After the Tour of Geelong, Pat decided to clean his room and discovered that he still had a heap of stuff that was near new and he had grown out of.

There are going to be some very excited kids at the clinic this season I can assure you!

On behalf of the club I’d like to pass on a big thank to Pat for thinking of us and his generosity.

We arrived at the track only to discover that Dave had the BBQ set up already!

The dark cloud that left us this morning had returned and this time it opened up and dumped a steady stream of rain drops.

Before we knew it there was a clatter a bang and flash of magna as Dave had the pie warmer and rollers set up ready for an Enduro Roller Derby!

In the words of the great Gomez Addams “Capital idea”

As the sun began to set the guests began to arrive, the guests of honour, Sheryl and Josh were draped in their Royal garb bestowed upon them from their regal abode back in the UK.

In fact, Josh was proudly showing off his clubs new kit as he warmed up on the retro fitted Farleigh. I say “retro” because back in the days of World of Sport. the handlebars were turned “up” and believe me it does make the bike more stable.

The BBQ was under way with our President Big Al assuring all and sundry that he wouldn’t “overcook” any of the snags this time! (he was true to his word folks)

The enticing aroma of the party pies filled the clubrooms and the program was announced for the evening.

2 lap qualifiers, then seeded 4 lap heats and a secrect distance final… OUCH!!

The qualifying results were

Matt 48.90. Slatts 49.21. Tyson 51.76. Cam 52.80. Josh 53.40. Jess 60.71.

So the heats were set with the fastest times through to the final…the times were “tabled” and the plate revealed that it would Josh v Cam in the secret distance final.

It was from a standing start affair with both riders having to get going and clip in unassisted, at the completion of the first lap it was evident that some shadow boxing was being conducted and throughout the second lap each rider “tested” the other with attack and counter attack.

Entering lap 3 and the strain was beginning to show, the attacks continued and by the midway point of lap four their pain was easy to gauge by the expressions on their faces.

It seemed like an eternity had passed by the time the bell finally signalled the final lap, with 200m remaining Josh delivered the killer blow raising his cadence to the point where it nearly raised the roof off the clubrooms!

Speaking of OUCH there was also a three rider “Le Mans” team sprint, the riders bikes were up one end of the clubrooms, the riders were…you guessed it, down the other where the rollers were.

At the starters signal the rider would “run” (in their bike shoes) get their bike, run back get on the rollers and sprint for 2 laps, when they crossed the finish their team mate would set off to get their bike while the other slowed and attempted to dismount without collapsing in a heap and so on.

Though the yellow team of Cam, Jess and Slatts held a slender lead for the majority of the distance, the red team of Josh, Tyson and Matt had the legs in the final half lap.

Red 3.20.1 to Yellow 3.21.6

There was also the official presentation of the previous Enduro’s Track Teams Cups to Sean “lone wolf” Hurley.

With the sausages gone and only a handfull of party pies remaining,  we called it a night and bid farewell to Sheryl and Josh.

Thanks to Helen , Amanda and Co for organising the all you can eat buffet, Phil for wearing the hat and Nathan for the events. It doesn’t matter if it rains at Harrison St, we have our own indoor!!!

September is my birthday, so naturally the theme for the next enduro will be??? Happy Birthday!!

onya Cam.

As we neared Gisborne the Mount was cloaked in fog, headlights were turned on and we drove a lap of the challenging Bald Hill circuit to check for any debris from the winds of the week before.

10am saw the limit bunch of 26 minutes set sail with the fog lifting but the cloud refusing to budge.

This years event had two previous winners saddle up for another crack, 3 time winner Richard McCorkell 2009, 1986, 1981, Richard has been in fine form this Winter having success last week at the Rob Vernon Open and was riding off block which was set at 5 mins and Andrew Gannon, 2007, with a mere two minute advantage off 7 minutes.

Scratch looked strong and were in good spirits as they set off with the clouds beginning to break, allowing the sun to try its best to raise the mercury.

