secure online payment
facility for credit card payment. (It
is also easier for the Treasurer, with
no tedious rewriting of data!). Go to
the website at www.audax.org.au and
from the Homepage select “About
Audax”, “Membership”, then follow the
prompts.
Nevertheless if you are not connected
to the net don’t worry, the Treasurer is
still more than happy to receive your
payment – cheque or credit card - by
snailmail, at Audax Australia, PO Box
12144, A’Beckett Street, Melbourne
VIC 8006.
Happy randonneering!
PBP Survey Results - Part 2
1. Did you buy a new bike for PBP?
Yes: 19% No: 81%
0-19 mins: 9% 20-39 mins: 45%
40-59 mins: 40% 60+mins: 6%
2. Did you use a heart rate monitor?
Yes: 10% No: 90%
Most common brand was Polar.
5. Which starting group were you
with?
80 hours: 12%
84 hours: 6%
90 hours: 82%
3. How many water bottles did you
carry?
Bladder: 6% 1 bottle: 12%
2 bottles: 70% 3 bottles: 12%
4. On average, how much time did
you spend at each control, excluding
sleeps?
6. Which starting group would you
choose next time?
80 hours: 14%
84 hours: 17%
90 hours: 69%
27
World News
USA
Japan
Boston-Montréal-Boston
Colin Anderson (New Zealand)
What an awesome ride, hills, hills and
more hills. Fantastic group of riders, albeit
a small field, only 71 started and 15 DNF’d.
The average age was 48. The ride took me
74 and-a-half hours.
Organisation was great, with very good
areas for feeding and sleeping. I managed
to join up with a pair of 30 and 44 year old
riders who had come off the Race Accross
Missouri ride some 6 weeks prior. They were
both very strong initially and I did wonder if
my moving up to them on the road was a
wise move. Anyway, eventually the cramps
that had been forming in my over-rested
legs began to settle and the rythym of my
comrades was becoming more to complete
than compete, which suited me.
I was apparently the first Kiwi to complete
the brevets and go over and ride, so I was
real keen to also finish! I rode my Trek,
with triplo, 52,39,30, and a rear cluster 25
to 14, so my down hill top speed required
a fair amount of leg speed to keep up with
the pace set by the solidly built 44 year
old lawyer. One hill called Mount Terrible
with a grade of some 16-18% was climbed
at night, and was apptly named, if I’d had
spare breath I could have called it something
a tad different.
We arrived at the Canadian half way point
in 34 hours and I was by now quite relaxed
and really enjoying the companionship of my
American riders.The meals available here as
at all the stops were great, I pigged out on a
massive turkey sandwich, followed by some
fresh watermelon. The melon really helped
to rid the mouth of the by now quite horrid
taste of sports fluid I had been drinking.
About this time I found bottles of apple
juice and filled my drink bottles with them
and coke. Climbing back out of Canada
was one hell of a drag, 12 miles of a steady
gradient, then the damn Covey Hill, some 3
miles long and very intense. At the top some
lovely sole had left fresh water containers,
they soon had the levels lowered.
The haul back across the Grampian
Lakes area was made tougher by a keen
wind. Here we lost a new comrade who
28
Okayama 1000
Matt Rawnsley/Nobuko Sawada
took to the trees for a wee Bonk Session,
at some ungodly hour of the evening. Our
threesome kept riding till about midnight
where the congenial lawyer put us up in a
hotel for a 4 hour kip. I was more than ready
for this stop, my feet were (and still were 3
weeks later) numb from the very rough road
surfaces encountered for about 900km of
the 1200km ride. I am sure Kiwi’s would
refuse to pay their taxes to have to endure
such really horrid surfaces. I rode on 28C
tyres, with my Bontrager rims (the front
was badly buckled near the end) and along
with my buddies suffered no punctures or
road hold-ups from bike failures, although
the Americans did manage to get tangled
up and touched wheels on a small incline,
resulting in no real damage though.
The weather was great for a Kiwi
coming out during the tail end of a winter,
and my Merino clothing was really great
in the cooler/damp evenings. Rain was
encountered and the final couple of hours
or so was quite torrential, which required
a new element of carefulness from us all to
ensure a safe return to the finish.
