As usual for the Lifecycle weekend away rides the main topic of conversation is about the weather. Never has a ride day dawned sunny and clear with the prospect of a light tailwind! So true to form at departure time of 0630hrs the ride team was huddled under the awning at the back of the shop waiting for a downpour to ease. Prior to this the early departing Wombles had made the most of the opportunity and left before the heavens opened. It looked like being a long wet day!

As it often does at this time of year the rain stopped and we were on our way and soon enough the rain was behind us. Not so lucky with punctures and our own "rockin'" Rod Stewart was soon changing wheels and tubes like a seasoned veteran. Our first breather was at Logan Village which was like Queen St on Friday night as everyone was heading for the polling booths. We had glimpsed the Wombles in the distance but they accelerated and we did not see them again until our R&R stop at the Outpost cafe in Canungra. That is all except poor old Phil Ciniglio who had suffered a blowout on the run into Canungra. He was being ably assisted by Melissa Carlyle who had taken on the support crew task for the Wombles while husband Simon was in NZ with the Moore brothers doing the Lake Taupo ride.

Before we left for the ascent of the major obstacle for the weekend Josie's boyfriend, Greg, turns up ready for allcomers and challengers to his victory up the mountain last year. The mountain we are talking about is the road to O'Reillys in the Lamington national park. It is a relentlous 35km climb to the top and a true challenge to riders of all levels of ability. The road starts with an easy gradient switching back and forth before leveling off for a bit around 1/2 way before the road narrows as it enters the rainforest with the road little better than a goat track. The final kilometre sees some riders reduced to walking as a combination of fatigue, a slippery bumpy wet surface and steep gradient takes it toll. The resort at the top is certainly a welcome sight.

After a tough tussle Greg emerges first but only just ahead of Liam McCarthy, a good effort for a first timer. A bit later the gnarly old Blair Stockwell comes in a little ahead of Josie who did well on limited preparation. Then the field came in with Chenise Nitis showing good form along with Luke, Ray Concar, Jason Bilsborough and Jason Reed. Before long all were in and settled into the Kootootonga lodge, our home for the night. After a nice lunch we were ready for more activity and the Skywalk was a popular choice.

The next activity was even more popular……happy hour at the Rainforest bar where the 1/2 price cocktails were in great demand. The Kilkenny and Guiness was especially popular with Marshall and Ray. Also very popular was the cheeseboard provided by Major Dave. It is an awesome spot with glorious views especially at sunset. Lots of our party are coming back or are repeat visitors….definately reccomended. Soon we were called to dinner and then back to the trivia night and a few red wines to finish!

Next morning we were woken to the sound of sausages sizzling as our road crew manager, Rod Stewart, had the barbie cranked with sausages, onions and toasted leftover sandwiches.As usual the day had dawned nice and clear and everyone had a nice cruisey start to the day as they rolled down the mountain taking in the views they missed out on the day before. Coffee and toast at the Outback cafe again and we hit the road for home. The bunch divided at Tambourine with Wombles and a few ringins took the straight road homewhile the main group headed through Beenliegh. We were blessed with fine conditions and a tailwind so good progress was made by both groups. Both parties had stops along the way for punctures and refreshments and amazingly met at precisely the same time at the junction at Underwood.

Then it was plain sailing for the last 20km back to our starting point at Lifecycle. Once again a great time was had by all for a fairly tough weekend. It was good to see a couple of teenagers, Chenise and Ben, tackle the ride and make some of the more experienced riders hurt at times! Also congrats to the Wombles. This group of weekend warriors are the backbone of the ride as it is a real challenge to them. Phil, Chris, Anna, Marshall and Tony all made it with a bit to spare and always had the most laughs keeping eveyone entertained. However the biggest thank you is to Rod Stewart and Melissa Carlyle who did a great job supporting us all weekend. They kept us safe, changed tyres and tubes and fed us….what more could you want! They also entertained us as well!

So thats it until our next adventure, probably the Winter Warmer in August 2008. We can't wait!

2008 looks to be the year of the 29er mountain bike with more big wheeled MTBs on the market then ever before.

Until recently most mountain bikes had 26" wheels but a few years ago smaller companies started experimenting with bigger 29" diameter wheels. The theory was that a bigger wheel rolls faster and rolls over more bumps making it the perfect choice for cross country riding and endurance riding.

