The first weekend in December saw the running of the Alpine Cycling Club’s very popular (sold out within 30 minutes of entries opening); 3 stage Tour of Bright which I was lucky enough to get a entry into (winning already).
With 550 riders across 9 grades Bright becomes a Mecca of cyclists for the whole weekend. I participated in the tour in 2011 for the first time and loved the environment of the weekend as well as the racing.
Stage 1 The Gap Loop -91k
Stage 1 climbs Rosewhite Gap at the halfway mark and finishes at the top of Tawonga Gap; last year I lost contact with the bunch going over Rosewhite gap and never rejoined. My fist goal for this stage was to be with the bunch coming down the other side of Rosewhite and I achieved this. Some of Men’s C grade came round us going up the gap; we then got slowed up as the rest of their race came around us coming down the other side. This neutralized our race for a few km, just when we got moving aging we got told to go single file for the A grade men; a few frustrating interruptions, but part of racing.
After all that I was feeling great at the bottom of Tawonga, then I nearly lost my back wheel on the corner. I didn’t know what I had done wrong then I had that sinking feeling of my back tire being flat. There is no neutral support due to the large number of volunteers that would be required and I hadn’t taken anything to fix a single (big mistake). I knew if I didn’t finish I couldn’t keep going in the tour so after a few choice words I keep on climbing yelling at everyone that went past to see if they had something to help me out. With still4km left to climb a total rush rider threw me a can of pit stop, up went my wheel straight away back on the bike and I climbed the last 4 k. Thank you to Neil form total rush you saved my day!!
1 big lesson learned never race without anything to fix a flat again.
I was happy with my ride till that point.
Stage 2 15.7k Individual TT
This is that stage I was supper excited for after turning my old road bike in to a time trial bike and spending a few hours riding in aero position I was excited and ready to roll.
After a quick chat with fellow team rider Kate, I was excited to put the flat tyre of the road stage behind me. I had talked with my coach Kim Howard on the day and decide I wanted to do a 26 min and I would be happy considering my time last year was a 27.31.
I was the 3rd last rider off I was determined not to get caught. I caught the rider in front of me early I knew this was good but still couldn’t let anyone pass me. I then caught 2 more riders before the turnaround and could see the rider behind me had not put time into me and I wanted it to stay that way until I crossed the line in 25.50. I couldn’t believe it I was so happy a big tick and another goal achieved for the weekend.
Stage 3, Mount Hotham 55k.
The initial 25k to Harrietvile is relatively flat as the road winds along the Ovens valley to the base of Hotham.
Their were 2 sprint on the way Harrietville with the last one being just before the base of the climb, I was positioned well and started the climb in the bunch. I was climbing well to the top of the Meg (not quite half way) then was done. I had nothing left so I settled in for a long day of climbing.
Overall results can be seen here http://my3.raceresult.com/details/index.php?eventid=13607&lang=en
Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyed weekend with some major achievements made and some new goals discovered. Signing out for now, Nik.
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