Club Team Time Trial - SKCC

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Throughout July I had the awesome and rare opportunity to team up with my St Kilda Cycling Club mates for some Time Trial training sessions. Thanks to Stuart McKenzie for organising these. We formed a record number of teams for the Cycling Victoria Club Team Time Trial Championships. I had been training on the TT bike more and more since Phillip Island and wanted to be comfortable on the bike and feel fitter.

Side profile of Mt Buninyong on the TTT course out to Mt Mercer.

I went to Ballarat the day before the race and rode the course solo. It was awesome flying out the road with the wind at my back and rolling up and down the roller-coaster course. I had an appointment for some more physio on my shoulder and turned back after 30mins and that was when it hit me.
H E A D  W  I  N  D

It was more than what I was expecting. The gusting sidewind was pushing me across the road with traffic flying 100 kmph it was nerve wracking. After about 20 mins Shane had caught up with me and asked if he should go on ahead and get the car as we'd be late for my appointment. Reluctantly I said yes and he took off. I kept pedalling and was really worried about the conditions, being late and started getting upset. With 1.5km to go back to the start, I'd missed my appointment start and the car magically appeared around the corner.... how fast had I gone? How slow was Shane?

Freeeeezing at the finish line at Kryal Castle

We went to the end of my appointment, picked up some lunch and then drove out to see the finish of Melbourne to Ballarat. It was great to see a local racer Pat Shaw win!


Pat Shaw - Winner of Melbourne to Ballarat 2013




The next day it was a grey day and the wind was the same. I found my team mates Jo Riley and Dale Maizels and started warming up. We were well looked after at the SKCC tent with food, shelter and right on the start line. Thanks Gaelene Snelling for organising all of the logistics. After a good warm-up we lined up with our tactic to make it back strong and alive!

Panarama of TTT riders - so many llamas

Last year we had people holding us on the start line, this year we rolled off and clipped in. Without looking back we took a good line through the bumpy pot holed first few kms and rolled solid turns. We kept together on the hills and powered on the flat sections, fuelled up and hit the turn around. I was last in and we came in too hot. Our perfectly timed slow turn around practices were for nothing as I called to turn and we all struggled to turn into the headwind.

Totally prepared from the conditions last year and the bleak reminder the day before, we chipped away at the flat headwind section, climbed to our ability through the hilly section, stayed together and kept our spirits high for the way home. It was hard work. We cheered the boys on as they came the opposite direction and at one point I thanked my team mates mid race that they were there with me on this day - because yesterday was horrible solo!

Jo Riley, Dale Maizels and me for the Team Time Trial

Before we knew it, the 1km to go sign was there. "Last Hill!!" I screamed into the headwind and we stomped up the climb. From somewhere I found a last kick to the line in my legs and with Dale hot on my wheel we finished to set 2nd fastest Masters women time.

It took a little while to catch our breath, spin out the 50kms of craziness we'd just witnessed and take stock of our performance. I'm not sure I had much more to give, but we did great. Group hug back at the tent and quickly adding layers to keep warm.

The medal ceremony was soon after the men came back and it was great to see a few groups sticking around for this. While it might have ended in a rain storm we had a good day out with St Kilda Cycling Club.

My silver state level medal run continues - still have road and TT to come next month

Phillip Island Spectacular Time Trial and Strava Classics

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It's Time Trial season! I've registered for a few in the coming months and am looking forward to this format of racing again.

On the weekend we were in for a treat with the Phillip Island Spectacular! It's run as a four lap test against the clock on the world famous Grand Prix circuit. All the twists and turns, that hill, guaranteed headwind sections with the weather rolling in over the bay, it is a good challenge.



You roll up to the pit lane exit for your start, and zoom on out for your hot laps. They set up gates to roll through across the finish line to help count out each lap. In previous years I found this very confusing and stressful, but I was right onto it this year and paced it well.

Rolling up to the start line
Not expecting much or putting any pressure on myself, it was my first Open level event since my crash at Tour of the Southwest. The handicappers were not kind and put me back in the same grade.

