T-Minus 7 Days Until..

It's The Simple Things.

With my departure date now a week from tomorrow, it was time today to revisit a pre season tradition with D-Mac. Frankston has always been a place of high amusement for both of us, namely observing the random happenings that go on everywhere around us. And we've seen our fair share of events go down there that's for sure. So over the last few years we enjoy a last ride down there for a strong brew and something from the random 'specials' table at the Danish Bakery (that never disappoints), and wait for the show to begin. This year featured the seemingly 'impossible' parallel car park as driver after driver struggled to get their car in there. Big or small car it didn't matter. They came and they failed. We saw plenty of curb mounting, 8 degree turns and ton of dry wheel turns resulting in some overall very average efforts. Too funny.

Nice to train in leg warmers and jackets today for once too...and not worry about any out of control fire activity back home. Over N' Out.

Never Resting.

Nine times outta ten most Mondays means a day off the bike for me. But today and currently now there really hasn't been much relaxation or rest going on. As I type there is a large bushfire burning a little way at the bottom of the Nongs in the Birdlands/Belgrave/Upwey/Lysterfield area. Already there are some reports of two tankers damaged and some CFA members with minor burns. From years of mtbing I know this area like the back of my hand, spending hours of time pushing pedals around there. Heading off the mountain after our fire siren went off the pictures below tell the story of what was going on. With the winds changed the Nongs got clouded with smoke and light charcoaled debris fell where we were parked. Although we aren't in the direct line of threat we still have to remain on full alert with the unpredictable nature of fire and weather conditions. It sure does make you nervous when you hear all the surrounding towns in your area mentioned on the emergency radio station....back home and over n' out...cw.

Fast And Loud From Canada.

"Thanks for coming out and supporting 38 year olds who still dress like 18 year olds"

Propagandhi last night at the Corner were awesome! Damn those guys can play. And sound great. Set included a good mix from all records including some from the new album landing next month. Although Chris stated he was having voice issues, it didn't seem to have an affect on his performance. Even still, some lucky punters got invited up to sing and collectively run around like madmen on stage. Between song banter was kept to a minimum from otherwise reports at shows earlier in their career, although Chris seemed to have a genuine fondness for watching 'Border Security' while here. Overall it was a real treat just to see these guys play live...and in Australia! Here's a little sample.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU0TTCMGYQI&feature=related

Tickets To The Show.

Propagandhi to be exact, tmw night in Melbourne town. To be honest I'm not sure if a high percentage of blog followers would know who these guys are...then again I could be surprised. Canadians by nationality, these guys were first introduced to me back when I was playing in a band at high school. A true punk rocker took us under his wing and gave our ears a shake up, spinning us new punk and hardcore bands each week at practice. Propagandhi stuck a chord with me instantly. I always despised the sickly sweet radio 'pop punk' at the time that was Blink 182, Green Day etc with too many lame 'boy meets girl songs' and four chord wonder songs. So when I heard the highly political and real life human rights issues put forth in the lyrics from these guys it was breath of fresh air. And in terms of their beliefs and views on modern society the band is not afraid to exactly say what they mean. But the main thing I like about this band is they sound just great. Soaring vocals over insanely complicated yet melodical riffs played with malice and great precision, their records have progressively gotten better. It's just a shame that they literally release just one every four years or so. Seriously. And don't even ask about their touring schedule. So the new record comes out next month and they have made the trek down under....nice. I just hope my skinny little bike racer frame doesn't get broken in half at a hardcore show! cw.

Plan and Execute.

So in my last post a hinted at some big news for some upcoming plans. And after months of getting organized and making things happen, I finally got given the green light this week. This year will see me return to the US once again to keep pursing my cycling goals as set from day one. But this time I will have far greater flexibility and sustainability to do so. I am happy to announce I will be joining Peak to Peak Training Systems in Denver as new cycling coach, and therefore allowing me to work and stay in Colorado for much longer. Obviously I am very excited about this new development, and also the future ahead. Thanks to everyone who has helped in making this happen, and especially Jon at P2P for giving me this great opportunity! cw

Almost At The End To Start A New Beginning.

Unless you have had your head in the cycling sand (is that cyclocross?) the ATOC is rocking along at the moment and has been rad so far. The weather looks like it hasn't been that crash hot, with Levi's quote of "like spending four hours standing under a cold shower" from yesterday's stage summing things up nicely. I must say V-News is kicking C-News butt for the best coverage! Levi looks the goods so far but there is still plenty or racing to come....the Solvang TT will be huge.