This years event was also the testing ground for the C.S.V. transponders. Nathan had the electronics set up in a jiffy and every rider was successfully tracked and timed each time they passed the sensors. These transponders will be phased in to assist in the running of the Victorian Open Calender in 2011.

At the completion of the first of four laps it appeared that the handicaping was on track to provide a nail biting finish with all bunches gaining equal time on each other.

The clouds were distant and sun shining as they started the second lap and at the back section of the course around Pipers Creek, the wind had picked up and it appeared that it would play a part in the outcome, there was a lot of “talking” going on in the bunches, organising themselves to gain the maximum advantage against the winds and the scratchmen had halved the advantage the limit group had enjoyed at the start.

Lap three and it was shaping up to be one of the closest finishes yet, the race had become three main groups spread over less than 5 minutes.

The Bald Hill climb was taking its toll on the riders as one by one the groups thinned.

With less than 20km remaining the scratchmen were less than sixty seconds in arrears as the toughest section of the circuit lay in wait.

As the lead group came into view two of them had jumped the bunch and it was evident that the winner would be one of them, in the long downhill sprint David Novak, Hawthorn 10 min, had time to salute the judges from the evergreen Tom McDonough, Coburg 10 min, and young Nathan Clinnick, Sunbury 18min.

It was only forty two seconds after David had crossed the line that Brad Davies, St Kilda (scratch), crossed the line to claim fastest time.

I think it would be fair to say that every member of each group gave their all to keep the advantage given by the handicapper and with only forty two seconds seperating them after a gruelling 86 kilometers I believe that the great Jack “pop” Stewart would be proud.

The Trophy of course goes to the first Brunswick member to finish and for the second time Andrew Gannon accepted the Trophy from Pop’s daughter Norma.

In the Junior event it was a very happy and excited Grace Mazzerella who joined Andrew on the podium with her trophy.

After the race Andrew commented that on the second and third lap Bald Hill broke him but he recalled what Richard had said about his win last year, how he just kept hanging on and the final time up the climb he probably had a little help from above courtesy of “Pop”.

Andrew joins less than a handfull of riders who have their names emblazoned on the trophy more than once.

Three time winners are Richard McCorkell, 1981, 1986, 2009 and Mark Heintz, 1985, 1993, 2003.

Two time winners are Andrew Gannon, 2007, 2010 and P Peatling 1983, 1990.

Thak you to all who volunteered their time to help make the day happen, I don’t get out to the races all that often these days but when I was approached by Andrew to assist on the day there was only one possible way I could respond and that was “I would be honoured”.

Indeed I was.

Cam

Full results on the Combine web site.

A call was made by Mr. Bushell (A.K.A Commissioner Gordon on the Bat phone) in the closing hour before the due roll out time to find Dylan Newell. Newell reassured he was coming and on his way. Newell also keeping his trademark arrival time intact. With the team captain now present, Brunswick #1 made the start line and was ready to rock. The line up included; an in-form, Nathan Elliot; Sam McGregor, a new arrival to A-grade club racing; the always and ever reliable, Jake Sutherland (A solid time trialer most days of the week); and last but certainly not least, to lead the Brunswick quartet, Dylan Newell, immensely strong and a superb IRTT rider.

Lap one was executed in a solid yet conservative manner due to the increased and lengthy 69km course. Conditions only deteriorated as the riders smashed out the kms. Wind chill was later reported at below zero as ambient temps were a wicked 2.5 Celsius; this was topped off with some steady rain just to spice it up a little.

Lap two was where the authority was stamped down. The race appeared to be a done deal (to the time keepers at this point anyway) this being due to Dylan’s strong and at times lengthy turns on the front, accompanied by his well balanced team. However, the high paced second lap almost started to fray at the seam as Newell was unaware that the TTT was a 3 lap event not 2 like in previous years. Sutherland alerting Newell to this fact was then graciously allowed to back the speed off to a high 40’s km/h, not the 50 kp/h plus finishing pace experienced moments before.