Happy with my time and good improvement on the training

My result was a personal best by 2 minutes over the course, but not good enough to get fastest woman even in the grade lower than me! The course was definitely faster than last year with a new smoooooother surface and better conditions. Shane did very well, setting a new course record and coming in first in A-Grade.




Here is the final segement on le Tour Prologue - we had a great time making this. It was good to be a part of it!




This month Strava have released their newest feature "Strava Classics". It's an extension of their website that allows you to browse via world map the awesome segments around the world.

I was approached to add an athlete comment, as last year I had a top 10 time up Alpe d'Huez. All of the latest cyclo-tourists have been up there by now and totally blown me off the leader board by now.



2012: Made it to the top, got a bit lost but it was AWESOME!
Now I want to come back in winter to ski!

2012: Descending I stopped to get a snap of the valley below and you can see some of the switchbacks

2012: Photographers tilt the camera (to make it look steep)
and pop a business card in your jersey pocket to order pics 



This week I've had a delivery from my generous sponsor at Thule. I'm all setup with a rolling kit bag! It has compartments for bike gear and overnight stays at all the races we go to each weekend.

I can finally reorder our bike room with a free standing bike stacker, a basket/organiser for all of my gloves and bike accessories I have scattered around the house and a Thule iPhone case that I'll have to wrestle Shane for.


The snow is settling now and this gear will come in handy to cart all my snowboard kit up the mountain for some good days on the slopes.

Filming and back racing

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While building up the form there is some great women's racing to take part in. Each year the Northern Combine's St Kilda Cycling Club Trophy Race is a favourite. I won Women's B-Grade a few years ago and last year I finished with the bunch in the top 10 in Women's A-Grade. This year I was not going to be competitive, but it would be a good measure of current form from couch to bike in two weeks.



There was no threat by me as I didn't see the pointy end of the race, but the other competitors were so welcoming and lovely to have me back in the bunch. I finished out the back of the pack and I'm looking forward to my next scratch race with a lot more training under my belt.



The Castlemaine Cycling Club held an Open Time Trial that Shane won. While the team were slogging it out against the clock, I went out and rode the Hardcourt 65km road course loop that part of the Metro Championships were held. I was in a sling cheering the guys when this race was on, so it was great to get back out on the circuit for a lovely peaceful training ride on the almost empty back roads.

Enjoying a little bit of fun in the SUN!


This Tuesday you will be able to see me on Fox Sports "Le Tour Prologue"on pay TV.

Ready for filming

Shane was approached to film a segment and I said that I could be an extra in the background. What ended up was a different scenario! We filmed on Yarra St, Kew famous by Shane's multiple attempts with 50 repeats and 100 repeats. I managed a quick warmup and then completed the first take behind the car perfectly. I might have needed an extra wheat-bix to get to the roundabout, but recovered for the downhill.

Rolling! TV camera in the boot.

I've still got a bit more training before I tackle multiple repeats, as every other take I struggled to make it to the top. Afterwards we shot a little one-on-one interview to cover how we use Strava. I hope they cut it up to make me look good ;) Sure I made it up with ease every time!

You can catch my 2012 Alpe D'Huez climb on "Strava Classics" when they release that later in the year.



You have to love a Time Trial! Over the weekend we travelled to the Geelong CC TT. It was a good opportunity to get back in TT position on the "Bat bike" and race locally. We had a held start, electronic timing, good course and friendly atmosphere. Shane won the elite men category and I got some good experience on the road.

The next day we spent training in Barwon Heads. It was relatively warm and great to get a 40km TT. No secrets revealed in this training session, TT's are HARD work.

The bat bike and Shane's Shiv on tour in Barwon Heads and out to Point Lonsdale



This weekend the much advertised Rapha Women's 100 Ride is on. It should be a good ride for 100km in your local area or join the main ride here. Hope to see a million ladies out and about, even for the first or last 50kms.

If you are wondering if you should do it or not, listen to the motivational penguin:
It is time to get back in competition