An Observer's Perspective

No. 30 Summer 2006/07

Paris-Brest-Paris 2007Just around the corner...

The ASH DashTasmania’s best kept secret

Paris-Brest-Paris

An Observer’s Perspective

Checkpoint Summer 2006/07 3

Need your bicycle serviced or repaired in Melbourne?

� �Abbotsford Cycles

@ Richmond Station

Abbotsford Cycles has an extensive range of Brooks leather saddles. Saddles for racing, touring and long distance rides. Swift, Team Pro, B17, Flyer, Conquest, B72, B67, B73, as well as pre-aged B17 and B67 saddles. Prices are very competi-tive - you will be surprised at how little it costs to get onto a Brooks saddle. Our list of accessories includes Tool Rolls, Un-der-saddle Tool Bags, leather handlebar tape, leather mudflaps, maintenance kits, saddle covers, Brooks woollen jersey and a selection of rivets and tool bag hangers. www.brookssaddles.com

Audax members receive a discount of up to 10% on every item except labour and Specials. We accept telephone orders with credit cards, or by mail with cheque. Postage is extra.

Service and Repairs Our Speciality. We provide the full range of servicing options for all bicycles including tandems, recumbents and single speeds. Book your bike in, drop it in on the way to work and pick it up on the way home. We provide a full on-site repair facility for steel frames. We still have cotter pins and axles, 27” and 28” tyres and full mudguards! We can put extra riv-nuts on your frame to take bidon cages or racks. We can convert cantilever brakes to V-brakes, supply and install front and rear pannier racks, convert your bike from a double to a compact double or to a triple crankset and much more.Can you use larger cogs, will you need a new derailleur? We provide advice to make your cycling more enjoyable. Let us help you make your bike suit your needs.

Our shop in Melbourne is dedicated to the upkeep of all kinds of bicycles. We sell most things you need, except complete new bikes, shoes and clothing. We take the time to source the unusual and useful gadgets that often seem to disappear from bike shop shelves. Come in, or see our ever evolving website. We take mail or phone orders and can get items anywhere in Australia quickly and at very reasonable rates. Abbotsford Cycles is a proud supporter of the Cycling Promotion Fund

27 Swan Street (under Richmond Station)Richmond Victoria 3121 www.abbotsfordcycles.com.au phone 03 9429 6889

Audax Night SpecialTwo flashing tail lights with a reflector on an aluminium plate which is designed to fit to the rear rack or to the seatpost to comply with Audax lighting requirements. In-cludes two flashing lights and red reflector. $50

Fibrefix spokes for emergency repairs on the road - no need to remove the cassette - $22JumpStop attachment to prevent the chain coming off when you shift down to the small chainring - $22

Dynamo Light SetsHub Dynamo WheelsSchmidt hub dynamo, DT spokes and Ve-locity Aero rim and tape - $400 for Audax members. Built with the Shimano 3N71 hub, the wheel is yours for $250. Buying a new wheel means you have a complete spare wheel for day rides.Dynamo Lights.For a hub dynamo you need a switched headlight - the Schmidt E6 is $140, the B&M is $90.DynamosB&M make an excellent side wall dyna-mo, the S6 - $165 plus mounting bracket. Battery HeadlightsThe most cost effective run-all-night bat-tery light set available is still the Smart BL210H. It has a rechargeable sealed lead-acid battery, one 10w and one 2.4 watt lamp for $120 ($10 for 3w globe)

��

��

Cue Clips - inexpensive aide de naviga-tion during audax rides - holds the map/di-rections on the handlebars in view at all times - $12 Minoura space bars for extra gadgets to hang off your handlebars.Prolink lube - still the best - $16

Open: 8am to 6pm Mon to Fri 9am to 12.30 Saturday

Vaude underseat bag, holds 5 litres, quick release clamp, water-proof jacket, 16 x 18x 14cm, 750g Perfect for Audax rides - $110

We stock a range of Topeak bags which fit on beam racks attached to the seat post.

Come and see our display including second-hand and hard to find bits in Howitt Park at the Alpine! Vit tor ia Tyres for sale .

Ortlieb Panniers back in stock in January.

Safety Wing – keeps traffic at bay! Just $20 posted anywhere in Australia.Simple to install and use to give riders more of the road. Put a mini flashing light on it for extra effect at night

BROO KS

We are now stocking Phil Wood Hubs, Bottom Brackets and Lubes and Mont rain jackets.


National Committee The Audax Club of Australia Inc.Association No. A0014462N

PresidentGarry Armsworth - 0411 252 [email protected]

Vice PresidentBarry Moore - 03 9803 [email protected]

SecretaryGreg Cunningham - 02 6288 6997 [email protected]

Treasurer Stephen Chambers - 03 5952 [email protected]

Membership SecretaryLorraine Allen - 03 5783 2427 [email protected]

Brevet Secretary Peter Mathews - 03 9890 [email protected]

Committee Members Martin Haynes - 03 5674 2157 [email protected]

Keith McCulloch - 02 4822 [email protected]

David Minter - 07 3392 [email protected]

David Larsen

NSW PresidentChris Walsh - 02 9924 2200 [email protected] QLD PresidentVaughan Kippers - 07 3376 [email protected] SA PresidentIan Peak - 0417 834 [email protected]

TAS PresidentPaul Gregory - 03 6229 3811 [email protected]

VIC PresidentJorgen Bobenko - 0439 417 [email protected]

WA PresidentBrian [email protected]

ContentsPresident’s Pedals 4

AAC Training Camp proves a winner 5

PBP Participant Watch 11

Pyrenees Magic ride report 15

PBP: An Observer’s Perspective 16

Cardwell: Is snacking bad for you? 20

PBP 07: Interested? 21

Bol D’Or: Oppy’s Autobiography 22

The Snowy Epic ride report 25

The New VanIsle 1200k - Canada 27

Brevet results 29

Need your bicycle serviced or repaired in Melbourne?

� �Abbotsford Cycles

@ Richmond Station

Abbotsford Cycles has an extensive range of Brooks leather saddles. Saddles for racing, touring and long distance rides. Swift, Team Pro, B17, Flyer, Conquest, B72, B67, B73, as well as pre-aged B17 and B67 saddles. Prices are very competi-tive - you will be surprised at how little it costs to get onto a Brooks saddle. Our list of accessories includes Tool Rolls, Un-der-saddle Tool Bags, leather handlebar tape, leather mudflaps, maintenance kits, saddle covers, Brooks woollen jersey and a selection of rivets and tool bag hangers. www.brookssaddles.com

Audax members receive a discount of up to 10% on every item except labour and Specials. We accept telephone orders with credit cards, or by mail with cheque. Postage is extra.

Service and Repairs Our Speciality. We provide the full range of servicing options for all bicycles including tandems, recumbents and single speeds. Book your bike in, drop it in on the way to work and pick it up on the way home. We provide a full on-site repair facility for steel frames. We still have cotter pins and axles, 27” and 28” tyres and full mudguards! We can put extra riv-nuts on your frame to take bidon cages or racks. We can convert cantilever brakes to V-brakes, supply and install front and rear pannier racks, convert your bike from a double to a compact double or to a triple crankset and much more.Can you use larger cogs, will you need a new derailleur? We provide advice to make your cycling more enjoyable. Let us help you make your bike suit your needs.

Our shop in Melbourne is dedicated to the upkeep of all kinds of bicycles. We sell most things you need, except complete new bikes, shoes and clothing. We take the time to source the unusual and useful gadgets that often seem to disappear from bike shop shelves. Come in, or see our ever evolving website. We take mail or phone orders and can get items anywhere in Australia quickly and at very reasonable rates. Abbotsford Cycles is a proud supporter of the Cycling Promotion Fund

27 Swan Street (under Richmond Station)Richmond Victoria 3121 www.abbotsfordcycles.com.au phone 03 9429 6889

Audax Night SpecialTwo flashing tail lights with a reflector on an aluminium plate which is designed to fit to the rear rack or to the seatpost to comply with Audax lighting requirements. In-cludes two flashing lights and red reflector. $50

Fibrefix spokes for emergency repairs on the road - no need to remove the cassette - $22JumpStop attachment to prevent the chain coming off when you shift down to the small chainring - $22

Dynamo Light SetsHub Dynamo WheelsSchmidt hub dynamo, DT spokes and Ve-locity Aero rim and tape - $400 for Audax members. Built with the Shimano 3N71 hub, the wheel is yours for $250. Buying a new wheel means you have a complete spare wheel for day rides.Dynamo Lights.For a hub dynamo you need a switched headlight - the Schmidt E6 is $140, the B&M is $90.DynamosB&M make an excellent side wall dyna-mo, the S6 - $165 plus mounting bracket. Battery HeadlightsThe most cost effective run-all-night bat-tery light set available is still the Smart BL210H. It has a rechargeable sealed lead-acid battery, one 10w and one 2.4 watt lamp for $120 ($10 for 3w globe)

��

��

Cue Clips - inexpensive aide de naviga-tion during audax rides - holds the map/di-rections on the handlebars in view at all times - $12 Minoura space bars for extra gadgets to hang off your handlebars.Prolink lube - still the best - $16

Open: 8am to 6pm Mon to Fri 9am to 12.30 Saturday

Vaude underseat bag, holds 5 litres, quick release clamp, water-proof jacket, 16 x 18x 14cm, 750g Perfect for Audax rides - $110

We stock a range of Topeak bags which fit on beam racks attached to the seat post.

Come and see our display including second-hand and hard to find bits in Howitt Park at the Alpine! Vit tor ia Tyres for sale .

Ortlieb Panniers back in stock in January.

Safety Wing – keeps traffic at bay! Just $20 posted anywhere in Australia.Simple to install and use to give riders more of the road. Put a mini flashing light on it for extra effect at night

BROO KS

We are now stocking Phil Wood Hubs, Bottom Brackets and Lubes and Mont rain jackets.

Dear Brother Randonneur,

Re: Crême Randonneur

Unfortunately we must advise PBP aspirants that stocks of this efficacious, but rare Crême (as advertised in the last Checkpoint) are exhausted. It is not widely known that the essential ingredient of the Crême is found only in a tiny area of the Forêt de Rambouillet, near Gambeauseil, about 50km from the start of PBP.

It’s benefits were first discovered serendipitously by an American, Unk Nown, who answered a call of nature early in PBP 87, and, as you would, used the material closest to hand for the clean up. His PBP was entirely pain free, and on further investigation this was put down to the action of microscopic spores present in the leaves on the forest floor at that very point.

The fact that a small area on his face did not get sunburnt was attributed to where he next wiped his hand. However, it has now been determined that the spores only appear in Autumn every four years, so the next collection is not due until October 2007. We apologize for not being able to provide this Crême, but we warn against trying to replicate the effect of Crême Randonneur

Finally, the cream you have been waiting for. Used since 1891 in Europe, this cream is specifically designed for the randonneur cyclist. No longer will

you have the need to carry several lotions for different applications.Fits into your jersey pocket.

Need sunscreen? - Apply every 4 hours (SPF 8).Bad breath at the control? Add some to your toothbrush (contains mint)

Saddle sores? Apply liberally to the effected area.Bicycle chain dry or squeaking? Use sparingly on any chain.

Dirty hands after a tyre change? Wash with Creme Randonneur and water.Stopping at the control for a shower? Massage into scalp and rinse.

Supermarket closed? Spread thinly on a baguette and enjoy the taste.Run out of energy drink? Squirt 30g into your bidon and shake well.

Fancy that other randonneur? Use liberally.

Available at all quality bike shops. Be quick before the PBP ‘07 rush!

CREME RANDONNEUR - multi purpose cream -

Now available in Australia!

rrp $39.95

Letters

using other ingredients. (We have anecdotal evidence of a mixture of Bob’s Jungle Juice, Silcon, Guarana and Zinc Cream tried, with disastrous results.)

Be assured however, that the majority of PBP fnishers over the years, including Oppy, have NOT had the benefits of Crême Randonneur, so while highly desirable this Crême is definititely not essential to your success. Bonne Chance.

Peter Moore

Ed: If anyone can offer further background information on this hard to get product please share it with readers. [email protected]

No. 30 Summer 2006/07

Paris-Brest-Paris 2007Just around the corner...

The ASH DashTasmania’s best kept secret

Paris-Brest-ParisAn Observer’s Perspective

4 Checkpoint Summer 2006/07 Checkpoint Summer 2006/07 5

Moving forward... Checkpoint

Editor & ProducerPatrick van [email protected]

Brevet EditorStephen [email protected]

Distribution Phil Bellette [email protected]

Contributions, especially those accompanied by photos and graphics, are always welcome. Closing date for the next issue is 28 February, for publication by 20 April 2007.

Please send to: [email protected], or

Editor PO Box 12144A’Beckett StMelbourne VIC 8006

Cover photo: Ross Theo (seated), George Caulfield and Kevin Ware (far right) explore France. Ross’ partner Gabrielle Callaghan explores the ups and downs of living with a PBP rider in training, as well as supporting Ross during the big event itself. See story page 16 of this issue.

Disclaimer Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the respective authors, and not necessarily those of the Audax Club of Australia Inc.

Borrowing this copy? To receive your own copy, simply join the club at www.audax.org.au/membership.htm or write to the above address.

Free backissues: You can download backissues of this magazine from the club’s website at www.audax.org.au > News > Magazine.

President’s Pedalswith Garry Armsworth

I’ll start this column where I left off last time – on membership of the National Executive Committee. Following the second call for expressions of interest from members to take up the vacant committee position, we received two replies. Having only one vacant position, the committee had to select one of the candidates and I am pleased to advise that David Larsen is that person. David has many years experience in management consulting and project management and is also a director of Bicycle Victoria (and currently its Vice-President).

There is always of course more committee work than can usually be dealt with so Russell Freemantle, the other candidate, has been invited to sit in on the committee meetings. Russell has been on the Victoria region committee for 2 years and has recently completed a Cycling Australia coaching course.

While we’re back to a full complement for the National Executive Committee, by the time you’re reading this, the annual general meeting will be upon us and we’ll be electing the next national committee.

Speaking of the AGM, hopefully you will have noticed that the 2007 AGM will be held in Bright the afternoon before the Alpine Classic. This is something of an experiment for the club with no committee member being able to recall the last time the club’s AGM was held outside of Melbourne. The AGM is to be held in Bright as the Alpine Classic is the only occasion each year where large numbers of members from all over the country gather in the one place. The formalities of the AGM are relatively brief and it provides a good opportunity to speak with committee members and network with members from outside your usual sphere, so if you’re in Bright please come along (venue details etc are provided on a later page). A record turnout for the AGM matching our record membership growth would be great!

On the committee front, the big project for 2007 will be to get our website development underway; starting with improvements to the membership database and moving onto online ride entry and ride result processing to name a couple of the priorities selected by

the committee. This will be a task requiring plenty of resources, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record with a call for assistance in every edition of Checkpoint, if you have the skills and interest in getting involved in this work, let me know.

