Brunswick Cycling Club

Coburg Cycling Club and the residents of Coleraine turned on a fantastic weekend of cycling of what could be more appropriately called the Tour of Undulations. Based on the warmth and hospitality of the people of Coleraine, it is possible Tour of Bright could do some benchmarking to enhance their event.

Stage 1: Douglas/Zig Zag Rd Loop 72km

Rolling out with 58 other C Graders we took in the Douglas climb at km 20, the field split up, myself included. This was followed by the infamous Zig Zag climb. One rider had been on a protein-only diet and bonked really badly. Fortunately he didn’t fall from his bike but stopped and started hallucinating. It was lucky Jamie Hanson was nearby attending to an earlier crash and took the situation under control. Got in a good little chase bunch of six riders including local Heath Riley (Hamilton) who knew the lay of the land and helped in our chasing strategy. Came in 41st, five minutes down.

Stage 2: Coleraine Criterium 36km

At one point I managed to check my speedo and we were doing 52km/hr. Our average time for the crit was 0.1km/hr slower than B Grade. Dragged myself in on the back. I was toast.

Stage 3: Digby 97km

Feeling a bit apprehensive about the poor standing on previous day’s racing, sitting at 42nd on GC I decided to go out early on the final 97km stage. At km 0, John Marcan (Sunbury) was first off the front, but was reeled in within 50m. Tom McDonough then launched an attack, I got across to his wheel and we started working together but were reeled in. Tommy and I went again and when we had a reasonable gap, soft peddled to let Andy Gannon (Brunswick) get across. But it was all in vain, this bunch was letting nothing go. After we turned left and into a cross wind and I went again, on my own. It was tough and after a few k’s Pete Knight (St Kilda), Andie Graham (Port Fairy) came across but because he was 2nd on GC the bunch brought us back very quickly. Marcan and I went again and together we built up a sufficient lead to get over the first burg of the day which for us was; mission achieved. While attempting to set up a break in the first 20km, I was too far back to miss the winning break which scarpered up the road. A few of their team mates blocked the front of our bunch which was a blessing in disguise; it allowed me some recovery. The yellow jersey, Ben Koops (St Kilda) was in our presence but because he didn’t have an entourage to assist him to bring back the break, missed out on the overall win. While not being able to mix it with them on the last critical climb of the day at km 80, managed to team trial with Gannan to come in at about 29th on GC.

This entry was posted by M. Sparke on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 1:37 pm and is filed under Reports, Road.