Here is a blog well worth a read. Its about a guy called Eric and his trip to Cairns. He writes very well and you may also be familar with one or two people in his stories.

Check it out at

http://journeytocairns.blogspot.com/2006/07/gympy-and-gympie.html

This Wednesday (26th) we are having our night ride. Leaving the shop at six pm sharp. This is a fast dark ride so bring lights and your reflective clothing. We go to Sandgate and re-fuel at Sonoma's then make our way back to Brisbane CBD. Usually back about eight thirty.

 
Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews

Specialized continues to make inroads in the pro peloton with its accessory lines. Five complete ProTour teams and 27 individual riders are using its Decibel helmet, introduced two years ago, and Specialized helmets were perched atop the top three finishers in Stage 1 of this year's Tour. The company's Body Geometry shoes have had an even bigger impact on the racing landscape; roughly 100 ProTour riders use Specialized footwear, including Phonak team leader and GC hopeful Floyd Landis.
Sponsored pro riders are about evenly split between last year's BOA-equipped S-Works model and the newly redesigned Pro Road version. The Pro Road shoe also incorporates the company's trademark Body Geometry ergonomic features (varus wedge, longitudinal arch, and metatarsal button) and stiff FACT carbon sole but with a more conventional upper that uses a single ratcheting strap plus two forefoot hook-and-loop straps. The main strap receives a new 'M-Lock' buckle plus a novel 'X-Link' base which allows for both fore-aft and volume adjustments to provide a more custom fit.

Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews

Specialized continues to evolve its photochromatic Adaptalite NXT optics line. For 2007, road optics feature a wider transmission range (12-39 percent vs. 17-41 percent in '06) that also reaches further into the darker end of the spectrum for particularly bright days. The new Adaptalite lenses are also said to have a faster response time. Last year's 17g Arc model carries over (with the new lens), but new in the lineup is the Tarzo. The new optic is specifically intended for narrower faces and features a close-fitting wraparound design for good protection and vented lenses to combat fogging.

Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews

The Barmac integrated carbon handlebar and stem gets a bit lighter and stiffer for '07. The new drops are shallower and a cleaner-looking steerer clamp that utilizes an interesting wedge system also offers some sizing flexibility. A variety of wedges provide 8° of total angular adjustment, from +7° to -1°. However, there is no mechanism to compensate the tilt of the bar itself when stem adjustments; the whole thing is 'integrated', after all. Stem lengths from 90-130mm will be available.

Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews

Specialized expands the resurrected Roval wheel family to seven models for next year, two of which feature a rather unorthodox approach to aero wheels. The new carbon-rimmed Rapide Star and aluminum-rimmed Fusee Star clincher wheelsets forego deep section rims (the Rapide rim measures only 32mm tall) in favor of a wild-looking set of hubs. The thin, aerodynamic, 7000-series aluminum flanges of the aptly named Star hubs are narrowly spaced to help reduce the frontal area of the wheels. In addition, the flanges are exceptionally tall which cuts spoke length by roughly a third which serves to enhance lateral stiffness and combat windup.

Specialized claims that the new wheels are more aero than even its own legendary 3-spoke wheel that it developed in conjunction with DuPont ages ago (the wheel is still available today through Hed who licenses the design). However, the new wheel design is said to have vastly superior ride quality without the crosswind shenanigans that can plague conventionally designed aero wheels.

The new wheels certainly aren't light with the top-level Rapide Star hitting the scales at 1750g for the pair. On the road, though, they were markedly easier to keep up to speed than lighter, non-aero wheels, and the additional weight wasn't terribly noticeable. If the Star concept proves successful, it seems logical that a carbon-hub version wouldn't be far off (can you say '2008'?). The new wheels will be offered in three interchangeable freehub varieties: Shimano 8/9 speed, Shimano 10 speed, and Campagnolo 10 speed.

Photo ©: James Huang/Cyclingnews

The S-Works integrated carbon crankset will now be available in three spider options: standard 130mm, compact 110mm, and a SRM version which will be available this fall. Last year's claims of being 23 percent lighter and 17 percent stiffer than the benchmark Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 crankset are reiterated, but the S-Works crankset will, unfortunately, still only fit the oversized bottom bracket shell of the company's top-end road models.

Article and pictures from www.cyclingnews.com

Here is a very interesting file on the carbon technology that goes into all Specialized bicycles. Great reading!

http://www.specialized.com/media/pdf/SpecializedFACTVelo.pdf

Congratulations to Kimble (our chief mechanic) and Aki on their new arrival. Baby Hannahko was born this morning the 21st July at 9:14am. Good Job Aki !