An interesting piece of information that members may not be aware of is that Audax Australia under its partnership agreement with Audax Club Parisien also has geographic responsibility for New Zealand. This is an historical situation and while the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Enduro event has appeared in the Audax Australia calendar for the last few years, for the 2006/07 year we have a full series of rides in NZ so that members there can qualify for PBP. Having just come back from completing the LTCC Enduro myself where 70+ riders started in the 320km distance and more than 20 people started in the 640km Maxi Enduro one would hope it will only be a matter of time before NZ can establish a club in its own right and we’ll have the opportunity to do some interesting randonnee rides in a region relatively close to us.

Enjoy your cycling

Paris-Brest-Paris 2007 Countdown

There’s only 30 weeks left

until PBP starts.

360km+ 24 hours

teams of 5 bikesCan you do it?28/29 April 2007

Check the calendar for further details.

20

07

OppermanThe Fleche

All Day Trial


Audax Alpine Classic Training Camp

Riding highThe inaugural Audax Alpine Classic Training Camp proved highly successful, with perfect weather,

positive feedback from riders, and a great atmostphere.

Organiser Phil McDonald summed up the ride nicely with a view from the support bus window. “The one moment that I remember most about the training camp, was when I overtook a cyclist climbing the mountains and looked at his steely eyes in a grimacing face, twisting in pain as he pushed downward on his pedals, looking straight through me as I drove the bus slowly towards the top, with the much appreciated morning tea on board.

His face showed grit, determination; almost anger whilst nearing the summit, however his elation at the top, while gasping for breath, was electric. It’s a proud moment for a cyclist, a classic climax.”

Head coach was none other than Phil Anderson, who advised participants on riding a bike to full efficiency. Assistant coaches concentrated on the body, physiology, skills, stretching and recovery, as well as maximising the bike set up, training and safety.

Above: Organisers Phil & Susan McDonald share a moment with Phil Anderson. Below: All smiles as the participants, organisers and coaches revel in the spirit that binds cyclists together.


For more information or your nearest dealer contact Hillbrick Racing Frameson (02) 9820 4011 or visit www.hillbrick.com.au

While Hillbrick is known for its racing frames, we are able to make any style of frame. Our frames are made to suit the individual rider whether they be big or small. Hillbrick offers made to measure Alloy, Steel and Carbon fibre frames made to fit you with no compromises.


An event to long remember by Stan Pietsch

Over the Melbourne Cup Weekend from Saturday to Tuesday, I was privileged to participate in the

Audax Alpine Classic Training Camp held at Bright in north east Victoria. The Camp was conducted

by All Trails Bicycle Tours in association with Phil Anderson’s Cycling Down Under.

When I first read about this event on the Audax website I immediately imagined:

• four days of riding around Bright, up Mount Buffalo, to Falls Creek and just around north east valleys in Spring;

• riding with one of world’s best ever riders in Phil Anderson who opened up the Tour de France to non Europeans by winning the yellow jersey amongst many other achievements;

• When you were not riding you would be just talking and breathing about bikes and learning the finer points about riding from a team of experts; and

• being treated and spoilt by eating cakes and fruit, drinking brewed coffee on the top of Mount Buffalo looking over the Ovens Valley after a leisurely early morning ride up the mountain!

Well it all came true and what’s more it exceeded all my expectations.

This is certainly an event that I will remember for a long time. The whole aim of the four days was to improve our riding skills so we could ride safer particularly on descents, improve performance up the hills and approach the upcoming Alpine Classic in January 2007 with confidence and increase the enjoyment derived from the ride.

Forty-four participants of all ages, sizes and shapes took part, coming from as far as Queensland, South Australia and it seemed like everywhere in between.

Phil and Susan McDonald from All Trails Bicycle Tours spoilt us for the four days with good food and catering and excellent

roadside service second to none that kept you motivated to get to the next rest point.

Each day followed a similar pattern. Waking up at around 6.00am to have a hearty breakfast, then meeting behind the Bright Information Centre for a ride briefing lead by Phil Anderson and ably supported by Steve and Laurie. Phil passed on his years of experience to all us emphasising safety, riding balanced on the bike and use of brakes for safe cornering particularly on the descents. We would then head off on the days ride leaving in two groups to accommodate the differences in fitness and strength of the riders.

On the first day of riding up Mount Buffalo, Phil Anderson pulled up beside me and had a chat for about ten minutes before heading off to talk to more riders. So I thought “How good does it get? “

After morning tea another briefing was held to talk about skills and how to handle the immediate conditions ahead and the importance of drinking and eating over the next stage. We would then head off again and return to Bright to have lunch. The room was bussing with riders talking about their experiences and how they were baring up to pressure of the ride.

Lunch was followed by a seminar presented by Phil Anderson, his personal advisor Steve Ward and Laurie Noonan who has worked on and ridden bikes for a lifetime. This was also coloured by some sessions with Phil Mc Donald reminiscing about such things as riding his Penny Farthing into the Guinness Book of Records around Chadstone Shopping Centre or riding around Australia. Very motivational stuff.

Sessions included training programs to


Stan with the man himself, Phil Anderson at Mt Beauty.


prepare for the Alpine Classic, stretching and riding skills. After the seminar and a bit of a rest we would reconvene around 5.00pm for a riding skills and bike handling session to be conducted on a flat asphalt area either at the school or the carpark. These sessions challenged us out of our comfort zone and taught us some skills that will definitely come in handy.

Finally by around 6.00pm we would all head off to freshen up to go to tea in a local restaurant to rejuvenate energy supplies and just socialise. This was a great way to finish the day before returning to our motel rooms to prepare the bikes for the next days challenges and go for a walk to recondition the legs for a 130km ride up to Falls Creek for example.

Sleeping was definitely not a problem and I remember going over the days ride in my head as I would go to sleep to make sure I worked out what I learnt during the day.

The rides focussed on riding in groups effectively with drafting and rotation exercises and how to handle hills and descents, power riding and more. It is definitely the first time I had ridden about 400km over four days in the Alpine country and climbed effectively 5km vertically over that time. I didn’t know how the legs would stand up to that sort of pressure. So I paced myself over the four days and it seemed to pay off. The legs got better everyday.

I don’t remember suffering much pain, but just all the good bits and how much I had improved, especially feeling comfortable descending the mountains. Repositioning the body on the bike, balancing and effective use of brakes before the corners all contributed to greater confidence and safer approaches to the ride. As well as that though, came increased speeds but safer kilometres. I felt every second of the four days was worthwhile and it will hold me in good stead for the rest of my riding days.

In the end it made you realise that as well as the overall approach to riding it is all the little things which make the difference, such as bike maintenance and riding skills.

One humorous occasion that I will never forget was set up on day one in the first briefing session before the ride when

it was suggested that Phil Anderson rides ‘Philometres’ as apposed to Kilometres. Of course ‘Philometres’ are effectively shorter than Kilometres basically because Phil is riding so fast that they seem shorter. Well this attracted laughter from the group.

I didn’t expect to personally experience ‘Philometres’ but it happened when I was only about a kilometre from the top of Falls Creek. Phil Anderson had already reached the top off course, refreshed himself with drinks and food and was heading back down the Mountain. He came screaming towards me yelling “only a kilometre to go!” and I thought, ah good, I’ve nearly made it. Then a minute or two later another rider came down the mountain at me and yelled out with equal enthusiasm “only one and a half kilometres to go!!” I laughed and thought I have just experienced the Philometres first hand. I could see what they were talking about on day one.

On the Monday night Phil and Susan organised presentations of certificates to all participants and we exchanged some thoughts about the first three days of the training camp. I think the most important reflection that surfaced was that the participants in this training camp ride for the pure pleasure of riding, not to compete with each other but to improve and most importantly, improve their own

performance and pleasure in riding. It was the feeling of achievement that we had done it, irrespective of how fast compared to others but according to our own abilities and potential that meant everything to everyone in the room. It takes endurance riding to an altruistic level and I think this is what makes Audax rides so fantastic and memorable. Everyone can participate and gain just as much joy from the experience.

I know that I will definitely be prepared much better for my fourth attempt at the 200km ride in January and I am really looking forward to it. I have bought an indoor trainer on Steve’s advice and I am going for it. I am more committed and getting more out of the experience than ever.

In closing I would like to thank Phil and Susan McDonald, Phil Anderson, Steve Ward and Laurie Noonan for the best four days riding that I have ever experienced and recommend if anyone has the opportunity to do a ride like this, jump at it. Phil Anderson is justifiably an icon to bike riders in Australia and he is an inspiration. His real achievements during his riding career are continuing to be valued, re-valued and appreciated.

What an experience!


All eyes on head coach Phil Anderson, as the group takes a well earned break.


ChainRing Transit Authority

Merchant of Reliable Bicycle Goodswww.team-cta.com.au Sydney, Australia +61 425 319 674

The Alpine Classic training camp was the best time I have ever spent on a bike. It was four days of challenging riding. The chance to ride and chat with a cycling legend (Phil Anderson) – who was also a really approachable and friendly bloke – was a once in a lifetime experience.

On top of that there was the wonderful support and advice from Steve and Laurie – both whilst out on the bike and during the afternoon sessions and during the evenings. The group of 44 riders were remarkably friendly and inspiring to be with – covering as they did such a phenomenal span of ages and abilities. It was great fun – AND there were no accidents.

And lastly, Phil and Susan McDonald provided absolutely fantastic support for the whole show. You always knew what was happening, where to go, when to get there. And when you got there, the All Trails bus was already there with lots to eat and drink. It was a truly wonderful riding experience.

Peter Taylor

The thought of 200km of riding with climbing of over 4000 metres all in one day, requires a great deal of motivation, preparation and downright craziness.

What better way to prepare for this day, than by participating in the inaugural Audax Alpine Classic training camp. Run by Phil and Sue McDonald, and assisted by Phil Anderson, Steve Ward and Laurie Noonan - if these people could not motivate me, or add the craziness factor then no one could.

The camp was hard, but as hard as you chose. To able to ride alongside Skippy, receive some words of wisdom not only from the great man, but also Laurie and Steve and fellow riders, gave you the reasons to challenge yourself to reach your goals.

On a personal note, I came into this camp, thinking, I’ll do this, it’ll help me get fitter, stronger and meet some great people that I might be able to catch up with around Melbourne. I had little intention of doing the Alpine Classic next year.

From practising bunny hops, to following Skippy (on bikes) around the outside corridors of the local school, to learning good nutrition, periodisation and stretching techniques, to jumping into the cold water of the local river, or listening to the exploits of Phil McDonald descending Tawonga Gap on his pennyfarthing, to see the reaction of locals and visitors when seeing Phil Anderson amongst them: these and many more moments all highlighted the importance of this camp, sharing the experience of amateurs and pro’s alike in the many variables of a ride like the Alpine Classic.

I for one, have entered for the ride this year, albeit the 130km, and am eagerly looking forward to the day, not just for the challenge of the ride, but also the opportunity to catch up with people I met on the camp, fellow cyclists sharing the challenge. Cycling is amazing how it brings people from different backgrounds together to form an alliance against the elements. The joy of meeting your challenge and completing it, is no different, whatever your fitness and abilities. This was so evident at this camp.

Tom Ward

Audax Alpine Classic Training Camp - Rider feedback


The Adventure Travel Company is the official provider of travel services for AudaxAustralia members taking part in the 16th edition of Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur. WithPBP fast approaching now is the time to finalise your plans for your trip to France.

PBP HotelsWe have secured a large number of rooms at the Holiday Inn Saint Quentin en Yvelinesexclusively for Australian riders. This modern 3 star hotel is in an ideal location very close tothe PBP registration and start/finish area. Bike storage rooms will be available for Australianriders with a equipment and staff available to assist with pre-ride bike maintenance. Forfamilies we also offer a range of “family friendly” hotels in the surrounding area. Due todemand at the Holiday Inn during PBP, requests for rooms cannot be guaranteedafter January 30 2007, so please contact us now to secure your booking.

Le Grande Randonnée – 4 to 18 August 2007A fully supported 2 week cycling tour which will take you through the best of France in the 2weeks leading up to PBP. Our route takes us on our own “Tour de France” over the quietcountry roads of France before finishing in Saint Quentin for the start of PBP. The ridingprogram on this tour has been specifically tailored to increase your fitness and deliver you tothe start in top condition for the big ride. Your non riding partners and family are welcome andwill have a special program of sightseeing activities to allow them to join in with the cyclistseach day. Highlights include joining in with the French cyclists at Semaine Federale, riding thefamous cols of Alpe d’Huez, Col du Tourmalet and Mont Ventoux and exploring the smallvillages of Provence, Burgundy and the Dordogne. Contact us now to reserve your place onthis once in a lifetime cycling adventure.

Airfares, travel insurance and pre/post ride travelWe are the experts in getting cyclists and their bikes to Europe and can assist you withselecting the best airfares and travel options for your trip in 2007. Audax members qualify fora 15% discount on QBE travel insurance with special arrangements for additional cover foryour bike. Contact us now for all of your PBP travel needs.

Loudeac Checkpoint supportIn 2007 we are pleased to support Audax Australia with the “bag drop” service for all Aussieriders taking part in Paris-Brest-Paris at the checkpoint town of Loudeac, 450 and 770 km intothe ride. Full details will be sent to all registered riders along with PBP entry forms in 2007.

To find out more about your PBP travel options contact Howard Duncan at:

The Adventure Travel Company, 282 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, 3205. Tel: 03 9696 8400.Email [email protected]. Website: www.tourdefrance.com.au


Paris-Brest-Paris 2007

Participant WatchSit back and learn from others in Part Three of our multi-part series where we follow the progress of

six PBP aspirants as they prepare for the 2007 event. Compare your training and preparation with

others, get some motivation along the way and share in their accomplishments.

Have you completed any qualifiers yet? The 200km qualifier was done last week,

5 Kiwi’s passed this one quite okay.

A sequence of rides has been set up to allow North Island riders at least, to have the opportunity to qualify for PBB if they so desire. The sequence is varied and we have the 300/600k versions during the Great Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge very soon! The restricting factor has been gaining approval/acceptance of some NZ body to take on the role of “organiser” to give us Public Liability insurance cover as required by the Audax Australia rules. This was no easy task. I have come into a bit of flack for not setting up South Island rides, but the body, Manawatu Masters Club (MMC) I managed to get public liability cover with as organiser would only accept rides that they knew I was directly involved in. I would not compromise the generosity and faith of the MMC by not adhering to the MMC committment to perhaps assist others in NZ who could have attempted to gain their own “organisers” with public liability

cover from the South Island, and get those rides into the Audax Australia calender as I enventually did. (Thats my bitch out of the way!)

Is your bike currently set up the way you would like it?

I am still deciding what bike to use, my triplo Trek 5500, or my double version of the same. It would appear the hills may not require the triplo, but hey it is nice when one is getting tired to be able to spin a tad easier.

Regarding set-up, I always just raise the head set to take some of the tension from the neck area, and would probably use a 25-14 rear cluster and 52/39 chain rings. Makes it hard to go really fast on down-hills, but hey it is a fun ride after all, isn’t it? Otherwise it’s the same set up as I usually have.

Will you be studying the route before you go? I would certainly try and familiarise myself with the road map. But any definite plans on sleep etc, would have to be adaptable to suit the weather and body at the time.

