Thursday, August 15, 2013

Blogging - so last Century

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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Weekend rides

-- Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June 

SATURDAY: 0630 LABC HQ depart for steady LABC loop and wander. Back 0830-ish

SUNDAY: Check Saturday arvo for Sunday plans. But at this stage it looks wet. 

In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Weekend rides

-- Saturday 1, Sunday 2, Monday 3 June 

SATURDAY: 0630 LABC HQ depart for steady Hunua loop. Back 1000-ish

SUNDAY: 0700 LABC HQ depart for LABC loop with Brighton Road repeats

MONDAY: 0630 Meadowbank Bakery depart for Poo-Ponds loop. Back 0900-ish. (We'll swing past LABC HQ on the way 0635).  

In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Weekend rides

-- Saturday 25 May

SATURDAY: 0620 LABC HQ depart for steady Hunua loop. Back 0930-ish

In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into

Friday, April 26, 2013

Sunday Ride: 28 April


SUNDAY: 0630 Newmarket depart (crn Broadway and Khyber Pass) for Waitaks spin - nothing too serious. Back 1030-ish

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Weekend rides

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April

SATURDAY OPTION 1: 0630 LABC HQ depart for steady Hunua loop. Back 1030-ish

SATURDAY OPTION 2: 0730 Mechanics Bay depart for Poo Ponds loop. Hangovers and long absent Poosters especially welcome.

SUNDAY: 0700 LABC HQ for 2 hr spin with hills.
In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Weekend rides

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March

SATURDAY OPTION 1: 0615 Newmarket/Khyber Pass depart for Konini Road and Butter Chicken.

SATURDAY OPTION 2: 0730 Mechanics Bay depart for Xmas Poo Ponds special. Nothing over 28 kmh. Hangovers and long absent Poosters especially welcome.

SUNDAY: 0700 LABC HQ for 2 hr spin with hills.

In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into

Sunday, March 17, 2013

LABC Southland Classic ride report

UPDATED DAILY..

Day 1: Milford Sound to Te Anau 
-- Saturday 16 March 2013
View route

















Vital statistics:
- 118km
- 1575m
- 4.5 hrs riding

Brett W reports: 0600 depart in vans to Milford Sound via Te Anau for breakfast. Low cloud. Cool ~11deg but cleared to a fine still warm day. The drive to Milford was intimidating - long steep descents, knowing we had an immediate 900m climb finishing with Homer Tunnel. We are there. Eagerly the bikes are unloaded. Helmets, shoes on. Food into pockets, photo line-up, off.

Making good time...300m done in 30 mins. Serious gradient to come. Before long the tunnel entrance came into view. Switchbacks and a good grind. Green light - enter the tunnel. Lights on. 2.5km to the top of the hill! Happy.

Regroup and a nice 30 mins downhill before the last climb of the day. A nice 80k cruise along the fast flats to Te Anau. Back where we came from. A good day. Clean up. Recovery.

Dinner: La Dolcie Vita, Te Anau.
The host - Champ.

8am start tomorrow.

Geoff B. adds: Long day, left Queenstown at 6:00 for the 4 hour drive to Milford. Weather cleared to be warm and sunny for the climb. Rated as NZs 2nd hardest but not too bad, just long. Staff at the Homer tunnel stopped the traffic to let us through.about 23 hours ago..... just about fell off during a dark patch on the tunnel. Got to the top at 1:30 with 100k to go. No cafes on route so we Jafas did it hard. Hammered a bit hard down hill to Te Anau so everyone pretty tired when we got in at 5:00


Day 2: Te Anau to Riverton
-- Sunday 17 March 2013
View route






Vitals:
- 149km
- 836m

Brett W reports: 8am start after a great breakfast in the hotel. Overcast, rain not far away. Steady pace for 20 km to Manapouri. Coffee.

More good cruising on quiet smooth Southland roads with tailwind. At about 70km in the drizzle started and became quite wet.

Tuatapere very welcome at 95km. A great lunch there, hot soup, hot chocolate. Warm up before getting back on the bikes and heading out into the rain.

The balance of the ride went quite well despite the rain, which started to lighten up as we approached Riverton. Accommoodation at the Globe Hotel, backpaker spec.