All your friends at the shop wish to say congratulations on making such a beautiful little girl.

This Saturday 22nd July we are doing the Nudgee loop as part of weekly ride schedule. Please be at the shop for 0630 departure. 276 Petrie tce, Brisbane 4000.
The Nudgee loop is a fun 45klm and relatively flat ride, suitable for most types of road cyclist, average speed of 28-30klm/hr

Stupidly, the race on day six started at a designer fashion outlet centre!!!  I don’t know where the logic behind this one was, but starting a race of 130 women here was just plain cruelty.  To get to the toilets we had to walk past lots of great shoe, bag and clothes shops as well as stores like Versace, Armani, Diesel, Nike and Adidas… Needless to say there was a lot of power shopping done that morning and I’m sure it was a strange site for the other shoppers to see the outlet centre flooded in girls wearing cycle knicks buying up quick.

The power shopping obviously got quite a few people going – perhaps fuelled by guilt, as the race was ridiculously fast and averaging around the 40km/hr climb and all.  The profile of the course showed a steady ascent until km 43 when we summated before descending most of the way home for a crazily fast finish.  I stayed with the front pack, got swamped at the finish but lost no time and kept my placing.

Day seven was yet another super fast day on the bike.  We completed 100km and did two large loops with a smaller one to finish. It was a most aggressive race with futile attacks going off the front all day. The attacks would be allowed to sit out front for a few kilometres only to be brought back every time, even if the riders in the breaks posed no threats to the leaders.  It was a fun day though as the roads were extra fast and I was involved in a few attacks and it was nice to feel strong again after two days of feeling flat.  It was quite an undulating race finishing with a steady 3km climb, the last 500m of which was on a steeply cobbled street. There were more than a few riders with pigs strapped to the handle bars on that one!

On day eight we raced 90km over a three lap circuit. As always the pace was on and it was another very fast day.  Everything was going pretty smoothly as riders got a little more settled by this stage in the tour and not as many crashes and wheel lock ups occur.  I rode well and was in a few short breaks with none sticking.  I was well positioned leading into the final corner onto the cobble finish when a rider in front of me was pushed into the wall, locked up her brakes and came down.  I swerved to miss but also had to lock it up and just missed coming down by somehow standing up and striking some sort of weird contortionist pose over my bike, which had been knocked to the ground.   I quickly picked the bike up but had lost my chain and struggled for a moment or two to get it back on. Once back on the bike I rolled over the line slowly. There was no rush as riders caught up in crashes within 3 km of the finish maintain the same time as the finish group they’re in.

Today’s stage, nine, was the flattest stage in the tour which made for another fast race. Attacks came right from the beginning but were never allowed to get away, as was theh case throughout the entire tour. In that regard the race was somewhat boring but we found entertainment in other aspects of the circus.

The first excitement for the day all started with a little dog.  After the first lap the little dog ran out into the middle of the pack to cause absolute mayhem.  One can only imagine what this dog was thinking (and the owner??) but I guess it was just after a muzzle of rubber or a jaw full of one of the tasty legs of the riders.  Either way it got nothing and the animal was hit repeatedly by wheels, shoes, cranks and whatever else was around.  I watched and heard the yelps as my heart rate jumped to a new record high as I jammed on the brakes and hoped for the best.  Somehow I managed to get around the dog.  Others weren’t so lucky as I could hear a tumble from behind as I sprinted off.  To this day we are still wondering what happened to the dog but either way it didn’t sound or look good for it.

The other bit of excitement for the day was the catfight that took place at the back of the pack.  I’m not exactly sure how it started but it was most vicious and amusing for those watching the yells, slaps and scratches.  I’m not entirely sure who was the victor but it looked like the feisty Russian took the Chinese!

On day ten I felt great, I woke knowing there was only 71 km to ride and my first European tour would be all over.  The race was much like every other day, fast with no attacks being let away.  Riders did try for the occasional break away but today the real race would take place on the final 9km climb where we would finish at Madonna Del Ghisallo.  Once we reached this climb, many riders dropped off the pace until there was a front pack of around 30-40.  As the top ranked girls upped the pace the pack separated and from there it was a matter of getting up the climb as quickly as possible to secure your race placing or to possibly make some time and climb the General Classification rankings.   I felt that I climbed a little ordinary throughout the tour so I was happy to have a slightly better day in the hills and to make some time up in GC.  I got to the top of the climb to be greeted by a beautiful view of a tiny old church and a statue of two cyclists against a back drop of mountain tops, a lake and a town.  I had finished my first European tour in 26th position and had just ridden 893 km in ten days.  I had just survived the circus and felt a little sad it was all over for another five days until the next race!

