TFM tackles Australia Day with the new GARMIN!

The new Garmin Edge 500

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…

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.

2009 Damian McDonald Memorial Road Race, Lang Lang, Victoria.

2009 Damian McDonald Memorial Road Race, Lang Lang, Victoria.

Steve & Stu both on the Podium

Perfect conditions with almost no wind and nice cool temps.

Racing on the first lap ended with rolling turns.. Dan, Ben, Stevo and I turned up last minute to end a frantic hard core weekend racing..

The big names (Leaper, Lovelock and Walker to name a few) had turned up for the 150-km race.. The race started tame a couple of tough accelareations towards the end of the first lap quickly diminished the field. TFM/Avanti was one of the biggest teams represented however the final lap is where it all unfolded.  Stevo and I fended for ourselves as Rowan Dever launched the first attack on the 2 km climb, I spinting up to him and pulled away no one else followed.. We stayed away for about 4-5km when Kane Walker, Lovelock and Tom Leaper managed to pull us back.

For the next 10 – 15km there were a number of attacks until Tom went “stong” I followed and we got a gap. We maintained the break for about 8km until Kane Walker (ARC) crossed on a climb I asked to Tom wait.. So we did once on board we motored nothing was going to catch us..It was bloody hard rolling turns with these two diesels.. I hung in managed to get within 2km then ‘wack’ they went over the top as I was pulling a turn.

I TT’d the rest until  I just caught them with a 100m to go just couldn’t sprint on the limit, settled for 3rd.. Stevo lead the bunch sprint to 4th place podium.. Was an awesome day for the team against a strong field…

Well done to Stevo winning the bunch kick, once again the perfect team mate he ended up 4th got some cash

High Country Road Race 2009

Sweet Victory for the TFM/AVANTI Team

Big thanks to Steve for his support and his email letting me know about the race otherwise I wouldn’t have entered.

A grade Open

Judging by Cycle profile I new the climb was early in the race so I thought best to get the engines warm. Steve and I rode to the start of the climb and ended up doing a pretty solid 25km warm up (paid off). Steve and I had a plan was that if we were together over the hill I would work him.

The race began as to be expected quite sedate. We all new the berg was just up the road and the race would soon unfold. From the minute we hit the climb it was on! The attacks came from the two VIS light weights Pat Lane and Eric Sheppard. I reckon they just watched stage 17 of 2007 Tour de France they kept hitting us with one two. Every time I chased one of them down the other would attack. I appreciated there tactics even though It was starting to hurt.

I was fully aware that David Tanner (Rock Racing) was holding 3 or 4th wheel however didn’t know his reputation (pro). About 5 km up the climb Pat went again this time after trying to recover after my last attack I thought best to conserve my legs. Then wack David Tanner flew across to Pat, Eric quickly came to the front faking his breathing. Jason Spencer then came on to the scene he started working from the front, Shep kept trying to hold second wheel. I came over both of them time and time again. Pat and David were slowly pulling away this was no thanks to Shep being in the way. Jason and I just kept chasing with very little help from the rest of the pack. We did at some point get help from an unknown rider in pink.

I noticed Shep close to the top of the climb move back a few wheels. I remember thinking stay off the front for a minute cause he going to go. The Gap wasn’t that far from Lane & Tanner when Shep went. I was on to him quick we both blew up and what was average of 30+km on the climb almost stalled. We lost time on that attack. Jason come over the top and then the pack had formed for the descent I couldn’t see Steve.

The descent was perfect really sweet corners and incredible view of the ALPS. I was disappointed the climb didn’t really kick up (3% – 4%) as most of the pack was together. At the bottom we had began the chase, we could always see them which was good. About 5 or 6 of us commenced rolling turns I new that the race was only 100km so I really wanted a good work out. We left Pat & David hang out, when ever we closed we slowed.

Then from out of no where came Steve. I mentioned to Steve “nice of you to join us where have you been”? Steve replied in his typically subtle tone “hiding at the back of the cars”. Was really good see him however I said go back and rest I will role turns and give you’re a lead out with 500m to go. Felt really good having a team mate I thought we might have a chance.

Tanner pulled the pin he joined the pack we then pulled back Pat. With about 2 km to the sprint point the pace was on. The Chaos had started we could see the flag a mile out and the bunch was ready. We all wanted the ½ dozen wined supplied by Sam Miranda winery. I found a nice wheel behind sprinter James Mowatt (cycle city) when someone came along side and lost it. I battled with the machine to stay up right. I ended up fine however after turning around saw Pat go down.

Tough for poor Pat ended up with a broken collar bone and was rushed to Wang hospital.

I decided to slowly creep away from the pack after the sprint and they let me go. I was showing no urgency though was powering without being too obvious. I had a 200m break within a minute or so. Then Rowan Dever came across he yelled we’ve got a break lets go. I didn’t get out of the saddle I just leaned forward in the TT position and pulled Rowan away while he recovered.

With 23 km to go I had no idea we’d stay away although I did know judging by the way the others were rolling turns (low in the saddle) and the speed in which they organised our last chase I had a chance.

We had slight head/ side wind (felt that way). I new I had to keep the speed at 43 – 44km to keep away. My legs were tiring with 5 km to go Rowan mentioned “if you bring us home and do the work its yours” I declined with a “naa”! However mentioning that I started to think about the victory the pack must have been a minute back. 3km I was so super motivated to go the pace was getting faster we were hitting 44km – 45km. With the final bend in sight I said t Rowan what do you wanna do? He didn’t reply so I said lets sorted it out.

We rode along side each other with 250m to go; I jumped pushing every bit of power out of my body. I haven’t sprinted like that for a long time. I crossed the line with a bike length. Thanks to cycling tips blog I actually remember the victory solute though have never really thought about what I would do.

The pack soon followed Steve was in the mix just getting pipped for the podium.

Steve the girls and I all celebrated at the winery with wine and pizza and my shitty victory speech. The girls had been on the bubbly and showed a little cheer. I highly recommend this race for next year great course and bring your girls the location is perfect for a vino and the famous lasagne that I never got to taste!