Regarding the TFM-Celtic Décor team they have worked hard for a long time and their success was always going to come along at some stage. In winter 2008 and again early 2009 when I was out doing early morning rides with Col I would do my own thing up Beach Rd. Sometimes with others mostly on my own. Past me would come these men somtimes working turns together sometimes doing intervals seperated by 100 metre gaps etc.
You gotta see people work hard to appreciate what they actually put in to get results. These dedicated men out in those cold conditions working hard to improve and win. I never saw them mixed up in Woodduck stuff just working out hard in their own group with a few more thrown in but not a big group.
Congrats fellas you have really earn't your result.
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( 3 / 5 )The last 2 weeks have not seen me on my bike at all given Beth's hospital stay, recovery and back today for staples out. She is going okay. Coupled with this is some work plus my GP not happy with my blood readings so more blood tests. With CLL the important thing is that high level count's don't change but mine changed and he was concerned. Today he was happier with my results although I have CLL and that's that. Just for info my white blood cels WCC are 18.9 today on the 28/6 were 20.9. Normal is a range of 4.0 to 11.0. My Lymph is 11.9 today on 28/6 were 12.7. Normal is a range of 1.0 to 4.0. In March last year these readings were 12 and 8 so they have risen in 16 months.
Doctor tells me I am to keep fit but no over-exhaustion but read my body. So!!! this afternoon I went up the 1 in 20 down Sassfras Creek rd to Perrins then onto the Belgrave to Monbulk rd back up the wall to Olinda then down to Sassafras and back home in just under 3 hours riding. Am still alive and feel fine so not hanging up the bike yet anyway.
Was beautiful up in the Dandenong's. Bit of drizzle down Perrins Crk but fine everywhere else. Coming up the wall there was road works and the traffic bloke held up the sign for me to go slow at the steep section. Any slower and I would fall off. Now got 39 x 26 on the no 2 road bike and it's great on the steep climbs for me. I am not one of you strong young blokes who can go up these climbs on big ring stuff.
The hills certainly work the legs and heart a bit which I now enjoy.
Cheers and safe riding.
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( 3 / 5 )Yesterday my son Tim asked me who I thought would win this years Tour. My response was that I think Contador is keeping his gun powder dry at present. Last night he put in a burst and to be honest his record shows he will do more of this next week. Andy is great and I would like him to win but it look's like Contador will hammer everyone next week.
Time will tell.
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( 3 / 5 )Cycling is a dangerous sport and whilst my fool friend reckoned I knew nothing about racing in Europe, I do say this.
The Tour de France or any of the grand tours would be the toughest sporting event anyone could undertake given it's duration, terrain, speed, descending courage etc etc. The stages are very challenging and varied and a pleasure to watch, even greater probably being there live.
It is a pity this year has seen probably more falls, fractures and broken bones than any I recall in recent times. The riders whether in first place or way down the field are all top performers in our tough sport and just getting to Paris would be such a great achievement.
Some don't share my view but I still believe that putting the Tour over that cobble section was a bad mistake. I listened to Phil Anderson and he said in the 80's they rode the cobble sections in Northern France and he did not like it however he believes the cobbles are a good spectacle for TV viewing.
The sport is not meant to entertain viewers by them seeing unwanted falls on substandard road surfaces. The riders did pay a high price and has robbed a number of achieving their dream of finishing or doing well. I have read a lot about the old Tours and seen plenty of shots of the gravel and dirt roads they travelled but that was back then not 2010.
The sport still has plenty of fine classics over cobbles in Northern France and Belgium and they are tradition but the Tour de France for mine should be on bitumen roads. As it is the race has so many challenges without trying to turn stages into a sideshow for us on TV.
I am just amazed at the skill of the riders decending. I recall Paul Hollingworth telling me many years ago that that seeing the riders decending was incredible and Pauil was a top class road rider himself.
Cheers and safe riding.
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( 3 / 5 )I watched the sprint finish last night and do not believe Mark Renshaw should have been kicked out of the tour for his actions. However in all sprinting riders are expected to ride a straight course. Knowingly cutting riders into the barrier is really cheating and depriving others of a chance to win.
The thing is Renshaw riding a straight course is so fast few can pass him. Given no body fell I believe his treatment was an over reaction and very harsh.
From the time riders are kids they are taught to sprint in a straight line on road and track.
Have not seen a replay yet but I have seen worse in recent tour stage finishes.
Have a good day and safe riding this weekend.
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