By lap 3, fatigue and lactic acid was well on its way to filling the legs of team BCC1. Fingers and knee caps were feeling more like ice cubes (Sutherland later revealing that he could barely shift gears by the end). Sam McGregor later succumbed to the elements and fatigue pulled the ejection chord and departed in the closing 10 kms or so. Compliments go to Sam for his smooth and consistent turns.

This left a now cold but confident trio to wind up the race, only to find the highly paced turns performed by Newell in the earlier laps had taken their toll on his legs. Without panic, Sutherland and Elliot towed their normally number 1 up the final climb, allowing Newell some brief recovery time. Elliot then proceeded to drive it home to the finish line without sparing the 11 on the somewhat tricky and slick decent.

After crossing the line, BBC1 were then found to be victorious. With a winning margin of over a minute and a respectable 43.3km/h average, not bad considering the race was in hard man’s conditions, “The weather was just plain S@#T-HOUSE!” To add, Noah’s Ark was seen floating past presentations as the heavens had well and truly opened up.

Congratulations go to the team for their hard, strong performance, Nathan, Sam, Jake and Dylan. Thank you also to all members and supporters who braved the tough conditions and riders that donned their BBC skin suits.

Jake Sutherland

Winners are Grinners…
And no one is grinning more than Bryce Holloway. Correction: maybe his proud mum is grinning more, if she’s stopped crying?!? The Bof’s weren’t on the line to watch Bryce win the M15 Road Race, and surely make him a lock for a state team place, in fact, they were some 60m away, but knew right-away that Bryce had won gold! Thanks to Christina’s screaming the whole of Wang probably knew he’d won!
But that’s jumping ahead… The weekend began with the State Junior Time Trial Championships and Brunswick had 21 young guns representing the club – not a bad turnout. Showing a list to Dave he reckons that 18 of the 21 started off, or at least spent time honing their racing craft, at the famous Junior Clinic.
The J11s were off first and ‘Go Sarah’ – everybody’s favourite Tuesday night rider – made a strong start taking bronze with a 9:39:93 over the flat 4km course. Next up, a rider who is as good on a horse (of the pommel variety) as a bike, and who at the age of 10 has the physique of Adonis, Nathan Bof, who rode to silver (just 1.2-seconds off the Gold) with a time of 8:36:86 over the same 4km course.
To the J13s and BCC had four riders (two boys and two girls). Speaking of Adonis, the two girls certainly make the boys look, well… un-Adonis-like (come on hormones kick in!) and for the girls it was Ruby Roseman-Gannon with a time of 15:18:77 who took bronze (less than two-seconds out of Silver) with Greta ‘Anna Meares’ Curran a clear 5th with a time of 16:59:72. The two lads, who are better if there’s a hill in the course, both did well – with Riley Hart finishing 4th (less than a second away from the bronze) and Isaac Pane 13th in a strong field of 23 riders.
With no W15 riders it’s straight to the M15s. Bryce, Liam, James and Christian being our four representatives. Bryce was sitting forth on the Junior Aggregate table – which goes a long way to determining who gets selected to ride for the Big V at the Nationals – while James was sitting 9th. Christian has been riding in the 15Bs and competing very well while Liam is on the road back from a bit of winter lay-off.
With the most at stake Bryce dug deep with an outstanding 5th in the TT – importantly, he kept the riders behind him in the aggregate at bay while not dropping too far behind those in front. He averaged 35.5kmph for a 16:55:58, which made him one of only five riders to break 17-minutes over the tough 10km circuit. Liam ran 8th, James 17th and Christian a strong 21st in a field of 34 boys.
The J17 girls took flight over the same 10km course with Madeleine Cardillo, Ebony Clarke and Vanessa Bof flying the BCC colours. Maddy turned in a very impressive 17:13:88 to take 4th and keep her slim top four aggregate hopes alive. Eb finished 7th and Nes 8th.
On to the M17s and four of Brunswick’s brightest suited up for the demanding 14km course. Nick Katsonis gritted his teeth with a ride of 23:52:35 (Av 35.2kmph) to come in best of the BCC bunch finishing 20th, with Matt Cooper 25th, Sean McIver 32nd and Tyson Breen 36th with a time of 25:27:85… that’s 25-minutes of pain… ouch!
Those juggling HSC with trying to get the miles in – the M19s were next to the line for a lung busting, rolling 18km TT course. Matt’s brother Mitch Cooper was best of the ‘old guys’ riding a 27:11:45 (Av almost 40kmph!) to come in 7th. Alex Meyland ran 11th (27:33:77 / 39.2kmph), Thomas Dapcich 13th (27:46:07 / 38.9kmph) and Ben Abels 23rd (31:29:03 / 34.3kmph).
So the TT Champs returned a fantastic second, two awesome thirds and two commendable fourths – not bad at all and worth celebrating on the Saturday night with a number of the BCC families taking it to the Pinsent Hotel. Andrea Cardillo knew what she was doing and came armed with a fist-full of discount meal vouchers – your second meal for $5 – which she handed around. Everyone was a winner, although those who didn’t order early had a bit of a wait for their meal.
After a good night sleep it was on with the show and back to the sale yards for the State Road Race Champs.
After a delayed start due to a stubborn fog refusing to lift, the J11s again led proceedings and it was a little bit of groundhog day with ‘Go Sarah’ another strong ride for bronze and Nathan just losing out on a long sprint for another silver. Not a bad championship for those two up-and-comers!
Just to keep us guessing the J15s followed the 11s and this is where things really reached fever pitch for BCC. As previously described, Bryce’s Gold was a clear highlight of the event for him; for his family and for all the BCC supporters that were there. Although just to keep his feet on the ground, Riley quickly reminded Bryce he actually beat him in his first ever cycling race at DISC some three or so years ago! Liam came 7th, James 15th and Christian 23rd completed the BCC M15s performance over the testing 35km course.
The J17 women were next off on a rocking and rolling ride over the same 35km route. Our girls did good: Ebony Clarke 6th, Madeleine Cardillo 7th and Vanessa Bof 15th in a torrid race of attrition.