Maurice the host was great - cooked a great roast lamb after having provided copious Bluff oysters and cod pieces. The Speights was tasty, the pool not so good and the singing less so...anyone know "White sports coat and a pink carnation?".

It seemed fitting for ST Patricks Day anyhow.


Day 3: Riverton to Owaka: Queen Stage
-- Monday 18 March 2013
View route
















Vitals:
172km
1485m
5hrs 55

Brett W reports: A top day. Started cool but fine. 11 deg, then, 10, then 9 - a worrying trend.

35km to Invercargill. Big, like going to Hamilton a few years ago. Zookeepers cafe for coffee, a longtime sponsor of Southland cycling. Then round the corner to the Velodrome for a spot of indoor track cycling (cos we didn't have enough to do today?).

Matt Archibald looked after us - calves to match Carters? A tour of the workshop, heaps of speed bikes about including an array of NZ Team bikes including one with "Gate" on it. Then up the ramp to the centre of the track. Cool. An almost circular steeply ramped (42.5%) wooden track all inside. Much smaller in life than on TV. 

Then we got to have a go on bikes ourselves. Strapped in, no brakes, no freewheeling, what? Some tentative laps and then the speedsters showed their stuff. Don racing round at impressive height up the track. Then we hear an almost supersonic rythmic deep braething and look up to see Gatey senior at full bore circling the track from full height!

11am with 135km still to go we set off. No sign on drought in Southland - pristine pasture and livestock. Tokonui at 100km for lunch. By then we are into the Catlins region which is stunning.
A blend of heavy bush, pasture and stunning ocean views. The terrain became lumpy with 2 decent climbs interspersed with intermediate rises.

Competitive climbs followed by fast descents made for a good completion to the day in the sun.

Day 4: Owaka to Mosgiel
-- Tuesday 19 March 2013
View route



Vitals:
118km
936m

Brett W. reports: A short one. Two reasons: it was always going to be a short day after the long one
and the planned deviation to the coastal road was canned due to gravel. So 80 odd kms up SH 1 to Mosgiel.

Was also wet for the first 40 mins - light rain after a lot during the night. Lucky. Not much wind. Pretty flat also. So nothing much to report.

Coffee at Balclutha - picture of bridge as you leave town. And the Ewing Phosphate Co on the road to Mosgiel. The boys availing themselves of massage before dinner and a tougher day tomorrow with a 500m climb up to the Otago plains as we leave town...

Day 5: Mosgiel to Ranfurly
-- Wednesday 20 March 2013























The Queen has a sister!
133km so not far.
4:55hrs riding so not long, but with 1,858m climbing, it was certainly tough.

Brett W. reports: The day started with 3 deg under clear blue skies. Flat 14 km cruise before the climb began to the Otago plains next to the Longburn, suffering the first of several flat tyres as we left town.
We crested the 1st top close to 400 m but knew there was plenty more to come with the peak at 560 m.

Elevation wasn't the real issue....many sharp valleys providing fun and relief... rather, the knowledge of another climb to recover lost height.

The group quickly split in two making for manageable bunches on the road not that there was any traffic to bother with.

Middlemarch at 65 km was very welcome. Everyone impressed with the wide open stark landscape.
Another generous lunch before readying for the next leg. Several cut tyres to replace. Layers of clothing shed as the day had warmed, although a fresh nip remained when not ascending.

Ranfurly a net 230m higher than lunch so more work to come. Two groups again, the 2nd stopping at Hyde for afternoon tea and a chat with the Otago Rail Trail clientele. After another good riding spell we made town with a Missingham-like fang to mainstreet. A remark from a local "you guys must have been speeding".

Much post-ride analysis and comfort about the shorter day tomorrow to Alexander. The home of Thomo.



Day 6: Mosgiel to Alexandra
-- Thursday 21 March 2013

















- 87km
- From 426m above sea level to 139m with 505m of ascent.
- 3:20 hours

Brett W reports: Gentleman's start: 9:00am after breakfast in the hotel. A beautiful day - better than yesterday, if that is possible. 19kms to Wedderburn for a photo op by the old railway shed (removed and recovered by the locals).

5km to first stop at Oturehura at the general store. Very historical. Another 3km to Hayes Engineering and a educational tour for some or ball throwing to the local foxie.