I read somewhere that this ride was so
good we should recommend it to all our
friends, and so hard that we should include
all our enemies. This was quite true, but
an experience of commaderie and great
riding that I will treasure. I really would
recommend this event to you all, who enjoy
going That Extra Mile.
France
Paris-Brest-Paris
Audax Club Parisien
Planning is well underway by ACP to host
the 2007 PBP. With just 18 months to go,
riders should start preparing themselves also.
The profile map of the Okayama 1000, Japan.
Audax Australia member Matt Rawnsley,
who recently participated in an Audax
event in Japan, has received the following
information from the brevet organiser
in Japan, Nobuko Sawada, regarding the
upcoming Okayama 1000.
The route of the Okayama 1000 BRM
passes through four beautiful national parks
located in Okayama Prefecture.
The 1000km route will pass through the
green hills of the Chugoku Range, through
highlands, lakes, valleys, gorges and rice
paddy fields to show off some very beautiful
rural scenery, before reaching the emerald
blue Sea of Japan. It will then skirt around
typical Japanese rural villages with many old
temples that have not changed for centuries.
By the time you have completed the entire
1000km route, you will have cycled through
five prefectures of Okayama, Hyogo,
Tottori, Hiroshima and Shimane. It will be
a rather difficult BRM, but you will be able
to visit the best areas of Japan.
I will be personally hosting the 400km,
600km and 1000km BRMs. I hope to
simplify the organization of brevets next
year, based on this year’s experience.
Since we have not yet submitted our
schedule for next year, I might make some
minor changes to the course.
It has been a great honor and pleasure
to have such an experienced person such as
you participate in my previously run BRM.
I hope to learn from your experience as an
organizer as well. I as well as everyone at
Audax Japan will be greatly pleased to hear
from you, particularly regarding the details
of how you organize and run your BRMs in
Australia.
Thank you very much again.
Brevets
with Stephen George, Brevet Editor
Processing by Barry Parsons & Peter Mathews
50km, 10-Jul-05, Victoria, Wandong Winter
Wander
Organiser: Lorraine & George Allen
Lyndal Clayton, Neil Finlayson, Gavin Lombard,
Claire Martin, Simon Woodford
55km, 14-Aug-05, Victoria, Mal’s Merrimu
Meander
Organiser: Malcolm Foul
Loiuse Baker, Shane Baker, Owen Church, Bill
Jeppesen, Len Murray, Anthony Overmars, Peter
Rose, Fraser Rowe, Merryn Rowlands, Casey
Tydens, Christine Tydens, Adrian Whear
Well done!
100 km, 14-Aug-05, Adelaide, Out of the
Winter Slumber
Organiser: Matthew Rawnsley
Matthew Rawnsley
108km, 21-Aug-05, Victoria, Mike Rossiter
Memorial Ride
Organiser: Bill Redmund
Wayne Alexander, Lloyd Bowman, Colin Brown,
Harry Commins, Paul Commins, Scott Dyer, David
Eales, Carla Lawson, Phil Medhurst, Cameron
Oakley, Dennis Ray, Shane Rickerby, Adrian Rys,
Marshall Thompson, Aaron Wain
100km, 28-Aug-05, Victoria, Around Mt
Macedon
Organiser: Stephen Rowlands
Susan Albert, Frank Briner, Jan Charlton, Lyn
Horan, Ian Lightfoot, Bruce Marriott, Rebecca
Morton, John Riley, Peter Tiernay, Simon Woodford
Organiser: Stephen Rowlands
John Bahoric, Chris Brewin, Robin Brown, Aaron
Christiansen, Gordon Cockroft, Russell Collins,
Graeme Cross, Daniel Dobrosak, Hans Dusink,
Mark Ellis, Angelo Faccin, Des Fielding, Carolyn
Fraser, Brian Gavan, Ian Handley, Ron Kirwan,