The boy’s of the same age (with the hormones having well and truly kicked in) lined up for an extremely challenging 57km course with enough climbs to make it interesting and arguably three of the best four M17s in the country competing for medals. By all reports our brave lads found the going at the pointy end extremely tough with Sean McIver the first BCC rider home just ahead of Nick with Tyson and Matt enjoying their ride, and reportedly sharing a laugh and lollies with a boy from Bendigo, not far behind.

The M19s had a 100kms to race over! It took the winner almost 3hrs (2:51:19 / Av 35kmph) which wasn’t bad given the amount of climbing! BCC’s own Shaunie O finished fourth – a fantastic result given his recent adventures of falling off the bike! Mitch and Alex both finished close-up in a hectic sprint amongst the top riders also. Both were very pleased with their rides.

Then to the marquee event the J13s 15km – that’s two blocks of a dead-flat course in perfect conditions; sun and no wind. The boys lead the way and eyed each other with no one even trying a break. The big favorite sat at the back, while a contingent of newish riders made for lots of wheel touches and diving for the brakes – not a very enjoyable race by all accounts! It came down to a bunch kick of around 20 of them and they finished the order they entered the last corner (thankfully everyone got around the corner upright) – with Riley forth and Isaac a fast finishing 12th.

The girls race saw a little more action but ended similarly to the TT with Ruby again taking bronze and Greta a fighting 5th.

Wow! That’s a wrap. Let’s all take a break and then BRING ON TRACK SEASON!