What type of baggage, if any, will you be carrying on PBP?I would most likely purchase a rear seat post mounted pannier. The Fauve as shown in a couple of your mags looked promising, but after a phone call to an Australian bike shop showing the advert, I’ve been waiting for three months, not patiently for their email of fitting angle etc. I’m quite happy to use a Camelbak, but with food/clothing in it, not fluids.

Will you be using any type of support on the event?If I book via the Australian contact I would

like to take advantage of the Australian bag drop.

Compared to 6 months ago, has your weekly mileage gone up? Kilometres are sneaking up, but only because of set events here in NZ, Not because of our rather horrid weather, which is making getting out a bit of a drudge this season.

Have you started additional cross training or any special dietary intake?

Ah food. I’ve now changed to using the Hammer range of liquid fuels which removes as lot of the bulk, and for me at least seems to settle the Hungry Belly Syndrome.

Colin Anderson

Ian Boehm

Have you completed any qualifiers yet?Not as of the end of November. An

illness in the family has kept me away from Audax rides or even perusing the calendar to pencil in some likely qualifiers. This has an unexpected benefit in that it will help me



avoid Post Qualification Torpor. When it comes time to ride the qualifiers, I won’t be doing them in any particular order.


Mechanically, the bike I have now will be the one that will do the event. Electrically, I’m still working on lights. The best commercially available light emitting diodes (LEDs) now produce 5 times more light per watt than halogen globes and I want a piece of that action. Difficulty is that the optics of most dynamo powered LED bike lights squander much of that advantage by illuminating more of trees, roadsides etc. than one needs. The halogen systems I have puts light just where it is needed. I’ve seen a plan for converting my Bisy (= Schmidt E6) to LED power. Watch this space.

I’m working on a system for lighting instruments using Schmidt hub power. The concept works very well but needs refinement.

Will you study the route before you go? I will adopt the strategy of most riders and divide the ride into thirds with a good sleep (2h+) each way at the Loudéac Audax Oz support stop. This will be supplemented with 15 minute snoozes by the roadside as required. What type of baggage will you carry? My trusty Topeak rack and matching rack top bag will be getting another well deserved holiday in France. It is a brilliant system and ideal for randonneuring.

Will you be using any type of support ?The crew at Loudéac will be the only

welcome faces I’ll be looking out for. That said, I was very pleased to see Bernie Collins at the penultimate controle in 2003. Now if someone wanted to earn some brownie points and prop at Dreux to shepherd gaga Aussies through...

Compared to 6 months ago, has your weekly mileage gone up?

It has dropped dramatically because of the family health issue. I’m hoping to be able to crank up the kilometres from early in the new year.


I have no plans for any cross training for this event. I’ve invoked the girth reduction dietary regime recommended by a sports

dietician when I consulted him in 2003. Briefly, it involves grazing and reducing alcohol intake. Christmas will be ugly.

Will you be using any type of support on the event? I’d rather not ride alone if I can help it. I’ve found that riding with someone else is mentally easier and a lot more enjoyable. I imagine I’ll utilise the bag drop at Loudeac.

Compared to 6 months ago, has your weekly mileage gone up? Have you started additional cross training or any special dietary intake?

I pretty much ride everywhere these days. I haven’t put petrol in my car in almost two months and I had to jump start it the other day as the battery was completely flat. My weekly mileage has gone up but I still haven’t gotten back into longer distance riding. As I mentioned, I’ve been mountain biking a lot more. I’ve also started yoga and I’d like to take up running as well.

Michael Boehm

Helen Lew Ton

Have you completed any qualifiers yet? Not yet. I’ve just finished exams and I’m now in Vietnam for a few weeks. I think I’ll just take it as it comes, but I really need to get back on the road bike. I’ve been doing a fair bit of mountain biking of late and not much road riding. I’m looking at doing some touring over summer as well. I reckon I’ll do rides in whatever order they come up.

Is your bike currently set up the way you would like it?I think it’s just about perfect. Over the past couple of months I’ve got it resprayed, new forks, new levers, new tyres, and new handlebars. I still think that a Schmidt hub is the way to go but battery powered LEDs might be a far cheaper option.

Will you study the route before you go? I’ll study the route to suss out what to expect and roughly how to pace it. I think realistically I’ll take it as it comes because at this stage trying to adhere to a strict plan over 90 hours is probably a bit ambitious.

What type of baggage, if any, will you be carrying on PBP? I imagine that a rack bag will be ideal as it’s suitably spacious without being excessive. Between my CamelBak, containers in my bottle cages and a rack bag I think I’ll have more than enough space.

Have you completed any qualifiers yet? Yes, I’ve joined the qualifing frenzy,

and like at least 40 other riders here in Victoria, started on 4 November with the Bendigo Bounty. So far I’ve managed to tick off the 200, 300 and just recently the 600km ride. The 600km ride now stands as the longest ride I have ever undertaken. What an experience this whole business of training and qualifying is turning out to be. While it is good to have a goal, I feel that it’s important to ensure that it doesn’t completely take over your life. Hence my achievement in completing the Jump the Gun qualifier has also been a good time for reflection on what has happened this year. When I look back to see the progress that I have made, I am, frankly, awestruck.




Bike setup is almost finalised. Generally speaking I’m happy with the bike but I am considering fitting some lower gears when I next replace my running gear. It seems to me that these could be very useful when I’ve ridden 1000km and I still have a few of those short, steepish hills to overcome on the way back to Paris. It’s just an idea at this stage, but perhaps replacing my 52-42-30 triple with something like 52-39-28 would do the trick.

I should explain that I am only 152 cm tall and my bike frame is so small that it is probably at the limit of what can accommodate 700C wheels. Needless to say, I have very little in the way of exposed seat post and the frame itself has only enough room for one bidon cage.

Thanks to a bit of fiddling and customising by Peter Moore I am now the proud possessor of a Vaude post rack bag which looks like it will do the trick as far as luggage is concerned. Judging from what I saw on my Bendigo qualifier, I’m not the only person who has opted for this bag. It mightn’t have the guaranteed waterproof qualities of an Ortlieb bag but it does have the advantage of multiple compartments.

Of necessity I carry a hydration pack.

The one piece of luggage that I can’t do without is a “Bento Box” (one of those little box-like things which you attach to the top tube at its junction with the head tube). Food is always to hand and it’s easy to nibble frequently.

Will you be studying the route before you go?

It’s still too early for me to consider locations for sleeping/resting eating. I plan to use 600km rides to fine tune time off the bike and its timing. One thing I particularly want to practise is exploiting my circadian rhythms to perfect the art of napping (I need to buy a timer so that the mid-afternoon nap does what it’s meant to do and doesn’t become a sleep).

Compared to 6 months ago, has your weekly mileage gone up? Have you started additional cross training or any special dietary intake?

According to my records I’m still riding

about 1000km per month and this has been pretty constant for the entire year. It does seem like I’m doing more long rides but maybe I’m just imagining it.

Cross-training remains the same as before (weight training, Pilates and indoor cycling). What I’m interested in perfecting is the art of recovery, using nutrition, stretching, compression garments and wading in cold water. The idea is that faster recovery from big rides allows you to train more efficiently.

I carbo load before all long rides (200km plus), but I do feel that I could probably refine the technique a little.

Ideally I want to qualify ASAP or as soon as the Queensland calendar along with my body and fitness level allows. I then hope to continue and to ride as many Audax rides as possible.


(No)

Lighting is currently suffice but I have an ongoing desire to have a dynamo, but have not the time or the inclination to research it. Currently, I have the PrincetonTec Yukon Extreme headlight and a helmet headlight; both of which have been adequate and the batteries last 5-200 hours; depending on the level of light intensity.

The other equipment I am still experimenting with includes - baggage, gloves, knicks, PR, basic bike set-up (when I get my new orthotics), corkscrews etc. Does anyone know why items go off the shop shelves just as soon as I have tried them for long enough to decide I want to buy another one? Are there any affordable gloves with gel+++ for someone with carpal tunnel? (I already have the gel handlebar tape.)

Will you be studying the route before you go?

(Yes)

As my French is so poor I have to have a good look at the route and a map before I start PBP. We might ride a portion prior as Phil did on his last PBP. I would hate to get lost and have to spend the entire event searching my way out of a vineyard somewhere!

Will you plan where to sleep/rest/eat?(No)

No such forward plans at this stage; but I am happy to have organised that we are having chicken for dinner tonight and I will be sleeping in my own bed from about 2230hrs.

What type of baggage, if any, will you be carrying on PBP?

(Emotional baggage and a saddlebag)

My current luggage bag and emotional baggage are both currently VERY unattractive. The emotional stuff is confidential and between me and my

Catherine Johnson

In generosity of kinship and in the interest of concise wording and time conservation, would Bruce Dodds and his fellow loquacious detesters kindly only note my replies in brackets.

Have you completed any qualifiers yet? (Yes)

I dragged myself through the “Another 300km” ride early November. To be truthful, I spent a large portion of the ride desperately, and extremely gratefully, hanging onto the “Dave Minter train” which left the Kilcoy Bakery Station at a great rate as the day cooled. The route was too hilly and the day too hot and too humid...still the route didn’t seem that hilly when I mapped it out in the car.



psychiatrist so I¹ll leave that to your imaginations; but my pannier rack and the top bag completely ruins the look of my slick bicycle. It is an embarrassment! The day will come when my bike will refuse to leave the lounge as she can take the ridicule no longer. I am in the process of looking at Carradice saddlebags and should have selected one soon.

Will you be using any type of support on the event?

(Don¹t know)

Don¹t know yet!


(No)

I have slowed down since I finished my Super Series but plan to start building up my cycle fitness early in the New Year...actually I’ll start on Saturday night with the “Midnight Century”. I would never make the starting line if the only exercise I did was ride a bicycle . I have to cross-train or I’d be so bored I’d go potty.


(No)

Refer to the above. I have restarted triathlon training and do some form of exercise (swimming, circuit, aqua aerobics, cycling) 6 days a week but need to increase my amount of cycling. I also need to decrease the amount of weight I have to push up the hills...though helpful coming down the other side!

I’ll make all these my New Years resolutions...wish me luck!

Have you completed any qualifiers yet? On 5th November, Audax SA ran its first

qualifying brevet of 200km. For people who know the area, the brevet started from my place in Blackwood. It went through the Adelaide Hills to Strathalbyn, a flat and fast course to Clayton, back to Strathalbyn and finishing back at hilly Blackwood. The next qualifier is on the 23rd December as a 400.


I still need to get new lights (front and rear). I will do that over the remainder of time, before I head to Rome. I will stay with the trusted brand ‘Cateye’ rear lights and ‘Cateye’ halogen front lights. I will have those Lithium batteries to make the battery power last longer. The less batteries change over I have to do, the better. Keeping in mind I’m not planning to do to much stopping.

Will you be studying the route before you go? Will you plan where to sleep/rest/eat?

Sleeping? There will not be any time for that! I know for the first half I will not be resting or sleeping at all. For the rest of the ride I will have to see how my body is

coping. Out of the three times I have done PBP, I have found the arrows to be clear and accurate and have never gotten lost. Apart from reading the route sheets and looking at maps, that is all I will be doing to study the route.

What type of baggage, if any, will you be carrying on PBP?

I will be carrying an ‘Ortlieb’ saddlebag. The difference with this saddlebag is that it is an oversize, waterproof saddlebag. I used it on the 2003 PBP with success - I rate them very highly. This time around I plan to carry the bare minimum.

Will you be using any type of support on the event?

I plan to set off, supporting myself. I will carry all the bare essential gear with me. But I will also have a bag at Loudeac as part of the Australian support crew. In my bag I will only have a spare tyre, a few tubes, batteries, globes and a change of cycling clothes. It is unlikely by the time I arrive in Loudeac on the way out, that the Australian support crew will be there (as was the case in 2003). So I will have to wait until I return.


Up to the 1st October 2006, when I reached 20,000km, I had been averaging 522kms per week to achieve my twenty thousand goal. Then for the rest of the year I back off to 400 - 450kms per week. But come 1st January 2007 I plan to do to as many kilometres a possible, leading up to my trip to Italy (early July) and of course PBP. My training is kilometres and more kilometres, involving Audax brevets and racing.

Matthew Rawnsley

Phil Anderson'sAlpine Classic Training Camp

3rd-6th Nov 2007www.alltrails.com.au

Ventou signs with AudaxCustom sportswear manufacturer Ventou has

signed a three-year advertising deal with Audax Australia. The garment technology specialist will display various advertisements on the club’s heavily visited website over the next three years. Audax are honoured to have Ventou as a prime sponsor on the web. Visit them today at www.ventou.com.au.


Pyrenees Magicby Andrew & Deborah Thomas

The Weather Gods smiled on the Pyrenees Magic this year and was greatly appreciated by the large turnout of riders this year.

The Wednesday before the ride there was snow within 45 minutes drive from the start, with very gusty winds, from a cold snap which included winds coming up from the Antarctic.

The day of the ride turned out to be a lovely day with temperatures in the high 20’s and a slight breeze, which aided the riders through the last section of the ride.

A great day was had by the participants, with a group of 15 who couldn’t wait to get to the BBQ supplied by the Avoca Lions Club, racing around the course to make sure they didn’t miss out.

They needn’t have worried as the club always has plenty of food for everyone.

This year there were a great number of riders who had entered early, and many who had rung to let me know they were attending the ride, but our team at the late entries table were kept busy with 56 riders being processed before the start.

With 162 starters, I am pleased to say that there were only 3 DNFs, one mechanical failure and one partner not game to finish without the other partner, with the mechanically unwilling bike. Finally, one with leg cramps.

This is a great result with 159 riders completing the course and being awarded brevets.

Only one minor incident post ride, with a finisher succumbing to dehydration. He was taken to hospital and put on a drip for a few hours, then released and back home again that night. The rider was 76 years of age and is still learning about hydration techniques.

A reminder for us all with the hot summer approaching. This made him the oldest rider that I know of to finish this year.

At the other end of the scale, young Alan Damen, 8 years old on a hitch bike with his father Hans, completed the ride for the third year. Dad is hoping for a little bit more of a growth spurt before next year’s event so they can move on to a tandem.

Completing the Weather Gods smile was the fact that exactly one week after the snow, there was a total fire ban, with temperatures in the 40’s.

Thank you to all participants, and we hope to see you all again next year.

Victoria Region

Northern Explorer

by Ray Watt, Shepparton

The Shepparton region conducted the Northern Explorer ride on the 11 November 2006. The weather was varied with SW winds and a little light rain on Sunday. On the final 80km to the finish at Shepparton the riders enjoyed a stiff tail wind so all were pleased with their time. There were 21 riders who started and all finished with time to spare. Most of the riders are intending to qualify for PBP and are now well on their way.

The entries were from all over Victoria and one from Sydney. Congratulations to all who completed the event and particularly those who rode their first 600km. All the best for PBP.

The local media gave plenty of exposure to the ride which attracted 162 riders. Clipping courtesy Maryborough Advertiser

Photo courtesy Pyrenees Advocate

16 Checkpoint Summer 2006/07

An Observer’s Perspectiveby Gabrielle Callaghan

When I first met my partner he talked of this thing called PBP and I in my ignorant state thought

firstly of the cake. So “what is PBP?” was swiftly followed by “what for?”. Discussions were welcome

(anything to talk about cycling) but his course was clear and I was about to get an education.

