To love is to suffer

To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving. Therefore, to love is to suffer; not to love is to suffer; to suffer is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy, then, is to suffer, but suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be unhappy, one must love or love to suffer or suffer from too much happiness. I hope you’re getting this down.

Love & Death (1975)  

I know it's not been nice weather, but the event is drawing nearer and every training ride between now and the event is, as we say 'money in the bank'. Don’t rely solely on our team training rides alone to prepare for the event. Of course that assuming you want to complete the event without lots of suffering. Now is the time to ramp it up, train on weekends at a distance similar to our team training ride schedule.

There's a saying in cycling circles "Training hard makes racing easier" or words to that affect.

It's time to ramp it up riders!
 

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

When it comes to bicycle chains anyway. A dirty and noisy chain is slowing you down, or making it harder to keep up with other riders with a well maintained chain.

As a rule of thumb, if you can hear the slightest noise coming from the chain area on your bike your chain is overdue for a clean and lube. Keeping your chain clean and oiled (don’t use oil) will extend the life of your chain.

Here's a Youtube clip showing how it's done.

Cycling's bad boy

The Olympics is a good time to check out some sports you may not see featured in the media. Track cycling is one of them.

Track racing may lack the prestige of Le Tour, but the track is where you'll find the 'big boys' of cycling displaying unhuman levels of speed and power. You won't see Cadel in the gym lifting 400kg!

This smartly produced video by the ABC program Hungry Beast gives us an insight into one of Australia's current track champions Shane Perkins.

Notice the rainbow design of his kit? The white with coloured striped design is know in all cycling disciplines (BMX, MTB and road) as the 'rainbow jersey' and can only be worn by the reigning world champion for a year - but only when racing in the discipline the jersey was won . . . but they have the option to wear it whilst training.
  
If you want to see the full screen version find it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8H6fU9VNgQ

Surviving Winter - Tip #2

All cyclists are obsessed with the weather. It comes from being at the complete mercy of the elements for 12-months of the year.

When the iPhone’s alarm goes off telling me it’s time to get out of bed for a ride, is open the Oz Weather app on my phone. It tells me at a glance what the current temperature is and a quick check of the radar to see if there’s any rain around. If the radar looks bad I can quickly text anybody I have organised to ride with. Reset my alarm, roll over and sleep in until 6:45, all this without even getting out of bed!

A Smartphone is possibly the greatest cycling accessory ever invented.

This morning my alarm went off at 5am - it was 4 degrees. Which brings us to tip #2 on how to survive riding through a Melbourne winter – hot drinks.

 Once you’ve dragged yourself out of bed, put the kettle on before you start getting changed into your kit. Make yourself a big mug of something hot. The heat warms your hands while you’re drinking, then spreads through your core when finished.

I have special oversize mug I found somewhere that holds over 500ml. That gives me half a litre of warm goodness in my belly before hitting the road.  If you don’t have a BIG mug at home, think about making two mugs. Take your time and have a stretch on the floor while drinking them.

This also has the very important benefit of hydrating you before exercise.

Sneak Preview - 2012 Team Kit

 A few team members have apprehensively asked if the white team kit design would be used again this year. With that in mind, the images here may come as relief to some.

These concepts are all thanks to our team member Simon. We’re both pretty chuffed with all three designs, but there can be only one winner. Help us decide which will become the official kit by voting for your fav. If you have a preference and wish to nominate a design, post a comment below.

Bunch Riding Rules and Etiquette

Cycling is a funny sport, there are many unwritten rules and etiquette, including for casual bunch rides.

You may know some of these, you may even know all of them, but in the interest of keeping everybody safe it’s worth taking a few minutes to read them.

These basic suggestions are to help you enjoy riding with the peloton (French word for bunch of cyclists). If you are bunch riding and another rider makes a suggestion about your riding don’t be offended as it will be advice offered for your safety and that of your fellow riders in the peloton.

When I started riding I didn’t understand why random riders would, from time-to-time and in no uncertain terms offer their advice. Normally I would take offence that is until it learnt that like any sport there are ‘rules’, and they are:
Eyes Ahead
DON’T LOOK BEHIND! Looking over your shoulder greatly increases the chance of touching the wheel ahead. This can ealiy result in you and riders behind falling. If you’re passing a slower rider, look under your arm to see if it’s safe to move across.

Focus four or five riders up the line so that any ‘problem’ will not suddenly affect you. Scan the road ahead for potential problems, red lights etc, and be ready.

Be Predictable
Brake gently and call out “slowing” if necessary. Just stopping pedalling may be enough.

Re-Group
If the group splits after lights or longer climbs slow down or in some cases stop to allow the bunch to regroup. Stop and wait to assist riders who puncture.

Road Laws
Obey ALL road rules, lights, pedestrian crossings, stop signs etc. In law a bike is a road-going vehicle and subject to Police fines.