State Champs Results

TT
JG11 – Sarah Gigante 09:39.93 – 3rd
JB11 – Nathan Bof 8:36:86 – 2nd (by 1.2-seconds)
JG13 – Ruby Rose-Gannon 15:18:77 – 3rd (less than a second away from 2nd)
Greta Curran 16:59:72 – 5th
JB13 – Riley Hart 15:27:54 – 4th (less than a second out of 3rd)
Isaac Pane 16:15:52 – 13th
JG15 – Bryce Holloway 16:55:58 – 5th
Liam Hood 17:10:69 – 8th
James Pane 18:04:89 – 17th
Christian Molina 18:25:99 – 21st
JW17 – Madeleine Cardillo 17:13:88 – 4th (less than two seconds out of 3rd)
Ebony Clarke 17:59:28 – 7th
Vanessa Bof 18:13:72 – 8th
JM17 – Nicholas Katsonis 23:52:35 – 20th
Matthew Cooper 24:13:84 – 25th
Sean McIver 24:53:11 – 32nd
Tyson Breen 25:27:85 – 36th
JM19 – Mitch Cooper 27:11:45 – 7th
Alex Meyland 27:33:77 – 11th
Thomas Dapcich 27:46:07 – 13th
Ben Abels 31:29:03 – 23rd

RR Results

JG11 – Sarah Gigante 3rd
JB11 – Nathan Bof 2nd
JG13 – Ruby Rose-Gannon 3rd
Greta Curran 5th
JB13 – Riley Hart 4th
Isaac Pane 12th
JG15 – Bryce Holloway 1st
Liam Hood 7th
James Pane 15th
Christian Molina 23rd
JW17 – Ebony Clarke 6th
Madeleine Cardillo 7th
Vanessa Bof 15th
JM17 – Sean McIver (1st BCC rider home)
Nicholas Katsonis
Matthew Cooper
Tyson Breen
JM19 – Sean O’Gallaghan 4th
Alex Meyland
Mitch Cooper
Thomas Dapcich
Ben Abels

They kindly donated some timber for the Enduro Flame, a tradition now synonomous with the event.

I arrived early to do the edges only to find that a person or persons had already “cut my grass”!

It was then that a text message came through from the Ladner brothers Matt & Ben, they couldn’t make it for the racing because it was their Mum’s birthday party, so they came down early and mowed and trimmed the edges commenting how theraputic and peacefull it was. (told you it was relaxing)

I don’t think too many took notice of the earlier start time and some were high tailing it back from Bendigo having raced the Rob Vernon open, but the action got underway by around 6.

In total 7 teams put their best wheels forward to contest the Track Teams Cup, based on Omnium style point scoring there were 4 events 2 sprint & 2 enduro.

Event 1 was the Flying Lap, teams had 2 laps to wind up before launching themselves off turn 3 on a timed 320m lap.

There was a -2 points bonus for the fastest time so the action was HOT right from the get go.

First team to go was Composite Fibres, Nathan & Cam. Setting the benchmark at 23.54

Next was Team Brunswick, Jessica Morgan & Matt Lees with a 22.64

Team RATS featuring the ”German” pairing of Ryan Worn & Brad Clark 23.04 the outdoor 320 obviously not like the indoor central heated, hyperbaric speed dome 145m tracks they are used to back home.

Team Chrott featuring the duo of Chris Hickey & Scott Gigante, 23.27

Team Scam with Sarah Gigante fresh from her racing in Bendigo & Cam McFarlane 24.84

and then, “HE” some call him the Man in Black, others regard him as the Prince of Pain, tonight we knew him as

“LONE WOLF”…yes Sean “the man” Hurley had arrived and with no one brave enough to team up he rode alone, a man on a mission, prowling the prairie for prey, a mercenary…okay you get the picture.   23.33

Interesting to note that all the teams favoured the “Lead Out” style of riding.