Michael Knight, Andrew Masters, Tim Mc Farlane,
Timothy Mc Farlane, David Mc Gowan, Shane Miller,
Cameron Milne, Heather Murray, Maxine Riggs,
Chris Rogers, Scott Rogers, Fraser Rowe, Mal Shaw,
Karl Starling, Casey Tydens, Christine Tydens, Craig
Vandervalk, Ray Watt, Cam Woolcock
Wander
112km, 10-Sep-05, Victoria, Out North &
Back
50 km, 28-Aug-05, Victoria, Around Mt
Macedon
Heather Allen, Albert Benzing, Judy Beswick,
Martin Beveridge, Graham Bickerstaff, Ian Boehm,
Chris Brewin, Neil Clayton, Robyn Curtis, Eric
Davidson, Eric Davidson, Charles Day, Fleur Dean,
Peter Donnan, Pat Dorey, Peter Fellows, Ian George,
Julie Gill, Meaghan Godfrey, Phil Hayes, Philip
Hender, Kevin Henley, Ken Heppell, Mark Hibberd,
Sally Javis, Eileen Johnson, Jym King, Ian Knox, Tim
Laugher, Ray Lelkes, Daryl Lett, Steve Luder, Andy
Moore, Barry Moore, Peter Moore, Steve Morris,
Natalie Morwood, Shane Moorwood, Jan Pannifex,
Maxinne Riggs, Peter Saville, Ron Spargo, Peter
Stephens, Tricia Stewart, Leigh Thornton, Claude
Urbani, Rob Wilson, Wayne Wright
100km,17-Jul-05,Victoria,Pier to Pub
Organiser: My Nguyen
Douglas Beaton, Paul Borysiewicz, Mark Chircop,
Lyndal Clayton, Neil Clayton, Carl Cole, Clare
Cooper, Tony De Thomasis, Johannes Eisser, Gavin
Erickson, Russell Freemantle, Howard Gibson, Adam
Guilliver, Ian Hare, Mark Harmes, Richard Keyte,
Leanne Lewis, Phil Mc Cann, Jeff Meister, Janet
Newman, John Ovens, Geoff Robinson, Stephens
Rowlands, Raj Shanmugham, Cathy Taylor, Casey
Tydens, Christine Tydens, Adrian Whear, Rob
Wilson
100km, 24-Jul-05, Victoria, Kinglake 100
Organiser: Rodney Snibson
Lorraine Allen, Jeff Anderson, Owen Anstey,
Richard Bajraszewski, Shane Balkin, Carolyn Bolton,
Chris Brewin, Lenore Brophy, Stephen Chambers,
Anthony Conway, Pat Dorey, Hans Dusink, Jon Herd,
Geoff Hunter, Sally Jarvis, Brian Johnson, Clive
Keays, Con Kiourtsidis, Ron Kirwan, Tim Laugher,
Ray Marsh, Lachlan Marshall, Ron Mc Innes,
Anthony Moffatt, Heather Murray, Carole Patterson,
Max Payne, Stephen Rowlands, Darren Sanders,
David Syme, Casey Tydens, Christine Tydens, Simon
Watt, Dianne Whitmore, Robert Wilkinson, Keith
Zimaris
110km, 14-Aug-05,Victoria, Mal’s Merrimu
Meander
Organiser: Mal Foul
Russell Freemantle,
Rowlands
Ingo
Keller,
Stephen
Organiser: Steve Mc Carthy
John Bahoric, Gavin Baker, Joanne Barwood,
Kirsty Chambers, Stephen Chambers, Graeme
Cross, Simon Simon, Hans Dusink, Peter Eckersley,
Gareth Evans, Craig Garrett, Stephen George, Rus
Hamilton, Ingo Keller, Baden Lowe, Keith Lowe,
Peter Martin, Heather Murray, Lucas Reniers, Chris
Rogers
200 km, 4-Jun-05, Wollongong, Berrima Ride
Organiser: Barry Stevenson
Henry Boardman, Richard Pinkerton, Dennis Shaw,
Barry Stevenson
200 km, 19-Jun-05, South Australia Adelaide, The Clayton Breezes
Bob Braunsthal, Richard Crawshaw, Alan Dickson,
Michael Dwyer, Paul Ferret, Suzie Gray, Dean
Lambert, Oliver Portway
200 km, 25-Jun-05, Wollongong, Thirlmere
Ride
Organiser: David Stevenson
Henry Boardman, Jimmy Goode, Greg Lansom,
Richard Pinkerton
200 km, 26-Jun-05, Sydney, Hunter Valley
Randonnee
Organiser: Malcolm Rogers
Chris Rogers
Wander
Bob Bednarz, Stephen Chambers, Gordon
Cockroft, Bernard Collins, Ian Crane, David Crump,
Peter Curtis, Hans Dusink, Russell Freemantle,
Dennis Irvine, Leanne Irvine, Rob Macauley, Paul
Mason, Frank Mitchell, Andrew Raadgever, Chris
Rogers, Stephen Rowlands, Peter Stoneman,
Kathryn Temby, Kevin Ware, Simon Watt
to all the riders who have
attained brevets. Bravo!