Initially it was easy. On the weekends I got a sleep in – he got a training ride. That was a win/win situation. I was happy to whip up a cooked breakfast afterwards and politely tuned out the duller parts of recounting the morning’s ride. But it all became more intense and intrusive as 2002 wore on to 2003. Soon a goodly chunk of Sunday was gone as it was the best day for a long ride. The cadence of our conversations changed and like it or not I was becoming an armchair expert.

Then the qualifiers started. Reluctantly I would drag myself out of bed to drop him off at Hornsby at 6am – how did I get conned into having the bike rack on my car? Although he was never really in a fit state to drive after completing a qualifier. Satisfied to have another step completed but always very tired. Not fit to be with either really – the windows in the car would be rolled down all the way home even at 3am in winter. There were a few small hiccups. The bushfires in Victoria meant the 2003 Alpine was cancelled and we changed to an Australia Day ride with the Mongrel Dogs. It was a stinker of a day and I broke the rules by pouring water over him on the side of the road in the afternoon. A ride in the Hunter was marked by spectacular thunderstorms. He retired from one qualifier with knee pain after fiddling with his seat post settings. We only had one topic of conversation and sometimes I got really sick of it. And finally he had qualified which meant we were really going to go to France after all. With a real holiday afterwards that did not include cycling.

The game plan was that he would go to France and do a two week group cycling tour first to get the legs moving and become acclimatised. I would join him for the second week. Nothing is ever so simple - he fell off

the (new) bike three weeks before departure, cracking the helmet, scratching the precious machine, spending a day in hospital and very lucky not to have done any lasting damage. But we got to France. Which was the cue for the carbon fibre seat post to crack. Every day the seat post would slide down. Every night the seat post would be raised, tightened and the crack grew larger. Eventually we had a rest day and the seat post was replaced so he was back on track.

Arriving at St Quentin was amazing. The buzz was palpable and it would take 45 minutes just to cross the foyer of the hotel as everyone stopped to catch up and swap notes (and I really did time it). Which lights, sports drinks, batteries, tales of qualifying woes, gears, what food, the plan of attack. This is (I think) for the most part a fairly solitary sport and this gathering of

true believers on foreign soil added to the excitement.

I had arranged a hire car for myself and said that I would be a camp follower for him – making sure I had the Endura, Jungle Juice and other foods etc. He would leave with the 90 hour group and I would follow on in the morning meeting him at Fougeres. I had offered my services to the group ferrying gear to Loudeac but they were not needed. That pleased me as it meant I was a free agent. I had the best night sleep that Monday – the whole bed to myself and no restless partner. Followed that with a lovely leisurely breakfast with the other non riding partners discussing what they were going to see in Paris. I must confess to a bit of jealousy at that point and slight wavering of resolve. But armed with maps, drinks, food and some clothes off I set.

PBP 2003

Dinner in the school hall at Villaines la Juhel - Keith Helyer and Peter Mathews in the foreground, enjoying a feed and chat with other weary looking Aussie riders.


Uh oh. Partner is not happy. He has set a cracking pace overnight and is way in front of where I/we expected. He also hasn’t had enough to eat – neglecting to refuel at one of the controls due to the queues. So we adjust the meeting point to the next control town - Tinteniac. All is busy, busy, busy at the control. It is a beautiful day and the whole place is a hive of activity. All the riders are still fresh and full of beans. I don’t have to wait too long before he shows up and we can do the water bottle thing, eat and send him on his way, slightly mollified. I start heading toward Loudeac avoiding the PBP route and promptly get lost. Using a clever combination of maps, divination, the afternoon sun and good luck I am soon on some other (not listed) route and eventually find myself in Loudeac driving around looking for the action. The Aussies are parked under a tree in the park next to the checkpoint, quietly relaxing and ticking off the riders coming through. So far only about 6 or 7 have gone through and all seems to be going fairly well with many electing to stop and catch some sleep.

Partner turns up having had a full on sprint into town – he wondered why the pace kept hotting up as this particular group of riders became more aggressive the closer

they got to Loudeac then realised it was the home team jockeying for position and line honours. Duh! I am starving, (it’s hard work getting lost) he is hungry too and with Steve Vessel doing the talking we manage to wangle dinner at the local pizza restaurant to the chagrin of the hostess. This turns out to be a bit of a mistake. The food is great, but it is too late in the day for my partner, with too long a break and probably too much food. So with all good intentions of riding straight through to Brest he can only manage a very slow time to Carhaix and a necessary 4 hours sleep.

As for me, I am also tired and heading for Brest only to find there is no accommodation in Brest. Nowhere. Anywhere. I also have no idea where the control is, have no local map and we are talking about a city here – not a country town. I end up sleeping in the car just parked somewhere downtown near a hotel. Early in the morning, with a rough clean up using “Wet Ones” I retrace my steps and spot some straggling cyclists who I duly follow to find the line of campervans leading to the control. But of course my partner is a long way behind having had a refreshing couple of hours sleep on a stretcher – the luxury! Being a girl after all I figure it must be time to go shopping at the

local centre. Time to post some extras back home (cash only at the post office), wash up in the bathroom still feeling very grubby, buy some trinkets and have a nice lunch.

At Brest the action has started to change. Although there is a real sense of achievement in the air of having made the halfway mark without major mishap, you can feel the edginess of the riders contemplating the return journey. They are getting tired now so the conversations have slowed a bit. The busy clicking of the cleats heard at Tinteniac is not a tap dance any more. I am surprised to find a bloke in the womens toilet (after 600km someone has finally realised that blokes have the edge in numbers and it is worth taking advantage of). It was the fact he was having a shave that made me wonder. Why would you lug shaving foam 1200km? Here I am able to be useful as another Australian rider asks me to carry some excess baggage back to St Quentin.

Share a meal with the partner and agree to meet in Carhaix. So far so good for him – a good sleep has been a big help. I am praying to the gods for a vacancy at a hotel and am in luck just beating another hopeful to get a lovely room with the sleeping area on a mezzanine level. I have a luvverly big soak

Tinteniac on the outward leg - Ross (standing) catches up with Peter Martin (sitting).


in the bath and feel wonderfully refreshed. A small stroll through the town late in the afternoon and then the partner turns up. He decides he will take the opportunity of a quick sleep in the hotel room with a real bed and pillow. He tells me the TV is too loud and keeping him awake. After ten minutes of his snoring I remember that he wanted me to film lots of clips as a memento of the ride. I forget to tell him about this particular clip and it comes as a nice surprise for him later. Around about midnight I send him on his way – we are just in time to redirect a rider leaving town on the wrong roundabout exit. Everyone is a little the worse for wear and the weather is getting very fresh as the hour gets later.

The next day I made a side trip to Bayeaux to fulfill a long held ambition to see the tapestry which was wonderful. No cyclists either. Then head on back to the ride. Once again (well rested) he has made really good pace through the night but has not eaten enough again and slows down considerably during the afternoon needing a catnap on the side of the road. So when I reach the route I decide to hang about on foot watching the riders pass through one of the towns late on Thursday afternoon. This is the first opportunity I have had to stand by and watch the progress of the ride as the supporters route directs me well away from the cyclists. What a sorry sight so many of them are now. There is a small climb up to an intersection and everyone is toiling ever so slowly to wait at the corner for the traffic to be stopped. Hear those gears! Exhaustion seems to increase the gradient. Heads are obviously getting heavy and I see some curious sights as the riders try to mitigate the pain: one hand holding up the head, cervical collars, a towel between the helmet and back rack. I am a welcome sight

to my partner as I am holding a cold can of coke and a banana. He scoffs the coke and shares the banana with Barry Stevenson who is riding by with Geoff Bray. I am also able to tell him it is only 12km to the next control which cheers him up a bit as he is longing for a rest by this stage.

My partner decides he needs another massage and a joke around with the volunteers at Villaines La Juhel. This has become a feature of most of his stops now and I think the massages really do make a difference but of course there is a fair bit of time wasting. This gives me ample opportunity to observe the worsening condition of the cyclists. They are, by and large, a pretty smelly bunch by now. Most have decided not to waste time on such social niceties as showers and life has become a fairly simple distillation of food, sleep and cycling as the clock ticks down. Their fatigue is obvious in their movements

and faces and goes with a slight anxiety as everyone is conscious of the demands they are placing on their body, and hoping the physical does not let them down. In the early stages of the ride you could hear the cleats clicking lightly and briskly but now they have a quite different rhythm and tone – more of a slow clunk really.

My partner sleeps here for a few hours and I am resigned to not having a bed of my own again this night. So while he accepts blankets and sets a wake up time from the giggly schoolgirls I go back to the car for a quick nap too. This is easier said than done as the car park is a hive of activity with supporters and their vehicles and the bike shop is open across the road doing repairs. After he leaves I try to go back to sleep but give it up as a bad job and head on to Mortagne.

It’s odd arriving in towns not having a clue where I should be heading. The supporters directions don’t mention where to go on arrival at the control towns. The single best pointer is always to follow the line of campervans. I am starting to obsess over the campervans. They look so comfortable. The thought of being able to have a nap when I need one (and a toilet!) or to make a cup of tea is so enticing – sigh. Anyway, I locate where the control is and crash out for a bit in the car. The scene inside the hall here is almost post apocalyptic. It is 4am and there are bodies everywhere. People are too exhausted to even go to the dortoir – they are asleep in their chairs, on the table, curled up on the concrete floor and one poor soul is even asleep in his bowl of spaghetti. I see riders eating pill cocktails. The toilets are rank. With this level of

After the ride in the gymnasium at Guyancourt.

Tim Laugher (right) dines with fellow Aussies in the school hall at Villaines la Juhel


exhaustion and physical exertion people are not digesting their food properly and things are not working quite as well as normally. My partner finally arrives and pinches my very girly polar fleece jacket again for a quick nap in the car.

It’s now that one of the Aussie riders finds me and asks for a lift home as he has decided to withdraw due to illness. I’m fine with that but we have to hang around for a bit and wait for my partner to wake up. We then have to wait quite a bit longer as he needs to go to the toilet and does not re-emerge. He swears to this day that he was not asleep – rather that it was a deep meditative state while sitting on the seat (erk!) Fortunately my restive passenger is available to venture into the mens loo and rouse him to action. Finally he is sorted out and sent on his way so we are able to load up the bike and head on back to St Quentin. My passenger very kindly buys me breakfast and fills the tank and we are both happy to see the hotel again so we can get cleaned up.

All that remains now is to wait for my partner to finish the ride. So after a pleasant day back at the hotel I head over to the gymnasium in the afternoon to watch and wait. Oh the war stories as the riders head in! Grown men with moist eyes! The adrenaline and satisfaction of finishing perks everyone right up and it is a golden afternoon with an orgy of congratulations. My partner finally arrives having managed to get a flat in the last 15km and I am very glad to see him. We all make dinner at the pizza restaurant and talk about the ride.

In the morning the hotel is full of bandy legged men and women waddling round complaining about their numb fingers and other extremities – but they are all very pleased with themselves and manage to talk some more about the ride before we all finish packing up and the hotel empties itself of Aussies for another four years.

Oh, and did I mention my partners name? Ross Theo, of Sydney.

Au revoir!

It’s Victoria’s most talked about ride...

‘Wow!’ said one. ‘Shit eh!’ said another. ‘Awesome, dude!’ chimed a third.

You’ve guessed it: it’s Bound for Baw Baw and it will be on again in 2007 on the customary first weekend in March.

For a most reasonable price, you get:• the opportunity to do 100km on Saturday through some of Victoria’s most

magnificent country• first class ride catering from the Haynes kitchens• the opportunity to challenge yourself on one of the steepest 7km on the planet

(alternatively, as the ride end is at the bottom of the climb, we can give you a lift up the final stretch to the village)

• overnight accommodation in Victoria’s sleepiest ski village• the option of a restaurant meal or self-catering in the lodge• breakfast of champions lovingly cooked by your dedicated organisers• a return trip on the bike on Sunday• excellent fellowship all through from riders and organisers

This is a most family-friendly ride. The rest of the family can drive direct to Baw Baw, meander the walking tracks and sip lattes while you punish yourself. Or you can take turns: one parent riding each day while the other is looked after by the youngsters.

It is a ride with a difference. Mark it in your diary now and be sure to book early as numbers are limited.

For details contact Martin/Libby Haynes on 03 5674 2157 / [email protected] or Barry/Callum Moore 03 9803 6529 / [email protected]

Bound for Baw Baw

Don’t miss out!

www.audax.org.auVisit today.

Venue Change - NSW Ride CalendarThe 150km Audax ride scheduled for 14 January 2007, departing from Hurstville,

has been changed to now start at Cooma.

Come and join us for a scenic ride cruising around Cooma. Starting at the Cooma Information Centre, the route will take us to Eucumbene (with a side trip to Lake Eucumbene) before heading to Jindabyne (and you guessed it - Lake Jindabyne!). From Jindabyne we will head directly to Cooma via Berridale. Expect a few bumps

on the course!

Contact Alan Dunn & Maria Matuszek on 02 9570 4964 or by email at [email protected]


Is snacking bad for your health?by Glenn Cardwell BSc, Grad Dip Diet, Grad Dip App Sc, APD, Sports Dietitian, Nutrition Consultant & Professional Speaker

As an endurance cyclist, it’s important to maintain your energy level whilst cycling. An obvious

way to do this is by snacking. But does the same logic apply for your normal day to day activities?

Glenn Cardwell explores.

Snacking is bad for your healthPopular wisdom would have you believe

that snacking through the day is bad for your health. You may even have grown up being told not to snack because it will “ruin your appetite” and make you fat. As usual, nutrition is more about what gets repeated rather than what is researched. Following is some of the science on snacking.

What is a snack ?That’s the problem. It is difficult to

define a snack. One sandwich is a snack for a labourer, but might be lunch for an office worker. We shall assume snacking is the regular consumption of food 4-8 times during the day. Sometimes a snack will replace a meal, sometimes it will be in addition to regular meals.

Is snacking fattening ?As a general rule, no. From a research

point of view, there is no evidence that the act of snacking will make you fat. There is little difference in total kilojoule intake when eating six times a day and when eating only two meals a day. Even overweight people seem to eat the same amount of kilojoules whether eaten in two meals or six snacks.

That might surprise those who skip a meal in an attempt to lose weight. It is popular to miss breakfast (that cup of black coffee is not counted) in the belief that missing a meal means you have ‘saved’ 500 Cals (2100 kJ). Those same people will swear that they eat more during the day when they eat breakfast. The problem we always face with food and eating is what others have referred to as “calorie amnesia”, that is, humans almost always under-report what they eat,

usually by 10-20%, which accounts for 300-500 Cals (1250-2100 kJ). Overweight people tend to forget up to 80% of what they eat, that’s an average of 1300 Cals (5440 kJ) or two substantial meals. So it becomes difficult to rely on subjective responses to questions about food intake and snacking behaviour, especially in those who consider snacking inherently ‘bad’.