Summit of Madonna Del Ghisallo

Aussie Team post stage 10

Glove tan line post Giro

This is what greeted the Winter Warmer riders early on the Saturday of departure.
Lesser men (+women) would still have been in bed but those who showed knew what the Winter Warmer meant, a stripe on the sleeve that could be worn with with pride for the next twelve months.

The road ahead was waiting and the early group which left thirty minutes prior was gaining momentum. So we packed our bags inside plastic garbage bags(for the rain) and hit the road.

The weather looked tough all around us but the clouds seemed to part for us, maybe it was mother nature's way of saying " happy birthday Gibbsy", after all your 21st only comes around once.

It wasn't all riding, in fact there was a lot of other good stuff going on,  a few tall stories, the odd snickers bar and a quick game of "Ray eyes" before the bakery stop at Woodford. Woodford was 85klm into the ride, the first 85klm was like this…..

Did I mention there were hills and rain?

Some of the males on the ride boosted their morale at the bakery, here's Greg with a cream horn.

We couldn't wait to get back on the road after a few Pies and a couple of hot coffees we were ready to ride up the range. A big thanks to CJ's Pastries for their great food and good service.

After Woodford the terrain is flat for 20klm then it 25 klm uphill, One section of 900 metres is over 20% and can be faster to walk than ride. It was too wet to get photographic evidence but those who did it know who they are.

Tranquil Park was everything everyone hoped for, a hot shower some clean clothes and some deep fried food and beer. We really felt like we deserved every drop of ale, Glenn and Phil especially whose ride up was amazing, congratulations guys.

The evening saw a bit of the energy bounce back, a few bottles of wine and of course Gibbsy's birthday cake.

We were all well fed and we were all well.. tired.

As soon as I woke up I knew it was raining still because of the hat Blair had on.

We were used to it by now and it was all down hill, we had a great breakfast and got ready for our departure and group photo. A big thanks to Tranquil Park for a good weekend.

This is how we roll….. Winter Warmer style. By the way, to best of our knowledge no Platypus's died due to our influence while we were in Maleny, WE DIDN'T SHOP THERE!!

The wind was our friend on Sunday, it blew us most of the way home and made our first stop at CJ's Wamuran seem nice and short. Big Trevor Tucker made a fantastic effort to get just shy of Wamuran, a massive day for him. CJ's impressed again and we saved our home made muffins (thanks Corinne) for the Sunday group.

Another game of Ray eyes and a few coffees then it was off to chock out the jewel of the north, Moorina rd. Two stripes were removed from Tony Moore's sleeve for his persistant disobedience of directives. That would not be the only sleeve stripe removal…….

In the above photo we have a shot of the wind dodger himself. Do not be fooled into thinking that he is in the wind, he is directly behind the cameraman. His stripes are at HQ. They will be re-instated once he has done his time in the wind. If you see him approaching accelerate, you will receive no assistance from him in times of need.  2 days riding+ no time near the front = -4 stripes. An official stripe removal ceremony will be held nextStaurday at the coffee shop.

It was a smooth ride in and the truck was finally behind us, We would be approaching Brisbane safely with a slight tail wind. Our bodies were weary it had been a long few days and we had made a lot of new friends on way.

That was the 2006 Winter Warmer, its like choosing your favourite son rating each Winter Warmer. Some say it's a nice old ride, others tell the truth.

We have Livestrong bands in the store right now. We bought a whole lot from the Lance Armstrong Foundation store so they are genuine and support the LAF. We sell these for $5.00 with all profit going to Canteen a charity to help teenagers with cancer. We also post these interstate for the cost of postage. Call or email for details.

This is the road profile for the Winter Warmer. For those of you who ride on our Saturday ride to Samford the hill between the 10-20klm mark is shown as "Samford Range". As you can see the climbs are very tough.

It is 125klm on the Saturday and the same on Sunday, 250klm in two days.

The ride is full for this year but this time next year we will be taking entries.

Thanks to Liam for providing the data.

A few months ago someone told me the world of women’s tour cycling was a circus and I quickly discovered that they weren’t lying with that one! My introduction to the `circus’ was the 17th Giro d’Italia Donne Elite which is the ten day women’s tour of Italy consisting of one prologue and 9 road stages.  Over 10 days 130 women race 894.2 km through Italy, starting from Rome and finishing on the summit of the Madonna del Ghisallo climb in the Como area near Milan.