Today was a big day. Very big day that will shape whats to come for me over the next while. Just waiting on confirmation of plans that have been in the works since day one of arriving back in Oz at the start of summer. Fingers crossed but obviously more to come soon!

The afternoon was spent doin' some fine lazy km's with D-Mac. We both had low intensity schedules that included a prolonged coffee stop and plenty of shit-talkin' to boot. It is still really hazed with smoke over the Nongs, and is a reminder of the fires still burning elsewhere in the state well over a week now since they started...come on rain!

The Wave Is Building.

Pinned on the oh so famous number of 52 for the Oceania Road titles yesterday. Falling at the end of a rest week after a solid January block of training I was looking forward too measuring the progress as the US season draws closer. After the first lap the legs were ready for a good day out, but the initial thoughts were that the pancake flat course, featuring 3 less than minute long climbs wouldn't be so suited to my strengths.

The Bro found the 1896 look/sepia function on the camera.

Even so I had a good day and tried my hand in a few breaks but when there is a strong teams presence it sometimes makes it difficult to gain an advantage. It was a sprint finish from a random break of 15 that got away mid race, and with Drapac satisfied with it's 2 rider representation up there, the rest of the 8 team members just controlled the bunch as they should. Plenty of guys got popped so I was happy to at least score a finish in the main bunch and record some nice numbers for the day. Thanks to BroTown for the bottle feeds and photography styling.

Unfortunately couldn't find the set of instructions on "How to make the winning break today".

Upon return I got the phone call I didn't want to get. Not since the events of the past week here in Victoria. There was a grass and scrub fire burning at Belgrave, and coming home along Burwood Hwy I could see the plumes of smoke already emitting from the base of the Nongs. Not good at all folks. Word was 22 tankers and 4 helicopters, and it wasn't until over 3hrs later the call came through of a down graded threat. Strangely enough it was the same area where a small fire occurred Friday night. You don't need to be a rocket surgeon to work it out, but something fishy is going on, especially when the conditions are significantly cooler than last week. So thankfully things got under control and we remain on full alert up here.

And on an end note I thought this was impressive...they still have it. Lator..cw

Going Cross Country.

Raby checked in this morning with a sweet pic from his current journey transporting one of the new SRAM NRS cars to California. The bloke can sure take a great photo...but then again he did ride for Kodak! Save driving mate and thanks for the update...cheers..cw.

Lost For Words.

Back In Blogging Business!

The blog was starting to suck in the imagery department since the loss of my little Sony buddy a month back. The above shot may have just sunk things to an all time low..but it was a test for my new little click-click pal purchased today. Yes sports fans we are finally back in business!

The Evening Sky Last Night.

Happy Birthday Bro!

This Is Real.

My home state of Victoria is on fire. It is almost unreal watching the news reports as I type with the amount of damage, destruction, heart break and loss going on out there at the moment. We have been (relatively) safe today here in the Nongs, although on a day where Melbourne reached it's highest ever temperature of 46.4C (115F), no question we have been on full alert. That is the reality living in a beautiful forested area, that like Batman's nemesis, there are two faces. A good one and an bad one. And with continual drought and scorching temps over the last two weeks the land literally has baked. Combine that with the super strong northerly winds we had today and it was no wonder they were saying these were the worst bushfire conditions since Ash Wednesday.

Listening to the CFA channel on the scanner I cannot say enough thanks and praise to all the fire fighters out there who risk their lives and all the associated logistical staff that work tirelessly around the clock. Many of of my regular training routes around the Kinglake and Toolangi areas have been badly affected so it will be a big change next time I venture out that way I'm sure. And meanwhile up north in Queensland they are subject to torrential rainfall and flash floods. Unreal.

Stay cool and and safe...lators..cw.

JK Goes Big Time.

Got an email this morning from my RMCEF teammate from last year and "Honorary Australian" Julian, with the news he has gone big time in zero nine scoring a gig on Trek-Livestrong U23 Team. Nice one shagger, congrats....cw

Getting Tough The Old Skool Way.

Read this quote from an article written by Michael Barry of Team Columbia-High Road....

"The East German system they grew up in has hardened them in a way that is foreign to the majority of the peloton. (Bert) Grabsch confirmed a story that the former East German coaches demanded they ride hometrainers, in front of a brick wall without music or entertainment, for four or more hours, to toughen them mentally..."

Enjoy.