To avoid this, people are placed in metabolic wards with calorimetry chambers for an accurate determination of energy consumed and expended. This also presents a problem as human behaviour changes when they are observed (imagine living in a 2m x 2m x 2m cubicle with bed, TV, fridge, toilet, basin and exercise bike while someone logged everything you ate – very intimidating and hardly a normal environment).

Not everyone agrees that snacking has a minimal effect on obesity. Some researchers believe that snacks are additional kilojoules to the body and are not compensated for at the next mealtime. Whatever, it makes common sense to wisely choose the type and amount of food to snack upon as this will probably have a far greater influence on body fat than whether you snack or not.

Is snacking a metabolism booster?When you eat, your metabolic rate rises

as the digestive process burns kilojoules (known as the thermic effect of food, or TEF). This has led the pop-nutritionists to claim that snacking is a metabolism booster, therefore ideal for weight control. What they can’t understand is some basic maths – if you, say, eat 1000 kJ, which induces your

Glenn Cardwell

metabolism to rise and burn an extra 200 kJ, how does that help weight loss as you are still 800 kJ in the red? If you don’t burn that 800 kJ during the day, it ends up on your bum, or worst still for your health, on your waist. Excess fat around the middle sends you into diabetes and heart attack territory.

Anyway, there is some evidence that four meals creates a higher metabolic rate than just one meal a day, probably due the extra time spent on digestion. So, all things being equal, snacking could help in weight control. But, be warned, there is also research showing no difference on the metabolic rate between snackers and those eating three meals a day. One possible advantage of snacking is that it reduces the hunger peaks, so you don’t over-eat at meal times. We have all experienced extreme hunger so you eat whatever the vending machine offers rather


than taking the time to make a sandwich. Of course, young children, teenagers and athletes would not be able to eat enough kilojoules without snacking. They eat all day long, with kids having the appetite of a lumberjack straight after school.

Will snacking make you thinner ?It may, but this will depend on what you

snack on; not whether you snack or not. The ‘three meals a day’ folk are often more overweight than snackers, but that is because overweight people cut out snacks in an effort to lose weight. If you want to keep snacking and control your weight, then choose lower fat snacks. Clearly fruit, low-fat yogurt, and salad sandwiches are a smarter choice than cream cake and sausage rolls.

Is snacking good for health ?Even as early as 1963, there was evidence

that eating 10 snacks, rather than three meals, resulted in lower blood cholesterol levels. All subsequent research on healthy people has confirmed that snacking has either a neutral or a lowering effect on blood cholesterol (although this effect hasn’t been seen in people with high blood cholesterol; if your blood cholesterol is high you will have to rely on more conventional dietary methods such as eating less saturated fat and losing any excess flab around the waist).

How can snacking lower blood cholesterol?One theory is that snacks mean a smaller

rise in blood glucose compared to bigger meals, therefore there is less insulin in the blood. As insulin stimulates the production of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMGCoA) reductase, one of the rate limiting enzymes in cholesterol production by the liver, less insulin may mean less HMGCoA reductase, which in turn means cholesterol being made. (Note: this is the same enzyme targeted by statin drugs that lower blood cholesterol).

There is evidence that an afternoon snack improves memory and attention. Many readers will attest to the mid-afternoon slump and the need for a snack. Well, it just may be the pick-me-up you need.

Nutrition tipIt is estimated that half of all adults snack

(or ‘graze’) through the day. Snacking has become a normal activity. It’s not whether you snack or not, it is about what you eat when you snack. Choose sensible snacks, and look after your fangs, and you will remain healthy and live long.

The Audax Club of Australia Inc – Association A0014462NPO Box 12144 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne 8006

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

to be held at

BRIGHT SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE, COBDEN ST, BRIGHT, VICTORIA, 3.00PM, FRIDAY, 26 JANUARY 2007

The meeting is being held in Bright on the Australia Day holiday, the day immediately before the Audax Alpine Classic. Please come along to hear the reports on the activities of your club in the past year and participate in the election of representatives to the National Executive Committee

And remember that ALL Committee positions are open for nomination. Use the nomination form sent to members with the 2006-07 rides calendar.

AGENDA

1. Apologies2. Minutes of Previous Meeting3. President’s Report4. Treasurer’s Report5. Election of Office Bearers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Committee Members (x4) 6. General Business7. Meeting Close

Enquiries: Greg Cunningham 02-6288 6997 or [email protected]

Ian Boehm

Audax Australia is setting up a database of people who intend to take part in Paris-Brest-Paris 2007. This will be used to notify people of important updates on qualifying, entry requirements and relevant travel information. If you intend to qualify for PBP 2007 please register with us, even if you are not sure yet if you will go to Paris. To register your interest in participating in Paris-Brest-Paris 2007 you must email us at [email protected]. In your registration email, please include the following information as a minimum:

Given name, surname, a postal address, suitable telephone number(s) to contact you, your Audax membership number and any other email address that can be used to contact you.

To minimise administrative effort and costs we want to use electronic communications, including to send out entry forms. We are aware that not all Audax members use email and some others may not be subsribers to this magazine. If you know such a PBP aspirant please ask them to send us a letter. (PO Box 12144, A’Beckett Street, Melbourne VIC 8006)

Many registrations have already been received (I have 73) and Hans Dusink has some to pass on to me. If you are unsure, feel free to send a brief message to [email protected] asking if you are on the list.

PBP 07: Interested?


Bol D’Or The Bol D’Or (Golden Bowl) is just one of the many track races that Oppy competed in during his heyday.

Checkpoint is honoured to bring to you an extract from Oppy’s autobiography, Pedals, Politics and

People. We take up the story shortly before Oppy learns about his participation in the 24 hour event.

By now appearances in a variety of road, tandem-paced criteriums, six-day and motor paced races earned a designation of “The maid of all work” but some journalists had begun to query the prospects of me ever winning. “A true champion must also have good luck on his good days but Oppy always has bad luck” grumbled one. I had no desire to be an eternal placegetter and I was not responsible for my mishaps. When each set-back was analysed it was a misfortune unrelated to any personal fault, but nevertheless I did not wish to become Opperman, the “excuse man”. It is, of course, a universal human trait to be illogical when impatient, and those friendly French critics were impatient for me to confirm some of their superlatives. L’Auto, perhaps from Desgrange’s gratitude that the Australians had fortuitously reprieved his 22nd Tour, remained a firm supporter.

However, it was with some embarrassment I read a leading article headed, “Opperman an example from far-away”. It read, “It is long since the Antipodes have sent us such a champion. Recall Spears if you like, but what a difference. To Spears everything was easy - his finishing powers to wheel enabled him to overwhelm ordinary champions in such a way that the spectator came to regard him as irresistible. He was too big for us. What a height. What a figure. A racer, yes, but a racer multiplied. And what becomes of the racer? Very little. Everything attracts him except the hard work of training. Form quickly diminishes, defeat impairs his frame. Irregularity of performance becomes the rule of his life. He goes down slowly; it is the end. With the other, on the contrary, nothing prominent, nothing fantastic. Under ordinary circumstances he would pass unnoticed on his first appearance. No height, strength, figure, muscles or style whatever. His debut was quite unsensational. There was no enthusiasm for him. His successes were mediocre and the question was asked, ‘Why did Australia send him to us?’ Beaten everywhere. But meantime admiration grew at each attempt.

At each defeat he became bigger in the eyes of those who saw, who knew and who judged. He accepted for every distance, every tour, every form of test and in each of them gave the impression of his ability to triumph. Badly trained, badly helped, a victim of those circumstances which lay in wait for the non-specialist, he was compelled to bow to defeat, but the people proclaimed him because this little giant always fought it out right to the end, a thing to which the French are not accustomed. Take the Tour de France. He was a lonely rider in charge of a family. Mediocre performers were paced by him. He had no one to help him - alone, against all, yet he finished the course. One hour behind big motors. He follows badly. He was dropped often, he comes back always. Not a lapse. Not one second of discouragement. His motor fails. He swings on to another which he finds. The pacemaker, Manera, commits a thousand follies as though to strangle him. He follows all the movements. He does not protest. The moral winner, he is beaten by less than a lap. He is happy just the same. Bravo. He is offered a ride in the 6-days. We speak of him as an outsider with the number 21. After all his races we do not think he will attend. He does. He reaches the front. His team mate unfit, abandons. He continues for 18 hours alone and against all. When at last he is joined by a companion, they take back the lap they have lost. And this without noise, without boasting, without outward manifestations. He finishes 3rd. He is now on the 24-hours, with all his resources. Perhaps he will triumph although he will surely figure, always smiling and always hanging on. Never despairing, he loves hard work. Compare a Parisot and an Opperman in the course of their last encounter, a Parisot who in the last 10 years commits the same faults. No control, no courage, no head. It is for the French cyclists that henceforth for you I propose the example of Opperman who merits truly all our esteem.”

My eyes blinked like an Aldis lamp at that. It was, though, rather rough on Spears,

who had given magnificent performances in Europe, but true to his amiable nature, he merely observed the next time I met him, “I deserved it all.” Too, it was not just to Watson and Osborne who finished ahead of many high-ranking Continentals. Nevertheless, it would be incorrect to claim that there was not some satisfaction at having achieved these compliments. I had arrived in France content in the knowledge I could worship at the altar of pedalling performance, never assuming I would be made one of its high priests.

The 24-hour event to which the article referred was the Bol D’Or. I almost missed starting in it. My European cycling concentration had been on the Tour and when Robert Coquelle requested my presence I thought it to be a 24-hours’ team event on 6-day lines, particularly as Urago was mentioned as a starter. Coquelle’s face mirrored extreme disappointment when I informed him in French, which was the wonder and delight of listeners, I intended to have a nice long rest. With the race just a week away he became desperate and contacted Bruce in Berlin. I opened a telegram from Bruce reading, “Enter for the Bol D’or - will be down to see you through.” I looked for Rene de Latour and he interpreted race conditions for me in English. I found it was clothed in tradition having, like the Tour, been held on 22 occasions, was paced by tandems and triplettes, and required individual effort for a continuous 24-hours. From gun-to-gun, laps lost through whatever cause were marked as a debit. Track bicycles with front forks reversed and a 24-inch front wheel fitted for better shelter, as in motorpacing, were used.

Joe Torcin surfaced again, and despite my gastronomic pillaging of his 6-day culinary profits, wished to be helpful. He had, he said, been soigneur to seven Bol D’or contenders, including Honore Barthlemy, last year’s winner. He was ready to place this unique and vast experience at my disposal. I informed him that while reluctant to refuse his good offices, I felt that Bruce would know better

Pedals, Politics and People - Extracts from the autobiography of Sir Hubert Opperman


than anyone else possibly could how to gauge the rise and fall of my pedals. We agreed that while we lacked the actual knowledge of Bol D’or tactics, the sum total of our experiences to date would help us overcome that deficiency. Jae Torcin most generously and sportingly gave me as many background details as I could absorb, including some of the more indelicate ones. He strongly advised stringent control over the more frequent bodily functions. “Be the last one to descend,” he advised. “That way you can gain a couple of laps over the first ones who have been a bit slow.” I passed this practical detail on to Bruce. “Well,” he replied, with the instant time-and-motion instinct of the efficient business leader, “why get off at all? You don’t in a road race.” “But,” I protested, “in those we use free wheels, legs don’t turn down the slopes, and anyhow, there’s always a co-operative type to give a push if you begin to slow. In the Bol D’or I’m on a fixed wheel and it is impossible.” “How do you know for sure?” he responded. “Have you tried?” So I did try out on the lesser used highways when training on a fixed wheel and after some tentative essays became reasonably adept. Between this and the prior preparations with Rene de Latour concerning pacemakers, food, varied clothing and bicycle spares, little thought had been given to what 24-hours’ non-stop pedalling would entail, That is, until I laboriously interpreted L’Auto’s preamble to the event.

“This Bol D’or,” it gloomily outlined, “conducted on the Velodrome at Monterouge bears no resemblance to a Bol D’or disputed on the old Buffalo track. The Old Buffalo track was 333 metres in wood, the present track of 500 metres is of rough enough cement. The effort imposed is very much greater and the nature of the track multiplies for the riders the shocks which makes most unhappy their drive on the pedals. After some hours the work is extremely arduous and is the reason for them losing so many laps, and discourages them until they abandon.” That, of course, made me “to think” as the French say. My imagination leapt back to the depressing hours of the 1927 24-hours from Mt. Gambier to Melbourne. I wondered how many laps I would slip back were I to flounder as I had during the long drawn-out culminating hours of that affair. I thought of the legendary wheelmen who had won the Bol D’or, Gaston Riviere, Emile Georget, Rene Pottier and Oscar Egg, and wondered if they had been cursed with the same apprehensions which plagued

my pre-race start. “Courage,” jollied Bruce, “remember it’s not as far as the Tour.”

At 11pm the starter’s gun sent the 12 entrants sprinting for their pacemakers. During the first hour fresh ones took over every few laps and the track became confused with yelling tandemists, triplettes and riders sorting into positions. During one melee, I struck a rear wheel and hung upright on a lifeline of sheer luck, as my handlebars slewed out of centre. Reluctant to lose laps by dismounting, I was eased into last when the steering changed direction on every bend. Then the chain broke, and I freewheeled to my spare. Its handlebars, too, were loose. They were quickly tightened but I was three laps down when again I applied pressure in an endeavour to win them back. Then the second chain broke. Both chains examined later showed links filed down to tissue paper thickness. Someone had made a sabotaging entrance into my cabin during the afternoon. A French lad raced to his bicycle to detach and cut his chain to length. Bruce, whitefaced with fury, said, “You’re down ten laps now, Op. Quick, grab Rene’s road bike until I can fix this blasted chain.” It had mudguards, a lamp, a brake, a freewheel and a low gear, and I lost one lap in six. Every time this happened, the spectators became vocally hostile to my opponents. They blamed one of them as the culprit and poured a storm of Gallic hate over all. Finally, my track machine was ready, with the comforting roll of the big gear again under the saddle. I was now 17 laps down on Achille-Souchard, twice road champion of France. “Allez, allez,” I pleaded with my pacers, but dispirited they shook their heads despondently, shrugged, and said, “Mal chance, Oppy, it is finished for you.” “Bruce!” I yelled, as we cruised past. “Tell some new teams I need speed - give them a blast.”

