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