As more and more people tried 29ers interest grew and for 2008 we are seeing a great lineup of 29er bikes starting at very reasonable prices. Some people love the 29inch wheel on single speeds and so Avanti has launched the KISS 29er, a rigid single speed bike with big rolling wheels. Lifecycle mechanic Alex Bahnisch is already riding one of these around Brisbane and loving the simplicity and durability of it. For those of you who want a bike with gears, suspension and other fancy features you can check out models like the Specialized Rockhopper 29er and the Avanti Scratch. These are the perfect Cross Country weapons but also make great commuters as the bigger wheels roll faster on the road.

Spring Challenge

250km In two days
Join us for a full weekend of riding.

Saturday 24-25th November.

Leaving 0630 from the Lifecycle car park.

We will depart Lifecycle and head south to Logan Village via Woodridge.  From Logan Village we
continue south to Tamborine Village and then take a left turn towards Canungra.   Once at Canungra the
steady climb to O'Reillys National Park begins and continues for 30km before a final sharp pinch in the last
0.5km helps greet you to the finish of the climb.  

Most of the cycle down will be done as a group, followed by a support vehicle,  however after a short stop in Canungra, and up the O'Reillys climb, we anticipate the group will break up.  There will be some riders  who may wish to power ahead while others may want to take it a little slower or stop for some short rests up the Mountain to enjoy the views.  There's no pressure as we will all reunite at the top!

Once at O'Reillys we will book into Kootoonga Lodge,  which will be our accommodation, dorm style, for the night.  After freshening up post ride, we'll take a light lunch and later that evening enjoy dinner that night at the Lodge.  Both meals are included in the price of the cycling weekend.

On Sunday morning we will roll out early for the long and beautiful descent down the O'Reillys mountain to Canungra.  Once again everyone will descend at their own pace and we will stop to re group and take breakfast at a Cafe in Canungra.  From Canungra we will head northeast to Oxenford and then cycle north on the service roads beside the South East freeway and back to Lifecycle.  

NB: Dorm style accommodation means pillows and blankets are provided. You can bring your own linen and towel or you can hire linen for $12.00

For anyone who wishes to enjoy more up market accommodation please contact O'Reillys directly on www.oreillys.com.au  

Cycling weekend includes.

• Follow Vehicle
• Luggage transportation
• Accommodation
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner
• Saturday night entertainment
• Use of Kootootonga facilities.

$100.00 p.p.
 
Suggestions for packing:

• Tubes(at least two)
• Two water bottles( cages)
• ear plugs(if you're sharing with Kimble)
• sunscreen
• windproof vest for the early morning descent
• Towel and Linen or sleeping bag

Bookings essential. Limited numbers

Must be paid by 17th November

Call 38312611 or call in to LIFECYCLE 276 Petrie tce. Brisbane 4000

It seems every second person we spoke to in the shop last week was taking part in the Brisbane to Gold Coast 100km ride over the weekend. With over 5000 participants this is hardly a surprise. As such we would like to congratulate all our customers who took part, particularly those of you who had never done this distance before.

Lifecycle's Alex Bahnisch was one of the mechanics for the event cycling the whole course with a backpack full of spares and tools to help out riders who had mechanicals along the course. He then cycled half the way home to avoid catching a bus. Even though he was riding the latest Tarmac Expert with Ultegra SL components we still think this was a impressive effort. Many of us get frustrated with the weight our regular spares kit adds to the bike let alone a backpack full of tools a tubes.

You may have also seen a number of our Lifecycle customers riding in their distinctive "Wombles" cycling gear. The "Wombles" are a bunch of Lifecycle riders who really sum up what cycling is all about: good fun, good friends and funky clothing. These guys and girls are regulars on the Saturday shop ride and at the cafe afterwards, make sure you say hello if you see them out and about. Well done all you Wombles.

Many of you may have got the chance to sample the Peak Fuel products at the event, with their creator Mark Inglis running taste testings all day. Not only does Peak Fuel deliver the energy you need it is quickly becoming known as the best tasting energy gel on the market. Mark has used degree in Biochemistry and his background in cycling, skiing and climbing to develop the range of Peak Fuel products from the ground up. If you didn't get the chance to try the Peak Fuel gels at the event then ask for a sample next time you are in store.

The say the ride is going to be even bigger next year… we think Alex might need a bigger backpack.

The new 2008 Specialized MTB range is already arriving in store and are turning quite a few heads. The effort that Specialized have been putting into research and design of the past few years has really paid off with this great range of bikes.

Last year Specialized made headlines with the ground breaking new Enduro featuring their own in house suspension front and rear. 2008 sees Specialized shock technology on the Enduro, Stumpjumper and Epic ranges.

