News Shorts - 13 March

National Masters Track 2017 - Mike Smith before the start of the Team Sprint where he took Gold. The bands around the sleeves denotes a reigning UCI World Champion from Manchester 2016. 

National Masters Track 2017 - Mike Smith takes Gold in the Team Sprint

National Masters Track 2017 - Lise Benjamin wins Gold in the ITT and claimed a new World Record

National Masters Track 2017 -Lise Benjamin took 4 Gold medals (Sprint, ITT, Scratch, Teams Pursuit) plus awarded the W7 Champion of Champions & 2 World Records

National Masters Track 2017 - Team Sprint with Dom Zumbo, Graham Cockerton & James Thornton

National Masters Track 2017 - BiciSport Team Sprint squad took 4th in a great ride. John Crouchley (Coach), Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo & James Thornton

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

* Masters National Track Champs Mar 8-11 - 5 Gold 1 Silver 1 Bronze 2 World Record 1 Champion of Champions Award

Day 1 - (Team Sprint & Individual Time Trial) - It's a stellar BiciSport start to any Championship series when Lise Benjamin wins the ITT in World Record time plus takes a Bronze in the Team Sprint. Mike Smith looked every bit a current World Champion with a polished effort in the Teams Sprint when paired with Gary Mandy & Geoff Stoker. Dom Zumbo, Graham Cockerton and James Thornton made the medal round in the Team Sprint for 4th.  In the ITT also good performances by James Thornton 4th & David Browne 10th.   

Day 2 - (Sprint & Individual Pursuit) - The M4 Sprint looked a very tight affair, moreso when Mike Smith qualified second fastest. Mike went on to take Silver from John Eder. David Browne finished 8th in the M3 Sprint. The Individual Pursuit was again a close run thing especially in M6 where James Thornton missed a 3rd place qualifying time by just 0.2 seconds and had to settle for 5th (and missing out on a medal round ride off). Both Anthony Colantonio & Peter Verhoeven rode well in the M6 Pursuit.      

Day 3 - (Sprint) - Lise Benjamin took Gold in the Sprint after breaking the World Record # 2 in the 200m sprint qualifying (at 13.082secs)

Day 4 - (Points Race & Teams Pursuit). In the Teams Pursuit - Lise Benjamin took Gold in the Women. and the BiciSport team of Anthony Colantonio, Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo & James Thornton finished 5th in 2min 25secs just outside the medal round. In the Pointscore - M3 and David Browne finished 6th (second in the final sprint). Browne was happy having gained Championship points & also finished on the same lap as the winner.  In the M6 Pointscore Anthony Colantonio finished an excellent 4th supported by Peter Verhoeven.  Lise Benjamin won the Scratch race and was awarded the Champion of Champions jersey for W7.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Mar 18 - Otway Classic Cyclosportive (Vic), Bathurst Ladies Tour (NSW)

*  Mar 18-19 - Tour of Mansfield (Vic)

*  Mar 19 - 145 Classic Cyclosportive (Centennial Park), Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters), Mt Ku Ring Gai Criterium (NS)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Mar 13 - DGV training will resume with John Crouchley in 4 weeks

*  Mar 15 - Aerocoach training with Alex Simmons @ DGV @ 10am

*  Mar 16 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride at Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Mar 18 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.15am     

*  Mar 19 - 145 Classic Centennial Park @ 6.30am

NATIONAL MASTERS TRACK 2017 - photo album

National Masters Track 2017 - Lise Benjamin was awarded the W7 Champion of Champions Award & jersey

National Masters Track 2017 - Peter Verhoeven on the rollers after the M6 Individual Pursuit

National Masters Track 2017 - Peter Verhoeven during the M6 Pursuit

National Masters Track 2017 - David Browne in the M3 Sprint Qualifying

National Masters Track 2017 - BiciSport TP squad of Anthony Colantonio, Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo & James Thornton plus David Browne assisting. The team posted 2min 25secs just outside the medal round qualifying time.

National Masters Track 2017 - Anthony Colantonio before the M6 Pointscore

The 145 Classic departs from Centennial Park at 6.30am sharp from the Parkes Drive Café (near the lake in the centre of Centennial Park).

Dearest BiciSport Friends,

I finally took the big step of taking part in a Can Too program (a challenge to run a half-marathon, 21km no less! !) to raise funds for cancer research and find a cure for cancer.