200 km, 30-Jul-05, Queensland - Brisbane,
What do you mean, winter?
Organiser: David Horton
Shane Campbell, Lex Carrillo, Lindsay Chapman,
Geoff Christmas, Michael Clare, Lex Franks, Chris
Halliday, Jane Hogan, Peter Jamandijevic, Gerard
Keating, Vaughan Kippers, Anthony Limpus, David
Mccrossin, Kevin Mcmillan, Dino Morgante, Bert
Ockhuisen, John O’Connor, Linda O’Connor, Judith
Perks, Glen Smith, Peter Watson, Mark Wyche
200 km, 6-Aug-05, Sydney, Café Rides
Organiser: Henry Boardman
Alan Dunn, Jim Goode, Maria Matuszek
200 km, 14-Aug-05, Adelaide, Out of the
Winter Slumber
Allan Dickson
200 km, 27-Aug-05, Queensland – Brisbane,
IpsWhere?
Organiser: Debbie Campbell
Shane Doyle, Lex Franks, Lindsay Green
200km, 3-Sep-05, Victoria, Bunches Down
the Bay
Organiser: Keith & Eryl Lowe
Jeff Anderson, Paul Balchin, Kirsty Chambers,
Stephen Chambers, Gordon Cockroft, Peter Cole,
Pat Dorey, Hans Dusink, Gareth Evans, Russell
Freemantle, Joan Hagan, Raymond Lekles, John Mc
Kain, Scott Mc Lean, Heather Murray, Brian Norman,
Andrew Raadgever, Stephen Rowlands, Mal Shaw,
Peter Stoneman, Simon Watt
200 km, 3-Sep-05, Sydney, Minnamurra
Meander
Organiser: Maria Matuszek
Maria Matuszek
200 km, 4-Sep-05, Canberra, On the Road
Again
Organiser: Jonathan Gowland
Greg Cunningham, Marea England, Jimmy Goode,
Jonathan Gowland, Peter Heal, Murray Johns,
Michael Motolese, David O’Brien, Greg Rees, KerriAnn Smith
200 km, 10-Sep-05, Wollongong, Highlands
Rides
Henry Boardman, Dana Gottlieb, Barry Stevenson,
David Stevenson
200 km, 18-Sep-05, Sydney, Hawkesbury
Valley Randonnee
Organiser: Chris Walsh
Chris Walsh, Douglas Kennedy, Ian Howson, Alan
Dunn, Maria Matuszek
200km, 25-Sep-05, Victoria, Flowerdale Jaunt
Organiser: Ignazio Cannizzo
Joanne Barwood, Ignazio Cannizzo, Luke
Chandon, Peter Curtis, Martin Hastie, Martin
Haynes, Ingo Keller, Ron Kirwan, Spiro Marinaris,
Stephen Rowlands, Kathryn Temby, Casey Tydens,
Stuart Worn
200km, 25-Sep-05, Adelaide, Flat as Hell
Organiser: Matthew Rawnsley, Volunteer: Mary
Capell
Alan Capell
200 km, 24-Jul-05, Adelaide, Down the Sedan
Geoff Hood, Brian Sandercock, Oliver Portway
29
200 km, 1-Oct-05, WA, Classic
Organiser: Adrian Giacci
Nicky Armstrong, Andrew Candy, Ken Depuy,
Colin Farmer, Rob Godkin, Klaus Hagedorn, Wayne
Hickman, Colin Law, Rod Marston
200km, 8-Oct-05, Victoria, Shared Path
Nouveau Series
Organiser: Alan Tonkin
Steve Ambry, Chris Rogers, Alan Tonkin
200 km, 9-Oct-05, NSW, Canola Canter
Organiser: Ray Stenhouse
Garry Skeers, Peter Dixon, Keith Mcculloch, David
Palmer, Greg Rees, Arthur O’Connell, Jennifer Reed
200km, 13-Nov-05, Adelaide, Scuzzi’s Run
Matthew Rawnsley
300 km, 19-Feb-05, Canberra, Another
Saturday Night
Organiser: Jonathon Gowland
Phillip Baron, Greg Cunningham, Jonathan
Gowland, Peter Heal, Keith McCulloch, Bob McHugh,
Richard Niven
300 km, 20-Aug-05, Victoria, Gippsland
Gambol
Organiser: Peter Mathews
Penny Charles, Carl Cole, Gareth Evans, Max
Payne, Geoff Robinson
300 km, 28-Aug-05, Sydney, North Coast
Express
Organiser: Malcolm Rodgers
Melissa Grace, Jonathan Page
300 km, 10-Sep-05, Wollongong, Highlands
Rides
Richard Pinkerton
400 km, 26-Mar-05, Camberra, La Copa De
La Vida