The new Stumpjumpers are a real highlight this year we a newly designed frame to incorporate the Specialized rear shock from the Expert level upwards.

If these bikes look like your cup of tea stay tuned to the website or sign up to the mailing list for our upcoming demo day where you will get the opportunity to try these bikes for yourself.

Lifecycle's Matt Hopper will be competing for the Australian team in the Triathlon World Championships in Hamburg this weekend.

Matt runs to a 5th place finish in Switzerland

Matt is hoping for a good personal result in this event which is an important build up for the 2008 Olympic games. Matt will be hoping to capitilise on his current good form and recent 5th place finish in Geneva.

Matt in the breakaway in Switzerland (4th from front)

Unlike many amateur events the Triathlon World Championships are a draft legal event. This allows riders to form bunches and ride the bike leg much more like a road race then a time trial. As a result team tactics can really come in to play with riders working for their team mates (and opponents) to get themselves in a good position for th run leg.

Everyone at Lifecycle wishes Matt all the best for the weekend racing and we will update you with all the results as soon as they come to hand. 

Recently we were emailed this photo of Tim Harris winning the Elite B category of the Grafton to Coffs Harbour in a solo breakaway. This was a great effort by Tim and one of those rare occasions where the breakaway keeps away from the pack.

We always love seeing photos of you riding and racing in the Lifecycle kit. So if you, like Tim, have won a race or achieved a personal milestone in Lifecycle kit why not drop us an email with a photo so we can post it in the Lifecycle gallery.

In the gallery you will also find heaps of great photos from shop rides, the Winter Warmer and events like the Avanti classic. Check it out now.

We now have the brand new Specialized 2D helmets in stock at Lifecycle.

These ultralight weight helmets have been developed for the world's top riders to deliver the ultimate in weight, comfort and ventilation. The innovative design use two different densities of foam joined in a co-molding process to balance the strength and weight requirements of a modern helmet.

You may all ready have seen this helmet during the Tour de France on teams such as Milram, Astana and of course Predicto-Lotto and second place finisher Cadel Evans.

Specialized bikes have added another World Championship to their trophy case with Christoph Sauser taking the World Marathon title in Verviers Belgium. Sauser rode to victory on his Specialized S-Works Epic dual suspension Mountain Bike.

The Specialized Epic has been the choice of endurance mountain bikers for a number of years. With the unique brain shock Specialized are able to provide hardtail like pedaling in sprints and on flat sections but still give you suspension over the rough stuff. The special inertia valve switches the shock between locked out and fully active so quickly you barely notice the transition.

To celebrate Sauser's win on the Epic we have a special team offer for anyone buying an Epic bike before the end of August who mentions this story. Not only will you take home your brand new Epic bicycle we will also include a free Specialized jersey and Specialized Decibel helmet so you can follow in Christoph's winning ways.  This is a great offer for anyone doing the Flight Centre Epic marathon event this weekend as there is no better bike for an event like this then a Specialized Epic.

Carbon S-Works Epic, in store now. 

FULL STORY ON SAUSER'S WIN

August 13, 2007. Morgan Hill Ca.  31-year-old Swiss star Christoph  Sauser captured his first World Marathon title this weekend in Verviers Belgium “The feeling of being World Champion is indescribable,” said Sauser after the finish of the nearly four-and-a-half hour race. “There were tears in my eyes when I crossed the line.”  Since 1999 the man from Windigen has been Mr.Consistant, with 11 World Cup wins, 2 overall World Cup titles and an Olympic medal. However a world championship title is the one goal that had eluded him.
 
From the start of the race Sauser knew that he was on good form. “Right for the beginning I had it right away,” said Sauser. The race was decided after front runner Ralf Naf experienced a technical problem that took him out of the lead group. Naf’s demise was the signal for Sauser to distance himself from the rest of the field and he ultimately went on to win by over five minutes.
 
Sauser, a known equipment freak, was full of praise for his Epic bike that carried him to victory “The bike was so good on a day where it was really challenged. The course took us from dry to dirt, to dry to dirt over-and-over again. Still, the Epic rose above it all,” said Sauser after the finish. “Although, most riders opted for a mud tire my Specialized Fast Trak SLK’s were the perfect. They felt so light and responsive. I am so happy with the way my Epic performed—I know for sure that nobody had a better bike than the Epic.”  
 
From here Sauser begins his preparation for the World Championships in Fort William Scotland September 4th-9th.