We were based at about 600m above sea level and my goal was to reach the three main peaks around us, these being, Recoaro Mille@ 1000m. Rifugio Cesare battisti @ 1265m, and Campogrosso @ 1457m. after achieving these goals as well as numerous other rides from the mountain to the flats and throughout neighbouring valleys, in weather which on the one ride could go from 8 degrees and raining to 30 degrees and sunny and back to raining again all on the one ride, the friends I rode with decided I could handle a real mountain so after a 3 hour car trip we set off on a 90km round trip starting @ 1000m above sea level, rising and falling until we reached about 2100m above seal level.

Criterium -  Wed, 14th Oct 2009
Today was my first event, 20 min criterium around Lansdowne park.There were three heats in our age division (60 to 64) and I was in heat two. A field of 20 riders started and the speed was on from the start, we even dropped a couple of riders on the first few of laps, with three laps to go we were down to 15 riders then things really got going, down the hill we were hitting over 50kph and up the climb back to the finish line it became one long sprint. The final lap saw a major attack up the back climb spreading the field out, I ran out of legs about half way up and went on to finish in 12th place with the first 9 through to the final on Sunday. I gave it my best shot! Heat one and three were much easier heats......

Chris Jahnz
Started the race with intentions to try and stay in the top 20 for the majority of the race, when we hit the climb all 130 riders were still together, I felt good up the climb and rode away from bunch and made about 300 m on the bunch by the time I got to the top I was going for KOM but there was one other rider in front of me, but then we had a group of about 20 riders with 4 Coffs riders in it Vaggy, Chris Andrews Reece and me, we all stayed together trying to make sure 3 of us finished so we could win the teams, 20kms out Reece attacked out of nowhere and won the sprint followed by several of Chris Andrews attach however we were all together for the sprint at the end I struggled to sprint as I couldn't get out of my saddle from cramps.

What the? My, how time flies when you're having  fun. It is 12 months today since I brought my red and black Specialized Roubaix  Expert home. On that night, it sat in the lounge room and was admired from every angle, was touched and caressed with tenderness and even photographed in provocative poses, but nothing inappropriate of course.

The Inverell Junior 2 Day Tour is a 4 stage race consisting of a road race, criterium, time trial and final road race. It is based on points only, so place across the line is all important in every stage.

Josh
After his good results in Port and club champs, Josh was ready and keen. The first stage was a fast and furious 12km road race. All 12 U13s came in together for a fast bunch sprint, and Josh impressed us all by winning by half a bike length. Much to his surprise he was then presented with the leader's yellow jersey - and you couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

In the criterium, Josh decided he wanted to win in style and launched a big attack on the 5th lap. The others were having none of it though, and he was reeled in by the end of the lap. One of the Sydney boys proved a better tactician, jumping clear of the bunch just before the final corner. Josh chased hard, and managed a safe 2nd place to hold his yellow jersey

Checked into our accommodation, a self contained cabin at a caravan park. Off for the weekend supplies, bachelor style, pasta for dinner, sandwiches for lunch. Early night due to fatigue and the feeling sickness coming on, score throat & cough. Plan was to get up early have a good breakfast, drive the course, and then get ready for a days racing. All went to plan except Alex’s computer had died, so we got organised to drive the course, back into town for repairs and back out to racing for a 10am start.

Inverell hosted the Heinrich Haussler 2 day tour last weekend. This tour is hoped to be the first of many junior tours to be held by the Club with Heinrich Haussler Senior on hand to watch, present and commend all involved. Heinrich Haussler Senior summed up at presentation that those who succeed in their sport need to put back into the sport by way of supporting the junior division. This was strongly evident in the Haussler’s involvement with sponsorship and the lucky rider number raffle being signed race gear from Heinrich Haussler Jnr Tour de France Stage win.

The NSW Junior Road Championships were held in Port Macquarie last weekend. With the national titles just around the corner, record numbers of juniors turned up for what turned out to be some fast and furious racing. Coffs Harbour was represented by Carla Westwood, Troy and Nathan Hardaker, Alex Beedie, Liam and Numa Warburton, Josh and Guy Leckenby. Thanks to their parents for the following reports...

Yes, that's right, 'yet another' set of home made motion rollers...A few months ago when it was raining and I didn't get out for my morning cycle (I melt if I get wet), I popped down to the LBS and purchased a set rollers. As I mentioned in a previous post, I found them quite difficult to use the first time especially after 3 glasses of chardonnay!!! I did however master them and decided to 'upgrade' them to the sliding ones as seen on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=AU&hl=en-GB&v=xaYDZ-RSOTA&feature=related.

The course consisted of undulations and one major climb, (long and red hillish). Vanessa was with the lead bunch until the last time up the climb where she lost 20 metres to the three that broke away. This 20 metres turned into 1 min 34 sec at the end when Vanessa crossed for 6th place. She was happy with her result and the racing klms as she prepares for the Glenn Inness to Inverell race.