Two Abreast
Riding side-by-side is legal, but common sense dictates that in some places single file is safer.

Following a Wheel
Keep your front wheel to either side of the wheel ahead of you. Avoid following directly behind the wheel in front. It allows more room if the rider ahead must brake suddenly. An appropriate gap between your front wheel and the person in front is 1m. Keep your hands close to the brakes in case of sudden slowing. Sometimes people who are not used to riding in a bunch will feel too nervous at this close range – riding on the right side can help feel less hemmed in.

Half Wheeling
When on the front of the bunch, ride directly beside the person next to you.

Crossing Wheels
Avoid overlapping your front wheel with the wheel ahead. Doing so risks touching wheels . . . and you don’t want that.
Handlebars
Unless you are on the front of the bunch both hands must always be on the hoods (tops of brake levers) or on the drops (lowest handlebar section) with two fingers on the brakes ready in case of the unexpected. Front riders are able to hold the tops of handlebars.

Fill the Gap
If there’s a gap ahead of you move forward to fill it. If there’s a spot next to you, signal for someone to fill the gap from behind, or you can peel off to the rear of the bunch.

Communication
Communicating to the other riders in the bunch with hand signals is encouraged, however many accidents are caused by people trying to alert riders of a risk but become a risk themselves. If you move smoothly and predictably around parked cars or slower cyclists allowing plenty of room you will only need to signal for a hazard bad enough to cause an incident. Most obstacles can be seen by all riders, use your common sense. If it’s safe to do so, you can gesture for things like pot holes, broken glass and parked cars.

You may also alert the other riders in the bunch verbally.

Loud and clear calls
Riders on the front are the eyes of the bunch and must point to all obstacles (holes etc) and communicate the problem in a loud, clear voice.
Vocal alerts

“Slowing!”  
Called when there’s a noticeable slowing of the bunch

“Stopping!” 
For when the bunch needs to stop quickly

“Car Up!”
If there is parked car ahead or a car pulling out of a side street

“Car Back!”
If you hear a car coming from behind and riders are close in the path of a passing car

“Riders!”
When passing slower riders, this alerts them and the peloton of each other

Bumping a Rider
Brushing shoulders, hands or bars with another rider often happens in bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction. Try to stay relaxed through your upper body as this helps absorb any bumps.
Your Bike
Keep your bike well-serviced, clean with good tyres and brakes adjusted. An un-roadworthy bike is a danger to everyone in the bunch.





Image courtesy of Cycling Tips

Around the Bay Training Dates

Dates for our training rides have been set. There are five in total spread evenly between now and the event.

Set dates can only mean one thing . . . it's time to commitment to riding regularly and progressively towards your goal.

Here are suggested 12-week, weekly training schedules (from 1^st Aug) produced by the Around the Bay event organisers. It’s not necessary to stick to these guides, but you should aim to ride at three times a week. If you think that's too much, keep this guy in mind.

12-week training programs:

Tour de Frankston    Sorrento Sufferfest

Using the training guides as the basis for our training rides, the table below shows the dates for Team Planex training rides and the distances of each.

Group                                      TdF       SS      

                                              (Training distance)

Sunday  1^st July                         40km    80km

Sunday 29^th July                        50km    80km

Sunday 26^th Aug                        60km    100km

Sunday 23^rd September              60km    130km

Sunday  7^th October                  75km    180km

EVENT                                     100km  200km

Start-finish point
Jerry's Milkbar
345 Barkly St, Elwood map

Meet time from 7:30am for pre-ride coffee.

Ride departs 8am sharp.

If you drive to Gerry's there's loads of parking on Barkly St

What to bring

• Pump
• Spare tubes (x2)
• Tyre levers (x2)
• Self adhesive repair patches (in case you have two punctures – it often happens)
• Mobile phone
• Cash & credit card
• Water bottle (x2 essential for 200km group)
• A snack (banana, meusli bar etc.)

Option:

Spray jacket (if rain is predicted)

Dress according to the weather. It’s better to take off a layer if it gets warm, than suffer the cold for the whole ride.

Rain rule:

TBA

Remember we’re here to encourage you to ride more and if needed, increase your confidence on a bike.  If you’re curious about anything ride related just ask . . . It makes us feel needed.

Minimising Punctures

It's Murphy's Law you’ll be out on a ride about as far from home as you’ll get, when you notice something isn’t right with your bike . . .  *sigh* You’ve got a puncture. 

Every ride I see evidence of broken bottles and car windows on the road I'm riding on. Unfortunately punctures are all a part of a cyclist’s life. The tip below was passed to me by Rob Crowe. It’s saved me from dozens of punctures.

Punctures rarely happen immediately. Tiny bits of glass are hiding in your tyres which will eventually cause a puncture. These fragments of glass may have been stuck in your tyre for weeks. Take the time to regularly let the air out of your tyres and carefully look for little holes. When you find a hole, and you will, open it wide by pinching the sides of tyre to see if there’s a tiny sparkle . . . yep, that’s glass. Gently dig it out with something pointy like a large pin. Puncture averted. Pump up your tyres and away you go.

