Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Gratitude - a lesson for now and the future

Gratitude (thankfulness)
"Gratitude is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has—as opposed to a consumer-oriented emphasis on what one wants or needs. it is a facet of positive psychology: Studies show that we can deliberately cultivate gratitude, and can increase our well-being and happiness by doing so. In addition, grateful thinking—and especially expression of it to others—is associated with increased levels of energy, optimism, and empathy."


Friday, October 24, 2014

#sockdoping

White socks.  This used to be the "standard" for cyclists.

But how things have changed.

In the last few years, cyclists all over the world have taken on a #sockdoping trend and brightened up their feet.

Maybe because it is easier to keep socks clean when they don't need to be a crisp spotless white? ;)

Anyway, here are my latest favorites, with a few (of course) from our current #Koiledtineli sock provider Handlebar Mustache.

If you haven't tried it yet, go on and #sockdope.  No doubt it will put a smile on your face.








Socks by: www.hbstache.com
www.sako7socks.co.za
www.4shaw.net.au
www.theathleticcommunity.com
www.attaquercycling.com
www.ornotbike.com
www.panachecyclewear.com


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Gold Coast Cycle Fest Criterium

Designed by Robbie McEwen, this tight 850m criterium circuit was set up in the central plaza area of the Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium.

Not long after the start-finish line, riders entered a tight left handed corner (it almost turned back on itself), before then negotiating another tight right hander, followed immediately by another tight left hander.

This led into a straight section of around 300m which then became another slight right handed corner, which also then became a tight left hander.
This last left corner then led you back to the finish line straight.

In summary, 4 tight corners in around 1min30 to 1min45 depending on the level of attacks in the race.  That meant lots of out-of-the-saddle sprint efforts in that period of time.

From the first lap, Nikki (Koiled-Tineli) and Ellen (Holden), applied the pressure and strung out the field.


Then only a few laps in, Ellen counter attacked one of the other women on the front, and got a slight gap through one of the tight corners.  From then on, Ellen continued to attack and found herself quickly in a one person break.

Only a lap or two later, Nikki attacked the already tiring bunch, and found herself also in a one person solo effort,

chasing Ellen in front, yet being chased herself by the remainder of the bunch.



Due to the tight circuit, very soon the chasing bunch was reduced to only five riders (Rachel and myself from Koiled, Sharon, Abbie and one other).

Neither Rachel nor myself were willing to chase down a team mate (Nikki), so that left 3 riders to do the pursuing.
Not surprisingly Ellen hung on for the win (with her current terrific NRS form),

with Nikki coming in second, followed by Abbie (3rd) and Rachel (4th).

Definitely an exciting race circuit and a lovely weekend. Thanks to Pete Dunlop for the photos again (with start line photo by Stacey Bowden). 

Friday, September 5, 2014

Qld masters state road champs 2014

Why blog when someone else can do it for you?  ;)
My posts have been absent of late, partly due to keen blogger Danny Graves of ESi Photography doing some work for me...
check his latest work out at the following links on Peloton Cafe -
http://pelotoncafe.com.au/queensland-cycling-scene-1/
http://pelotoncafe.com.au/2014-upperlimb-com-cunningham-classic/
http://pelotoncafe.com.au/queensland-cycling-scene-3/

More recently though were the Qld State road champs last weekend.  These races once again demonstrated the growth in women's cycling in the last 12 months.  Back in 2011, I raced this course with 4 other starters.  This year, there were 25 women on the start line!
The race was tough and tactical from the start.  After one lap there were still many contenders in the field, and the eventual winners needed to put the "hurt on" during the second lap to see who would stay and who would not.
Congratulations to all the ladies who raced with me.  It was a good day out, and even better if you happened to come home with a medal!
On Sunday, Koiled-Tineli rider Cat Newell (winner of my grade WMAS2) did the "double" by winning the Elite women's race also.  A tremendous result! :)

Final results for Masters Women from Saturday were:
WMAS1
 1 42W Brooke SHEPPEARD Kirsty Broun Racing 1:43:57
 2 41W Julia RUSSELL CC Skyhig ST
 3 43W Hannah TOHILL Kirsty Broun Racing +03:02