During the next few laps as I passed my camp, I could see Bruce looking as though he were urging a charge on the Bastille. Whatever he said, and however he said it, had an instant and miraculous effect. They relayed with machine-like precision and worked like galley slaves. At around 10 hours, I was in second position, and only Souchard four laps in front. As the journalists noted, I had not dismounted since the start, except for mishaps, when quick remounting was the sole consideration. Now though, nature was demanding attention, and while I longed to halt, I rebelled at giving away any more precious laps to a quarry I had pursued for

nine hours. My mind revolved faster than my legs around Torcin’s advice, Bruce Small’s counsel, my road training proficiency, and a modicum of modesty. Finally necessity triumphed. “Doucement, doucement” (slowly slowy), I said to my puzzled pacemakers, until they sighted, as did the crowd with its spontaneous approving roar, evidence of a quite extraordinary reduction of bodily fluid gleaming around the track. At 12 hours - halfway - with 340 miles covered, I was in front six-and-a-half miles ahead of Oscar Egg’s record. A big “prime” was announced for that, but money could not return energy and freshness into limbs overstretched so early by the long pursuit of the leaders. The opposition camps watched hawklike, ready to attack were my sag line to dip lower than their own. Bowl of Gold history was profuse with stories of second-half crackups and this record-breaking first half read like a recipe for certain disaster. It felt like it, too. From the 12th to the 17th hour I was in a slough of monotonous movement. In the humid summer air Mouton, never more than a few laps away, confident from his last year’s second, remorselessly dogged my wheels, waiting for their drift into retarding doldrums. We all shuffled around from top to bend of the handlebars, wriggled on saddles, called for more food and drink than we needed, just to break with some variation the infernal turning to the left. Bruce was always busy on the trackside. He had adjusted the pacing positions with the biggest rider on the back and the smallest on the front, to the benefit of my shelter. The best available teams were taken over from those who had abandoned. Records were still tumbling. When they did, I had the inspiration of the crowd’s delight with ‘their lilting jingle of, “Allez, allez, allez, allez, Opperman, allez allez, allez, allez, Opperman, allez, Vasey, allez, allez, allez, allez, Opperman.” To be at last in front in a Continental classic - to feel that a dream was almost a reality and to hear this musical roar - was to be lifted to the Elysium heights of pedalling endeavour.

Humidity lightened as the sun dipped, legs swung with the ease of early hours and poor Mouton, now trailing so far back, was destined for another second place. A front tyre blew out with half an hour to go but there was no concern for he was almost 11 miles away. As I sat and waited for the spare machine, it was announced that this was the first dismount for 17 hours. Bruce ran alongside as I slowly pushed away. “You are ahead of the 1000 kilometre record, Op. You can break

Pedals, Politics and People - Extracts from the autobiography of Sir Hubert Opperman


Canola Canter

It was another record year for the Canola Canter, held in Wagga Wagga NSW. Pictured from top to bottom: Lionel Harmer showing the results of his close encounter with the bitumen at the 95km mark; 50km starters - L-R Wendy Hodge, Desley Gilmore, Mark Berndtt, Monica O’Malley, Lesley Kennedy, Jan Marks, Ann Harvey, Alison Makin; Petrina Quinn (200km finish).

it. I have the pacemakers ready. The track management want it.” To my eternal shame I protested against this. Bouquets and bed were my dreams of 30 minutes ahead and as the gun and the cheers signalled the end of 24 hours, I drifted to a stop and said “No” more emphatically than a Russian envoy with a Kremlin brief. Bruce persisted, “You’re wasting time, Op. Look, I’ve grabbed the best teams from every camp. It will be easy. Remember the Tour. You won’t feel any more tired tomorrow than you are now.” The logic was irrefutable, the prospect unpalatable. So I sat mute and immovable until dear old Simar, the track guardian, took me by the shoulders and said, “He is so right, Oppy. Look, I cry for you. It is so hard, but you must go on. Listen, they sing for you.” And, sure enough, from the great stands around the big track once more rose the chorus of, “Allez, allez, allez, Opperman!”

I felt then the Welsh Rugby team thrill and response to Land of our Fathers, and inspired, I pulled up my straps and bent over, in streamlined effort for another hour and 19 minutes. Curiously enough it was not so hard after all. A clear track, crisp air and five magnificent teams, left me with no more feeling of fatigue in having covered 625 miles than had I experienced at 585. I had no time for recuperation from the unavoidable drain of sleepless hours after midnight and as after the Australian 24 hours I felt as flat as a run-down battery. But I had newspapers to visit, articles to write, contracts to sort out and invitations to answer. I was asked to be starter for the annual classic Criterium of Aces, raced around the road perimeter of Longchamps racecourse, and to be principal guest amongst newspaper proprietors at the prior luncheon in the Bois de Bologne.

The newspaper comments were extraordinarily magnanimous towards the stranger in their midst. L’Auto said, “If it had but sewed to reveal to us a brilliant champion, a new cycling marvel, Hubert Opperman, the Bol D’Or 1928 would deserve to have been organized; because the victory of Opperman was the best sporting thing we have witnessed for a long time. The celebrated Australian, after having broken down the resistance of Belloni, Bartheliemy, Souchard etc., who gave up in a state of complete exhaustion, undertook a terrible struggle against Sellier Mouton and Huot who remained. Halfway through the race Oppy had the issue in his hands. How many riders would have been satisfied with such a success but this Tour de France man, this Australian marvel, the rider with the heart of a lion, wanted to go one better. He attacked the old record, one

of the most respected times among cycling records. At the 18th hour of the race, H. Opperman commenced to beat Pottier’s record established on the older Buffalo, and never ceased to be master of the time until the end of the race. Opperman will carry back to Australia one of the most beautiful European trophies and his victory crowns a season without equal in all branches of racing. Oppy in an extreme sporting humour wanted to round off his victory by continuing after the end of the Bol D’Or to the 1000 kilometres”.

L’1ntransigeant’s headline was, “Les 1 000 kilometres du phenomene, Opperman”. I almost made world headlines in another way, and in another sphere. Gene Tunney was in Paris and as I sped down a narrow street to L’Auto and steered around a big pile of road screenings, he carelessly stepped off the footpath directly in front of me. Had I struck him he would have reckoned Jack Dempsey had a featherweight punch, but despite my shock of instant recognition I switched as though on a hinged machine and so missed a magnificent opportunity of bowling over the world’s heavyweight champion! The instant press coverage brought immediate contracts for road, motorpace and track races in France, Belgium, Italy and Germany. They demanded long tiring train journeys and my weary frame made only token appearances, marked more by incident than success.

One such was on the half-mile Parc de Prince track, so wide that eight starters commenced in one motorpaced race. I became one of them in a 100 kilometre event. The start of such was always thrilling, with the eight 14-horse power Anzani motors roaring off the bank as they dropped in front of their riders, all desperately anxious to hit the front early and avoid the turbulent air which swirled from the closely packed high-speed motors. To be away early had been impressed upon me and as I sighted my black leather-jacketed pacer I left my saddle, leaned forward over my handlebars, yelled, “Allez” and wound up my big gear. My breath was gasping in and out like a bellows, when an extra violent exhalation picked up my top denture and shot it out on to the track. I was horrified and every impulse was to stop and run back for a rescue. The thought of my meagre enough face being further slenderized by the loss of these artificial masticators was devastating; as we passed the spot each time I had far more thought for their crunching under the pounding motorcycle wheels or a possible puncture, for a cyclist, than any success in the race. When the agony had ended, I ran back to the approximate

landing place, allowing for speed and trajectory. A sympathetic crowd began to call from the fence, and I caught the word, “Police”. Sure enough, they had been picked up in three pieces by a gendarme, tenderly taken to the office in a handkerchief, and believe it or not, with a volunteer already standing by to take me to a dentist, who as a special complimentary gesture, vulcanized them together that same evening. Reprinted with kind permission of Ian Opperman.


The Snowy Epic: A few hills by Peter Heal, ACT Region

The Snowy Mountains are a beautiful place during summer and early autumn. Cycling in the area

can be challenging, as there are a few hills. The past three years, I have organised a challenging

ride doing the grand loop around the Snowy Mountains from Jindabyne taking in the towns of

Berridale, Adaminaby, Cabramurra, Khancoban, Thredbo and lots of stunning alpine scenery.

The first year 2004, as a non-Audax ride, 12 or so riders set out at Easter to ride the whole 330km course in one go. Only two riders completed that year with a following support vehicle managing food and clothing as the temperatures dropped during the night. That first year the ride went in an anti clockwise direction and this meant some shops were closed by the time riders got to them. It also meant a brutal climb up Round Mountain from Khancoban.

In 2005 as an official Audax ride, the full 330km was attempted with six riders entered. The ride went in a clockwise direction which made use of open shops and seemed less demanding in terms of hills. One rider withdrew at the start line. One at Khancoban and one at the top of Dead Horse Gap. Three riders battled on and were heard to mutter afterwards comments like “the toughest ride I’ve ever done”.

This year (2006), the ride was split into two separate Audax rides, a 200km Saturday from Jindabyne to Khancoban and a 100km Sunday from Khancoban to Jindabyne. This all looked a much more sensible but still challenging weekend of riding.

Accommodation had been arranged in lodges at both Jindabyne and Khancoban and several weeks out there were at least 15 or so riders keen to ride.

The usual attrition rate in the weeks before reduced numbers considerably and a cold front sweeping over the area in the week before dropping snow to 900 metres frightened a few more off. The weather forecast even the day before was not encouraging, but we had to go even if it meant just riding around Jindabyne.

Well, it pays to never trust a weatherman (Hi Ian B) as the forecast seemed to be a day late and the mucky weather cleared out the Friday night leaving clear skies but low temperatures.

In the end, five riders set off early Saturday morning from Jindabyne in the pre dawn coolness.

The ride through Berridale and across to Adaminaby was in glorious sunshine though still chilly. There were great views as we climbed the Great Divide out towards the Lake Ecumbene and the Southern border mountains of the ACT. Snow was seen on distant peaks but there was no evidence of any by the roads. At Adaminaby we were met by our trusty support crew, Matt and David Elliston in the camper who dispensed hot drinks, cake, etc.

After Adaminaby (85km) the “hills” start, firstly climbing up to the Kiandra plateau and then the various hills past Mt Selwyn and over “Kings Cross” to Cabramurra (104km).

Still no snow to be seen even at 1,600 metres and the sun was still out.

At Cabramurra, Matt and David handed out cuppas and cake from the camper and the steak sandwiches from the Cabramurra store were pretty good.

No time to waste here as there was still “some hills” to come.

There’s a glorious descent of around 12km to Tumut dam after Cabramurra with spectacular views across distant ranges and the very empty dam. Unfortunately, what

Flagman explaining “You should’a been here yesterday - it was a blizzard”. Photo by Peter Heal


goes down, must go up again and the climb out the other side is very steep approaching 9-10% in some sections. Twiddling away in low gears was the best approach for me with stops when the heart rate approached the red-line. After the summit, the ride across the snow plains is nice with a few ups and downs. Most of the vegetation and snow gums were incinerated in the January 2003 fires and will take many years to rejuvenate itself if at all.

There’s a sign at the top of Round Mountain saying “Trucks use low gear” and this indicates the start of endless downhills punctuated by a couple of energy sapping climbs.

The “roo detector” was activated to full ahead on these descents as the shadows lengthened with a few scares as Skippy took to the roadsides scrub. Matt in the camper hit one later on the same road. The temperature went up the closer one got to Khancoban (206km) now down at about 300 metres or so.

Finding Verandah Camp Lodge in Khancoban was a bit of a challenge particularly when the ride organiser put a different name on the route instructions. One rider was delivered from the pub in the back of a ute by some helpful local girls. The lodge was large and quite comfy. The meal at the local country club was an all you can eat affair and seamed to hit the spot.

Sunday’s 114km to Jindabyne was sure to be a challenge considering the climbs of Scamel’s Spur, Geehi to Tom Groggin and finally Dead Horse Gap.

Now down to four riders we pedalled off in cool but sunny conditions soon to be searching for low gears as the climb starts just out of Khancoban.

Fantastic views towards the snow covered Main Range from Scammel’s Spur lookout was a good reason for a break, however there was no time to waste with the riding

average below 15kmh at this point. Long sweeping downhills followed past inspiring outlooks.

A short break and some photos at Geehi camping area and then it was back into climbing mode towards Tom Groggin (54km) at the base of the Dead Horse Gap climb. 1,000metres of climbing in 18 kilometres is a challenge in anyone’s book and reaching the top at Dead Horse Gap just under 2 hours later deserved a “yee hah” from this rider anyway. Average speed for me was under the minimum 15km/h at this point but I hoped to make up some time on the long descents past Thredbo and Penderlea. The actual 100km point is Penderlea station some 14km from Jindabyne and I was able to make it here about 4 minutes inside the Audax time cut off. The remaining 14km to Jindabyne took about another 20 minutes and the bakery had some good tucker for sitting in the sun.

Two riders decided there was no hope in reaching Jindabyne within time so had a feed and coffees in the Thredbo Village square rolling in a couple of hours later.

So, no one actually finished the 114km within the 6 hour 20 minute time frame on this day.

A more sensible approach for day 2 of this Epic would be to finish the Audax part of the ride at Penderlea at 100km on the knocker then continue to Jindabyne at a more leisurely pace.

Stats from my GPS for each day were:

Yes I know the ascending and descending doesn’t add up, but it’s close. I would round out the total climbing to 7,000 metres over the 330km loop.

All in all, one of the best weekends of Audax riding I’ve ever done.

Not far now. Peter heads for Adaminaby. Photo by David Elliston

Peter enjoys a break and a play with the camera, capturing the wide open plains of the Snowies.

Ian Humphries, ‘Mr Recumbent’, cruising along. Photo by David Elliston

Snowy Epic Statistics

Day 1206km

4,704m of descending3,834m of climbing

Average elapsed speed = 22km/h

Day 2114km

2,937m of climbing2,660m of descending

Average elapsed speed = 16km/h


The New VanIsle 1200kThe Randonneur Spirit On Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada (July 5-9, 2006)

by Lawrence Midura, New York Randonneurs

As the popular traveller phrase states: “Getting there is half the fun!” Well, the BC ferry trip from Vancouver to Victoria to the ride-start satisfies that sense of adventure. Before the pumping starts, the randonneur is treated to the spectacle of Canada’s newest national park known as Gulf Islands National Park. It is the experience viewing the marine landscape of rocky headlands, forested hills, shorelines of colorful tidepools, and occasional whale sightings.

Thirty-six randoneurs from Canada, USA and Germany assembled in Victoria’s seaside village of Oak Bay for a 3am, Wednesday, July 5, start under mostly clear skies, and temperatures of 13˚C. Vancouver Island has the most moderate climate in Canada, hence making it an ideal destination for a 1200km randonnee. Usually, maximum daytime temperatures are 22˚C and lowest temperatures 11̊ C. Furthermore, the sun provides 16 daylight hours for riding without lights – sunrise 5:18am, sunset 9:18pm – with twilight at 4:30 am and in the evenings until 10pm.

Vancouver Island is the largest North American Island in the Pacific Ocean. It is 450km in length, and 100km wide, with a mountainous spine that runs its entire length. The mountains become fjords along its west coast. The highest point on the island is Mt. Golden Hinde at 7218 ft/2200 m. which is to the west of the cycling route – not visible to randonneurs during the ride.

The new VanIsle 1200k is a variation of the classic Vancouver Island 1000k route known as the “Hare & Tortoise 1000k” which has existed for years. The two significant differences of the new 1200k route are: •the 1200k starts with a counterclockwise

loop and finishes with a clockwise loop 100km around Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula of rolling hills; and

• the 1200k route at the 141km point diverges off the main inland Highway #1 into the coastal Cowichan region of seaside communities known as Malahat, Mill Bay,

Cowichan Bay, numerous Indian Reserves, Maple Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Ladysmith.The BC classic Hare & Tortoise 1000k

route and the new VanIsle 1200k share the same three major summit climbs of •Malahat (350m) at 113 km outbound and

1089km inbound• Roberts Lake (310m) at 400km outbound

and 830km inbound; and• the climbing between Sayward Junction

and Woss (424m) at 450km outbound and 735km inbound.