Continued down the Ida Valley to crest the Poolburn Range, the day's 2nd gentle climb and a ripping descent into the fairytale like historical place of Ofir. Round the corner to Omakau for world famous venison pie and a quenching ale at the pub.

8km up the road to the historical Chatto Creek tavern and a second quenching ale before the last 25km to ambling ride to Alex. No sprints, no breakaways, just there.

Beer and chips in the sunshine on the front lawn as we get cleaned up dinner in nearby ...



Day 7: Alexandra to
-- Friday 22 March 2013


















155km
1873m
4:48hrs

Brett W. reports:  Another glorious central Otago day. Crisp and clear. On our way slightly late after Murray swapped out his front wheel due to a spoke that broke as he rolled into the driveway at the end of the day before - lucky.

North through Clyde and into a heavy fog which had set over the lake - an erie feel. Steady pace to Cromwell 35km up the road, the group staying together. Coffee scones muffins.

The group split in two - 10 continuing on the planned ride to Wanaka and the Crown Range via Cadrona 120km and the rest taking the direct road to Queenstown via the Karanga Gorge 70km and the southern climb of the Crown Range thrown in for good measure. This is a direct climb rather than the long incline to Cadrona and is afamous stage of the elite Tour of Southland. 

Our boys justifiably felt they had achieved one of cyclings hallmark rides, as they consumed a decent lunch in Arrowtown after.

On the other side lunch was taken at the Wanaka airport before the serious business of the afternoon began. A breeze had sprung up, conveniently from the north, providing welcome assistance and making for a quick and pleasant ride through to Cadrona, in stark contrast to the conditions endured by many of the party 3 years prior.

A brief regroup while Andy drove the van to the top and rode back down. A couple set off early so they could set their own pace. The rest rode off as a bunch setting an honest pace.

I was quickly gapped and had to increase cadence to catch up only to find the peleton has slowed so carried my pace through. Decision: do I slow up and rejoin the peleton from the front or go? The last stage of the last day. Go! I decided to crank the early flatter section to build a lead knowing the bunch would chase and hope I had enough to survive the steep sections at the end.

Sure enough Muzz came flying past with 2km to go midway through the toughest section. Nothing could do but watch him go on and take the 'mountain' stage.
The bunch regrouped at the top with a great sense of satisfaction and looking forward to the reward of the descent to the Queenstown valley below, followed by the last 20km through to town. The pub and the tour finish. 

A great week of cycling. Very fortunate to have such fantastic weather to enjoy such a great region of NZ. Till the next one...



Thursday, March 14, 2013

Weekend rides and bicycling epics


















-- Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March

LABCers are thin on the ground this weekend. 

At team of 16 on Friday flew to Queenstown for a seven-day, 950 km Southland tour. 

A Saturday morning bus trip takes riders to Milford, where they set-off for the Homer tunnel and finish in Te Anau. Over the following week they take a circuitous route through Riverton, Owaka, Mosgiel, Ranfurly, Alexandra, and Queenstown.    

Another group of seven LABCers is riding the two-day, 360 km King Country West Coast Banjo Classic (KCWCBC). 

Departing by train from Britomart Station, riders alight at Otorohanga and head west for Waitomo, Te Anga and the upper reaches of the Kawhia Harbour, eventually emerging in Pirongia for the final slog to Raglan. Day 2: Raglan-Auckand.

Day 1 leg here

SATURDAY OPTION: 0730 Mechanics Bay depart for Xmas Poo Ponds special. Nothing over 28 kmh. Hangovers and long absent Poosters especially welcome. 

In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Weekend rides

-- Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March

SATURDAY OPTION 1: 0600 LABC HQ depart for Hunuas. Back 1000-ish.

SATURDAY OPTION 2: 0730 Mechanics Bay depart for Xmas Poo Ponds special. Nothing over 28 kmh. Hangovers and long absent Poosters especially welcome. 

SUNDAY: 0600 LABC HQ depart for Hunuas. Back 1000-ish.
.
In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Great Coromandel Dream Ride (GCDR) ride report

















-- Dream ride part nightmare

Auckland, Saturday 16 February – By 6:00 am a group of at least 30 cyclists had gathered in the glow cast by golden arches atop a steel pole planted at the entrance of a large empty car park that would soon begin to fill with cars steered by fat hands moist with excitement from thoughts coloured by backlit menu boards promoting hamburger and sundae deals.