WMAS2
 1 74P Catriona NEWEL Koiled Tineli 1:43:5
 2 75P Corissa SMITH Campos-Tel2 +0:02
 3 73P Natalie LANGER Kangaroo Point C ST

WMAS3
 1 8G Nicky ROLLS Balmoral Cycle Club 1:43:56
 2 5G Dyane HANNAN Dat#3 Symantec Racing Team +0:01
 3 4G Faye GOODYEAR Lifecyle Cycling Club ST

WMAS4
 1 91Y Mandy NEWMAN Sunshine Coast CC 1:46:59
WMAS5
 1 52W Linda WHITE MB Cycles 1:43:59
 2 50W Sue CRUICKSHANK Kirsty Broun Racing +08:19
 3 51W Julie RAPPO Wynum Redlands Cycling Club ST
WMAS6
 1 80P Clare JOHNSTON Gold Coast Cycling Club 2:0:43

And then Sunday...
ELITE W
 1 53G Catriona NEWELL Koiled Tineli 2:35:01
 2 52G Lucy KENNEDY CC Skyhig ST
 3 51G Kim HOGARTH Uni Cycle Club ST
 4 54G Nikolina ORLIC Koiled Tineli
 5 56G Claire TREMBATH Specialzed Securito

Monday, June 2, 2014

Balmoral metropolitan criterium champs 2014

Another great example of the support behind women's cycling in Brisbane was at the 2014 "Metro's". Balmoral Cycling Club holds this event each year, with a criterium at Murrarie on Saturday and a road race on Sunday at Mt Alford.  Good numbers of women competed in all grades across the two days.

For us in women's A on Saturday, we had ladies from Campos-Avalon, Koiled-Tineli, Total Rush, Liv-Giant, Specialized Securitor, MB, Jayco AIS, and my own club KPCC.

It was an interesting race, with little place to hide for anyone.


Many riders initiated some aggressive moves off the front in an attempt to break up the field.


Nikki Orlic (Koiled) spent a lot of time instigating some breakaways, but was consistently chased down,

particularly by Corissa (designated workhorse for the day for Campos).



With only a few laps to go, Kat Garfoot (AIS) put everything on the line and jumped away from the bunch.

After a little too much hesitation, the chase was on, but Kat's power kept her away to get another notable solo win.  The bunch kick for second and third saw Louise Betts (Campos) get to the finish before Rach (Koiled) and then Jess (Total Rush).
Thanks to Pete Dunlop for the photos!  Podium photo c/o Rachel.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Saturated Summer Series

Round three of Logan Cycling Club’s summer criterium series was held on March 30th 2014.
With almost one rainy race in this series each year for as long as I can remember, this time the weather held out just until our women’s A race (thanks BOM QLD).

With slightly adverse weather conditions and a wet track, it made the possibility of an early winning break more likely. 
Even before the first prime, Cassie (Specialized Securitor), Jess (Total Rush) and Jane W (Campos) seized the opportunity to get away.  

Some hesitation from the bunch and some soft turns led to the three riders gaining a reasonable lead in a short space of time.  Sally (Ashgrove Cycles) saw early on that this break could be dangerous and committed herself to getting across. 

Now with the breakaway containing four riders, the bunch would need to be working better to get them back.  

The Campos team was then under no pressure to bring back the break, since they had a strong rider represented in it (Jane).  

So it was left to others such as Liz (Riders Morningside), Jemma (Holden) and Rachel (Koiled Tineli) to do lots of work on the front. 


Similar to week 2, the break only just got caught before the finish of the race.  Jess (Total Rush) sensed this early and counterattacked her break companions with about 2 laps to go.  Jess was then out solo for about a lap with the bunch chasing.  Jazzy (Campos) tried to jump across to Jess with about one lap to go, and although she gapped the bunch, she couldn’t quite reach Jess in time.  

Hence Jess soloed to the line for a well deserved win, with Jazzy second and Louise (Campos) winning the bunch kick for third.  Jemma (Holden) finished safely in the bunch to retain her overall lead and win the series for 2014.  Thanks to Pete Dunlop for the photos from this round.