Total altitude gain of the VanIsle 1200k is approximately 9000m, whereas the Hare & Tortoise 1000k is 8300m.

This randonneur chose to cycle the VanIsle 1200k in the following three segments: • Oak Bay start to Sayward Junction 441km• Sayward Junction to Port Hardy

turnaround and back to Woss 274 km • Woss to Oak Bay finish 490km.

The actual ride began with a loop into Victoria’s downtown Inner Harbour near the famous Empress Hotel, then beyond Laurel Point, and emerging on the Scenic Marine Drive onto Dallas Road, and eventually Beach Drive for the sounds and sights of the Pacific Ocean. Then into the suburban neighborhoods and country roads of the Saanich Peninsula which led us to the quaint tourist town of Sidney-by-the-Sea. The Saanich area gets its name from the British Columbia First (Indian) Nations word meaning “elevated” or “upraised” land. Currently it includes an area north of Victoria consisting of beaches, farmlands,

wetlands, and country lanes juxtaposed against a densely populated suburbia and an international airport.

Upon completion of the 100km counterclockwise Saanich start loop, we proceeded onto Highway #1 toward our first major climb up forested Malahat Drive northbound. At the summit viewpoint we were treated with a spectacular view of the Finlayson Arm and the Saanich inlet, as well as glimpses of the Gulf Islands which were seen at sea-level on the ferry ride from Vancouver. A 10km descent delivered us to the south Vancouver Island region known the “ Cowichan.”

The name “Cowichan” means land warmed by the sun in the language of the local First (Indian) Nations tongue. Mill Bay was the first community visited in this coastal region of gentle country roads and panoramic ocean views. The Cowichan region is recognized as the heart of Vancouver Island’s growing wine country. About fourteen wineries exist in this valley, along with numerous golf courses, galleries and country boutiques. The feeling here was very similar to that of the artsy, laid-back Mill Valley community of the San Francisco Bay Area of the USA.

Our northward journey brought randonneurs along the streets of Chemainus, still part of the Cowichan region. Many buildings of Chemainus are painted outside with murals depicting the town’s history. After passing through the next Cowichan community of Ladysmith, we arrived at the big harbour city of Nanaimo with a population of about 73,000. Nanaimo is Vancouver Island’s

Canada

Any qualified randonneur of the world should add this event to his or her wish list

for future grand randonnees.


second largest city surrounded by coastal rainforests, oceanviews and mountain ranges, as well as a mild, sunny climate.

Beyond Nanaimo was another seaside region known as the Oceanside communities of Nanoose Bay, Parksville and Qualicum Beach. From Qualicum Beach it was possible to see the snow-capped peaks of the mainland Coastal Mountains which are the home of the Whistler/Blackcomb Ski Areas - a future 2010 Winter Olympics venue. In fact, the small community known as Qualicum Bay was probably my favourite scenic area passed both outbound and inbound along the entire VanIsle 1200k route. Quaint seaside restaurants and quiet beaches were reminiscent of coastal Maine of the USA.

An interesting side-note has to do with the name “Arbutus” encountered along the entire route in various communities. There seemed to be a street name or business name or other public use name using the word “Arbutus.” Apparently, the usage is attributed to the Arbutus Tree. It is only found on the West Coast of North America, and is Canada’s only evergreen hardwood. The environmentalists say its growth is concentrated on the east coast and southern tip of Vancouver Island, as well as the Gulf Islands and a few mainland locations.

Campbell River, a city with a population of about 29,000, was reached by most randonneurs by 9-10pm, Wednesday. Beyond Campbell River was the second major climb towards Roberts Lake. It was a very gradual uphill similar to the moderate climb up Luther Pass from Markeleville,

How can so much natural beauty exist where the ocean meets the sky

in just one place on planet Earth?

The second day riding segment began with a group of six riders at 6am from Sayward Junction on Highway #19. Immediately a steep climb was encountered amidst light rain, but the drizzle made the climb comfortable. Unfortunately, the nearby peak to the west known as Mt. Cain (1804m) within Schoen Lake Provincial Park was not visible due to low cloud cover. It seemed that the climbing from Sayward Junction toward Woss continued for about 35km. This was probably the most difficult climbing segment of the entire ride, both outbound and inbound. By the time the Woss Control at 512km was reached, the light rain has ceased.

However, within 50km of the outbound turn-around control at Point Hardy, a steady rain re-appeared. It rained outbound to Port Hardy, and inbound also the same distance of about 50km south from Point Hardy. The feeling of the environment in Port Hardy was very similar to what this randonneur experienced in south-east Alaska communities many years ago. Ironically, Port Hardy, with a population of 5000, is British Columbia’s gateway to Alaska’s Inside Passage, as well as the northern terminus of the Vancouver Island (inland) Highway #19.

Inbound about 75km south of Port Hardy, skies were clear while passing Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park. The west side of Nimpkish Lake is surrounded by the Karmutzen Mountain Range. The snow-covered peaks of Mt. Tlakw (2963 m) glistened in the late afternoon sun. It was quite majestic! The pristine, alpine views made the memory of the recent Port Hardy rain disappear.

highway network of Highway #1, and cycling was mostly along the shoulder of that highway. This was essentially re-joining the classic route of the Hare & Tortoise 1000k into Victoria. I was hoping my midnight descent from the Malahat Drive summit would be traffic free, but not so. Light motor vehicle traffic continued during the early morning hours en route to downtown Victoria on Highway #1.

It was a great feeling to return to the environs of Victoria to begin the final 100 km clockwise loop around the Saanich Peninsula. From downtown Victoria, the route headed virtually due north on West Saanich Road, passing the entrance road to the world famous Butchart Gardens. West Saanich Road was followed to its northern edge of the Saanich Peninsula where it met Land Ends Road and the ocean. Then it was south again from the forests and fields, to the suburban neighborhoods, and finally the grand homes and estates surrounding the University of Victoria with spectacular views of Cadboro Bay and Oak Bay where our randonnee had commenced.

My arrival at the Oak Bay finish at 8:39am on Saturday, July 8, gave me not only the daytime ocean views of the Victoria Inner Harbour and coastline, but also the spectacular towering views of the Olympic Mountains of Washington State across the Juan de Fuca Strait. When I returned to the parking lot at the Oak Bay Marina, a Japanese tourist approached me and pointed to the clear view of snow-covered Mt. Baker near Seattle – it was simply unbelievable! How can so much natural beauty exist where the ocean meets the sky in just one place on planet Earth?

The endurance sport of randonnee long-distance road-bike cycling gets no better than the VanIsle 1200k. Any qualified randonneur of the world should add this event to his or her wish list for future grand randonnees. With Victoria heralded as the most fit city in all Canada by the Canadian Government, there could be no better venue to host such a cycling event. And of course, special thanks to British Columbia Randonneur President, Danelle Laidlaw, and the local Vancouver Island BC Randonneur Chapter for hosting the inaugural VanIsle 1200k.

Thank you Ken Bonner – the event organiser extraordinaire – for a task well done!

California, to South Lake Tahoe experienced by this rider during California’s Markleville Death Ride many years ago. During the climb out of Campbell River, the movement of wildlife could be heard in the darkness in the dense rainforest. My one am arrival to my first sleep/rest stop at Sayward Junction was accomplished without feeling a drop of rain! However, the absence of liquid precipitation was not to be the weather situation in several hours – remember, our randonneur route is exclusively though a rainforest north of Campbell River.

My second night sleep/rest stop began with a 9:30pm, Thursday, arrival at the Woss inbound control. I departed solo at 2am southbound on Highway 19. Riding the most difficult climbing sections of the route in cool, dry, moonlighted night skies proved to be quite delightful. This third day riding segment was the beginning of my final 490 km to the finish.

It is worth noting that the return route became remarkably different just south of the Oceanside region known as Parksville and then Nanaimo. The route entered the


Nicholas, Murray Nicholas, Paul Nicholas, Pauline Nicholas, Ian Norman, Martin O’Hallohan, Michael Overton, Maxine Riggs, Tim Robertson, Terry Rolfe, Stephen Rowlands, Jim Sobczynski, John Sobczynski, Jason Southby, Barry Sweeney, David Syme, Simon Watt, Adrian Whear, Stuart Wiggins, Geoff Willett

100km, 13-Aug-06, Victoria, Mike Rossiter MemorialOrganiser: Bill RedmondWayne Alexander, Viv Braham, Garry Cotterill, Anji Derham, Bruce Derham, Sandra Hughes, Angus Hume, Neil Luxford, Ruby Luxford, Shane Rickerby, Brent Sword

100km, 17-Sept-06, Victoria, You Yangs and YonderOrganiser: Stephen RowlandsGeof Bagley, Frank Chila, Trevor Gosbell, David Henderson, Maree Kearton, David Killick, Dean Knight, Gordon McColl, Heather Murray, David Norton, Stuart Wiggins, Simon Woodford, Carl Zammit

100km, 30-Sept-06, Victoria, Mallee RoutesOrganiser: Les SolleyLindsay Brain, Peter Cameron, Andrew Chesson, Bradley Martin, Maxine Plant, Geoff Pollard, Peter Quick, Colin Symes, Richard Wright

100km, 1-Oct-06, Victoria, Flowerdale JauntOrganiser: Ignazio CannizzoJudy Beswick, Fred Buono, Nick Cowling, Sally Jarvis, Rick Klepacki, Ronald McInnes, Thor Skullerud, Vee Lyn Tan, Leigh Thornton, Adrian Whear

150km, 19-Aug-06, Victoria, Bunches Down the BayOrganiser: Keith & Eryl LoweVolunteer: Stephen GeorgeRon Addison, Lorraine Allen, Phil Ashworth, Joanne Barwood, Bob Bednarz, Jorgen Bobenko, Chris Brewin, Mark Burns, Jenny Caldwell, Fiona Cameron, Rob Campbell, Peter Curtis, Robyn Curtis, Frank Davin, Pat Dorey, Efren Dullavin, Nevi Gorup, Phillip Hayes, Nadine Hutchins, David Killick, Tim Laugher, Ray Lawn, Aaron Lee, Ros Marshallsea, Ross Marshallsea, Jane May, Margo McFadden, Ron McInnis, Jim McLeod, David McLinden, Jon Miller, Shintaro Nagayama, Leigh Paterson, Daniel Potter, Steve Rath, Maxine Riggs, Tim Robertson, Graham Stucley, David Syme, Richard Taylor, Wayne Wright

150km, 17-Sept-06, Victoria, You Yangs and YonderOrganiser: Stephen RowlandsBruce Arthur, Gioia Attilio, Mathew Bailes, Chris Baring-Gould, Gary Beasley, Mark Burns, Paul Cahir, Jim Chant, Bernard Collins, Michael Conan-Davis, Peter Curtis, Robyn Curtis, Henry De Man, Pat Dorey, Howard Duncan, Hans Dusink, David Eales, Mark Ellis, Burnie Flaherty, Stephen George, Nevi Gorup, Bruce Harwood, Drew Helmore, Bruce

DIRT SERIES35km, 9-Sept-06, Victoria, New Beechworth Boomers #1Organiser: Chris RogersLorraine Allen, Graeme Burchell, Kirsty Chambers, Stephen Chambers, Darryl Edwards, Jill Edwards, Leon Malzinskas, Lyn McConnell, Phil Morris, Chris Rogers

35km, 9-Sept-06, Victoria, New Beechworth Boomers #2Organiser: Chris RogersHoward Gibson, Tom Gibson, Mick Webster

35km, 10-Sept-06, Victoria, New Beechworth Boomers #3Organiser: Chris RogersLyn McConnell

70km, 9-Sept-06, Victoria, New Beechworth Boomers #2Organiser: Chris RogersLorraine Allen, Stephen Chambers, Chris Rogers

70km, 10-Sept-06, Victoria, New Beechworth Boomers #3Organiser: Chris RogersLeon Malzinskas, Phil Morris, Julie Knorpp, Jukka Pirkola, Leanne Ruddy

100km, 10-Sept-06, Victoria, New Beechworth Boomers #3Organiser: Chris RogersGeorge Allen, Lorraine Allen, Shaun Berg, Graeme Burchell, Stephen Chambers, Darryl Edwards, Jill Edwards, Chris Rogers, Mick Webster

200km, 27-Aug-06, Victoria, Eildon Circumcycle MTB ChallengeOrganiser: Chris RogersTony Bolduan, Stephen Chambers, Henry De Man, Martin Haynes, Chris Rogers, Stephen Rowlands, Kevin Ware

ROAD SERIES50km, 13-Aug-06, Victoria, Mike Rossiter MemorialOrganiser: Bill RedmondJames Allen

65km, 17-Sept-06, Victoria, You Yangs and YonderOrganiser: Stephen RowlandsMarie Bagley, Win Brown, Neill Butler, Aaron Dobrosak, Danya Driessen, Vilnis Ezernieks, Matthew Garner, Steve Garner, Gerry Hart, Ian Knox, Peter Langford, Trevor Reeves, Tony Spencer, James Stuart, Casey Tydens, Geoff Willet

100km, 6-Aug-06, Victoria, Wurdi YouangOrganiser: Russel FremantleGeorge Allen, Lorraine Allen, Geoff Bagley, Shane Balkin, Chris Baring-Gould, Judy Beswick, Alister Briggs, David Byrne, Fiona Cameron, Peter Cameron, Ben Carr, Dwight Cheeseman, Colin Collum, Nick Cowling, Charles Day, Tim Dent, Pat Dorey, Mark Ellis, Bernie Flaherty, Jason Fowler, Michael Gadd, Phillip Giddings, Attilio Gioia, John Hagan, James (Barry) Hahnel, Mark Harmes, Phillip Hayes, John Ilott, Sally Jarvis, George Judkins, Tim Laugher, Ray Marsh, Carlo Matthyssen, Derek Morris, Pam Morrow, Derek

Hicks, Rosemary Hogan, Gordon Hollonds, George Judkins, Ron Kirwan, Tim Laugher, Aaron Lee, Daniel Lester, Helen Lew Ton, Keith Lowe, Rob Macauley, Greg Martin, Peter Martin, Peter Mathews, Martin O’Hallaran, Carole Petterson, Scott Rankin, Murray Rudman, Jim Sobczynski, John Sobczynski, Phillip Stevens, Graham Stucley, Andrew Talati, Veelyn Tan, Alan Wallace, Peter Weiss, Wayne Wright

200km, 22-Jul-06, NSW, The Royal RideOrganiser: David StevensonRichard Pinkerton

200km, 6-Aug-06, NSW, Hawkesbury Valley Randonnee Organiser: Chris WalshDouglas Kennedy

200km, 12-Aug-06, Victoria, Tour de Tarwin Organiser: Martin & Libby HaynesPaul Balchin, Michael Boehm, Stephen Brown, Gareth Evans, Anna Fairbank, Brian Gavan, Judy Kinnersly, John McKain, Brian Norman, Brian Pitman, Frank Preyer, Phillip Stevens, Peter Thornton

200km, 26-Aug-06, NSW, Thirlmere RideOrganiser: Greg LansomHenry Boardman, Greg Lansom, Richard Pinkerton, Aldo Vella, Jean Viader-Etienne, John Webster

200km, 26-Aug-06, Queensland, Ips Where?Organiser: Debbie CampbellJoan Brown, William Brown, Vaughan Kippers, Errol Ross, Philip Rowley

200km, 2-Sept-06, Victoria, Spring into SeymourOrganiser: Carolyn BoltonJeff Andersdon , Loretta Armitage, Bob Bednarz, Carl Cole, Tim Dent, Pat Dorey, Adam Downes, Hans Dusink, Brian Gavan, Russell Hamilton, David Killick, Tim Laugher, Ray Lelkes, Helen Lew Ton, Peter Martin, Robert McLean, Andy Moore, Frank Preyer, Geoff Robinson, Jim Sobczynski, Casey Tydens, Simon Watt, Sharon Weiss, Neil White

200km, 9-Sept-06, Queensland, The Wonders of Glorious MeeOrganiser: Debbie CampbellJeff Brown, Dennis Connolley, Craig Forrest, Mark Guest, Catherine Johnson, Gerard Keating, Vaughan Kippers, Chris Lewthwaite, Anthony Limpus, David McCrossin, David Minter, David Moody, Nick Rudd, James Trimmer, Nigel Ulrich, Peter Watson, Grant Williams, Eric Young

200km, 16-Sept-06, NSW, Highlands WeekendOrganiser: Maria MatuzekIan Bailey, Barry Roberts, Lisa Turner

Brevetswith Stephen George, Brevet [email protected]

Processing by Barry Parsons, Peter Mathews and Sam Blight

“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in

themselves they have the first secret of success.”

