TFM tackles Australia Day with the new GARMIN!
With the legs a little juicy, and pro riders having dispersed to different continents, the remnants of the TFM crew (Tristan and Brad) tackled a scenic ride through Adelaide Hills. Our ride leader – ` Wild Boy’ Mick Walsh – had assembled a quality bunch for the ride, including reps from Adelaide’s Savings and Loans and SASI squads. This was good and bad news. The good news was that we barely had our noses in the wind. The bad news was that the tempo up Greenhill Road (8kms) and other climbs was uncomfortably quick for our tired legs… The ride was spectacular, particularly the plunge into the Gorge on Adelaide’s outskirts. The ride is captured in the following Garmin Connect file, including heart rate, cadence and power output. (Brad captured this on his Garmin Edge 705). Take particular notice of the heart rate up Greenhill and the respectable 30.5 average speed for a solid four hours including a bit of dawdling for coffee. A fine way to see in our national day…
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/23253211
Like what Garmin has to offer?? Why not see Chris, Darius and the guys at TFM Prahran!
Tour Down Under 2010
Well, the pro’s have come and gone in the Santos Tour Down Under, held in Adelaide last week. Some of us headed over to catch a glimpse of the tour and to push out some big KM’s. A big thanks to Brad and Mick (local) for showing us what Adelaide has to offer!
The view from Mt Lofty through the new 2010 Avanti Quantum Team
Highlight: Cadel smashing it up Wilunga Hill- the atmosphere!!
Lowlight: Riding up Checker Hill 30mins post Mettwurst, tomato, onion & cheese baguette, washed down with a Farmers Union Iced Coffee and a warm chocolate fudge brownie!!
Drink of the tour: 5 Seeds Cider & Farmers Union Iced Coffee
The peak of Checker Hill
The peleton in full force heading up the back of Stirling
The Ochre jersey of Andre Greipel (HTC-Columbia)- a media frenzy!
Until next year…
Australian Open Road Championships
I was quite happy with my efforts yesterday making it through 12 laps of the the 16 on the 10.2km Buninyong circuit. It was mighty hot as anyone who was there would know and while I normally don’t peform as well it the hot weather I must have had a good day. Thanks to everyone making the trip to watch as this adds alot to the race and thanks to Dany and Tris for keeping those water bottles flowing.
[singlepic id=61 w=640 h=480 float=center]
photo by Ben Satori
Jayco Bay Crits
Had some great racing in the bay crit’s over the last week with consistent results throughout the series. I felt as good as ever and was able to ride on the front and make something of the races.
Race1, 2nd place
It was always going to be a bunch sprint on the long course at eastern park. I have raced the course a few times and tested the sprint during the intermediates on the day. I decided to hit out early and just lost out in the final 20 meters.
Race2, 9th place
The new course at eastern park which included a new road wasn’t as difficult as I thought. The race never really got strung for long enough to really put the pressure on and ended with bunch sprint. I got caught up with a crash on the run into the finish so never really got a chance to open it up.
Race3, 10th place
I quite enjoy the action of the hot dog circuit but after someone washed out it in front of me early in the race things didn’t really improve. After I was back in the action my acceleration must have been too much for someone as I created a big gap on the back straight. I didn’t intend to setup a break but decided to keep riding. It opened up quickly but I didn’t have enough to get across to the leading 2. By the time I was joined by 2 others my power had started to drop off. After about 10 minutes I decided to float back to the bunch and made sure I was right to finish in the top 10, I managed this but only after my rear tyre blew out on the hairpin. Maybe I had a flat from an earlier fall.
Race4, I felt really good today and rode up the front on the tight course.
Everything was looking great for me to hang on to my 3rd place on GC when I crashed on the first corner of the last lap. I was 3rd wheel coming into the corner and someone cut in to early and put there foot through the front wheel. The spokes started to snap and the whole wheel collapsed ended with a pretty sore Steve and Quantum team.
Overall I was happy with the effort throughout the series but probably could have used my form better in races 2 & 3 to create something more.
Christmas Ride 09
A perfect morning for a team Christmas ride around Ivanhoe and surrounds, before the mandatory coffee and regular banter.
Best wishes to Stu , who is improving slowly after an unfortunate crash.
TFM-AVANTI Cycling Team 