In the dark of the car park entrance, rising chatter retold a story of eyes wide at 4:00 am and anticipation fed by the same chemical release that jolts small children from their beds at Christmas day dawn.

This year many backs humped small packs stuffed with civilian items, including shorts, t-shirts, jandals, and, in one instance, a selection of fine Cuban cigars in a plastic zip-lock bag. The investment in additional weight later paid handsome dividends when riders forsook salt stained lycra for clothing and smoking choices befitting a Coromandel beer garden.

By Whitford we were riding in full morning light. Sticky warmth crept into day. There wasn’t much talk, just grunted consensus that we were travelling at a decent clip. The peloton’s power-to-weight ratio was up and there has no holding back.

At Clevedon the decision was made to ride as two groups, presenting smaller targets to impatient fishermen driving at high speed to boat ramps along the seabird coast.

But what peloton can resist the urge to catch another in front and soon enough we coalesced for the last 20 km before Kaiaua.

At 9:00 am the day’s first coffee entered our bodies. The Kaiaua store hosted our second encounter with fishermen, who found favour with loaves of white bread cut to sandwich thickness. They were later blamed for contaminating a public toilet, which still festers behind hastily erected health and safety warning tape.

The next leg took us through Miranda and on to State Highway 25 at Waitakaruru and a wind-assisted run to the Aeroview Garden Centre and Café opposite the Thames aerodrome.

For two riders the day ended 10 kms before the café, when a large oncoming truck launched a pocket of violent air at the head of the long single file. 

Instant deceleration caused wheels to overlap. Fingers grabbed at brakes. Safely distributing the sudden speed loss was impossible. Someone went down and the rider immediately behind went over the top, both riders unable to continue. 

A kind surgeon in our midst diagnosed a broken metacarpal. The other rider’s condition was unclear, but the state of his bike removed all doubt about immediate riding options. Passing motorists stopped and took both riders to Thames for hospital assessment and the return journey.

The final leg, from Thames to Coromandel, took in the narrow coast rode, which Strava shows was covered at an average speed of 42 kmh.

A whittled down bunch disintegrated into solo riders pitted in an ugly sweat soaked battle with bikes that stubbornly refused to ascend the coastal ranges as they were told.

Sun and heat beat down, wringing water from human vessels and turning blood to gravy that swelled and pulsed under melting skin.

Someone had frightened away the wind and scooped hot air into the valleys. Thoughts turned to water…was there enough in our bodies? Were the day’s nutrition choices good? A grim lunchtime assessment of GU gels stuck front of mind. "I don't like those, they taste like spoof," said Finchy. No one questioned the basis of his assessment.

Beer came in trays of 10. Cramped legs jolting out from underneath tables ambushed wait staff. A beer was kicked over. Finally, calm spread over the group and drinking followed a steady rhythm.

Diners looked on in awe.

The 10 km ride to the ferry terminal dragged riders from garden bar seats. What’s this, one more pub stop? A margarita and a jug of dark ale just the thing for the final slog and appropriate jetty arrival time.

At 6:30 pm the ferry disgorged its passengers onto down town Auckland. Sense prevailed and most riders filed away in ones and twos. A brew bar detained others. A bouncer stared balefully at bare feet, but consented when we proposed bicycles shoes. Three strangers and a long discussion. What was said, who knows, but they gave us a friendly wave.

The day’s final act was a failed bicycle dismount in front of two quizzical children. 

Through tears one child worried that the confused state of the rider might be permanent.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Great Coromandel Dream Ride (GCDR)






















-- 0600 Saturday 16 February LABC HQ depart

You know the drill

Weekend weather is looking great.

Pre-book your Coro-Auckland ferry ticket.


Friday, February 8, 2013

Sunday rides and this chicken's not organic!

Nothin' but worms and scratchins 






















Chicken man comes clean:....two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a saltshaker half-full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers... Also, a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether, and two dozen amyls. Not that he needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can....

-- Sunday 10 February

SUNDAY: 0600 LABC HQ depart for Hunuas. Back 1000-ish. Sunday ride - Saturday pace. 
.
In the event of bad weather or disputes regarding the Rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to weekend rides, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into