Training Log Archive: NSW Stinger

Felt pretty good this morning- probably more tired upper body than lower. Thought about going for a jog at Langford Gap but didn't bother. There were heaps of runners out there but very few seemed to be running together on the long run, just coming in dribs and drabs.

Really enjoyed my time in Falls Creek, just wished I was up there for longer. Definitely want to head back next year.

Got a lift back to Canberra with Danger McDougall, then bus to Moss Vale for the National Junior Camp.

Looking forward to the upcoming season with Team Prediction Blotto. I think my form on NYE and yesterday show that I can contribute to the success of the team at Tour of Bright later this year. For press release read http://www.attackpoint.org/log.jsp/user_1727

Morning. Falls Creek.

Big day out with Muzza and Duncan of Morwell. It was his idea to attempt this loop so it was ironic to me that he suffered so badly. We were meant to start at 6.30am but there was a cracker storm at 2.30am and it was still wet so we pushed it back a bit. But it started raining harder as we left so jackets were required. The first 30mins is climbing up to Langfords west, then the big descent to Omeo hwy that we'd done the other day. Surprisingly it was dryish half way down the hill and the weather was quite good for the rest of the day.
The ride into Omeo (77km) was fantastic. Flatish and contouring around the hills with great views of the river which had heaps more water than the other day. We stopped for breakfast at Omeo at 11am (nice flat white and pancakes) and were surprised we'd spent an hour there as we rode out. We wouldn't be able to muck around to much more if we wanted to finish by dark.
The climb up to Cobungra was steep 7.5% and tough and Duncs was struggling already so Muz and I were waiting a bit. It was undulating the rest of the way to Dinner Plain (2.30pm- 120km) where we had another nice coffee.
The Dinner Plain to Hotham section was nice despite a headwind and I was feeling pretty good. Loved the descent into Harrietville for another food stop at the icecream shop. Got an awesome affogato because I saw others with one and they looked so good.
I got on the front and pumped down to Germantown and up Towonga Gap. It was tougher than expected, especially as it gets steeper towards the top. Another little break on top before another kickarse descent into Mt Beauty.
Met Jules and Ben who were waiting for some awesome hotchips and gave us a boost of encouragement up the final 1300m climb to Falls Creek. Gave Duncs a start and then rode with him til Bogong Bridge then headed off after Muz but never caught him. Kept a good pace until the last 3km which were a bit of a grind as it gets a tad steeper. Finished about 9pm as it was almost dark and getting cold again. Cracker day, and i'm not sure there are many harder routes on a road bike in Australia. Muz had a great day and surprised himself, while Duncan was impressively tough to keep going even after throwing up most of the food he ate.
GPS route- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21646202
Profile (opposite direction) http://www.cyclingprofiles.com.au/HTM/VicAlps/VCN_...

C • gps track please 1

Morning. Falls Creek.

NYE hangover run with Murray. Started at Washbed Creek car park up towards a few of the huts and climbed some big bare random hill just as the clouds came in. Didn't feel great but was good to do something.

Afternoon. Falls Creek.

Afternoon ride with Fatrat, Gary McDougal and Duncan. Down to Bogong Village and back at a nice steady to cruisy pace. Love that descent!

Night. Falls Creek Village.

NYE run around a very wet Falls Creek with Fatrat, Jules and Muzza.

Morning. Falls Creek.

Morning ride with Murray, Greg (partner of Lauren Shelley) and a bunch from Mt Beauty and many other places. Most had ridden up from Mt Beauty, but then most also turned around at Langfords West before the steep descent- leaving 12 riders. It was a big drop of 1000m down to the Omeo Hwy with some steep bits and a crappy road surface. Happy to make it down and then 11km slightly downhill into Anglers Rest.
We stopped at the Blue Duck, and old pub that's been there for ever and had to wait around for about half an hour for the place to open and get some coffees and food (no complaints from me). It was pretty warm down the bottom and only got hotter when we started climbing. The bottom section is the steepest- up to 15%. I have only just learned that I have a 23tooth ring on the back and it isn't well suited to climbing steep hills. Well boy did I suffer. Was ok for 15mins but burned out after that and dropped off Muz and a few others. Recovered a bit at the flater section after 700m climb and we regrouped again as some of the others eased off a bit. The full climb was 1000m and took 80mins. It was windy up the top so it wasn't an easy ride back into Falls. Good sense of accomplishment from this ride. Toughest climb I've done on a road bike I reckon.

Afternoon. Falls Creek.

Evening run with most of the crew with Miss Jones setting a cracking pace that split the field. I was surprised with how good my legs felt but I was glad to reach the top of the hill behind Falls Creek.

Morning. Falls Creek.

Spion Kope run with Kathryn, Fatrat and Grant. We drove down to the YMCA camp at Howlong Gap. It started with a short drop down to the river, then a long 700m climb over about 4km. I felt the effects of the altitude and my legs were spend before too long. We passed Jules and a group of gun runners doing an out and back long run and they passed us again soon after. I got dropped when the pace picked up on the flater sections but that was no surprised. We finished down Heathy Spur and I stopped at the the lake and got a lift back with Murray. Happy to keep building up my runs and still keeping the body under control.
Grant was impressive

Evening. Falls Creek.

Afternoon ride with Muz, Toph, Jules, Jim and Troy. Out past the dam to Langfords West and back down past Falls for about 5km and back up again. Legs felt tired.

Afternoon. DIS to Churchill.

Afternoon ride from home to Churchill to meet Kathryn and then drove to Falls Creek. The road between Omeo and Falls Creek is impressive, I look forward to riding it. But the climb up to Falls looks scary steep and the road surface looks more suited to a mountain bike.

Morning. Anglesea.

morning run with Kathryn. Didn't feel too bad either. Nice sunny morning.