I'd like to ask for your help to please sponsor my training and support my efforts to help save lives. All you need to do is click on the link below to make a donation through my fundraising page:

http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/CleoHiggins-OReilly2555

Anything you'd like to give would be greatefully recieved.  Funds raised go towards supporting Cure Cancer Australia and Cancer Council NSW. 

Thanks for your support - it is truly appreciated.

Kind Regards

Cleo Higgins (O'Reilly) BiciSport Secretary

News Shorts - 6 March

Only in Belgium ... the local Oudenaarde Council puts down smooth bitumen beside the famous Eikenberg cobbled climb in Flanders. A local cyclist was clearly not impressed (and in true Flandrian Classic fashion) begins digging up the fresh bitumen !! ... he preferred the nasty cobbles in the Tour of Flanders and who needs bitumen. The video went viral in Belgium and the Flandrien is now a hero. 

Canterbury CC Reunion - See story below on the recent Canterbury CC Reunion held at Star City. The picture above is Stephen Brooks from the early 1970's in the Canterbury Cycling Club 2 Day Tour held around Thirlmere and Picton. Canterbury CC went on to become the Bankstown Sports Cycling Club based at the Dunc Gray Velodrome. Yes ... Steve had the whole Michael Hutchence Hair Thing happening plus the very retro arm warmers ... 

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Wagga (Tolland) Weekend over 4-5 March - Conor Tarlington (BiciSport) had his first taste of the traditional "gutter grovelling" NSW country handicap around the windswept Wagga countryside. Riding off Bunch 3 on the Saturday Conor rode well & was caught by the "Scratchies" in the final 40k and was blasted off in the crosswinds. The Sunday event was marred by a crash (not involving Conor) and he was a DNF.

*  Newcrest Orange Challenge on 5 March - Brett Tarlington rode the Orange based cyclosportive event on closed (and somewhat bumpy) roads.  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Mar 8-11 - National Masters Track Championships (DGV). Several BiciSport Masters are in the medal hunt this week at DGV.

*  Mar 9 - Oceania Road Championships (Canberra)

*  Mar 11 - The Odd Spoke Road Race (Eastern Creek Raceway)

*  Mar 11-12 - Bendigo Madison (Vic)

*  Mar 12 - Falls Creek Cyclo Sportive (Vic), Bike Bug Roseberry Urban Randonnee (Sydney), Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters), Ourimbah Criteriums (Central Coast)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Mar 6 - DGV Track Training with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Mar 9 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride (Mar 9 is cancelled due to the National Masters Track Championships)

*  Mar 11 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  Mar 12 - Homebush (Parramatta River Ferry Wharf) @ 7am

GEOFF SCOTT RETRO BIKE SHOW

Held in Canberra over March 3&4 it was a great exhibition of some high quality retro Classic bikes   

John Crouchley (BiciSport) with Geoff Scott & the Martin Vinnicombe Championship winning track bike. John Crouchley was the coach of Martin Vinnicombe. 

Geoff Scott with a range of Eddy Merckx classics

Geoff Scott produced a delightful adaption of a Championship track bike

A Geoff Scott tribute production of a 1968 Eddy Merckx "Faema". The bike has the classic red Faema logos, matching red downshift gear levers and a complete Campagnolo groupset

CANTERBURY CYCLING CLUB REUNION

Canterbury CC was a prominent cycling club in the 1960's and 1970's that eventually transformed into the Bankstown Sports Cycling Club based at the Dunc Gray Velodrome.  John Marsden kindly got the old crew together that included many notable champions of years gone by including Bob Clarke (now with the Waratah Masters), Bob Hines, Trevor Masterson, Stephen Brooks, Stephen Dixon (BiciSport & Liverpool Goulburn Classic winner) & Alan Lovell.  

Canterbury CC Reunion at The Star City Casino

Canterbury CC Reunion - Moree Velodrome in the late 1960's with Mike O'Reilly pushing off Stephen Brooks in the handicap Wheelrace. The Moree Velodrome was in poor condition even then (note the decaying velodrome walls held together with chicken wire). 

Canterbury CC Reunion - If the Moree Velodrome was in poor condition then its in worse shape now. This picture was taken some 6 weeks ago showing the velodrome banking.