The ‘circus’ comprised of 17 international teams and included many fascinating spectacles; like bearded women (they where actually just `he-shes’ but no less scary!!), a Baby Huey look alike, a Hulk Hogan policeman and of course what freak show would be complete without a midget.  There were many other peculiar characters such as the cone head euro mullet, from Russia with love team and who could forget Mittens, the rider who wore arm warmers and woollen gloves for 10 days in the dry, 38 degree heat!!  All these characters and more helped to make the Giro a fascinating and somewhat scary event!

The giro started off with a 5.2km Prologue (short individual time trial), which was mostly uphill and a power climb.  I had a decent enough ride although I think I was more nervous than I realised as I actually can’t remember anything about the ride apart from not being able to turn my legs over fast enough!  Getting to the end of the first day was great as you shed a few nerves and now the main event begins!

The second day of the Giro was a road stage of 115km around Lake Bracciano, which I gather from the one second I actually got a glimpse was really beautiful!  My first European road race was actually quite nerve wracking; you can’t take your eyes off the pack (peloton) for fear of running up the backsides of the other riders.  This is fairly typical of any peloton, though as the rider in front of you is already so close to you that you pretty much have your handbars on their butt, it makes it all the more scary. Not much stopping space that’s for sure!! 

Because of the lack of room, nerves and everyone being super keen and pushy there were riders going down left, right and centre.  There were screams and yells all day as people had to swerve, brake hard and come to a skidding stop if you didn’t actually plough into the person in front.  I have never been in such a vocal pack and if the guys at home think I’m bossy in a pack then I’m sorry but I’ve got nothin’ on some of these ladies!  Slaps on the butt, cries of `occhio’ (watch out in Italian), `aqua’ and other emotional words in Italian are going around all day.  I was pretty happy to have no comprehension of all the screams and chatter happening around me…. 

I ended up finishing day two in around 15th position and was delighted with that effort as it’s incredibly tough to push your way to the front of the pack.  It was also nice to go home in one piece as there were many times where I missed falls by a fraction.  All in all a good day for my first euro road race!

Day Three was another strange one.  The program stated we had to race 130km but for some reason we signed on, were introduced to the crowd then jumped on our bikes to ride 5km down hill.  After 5km we got back in our team vehicles, drove 25km and re started the race on a random stretch of road in the middle of nowhere??? Go figure?? But as they say, “when in Rome, do as the Roman’s do.” So we all jumped on and started the race which was then to be 101km.  The race was fairly flat in the profile and I spent most of the time working my way to the front only to be spat out the back again.  This is the way of the peloton though and I went with it gaining a little more confidence in the pack and trust in my fellow riders.

Day Four was the big one of the tour!  130km of racing with 3 decent climbs.  The day started in the main piazza in a village called Orvieto, which was extremely old and had a spectacular church with intricate mosaic pictures on the front.  The rest of the village had cobbled streets and a lot of old cute buildings filled with Italian arts and crafts.  Definitely a village to explore but of course we departed for the race quickly.

I felt really strong on day four and rode the whole stage well.  I put in some attacks, was involved in a few short break aways and just tried to be involved in the race as much as possible while still riding smart.  On the final climb of the day I was positioned a little too far back in the pack which can stretch out a few hundred meters.  I quickly learnt that it’s not a good idea to be at the back at the start of the climb and subsequently was dropped by the front pack… Maybe I would have been anyway but I finished the day top 30, didn’t lose too much time and felt ok for having raced 130k so I was pretty happy.

Day Five was a shocker.  92km involving 3 laps of a circuit with one major climb. Towards the top of the climb the road went onto cobbles and the road decreased in width by about 2 meters to go through an archway.  Let me tell you now, 130 girls on bikes all trying to squash through a 2 meter arch way at once just doesn’t work, someone’s always gonna lose!!  This was all good fun, however that morning I also woke feeling weak and tired so I spent the day somehow clawing my way up the climb trying to stay in touch with the lead group.  Because I was tired I felt mega unconfident on the descents and cornering and it was a horrible feeling to lose wheels all day.  At one stage I even lost touch with the chase pack and had to discretely use the convoy to jump back up to them….  Later on the chase pack caught the breakaway so it was a relief that I managed to stay with them!  The less said on this stage the better but on my worst day in the tour I was lucky not to lose any time which might have affected my end result….

Aussie Team sign on and introduction.

Team Australia pre race