3 peaks challenge reconnaissance.

The TFM Avanti Cycling team have just spent the last few days up at Falls Creek and manage to ride the entire 3 peaks course on Friday. It’s simply amazing ride starting in Falls Creek making its way through Tawonga Gap, Mt Hotham, Omeo and then back to Falls Creek via the freshly sealed Bogong High Plains Road. Bicycle Victoria is running a challenge ride over several courses which is set to take place on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Check it out http://www.3peaks2010.com.au/

Thanks to Bicycle Victoria for giving us the first look at this epic ride as I know many people have been very keen to have a shot at the course for a while now. Oz Cycling have produced a great video clip from the day and it captures what it’s all about. http://www.ozcycling.com

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It’s definitely a step above any other challenge ride but if you love cycling and climbing it’s a must do.

Some numbers,
Ride time: 8hrs 30
Distance: 231km
Avg HR: 143
Max HR: 183
Kcal: 6515

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more soon..

All roads lead to Warrnambool

With just over a week until the second oldest and longest bike race in the world the TFM-AVANTI road team is putting all the finishing touches on their preparation for this great race.

Check out http://www.melbournetowarrnambool.com for some more information and history on a classic race.

A few interesting quotes from the race’s history.

• The race was first held in 1895. 50 riders entered, 24 started, and only 7 finished.
• In 1901, Bendigo’s Albert Nion pedalled 200 miles to get to the start of the race. He then defied atrocious conditions to win it in 9 hours, 20 minutes, 40 seconds.
• In 1909, Coburg rider Snowy Munro, 21, embarrassed the Victorian Railways Commissioners by clocking 7 hours, 12 minutes, 51 seconds – 5 minutes faster than the best train time from Warrnambool to Melbourne.

The team will also be backing it up on the Sunday taking part in a new race the Shipwreck Coast Classic.

Tour of Geelong

by SteveM
Stu & myself made the commute each day to race the Tour of Geelong which wasn’t ideal but great to have the comfort of home every night. A few good quality days of racing was had but unfortunately the tour was cut short with the cancellation of Sundays stage due to Melbourne’s extreme weather conditions… surprise.. surprise.. however it was very windy and wet!

Wednesday, 50km Crit Nth Shore, 80km road race Lara – You Yangs
Stu finished 12th on stage 2 which had quite a few bends and some nice cross winds.
I know they ramped it up on the final climb so for Stu to be up there was very impressive, ending up 21st on GC – 40 seconds down after the first 2 stages.

Thursday, 150km hilly road race – Anakie
Good tough classic 3x 50k road race course, 4 x climbs per lap.. nice.
I finished in what was left of the bunch and was quite happy to be there.
Unfortunately Stu busted his front wheel at the end of lap 2 and after making the trip to his car to swap wheels over at the start finish area he finished about 10 minutes down for the day. Where’s the team car when you need it..

Friday, 28.2km TT
The sun was shinning and Chris also came out to ride the TT.
Great experience for myself to compete in a TT, my legs where still a little tired from Wed / Thursdays efforts but really this comes down to experience.. I have some work to do on my TT if I want to be competitive.
Some good times by Chris and Stu

• Chris – 40:16 – 42.01kph avg
• Stu – 40:27 – 41.82kph avg
• Steve – 43:31 – 38.88kph avg

Saturday, Geelong Crit 46km
Great to have some more sunshine today and build on the recovery for Sundays road stage which was my focus. I was very happy to sit in the bunch and stay out of the way, I did just that.

In the end I was a little disappointed the tour got cut short as the opportunities to race these bigger events are few and far between. My performance was good and the experience I gained from this type of racing is very important for me. I look forward to the tour of geelong next year and building on my form in the coming months.

Full results check out cycling news.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-geelong-ne

Massage!

by Danny Cohen 20/2/09

As the intensity and mileage of preseason increase, the team have been visiting Andy Naylor for massages.
Read more about Andy here
He has been great in loosening our legs and showing us some effective stretches.

Rob and Stu tested their legs at the Oceanias, while Tristan has had some time off up in Queensland. Pikey went great in a couple of triathlons, and myself and Chris have been doing some intensity.

We’ve been visiting the Dandenongs regularly and Arthur’s seat to mix things up. The team are on track for our first race in Coleraine, beginning of April.

Wednesday nights a the Hawthorne Cycling Club’s Kew Crits are painful but beneficial.

See you on the road!