Organiser: Jonathon Gowland
Peter Curtis, Peter Heal, Bob McHugh, Richard
Niven, Leigh Paterson
400 km, 26-Jun-05, Sydney, Hunter Valley
Randonnee
Organiser: Malcolm Rogers
Gary Armsworth
Gambol
Peter Donnan, Leigh Paterson, Scott Plummer,
Chris Rogers, Kevin Ware
400 km, 24-Sept-05, WA, The Long Flat One
Organiser: Colin Farmer
Nicky Armstrong, Wayne Hickman, Colin Law
400km, 3-Dec-05, Adelaide, The Classic 400
Matthew Rawnsley
Gambol
Stephen Chambers, Russell Freemantle, Peter
Heal
600km, 17-Sep-05, Victoria, Lingalonga
Organiser: Chris Rogers
Gareth Evans, Chris Rogers, Mal Shaw
600 km, 15-Oct-05, WA, Season Finale
Organiser: Alan Tolcher
Nicky Armstrong, Wayne Hickman, Colin Law
30
History
A quick whiz back to 1985 to see how the club was promoting one of it’s first rides, a 200/
300km randonnée through Gippsland, Victoria. Do you have a completed brevet card for
an event held prior to 1985? Please contact the Editor.
If undeliverable return to
Audax Australia Inc.
PO Box 12144
A’Beckett Street
Melbourne VIC 8006
SURFACE
MAIL
POSTAGE
PAID
AUSTRALIA
Print Post Approved
PP327687/00033
Checkpoint
Summer 2005/06
Issue No. 26
Association No. A0014462N
ISSN 1832-4711
Audax Australia is proudly affiliated with:
Audax Club Parisien
www.audax-club-parisien.com
Les Randonneurs Mondiaux
www.lesrm.be
Cycling Australia
www.cycling.org.au
New!
Sue
Taylo
the
r&
girls, proud n Phil Be
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Mia
& Ge w parent tte are
will s
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the O lping m trust the
even ppy & A um and y
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atula
tions sic
!
Are your address details above correct?
Notify changes by email to membership@audax.org.au or by phone on (03) 5783 2427.
Can you ride 1500km in one week? Olé!
MALLORCA BREVET & CYCLING CAMP
Heaven on a bike!
The only European cycling camp designed especially for randonneurs. Ride, relax and enjoy this delightful
Mediterranean cycling paradise. Ride every day or take a vacation and tour the island.
(Non-riding guests pay US$636 registration fee.)
2 April to 7 May 2006: Sunday to Sunday camp
Cycling Camp fee US$795 per person/per week (airfare not included)
Brevet Camp fee US$895 per person/per week (airfare not included)
(+US$100 single supplement)
Cycling Camp fee includes:
Breakfast & dinner daily
Different daily ride routes with guide and refreshment stop
Challenging cycling routes or relaxed scenic cycling routes
Seaside accommodation at the 4-star Hotel Playa Cala Mayor (based on double occupancy)
Bike box transport service from airport-to-hotel (for group of four or more)
Stig Lundgaard
C/ San Miguel 41
07002 Palma De Mallorca
Tel: (0045) 46 927 881
Fax: (0034) 971 727 714
stig_lundgaard@hotmail.com
Brevet Week fee (April 23-May 7) includes:
Registration fee for ACP sanctioned Super Randonneur Brevet Series
ACP Brevet Results certification processing
ACP Brevet Medal
Hosted by Stig Lundgaard, experienced Danish randonneur
www.mallorcabrevet.com
10% discount off registration fee to those who register by February 1, 2006.

Fleche Opperman - Audax Australia

Transcription

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