So at the conclusion of event 1 the standings were

Team Brunswick -1

Team Rat 2

Team Chrott 3

Lone Wolf 4

Composite Fibres…

Team Rapido 5

Team Scam 6

Event 2 was the 5k Team Time Trial, conditions were perfect with no wind and the Track rated as “FAST”

I will give you the times in reverse order to build the suspense

Team Chrott 7.30.54

Team Scam 7.25.34 (age adjusted)

Team Brunswick 7.19.85

Team Rat (now claiming to be Swedish) 7.14.87

Composite Fibres (using the lap out scenario to it’s advantage) 7.07.43

Team Rapido 7.04.66 (the 81″ gearing obviously the right choice)

LONE WOLF 6.58.92

This set the crowd buzzing as there were 2 teams tied for the lead. Lone Wolf & Team Chrott were both on 3 points followed by The Rats & brunswick on 5 and Rapido & Scam on 7

At this time Nathan had to depart for a dinner engagement and with a party pie in hand he rode off into the darkness.

Event 3 was the Teams Sprint Derby, 5 laps where the Teams ranked on their Flying Lap Times where Fastest V 2nd Fastest etc battled it out for the points on offer.

Some teams had definate tactics going into this event with some of them “pairing up” with their opponents in a effort to minimise the points scored.

The now German speaking Swiss duo were begining to show the strains of the pressure cooker environment that is “Enduro” and were both verbally and physically attacking each other after their round with Team Brunswick, Matt Lees showing Benny or was it Bjorn a clean pair of Shamals to take the win.

Afterwards the BB in ABBA were seen to be drowning their sorrows behind the grandstand in a mountain of Toblerone.

The progressive scores at the end of Event 3 saw Lone Wolf & Team Brunswick still locked together in a titanic struggle with 8 points a piece.

Team Toblerone (RAT) 10

Chrott 12

Rapido 14

Scam 18

The Final Event would see a major shake up in the overall standings, a 75 lap(25k) Point Score a -10 point bonus to those who gained a lap and no penalty for losing one (or 2) would see tactics play an important part in the outcome.

It was a battle between the Lone Wolf chasing the Full Moon and the strange speaking pair who were wishing they hadn’t eaten quite so much in the interval with laps gained and lost at a rapid pace.

In the end it was Lone Wolf on -50 with Team Rat/Toblerone/Vomitron -35, Rapido & Team Scam on -14, Team Chrott -12 and Team Brunswick -10

The Overall result saw Sean “Lone Wolf” Hurley walk away with the Teams Cup with an impressive -42 points

Team Rat awarded a bonus 10 point deduction for the expression of stomach contents after the event ended up with -35

Team brunswick clawed their way back into 3rd place on -2

Team Chrott & Rapido tied on 0

and Team Scam finished on +4

It was some of the best fun we’ve had on a Saturday evening at Harrison St, the Hot Dogs, Party Pies and Toasted Marshmallows were a perfect way to end the night.

Matt and Ben left their party early to catch up on the action and the plans were made for August 21 when after the Pop Stewart Memorial at Kyneton we will have Enduro Recovery..Details to come so stay tuned.

Thanks again to Jess, Dave and the amazing Helen, as well as those who came down to watch and cheer us on, Tom & Mitch for some madd photos too.

onya Cam

For me, an old broken down amateur bike racer, it was great to see so many Brunswick Club members give up their Sunday to represent the club in the only Team Time Trial event in the State.

Before it became a “Championship” it was a “Premiership” which saw the winning team awarded a Pennant for their club and the club would present each team member with a team photo.

These days, we tend to forget about the club aspect and focus on the “medals” awarded to the riders… I suppose that’s “elite” sport nowadays.

If you thought you had a tough day, spare a thought for the Ballarat Sebastapol Club members and CSV Officials who volunteered their weekend to conduct the Melbourne to Ballarat and the Junior Ballan to Ballarat on Saturday, then, do it all again in the wind and rain for todays event.

What about our own Phil Bushell, Wally Dapcich, Noni Carr and the rest of the selection committee who have tried to put together the teams and accomodate performance, friendships, individual wants, and parents egos as well as arrive at the very start of the day to try and help the kids enjoy the day before they too had to warm up and compete.

As for me I come from a different era, it was when we were Amateurs, and proud of it.