News Shorts - 27 February

Conor Tarlington (BiciSport) has gained selection to the Rauland Development Team for the 2017 road season. Conor races the Tolland (Wagga) weekend over both days on 4 & 5 March

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Mar 2-5 - Cycling Australia National Elite Track Championships (Brisbane)

*  Mar 4-5 - Tolland Weekend (Wagga), Retro Bike Show (Canberra)

*  Mar 5 - Newcrest Orange Challenge Cyclo Sportive, Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters), ATTA Time Trials (Calga), Ourimbah Uni Criteriums (Central Coast)   

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Feb 27-1 Mar - DGV Training with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Mar 1 - M7 Cyclepath from Bella Vista @ 10am

*  Mar 2 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Mar 4 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  Mar 5 - Homebush SOPA Loops (depart Olympic Park Ferry Wharf @ 7am)

    Centennial Park Thursday @ 11am

145 CLASSIC - SUNDAY 19 MARCH

BiciSport is supporting the Sir David Foundation with a 145k charity ride on Sunday 19 March. The 145k ride from Centennial Park to Kiama will have approximately 150 starters (across 8 seperate bunches) who have all raised funds to support the Sir David Martin Foundation. Would you like to assist on the day ?, get in a 145k training ride, a new Cuore jersey and get fed very well ?. Sounds like you. 

What we need is 12 Bunch Leaders to assist the 8 bunches (of 20 riders each) get from Centennial Park to Kiama. The Bunch Leaders will receive a special Cuore jersey plus breakfast at Centennial Park & lunch in Kiama. Bunch Leaders don't need to raise money for the Foundation, just assist those that do. It's a great day out for a great cause. We also need 6 car drivers to assist on the day. For further details contact Mike O'Reilly on bicisport1@gmail.com or 0417 403 244.

                         The Classic Bicycle Show is at Tempe Velodrome and well worth a look

News Shorts - 20 February

NSW Masters Track Championships - Mike Smith took Gold in the M4 Sprint

NSW Masters Track Championships - Lise Benjamin took Gold in the W6 Sprint

NSW Masters Track Championships - David Browne takes Bronze in the M3 Sprint

NSW Masters Track Championships - Anthony Colantonio took Silver in the M5 Pointscore

NSW Masters Championships - Lise Benjamin doing the Podium Jig for taking Gold in the W6 Scratch Race

NSW Masters Track Championships - BiciSport 150+ Teams Pursuit squad of Graham Cockerton, Peter Verhoeven, Dom 'Mr 21 Seconds' Zumbo, James Thornton & Anthony Colantonio

NSW Masters Track Championships - BiciSport 150+ Teams Pursuit team before the start

NSW Masters Track Championships - BiciSport 150+ Teams Pursuit Team took the Bronze medal

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  NSW Masters Track Championships over 16-19 February - The NSW Masters Championships attracted a good field of over 300 individual entries with eyes very much focused on the Nationals at DGV in early March. BiciSport took an excellent haul of 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze over the 4 day Championship.

Sprint - Mike Smith & Lise Benjamin took Gold with David Browne the Bronze. Individual Time Trial - Lise Benjamin the Gold & David Browne 4th. Points - Lise Benjamin & Anthony Colantonio both took Silver with Peter Verhoeven 4th. Individual Pursuit - Peter Verhoeven was pipped by just 0.02 seconds in a great ride for the Gold. Scratch Race - Lise Benjamin took the Gold with Peter Verhoeven the Bronze. Teams Pursuit - John Crouchley did a masterful job in blending the fresh 150+ squad of Graham Cockerton, Dom Zumbo, James Thornton & Anthony Colantonio to the Bronze in 2min 26 secs. 

*  Newcastle Criterium on 19 February - Ruth Strapp finished 5th in D grade at Kooragang

CANBERRA to CAMDEN over 4-5 MARCH

*  This fully supported ride (organised by BiciSport & Harlequin Wheelmen) departs from Old Parliament House Canberra at 7.30am on the Saturday with a 150k ride for an overnight stay in Goulburn. Sunday is another 150k from Bundanoon to Camden.

If you are interested please contact Mike O'Reilly by Sunday 26 February at bicisport1@gmail.com. 

145 CLASSIC on SUNDAY 19 MARCH

BiciSport is supporting the Sir David Foundation with a 145k charity ride on Sunday 19 March. The 145k ride from Centennial Park to Kiama will have approximately 150 starters (across 8 seperate bunches) who have all raised funds to support the Sir David Martin Foundation. Would you like to assist on the day ?, get in a 145k training ride, a new Cuore jersey and get fed very well ?. Sounds like you. 