Norman Vincent Peale

Bravo!

Felicitations!


200km, 10-Sept-06, Adelaide, A and B Series Organiser: Alan CapellVolunteers: Adelaide Touring CyclistsRichard Bain, Allan Dickson, Michael Dwyer, Roger Holmes, Elizabeth Jones, Dean Lambert, Clive Pegler, Oliver Portway, Matthew Rawnsley, Richard Scheer, Lincoln West

200km, 30-Sept-06, Victoria, Shared Path Nouveau SeriesOrganiser: Alan TonkinPaul Addison, George Caulfield, Phillipe Grant, Ray Lawn, Ralph Maurice, Alan Tonkin

200km, 30-Sept-06, Victoria, Mallee RoutesOrganiser: Les SolleyFiona Cameron, David Ellis, David Killick, Barry Moore, Maxine Riggs

200km, 1-Oct-06, Victoria, Mallee RoutesOrganiser: Les SolleyStephanie Frawley, Errol Schmidt

200km, 1-Oct-06, Victoria, Flowerdale JauntOrganiser: Ignazio CannizzoPaul Balchin, Ignazio Cannizzo, Charlie Debrincat, Pat Dorey, Hans Dusink, Ron Kirwan, Tim Laugher, John McKain, Frank Preyer, Sam Pupillo, Phillip Stevens, Alan Wallace

200km, 7-Oct-06, Victoria, Climb the Tower on TarrengowerOrganiser: Alan BullJohn Bahoric, Stephen Brown, Greg Martin, Brian Pitman, Kevin Ware

200km, 8-Oct-06, NSW, Canola CanterOrganiser: Ray StenhouseAndrew Blake, Andrew Bruce, Peter Dixon, Michael Fitzgerald, Sorcha Flett, Harry Hands, Lionel Harmer, Aaron Matthes, Arthur O’Connell, Petrina Quinn, Jennifer Reed, Chris Rogers, Garry Skeers, Peter Smart, Michael Smyth

200km, 14-Oct-06, Victoria, Central Lakes TourOrganiser: Barry ParsonsStephen Brown, Bernard Collins, Hans Dusink, Brian Gavan, Martin Haynes, Greg Martin, Ken Morgan, Brian Pitman

200km, 21-Oct-06, Victoria, Gippsland GambolOrganiser: Peter MathewsBernard Collins, Libby Haynes, Martin Haynes, Martin Hrotik, Steve Murphy

200km, 28-Oct-06, Victoria, Noojee LoopOrganiser: Keith & Eryl LoweOwen Anstey, Les Brad, Jim Chant, Jurien Dekter, Daniel Drury, Malcolm Gamble, Stephen George, Reg Goltz, Niels Klazenga, Bill Jeppesen, Leigh Kilpatrick, Trevor King, Baden Lowe, Ros Marshallsea, Peter Martin, Greg Martin, Gavan McCarthy, Barry Moore, Leigh Paterson, Max Payne, John Retchford, Chris Rogers, Phillip Stevens, John Van Seters, Kevin Ware

200km, 5-Nov-06, Adelaide, Scuzzi’s RunOrganiser: Matthew RawnsleyAllan Dickson, Matthew Rawnsley

200km, 11-Nov-06, Victoria, Circuit de la MerOrganiser: Russell FreemantleGeof Bagley, Paul Bird, Jesus Dagmang, Malcolm Faul, Bernie Flaherty, Russell Freemantle, Mark Harmes, John Illott, Helen Lew Ton, Ros Marshallsea, Jane May, Michael Overton, Paul Riley, Jim Sobczynski, Stuart Wiggins

300km, 12-Aug-06, Victoria, Tour de Tarwin Organiser: Martin & Libby HaynesIan Boehm, Rod Bower, David Eales, David Epstein, Rus Hamilton, Helen Lew Ton, Leigh Paterson, Chris Rogers, Stephen Rowlands, Kathryn Tenby, Casey Tydens, Simon Watt

300km, 16-Sept-06, ACT, We all love a spring Weddin’Organiser: Bob McHugh & Greg CunninghamMarea England, Peter Heal

300km, 23-Sept-06, Queensland, Down and BackOrganiser: Noel NewtonDennis Connolley, Vaughan Kippers, David Moody, Elizabeth Zeller

300km, 23-Sept-06, Victoria, Tour de Tarwin in ReverseOrganiser: Russel HamiltonJohn Evans, Russel Hamilton

300km, 23-Sept-06, Adelaide, One Level UpOrganiser: Alan & Mary CapellVolunteers: Adelaide Touring CyclistsAllan Dickson, Oliver Portway, Matthew Rawnsley, Richard Scheer

300km, 30-Sept-06, Victoria, Mallee RoutesOrganiser: Les SolleyStephanie Frawley, Pam Morrow, Stephen Rowlands, Errol Schmidt

300km, 21-Oct-06, Victoria, Gippsland GambolOrganiser: Peter MathewsCarl Cole, Geoff Robinson, Phillip Stevens, Kevin Ware

300km, 4-Nov-06, Victoria, Bendigo BountyOrganiser: Hans DusinkPaul Balchin, Karl Bennet, Nick Cowling, Henri De Man, Stephen George, Martin Haynes, David Killick, Helen Lew Ton, John McKain, Peter Julian Martin, Peter William Martin, Andrew Moore, Barry Moore, Steve Murphy, Phillip Stevens, Ray Watt

400km, 7-Oct-06, Victoria, Rode to OmeoOrganiser: Gareth Evans / Barry MooreJorgen Bobenko, Stephen Chambers, Peter Donnan, David Eales, Stephen George, Leigh Paterson, Philip Stephens

400km, 30-Sept-06, Victoria, Mallee RoutesOrganiser: Les SolleyPeter Carter, David Cooper, John Hagan, John Osborne-Rigby, Max Payne, Matthew Rawnsley, Richard Scheer

400km, 21-Oct-06, Victoria, Gippsland GambolOrganiser: Peter MathewsCasey Tydens, Neil White

400km, 4-Nov-06, Victoria, Bendigo BountyOrganiser: Hans DusinkSteve Agnew, Jeff Anderson, Gary Beasley, Stephen Chambers, Jim Chant, Peter Curtis, Pat Dorey, Hans Dusink, David Eales, Rus Hamilton, Mark Hooy, Ingo Keller, Trevor King, Garrie Lette, Leigh Paterson, Chris Rogers, Kevin Saunders, Kathryn Temby, Kevin Ware, Simon Watt

400km, 2-Dec-06, Adelaide, The Classic 400Organiser: Matthew RawnsleyAllan Dickson, Matthew Rawnsley, Richard Scheer

600km, 2-Sept-06, NSW, Big Black CrowOrganiser: Chris RogersAndrew Blake, Greg Budgen, Michael Dunn, Michael Fitzgerald, Lionel Harmer, John Martens-Shaw, Stephen Lee, Leigh Paterson, Chris Rogers, Stephen Rowlands, Garry Skeers, Kathryn Temby, Sorcha Flett, Kevin Ware

600km, 30-Sept-06, Victoria, Mallee RoutesOrganiser: Les SolleyAllan Dickson, John Evans, Brian Gavan, Oliver Portway, Casey Tydens, Simon Watt

600km, 30-Sept-06, ACT, Forbes 600Organiser: Peter HealMarea England, Peter Heal

600km, 21-Oct-06, Victoria, Gippsland GambolOrganiser: Peter MathewsPeter Donnan, Russell Freemantle, Max Payne, Scott Plummer, John Van Seters, Kevin Ware

600km, 11-Nov-06, Victoria, North East TourOrganiser: Ray WattJim Chant, Charles Dennis, Hans Dusink, Michael Fitzgerald, Russell Hamilton, Lionel Harmer, Martin Haynes, Andrew Hellier, Leigh Kilpatrick, Ron Kirwin, Stephen Lee, Leon Malzinskas, Greg Martin, Leigh Paterson, Rob Reid-Smith, Chris Rogers, Gary Skeens, Kathryn Temby, Casey Tydens, Kevin Ware, Raymond Watt

1000km, 17-Sept-06, Adelaide, Melbourne ExpressOrganiser: Matthew RawnsleyVolunteers: Mary Staunton, Steve & Merryn Rowlands, Kirsty Elisabeth Chambers, David Temby.Stephen Chambers, Martin Haynes, Leigh Paterson, Matthew Rawnsley, Chris Rogers, Kevin Saunders, Tim Stredwick, Kathryn Temby, Kevin Ware

Audax Melbourne Region Training

Squad

Prepare for Audax events, ride with the Audax Victoria Region Training Squad and improve skills and endurance. Train to achieve your goals be they conquering a 150km ride, the Alpine Classic or a Super Randonneur Award.

Meet early Saturday mornings, start time changes throughout the year to ensure a start after sunrise (no lighting check). This is a free member service.

Start and finish at Country Loaf Bakery, 76 Old Geelong Rd, Hoppers Crossing (Melways 206 K2). Good company always.

Contact Russell on 9395 4963, by SMS on 0416 439 068 or by email at [email protected]

Write for Checkpoint...

Contributions for the next edition of Checkpoint close on

28 February 2007Please email to:

[email protected]

or post to:Checkpoint Editor,

PO Box 12144, A’Beckett St,

Melbourne VIC 8006.


Eat and drink for gold medal sports performance!

Significantly expanded and updated, the popular Australian sports nutrition manual Gold Medal Nutrition is back and more relevant to athletes than ever! Clear and concise, it is a practical resource for recreational and elite athletes, coaches, and health professionals who want to keep up on the changing world of sports nutrition, but don�t have a lot of time. With the easy-to-follow format in Gold Medal Nutrition, readers can find the advice they need, when they need it, in a matter of seconds.

The text�s discussion of the physiology behind fuel intake and muscle contraction will be useful to athletes who want to gain a competitive edge in any sport. The book explains how to build endurance and energy with the right mix of protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and liquids. Particularly helpful are the sound tips for burning fat, building muscle, and losing weight safely and sensibly. Readers will feel more confident eating out, reading food labels, and even choosing snacks as they integrate these guidelines into their daily lives.

This comprehensive guide will help readers:

�� get enough protein, �� find the best nutritional supplements, �� eat to bulk up, �� select the best pre-sport meals, �� drink the best fluids for sports, �� travel well and avoid jet lag, and �� get enough iron and calcium.

This user-friendly manual is well organised, making it easy to navigate. Part I discusses the fuel systems used in generating muscle power, gives the principles of good nutrition for healthy body functioning, and covers key aspects of sports nutrition. Part II delves into the cooking and food-purchasing habits athletes need in order to perform at their best. Athletes will learn what to eat before, during, and after participation in sport. In part III, the author covers a concern of most athletes: how to control their body fat and gain muscle.

Glenn Cardwell is a qualified sports dietitian and an accredited practicing dietitian with more than 25 years of experience. He has advised athletes from junior ranks through elite levels, and he has run courses for fitness leaders and personal trainers since 1986. One of the first sports dietitians in Australia, he lectures in sports nutrition at Edith Cowan University.

Cardwell helped to establish Sports Dietitians Australia, a professional body of qualified sports dietitians, and serves as their newsletter editor. He was the sports nutrition adviser to the West Coast Eagles (Australian Football League) for 14 seasons. Now he is with Western Force (Super 14 Rugby League). He has written many articles on sports nutrition for magazines and professional newsletters.

In 2002, Cardwell was privileged to accompany fast bowler Brett Lee to Chicago to study his sweat composition and losses. In 2003, Cardwell was made a life member of Nutrition Australia for services to nutrition education. He was judged Professional Speaker of the Year by the National Speakers Association of Australia (WA Chapter).

Gold Medal Nutrition 4th Edition Glenn A. Cardwell 2006 � Paperback � 208 pp

ISBN 0-7360-6069-3 $33.95 RRP

Available from all good bookstores or direct from Human Kinetics, the publishers, on 08 8277 1555 or

www.HumanKinetics.com

If undeliverable return toAudax Australia Inc.PO Box 12144A’Beckett StreetMelbourne VIC 8006

Print Post ApprovedPP327687/00033

CheckpointSummer 2006/07Issue No. 30Association No. A0014462N

ISSN 1832-4711

406 members (23/11/06)

Audax Australia is proudly affiliated with:

Audax Club Parisienwww.audax-club-parisien.com

Les Randonneurs Mondiauxwww.lesrm.be

Cycling Australiawww.cycling.org.au

Are your address details above correct?Notify changes by email to [email protected] or by phone on (03) 5783 2427.

SURFACEMAIL

POSTAGEPAID

AUSTRALIA

Audax

Clothing Shop

To order or enquire, please email Libby Haynes at [email protected] or call 03 5674 2157 (after hours). To view the jerseys in colour, visit the club’s website at www.audax.org.au (Merchandise).

To order by mail, copy this entire page (including the address label) and send with cheque or credit card details to Audax Australia, Clothing, 6A Ebor Avenue, Inverloch VIC 3996. Please call 03 5674 2157 prior to sending your order.

Long and short sleeved jerseys, with chest length zip and three rear pockets. Jerseys are made of a high quality fabric with superior perspiration wicking properties. Available in sizes small to XX large by pre-order.

Only$100

Long sleeve jersey depicted. Price does not include athletic body.

Documents

An Observer's Perspective