This is possibly the best cycling tip anybody could get. It takes about 10min, but it can save you many headaches. Each time I do this check I remove at least six small pieces of glass from my tyres.

Name that part

Have you ever wondered what a certain part of your bike is called? I know I still have trouble recalling specific part names.

This clever illustration called Typographic Bike clarifies each element of a bicycle by drawing the part using its name.

So next time somebody says “Show me your stem” you’ll be less inclined to punch them on the nose.

See a lager version

Surviving winter - Tip #1

As it turns out, one of our team is coming down from Brisbane in the coming weeks smack bang into Melbn’s winter. During our chat this morning, the topic turned to riding on cold mornings. This got me thinking about tips to help get through Melbourne’s chilly months.

Shoe covers are an excellent way to stay warm. I’ve just started wearing mine on every ride. They come in a variety of thickness to suit the temperature outside. I prefer the wind-proof models. They tend to be more functional than oversocks and look cooler than the big bulky neoprene versions, but that's just my preference. 

When it rains, remember to take them completely off your shoes otherwise they won’t dry between rides.

Rider Profile - The Captain

Gerard 

The original Team Planex member, Gerard’s family hails from the South of France. A second generation cyclist (very Euro), what The Captain lacks in distance he makes up for in intensity... Just stand back, he’s likely to explode at any minute.

He’s pictured here with son Jess (later fined €50.00 for not wearing Planex kit) riding in France.

 

Q&A
Most memorable cycling achievement: I once rode 7hrs:23min in my lounge room
My first job was: Elvis impersonator
I most admire: . . . Elvis
Before I retire I want to: Strangle the person who wrote this!
When I get in the kitchen I cook: Everything goes into the microwave
I can't do without: A hairdryer . . . oh, and my colourist.
When I was a child, I wanted to grow up to be: What do you think? . . . Elvis!
Favourite food: Anything not cooked in a microwave

Rider Profile - 200km Group Guide

Lee

Better known to Melbourne’s sport cycling community as ‘Hollywood’, Lee is a competitive racer and St Kilda Cycling Club’s communications director. When asked if he was fit enough to handle the 200km ride he answered “I can do it eyes closed and one leg tied behind my back!".

Q&A
Most memorable cycling achievement: 3rd place in the St Kilda Trophy Race 2011
My first job was: Paper boy
I most admire: Paul Keating
Before I retire I want to: Ride to the top of the highest French Alp (mountain)
When I get in the kitchen I cook: I don't cook, I buy chocolate
I can't do without: Chocolate & my bike
When I was a child, I wanted to grow up to be: A politician
Favourite food: Chocolate

Rider Profile - Tour de Frankston Group Guide

Stephen
Directing the 'Tour de Frankston' bunch, Stephen has ridden through 10 winters, the true sign somebody is a committed cyclist (or just plain crazy). Also a competitive racer and driver awareness advocate, Stephen can be found at 5:30am most mornings training on Beach Rd.

Q&A

Most memorable cycling achievement: Winning a women’s road cycling race!
My first job was: During school holidays at my Dad’s motor wrecking business
I most admire: Anybody who dedicates their life to helping others
Before I retire I want to: Work until I'm 100
When I get in the kitchen I cook: My ‘secret recipe’ pasta or learning to cook Thai street food
I can't do without: Riding a bike … too obvious? Good cycling shoe covers in the winter
When I was a child, I wanted to grow up to be: BIG like Arnold Schwarzenegger
Favourite food: Thai street food

Lycra - a cyclist's best friend

Those new to cycling are sometimes reluctant to wear lycra. Sure, riding around town for 30min is okay in a pair of jeans, but things can start to get a bit tender after that. Cyclists riding longer distances choose to wear lycra 'kit' because it’s far more comfortable and kind to a rider’s more sensitive areas than normal clothing. It makes a HUGE difference to the riding experience.

Not sure about what kit to wear? Like all subcultures cycling has some basic rules relating to the style of cycling attire. We'll get to that in a later post called 'Lookin' PRO'. In the meanwhile, keep an eye out for updates on the new Planex kit.

Image courtesy of St Kilda Cycling Club. If you're rider looking for a like-minded group of friendly people for riding, socialising, training or racing, SKCC are a great place to start. They even have an active women's committee. Look for the 'women' link on the SKCC homepage.

Puppy Love Rocks a BMX

This short film - 2008 Tropfest winner - may go some way to explain why we love riding our bikes.



Go to Youtube to view a larger screen size

We're Off!

Welcome to the Team Planex blog. Each new post will aim to help keep our riders focused, motivated and informed while keeping an eye on the lighter side of riding.  

Click on the image for a surprise. Fun on a bike is for everyone!