What we need is 12 Bunch Leaders to assist the 8 bunches (of 20 riders each) get from Centennial Park to Kiama. The Bunch Leaders will receive a special Cuore jersey plus breakfast at Centennial Park & lunch in Kiama. Bunch Leaders don't need to raise money for the Foundation, just assist those that do. It's a great day out for a great cause. We also need 6 car drivers to assist on the day. For further details contact Mike O'Reilly on bicisport1@gmail.com or 0417 403 244.   

RACES THIS WEEK

*  Feb 21 - Heffron Park Criteriums (ES)

*  Feb 22-25 - National Junior Track Championships (DGV)

*  Feb 23 - Amoury Criteriums Newington (LACC)

*  Feb 24 - St Ives Criteriums (MW)

*  Feb 25-26 - Coffs Harbour Track Open & Criterium

*  Feb 25 - Canterbury CC Reunion (Star City Casino Fountain 11.45am), Lake Hume Cycle Challenge (Albury NSW), Heffron Park Criteriums (RB)

*  Feb 26 - Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (NS), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Feb 20 - DGV Track Training with John Crouchley @ 3pm  

*  Feb 23 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Feb 25 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.45am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.15am

*  Feb 26 - Homebush SOPA Loop @ 7am (Parramatta River Wharf)

TOUR de BELLO - the ultimate training camp

BiciSport is happy to announce the inaugural Tour de Bello training camp from 31 August until 3 September on the beautiful NSW North Coast at Bellingen & Urunga (near Coffs Harbour). The new freeway system near Coffs has created a cycling mecca with numerous local roads now traffic free.  

The complete Tour de Bello details can be found elsewhere on this website.

Tour de Bello near Bellingen & Urunga offer endless traffic free roads. Its as good as it looks.

News Shorts - 13 February

Kirstie Dolton (BiciSport) - CyclingNSW Cyclist of the Year Award for Women Masters 4

Lise Benjamin (BiciSport) - CyclingNSW Cyclist of the Year Award for Womens Masters 6

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Kirstie Dolton & Lise Benjamin took out their respective Masters division at the CyclingNSW Cyclist of the Year Awards held on the same night as the Clarence Street Cup. Congratulations to both Kirstie & Lise.

*  Waratah Masters at Heffron Park on 12 Feb - Raoul Westbrook took 3rd in D grade.  Ian Grainger rode well in C grade

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Feb 16-19 - NSW Masters Track Championships (DGV)

*  Feb 18 - National Penny Farthing Championships (Evansdale, Tasmania)

*  Feb 18-19 - Tour of East Gippsland (Vic)

*  Feb 19 - Ourimbah University Criterium (CC), Heffron Park (Waratah Masters)  

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Feb 13 - DGV Track Training (John Crouchley) @ 3pm

*  Feb 15 - DGV Aerocoach Training (Alex Simmons) @ 10am-12noon

*  Feb 16 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride Centennial Park @ 10am

*  Feb 18 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.15am 

   Centennial Park Thursday @ 10am

BiciSport is supporting the Sir David Martin Foundation on Sunday 19 March and needs your support. This 145k Classic ride is from Centennial Park (via Sutherland, Waterfall, Wollongong, Shellharbour) on Sunday 19 March departing at 6.30am and finishing in Kiama some 145k later. We need ... 10 bunch ride captains (you get to ride the whole 145k and earn a free jersey for your efforts) plus we need 6 car drivers & cars. For more information contact Mike O'Reilly on 0417 403 244 or email on bicisport1@gmail.com  

News Shorts - 6 February

HST 2017 Stage 3 - At the Benalla start up close with the Chris Froome Pinerello F10.

BICISPORT CHARITY RIDES - 4/5 & 19 MARCH

BiciSport is actively supporting two upcoming charity rides -

*  March 4-5 - Canberra to Camden. In cooperation with Harlequin Wheelman at Collaroy there is an organised ride (with full car support) from Canberra to Goulburn (overnight). Day 2 then starts in Bundanoon on the Sunday and finishes in Camden. The ride is 150k each day via traffic free back roads and departs from outside Old Parliament House Canberra at 7.30am on the Saturday. For more details contact Mike O'Reilly on 0417 403 244.