It was a time when we would have to participate in selection trials over the prior months, that’s right, months, before the event and such was the prestiege of the Club Teams you would prefer to be named as an emergency for the A team than be the Captain of the B team.

If you were good enough to be selected, every minute of your day at school or work was consumed by the Club Teams.

You only need to look at the Premiership photos in the club rooms to understand why – Olympic Team members, National and State Champions, multiple Club Champions and riders who went on to turn pro and win some of the countries greatest races.

Mixed in with them are genuine club riders, those who would never have a realistic chance to place in the top ten at an individual state title event, but in a teams time trial were able to combine well and win a Premiership.

For me the highlight of a day that started 4 weeks ago offering coaching and strategy to those who wanted to learn the art of Team Time Trialling and began this morning at 5am and finished at 7pm was the excitement and smiles on the faces of Sarah Gigante (9) and Grace Mazarella (12) who were so happy to ride together because they started at the Brunswick Clinic together and rode their hearts out to claim a Bronze medal, thanks goes to Noni for looking after them before the start.

But for all us “old timers”, thanks goes to Jake Sutherland, Dylan Newell, Sam MacGregor and Nathan Elliot who got together on the start line with a minimum of fuss and showed their class to become the 2010 Victorian Club Team Champions.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone for a great day in the history of the Brunswick Cycling Club.

Cam

In these sessions Grace has become proficient in matching gear selection to optimum cadence, drinking from her bidon at speed, climbing out of the seat, sharp and fast U turns as well as knowing when to work up or down the road to maximise shelter from the wind.

Did I mention Grace is only 11…..

I was so happy that I went home via Harrison St and trimmed the edges of the duckboard for the clinic next Sunday, yes it’s going to be a busy Brunswick weekend coming up.

Jess and the gang have their Winter clinic this Sunday as well as our usual Sunday DISC session and 16, that’s right, 16 teams entered for the Club Teams.

A reminder that Club Teams start at 9am so U11/13 & 15′s would need to be at Miners Rest by 8am to allow for a stress free warm up.

If you can drop your licenses off at DISC on Tuesday night so we can  organise the team numbers early on the day.

See you up there Cam.

Take it away Casey…

Subject: ouch

Thought you would appreciate this one mate, a little tale from from UK with a slight cringe factor to it.

So here it is, coming into 150meters to go in this crit and 2 riders come down on the exit of the corner, not a biggy yeah, but then a second group on the road 10 secs behind come flying into the same corner to find a pile of bikes and people sprawled across the road, so with no clear exit in sight there is no option for the bunch including myself in second wheel to plow into, and increase the pile of people and bikes on the deck, so here is where it gets exciting.

I jump up off the ground and my mind is instantly propelled to thoughts of a complete and unbroken body hopefully, a quick check of the wrists, collar bones and elbows, all are ok, then a shooting pain down my hand where i see the damage that has been done from jumping into a barrier at 50km/h and here is what i saw, the bone was sticking out in three spots along the ring finger, one half way down, the next towards the end on the side and the other through the nail. The little finger was bent sideways and the middle finger was quickly turning purple due to the ring i was wearing being crushed and cutting off all circulation to it.

Then the real fun began, due to the revolting sight of the hand, it emphasised the fact that I would be in a lot of pain, there for I was quickly injected with morphene and given my very own canister of comfort to suck on as much as I pleased, I was sucking it in like a final km of a 4000m pursuit.

I was then rushed to the ambulance where a fireman proceeded to try and cut off my crushed ring with what I thought was a can opener.

A quick trip to the emergency room where I was to get the news that they were going to have to cut the ring finger off and the other two fingers were broken, I was immensely relieved when they told me they were able to get it all back together, and I would just be left with 3 broken but complete fingers. A few nights in hospital where I was trying to coax the nurses into giving me copious amounts of pain killers.

I now have a few weeks of mulling around licking my wounds, but fingers crossed I will be back on the bike before I know it. Hope you enjoy.

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