*  March 19 - Centennial Park to Kiama with the 145 Classic. In support of the Sir David Martin Foundation this organised 145k ride starts in Centennial Park at 6.30am and the route goes via Sutherland, Wollongong & Shellharbour and finishing in Kiama-Jamberoo. A fully supported ride with designated bunch captains. BiciSport has been asked to supply bunch captains and a free jersey will be supplied.  For more details contact Mike O'Reilly.

The 145 Classic is in support of the Sir David Martin Foundation

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Clarence Street Cup on 4 February - The CSC is the premier NSW track carnival and has been going for more than 30 years. BiciSport was represented by Matt Karai, David Browne & Lise Benjamin.  Lise Benjamin took 9th in the CSC Womens Final.

*  BiciSport Teams Pursuit team confirmed - The 150+ team to the NSW Masters Championships is Anthony Colantonio, Dom Zumbo, Graeme Cockerton & James Thornton (reserves are Peter Verhoeven & Mike O'Brien). BiciSport team coach is John Crouchley.  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Feb 11 - Track Super Series (DISC, Melbourne)

*  Feb 12 - Ourimbah University Criterium (Central Coast), Heffron Park (Waratah Masters), West Head (MW) 

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Feb 6 & 8 - DGV Track Training with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Feb 9 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride at Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Feb 11 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café Terrey Hills @ 9.30am (coffee only) 

   Centennial Park Thursday @ 11am

TOUR DOWN UNDER HIGHLIGHTS

Tour Down Under 2017 - BiciSport member Dianne Townsend went to the track night at the Adelaide Velodrome for Cycling Cares in support of former Cycling Australia coach Gary West (a cure for Motor Neurone Disease).  Dianne made the winning bid for the Peter Sagan jersey (personally signed of course)

Tour Down Under 2017 - Having the jersey was one thing ... it was only a matter of time before Dianne found the real deal

News Shorts - 30 January ... Herald SunTour Edition

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS & HERALD SUN TOUR (HST)

*  Albury Criteriums on January 23 - Sue & Graham Tierney raced at the Barnawartha Driver Training Centre near Albury. Graham took second in C grade and Sue duly won D grade

*  Ourimbah & Waratah Criteriums - Ian Grainger has been flying the BiciSport flag but the champagne remains elusive.

*  HST 2017 - The 2017 edition of the HST has a real Alpine feel this year with a genuine mountain stage into Falls Creek (via Tawonga Gap) then followed by hilly stages to Beechworth & Kinglake. Alex Simmons (BiciSport) is the Chief Commissaire driver and Mike O'Reilly is the Race Director driver. Both Alex & Mike attended the UCI Convoy Drivers Course (as part of the UCI World Tour) in Geelong and gained their UCI driver accreditation. HST stages are -      

*  Feb 1 - Melbourne Individual Time Trial (Southbank Waterfront)

*  Feb 2 - Wangaratta to Falls Creek (via Bright, Tawonga Gap)

*  Feb 3 - Mt Beauty to Beechworth (via Eildon & the Stanley climb)

*  Feb 4 - Benalla to Mitchelton Winery

*  Feb 5 - Kinglake Loop

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Feb 3 - St Ives (MW)

*  Feb 4-5 - Victorian Track Championships (DISC)

*  Feb 4 - Clarence Street Cup (DGV)

*  Feb 5 - Calga ITT (ATTA), Eastern Creek (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

*  Jan 30 - NSW School Term starts and the motor traffic gets heavier

*  Jan 30 & Feb 1 - Track Training with John Crouchley & 3pm

*  Feb 2 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Feb 4 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

       Centennial Park Thursday 11am

IMAGES from the Herald Sun Tour

HST 2017 Prologue - Greg Nunn (Judge) & Alex Simmons (BiciSport) on the HST start podium  

HST 2017 Prologue - Chris Froome in the marshalling tent before the start

HST 2017 Prologue - Alex Simmons (BiciSport) and Chris Froome on the start ramp

HST 2017 Stage 1 from Wangaratta to Falls Creek. Chris Froome at the start

HST 2017 Stage 1 start

HST 2017 Stage 1 at the Falls Creek finish

HST 2017 Stage 1 - Race Directors Subaru cockpit has 3 race radios (Convoy, Commissaires & Moto Scouts)

HST 2017 Stage 2 - The day started in Falls Creek with a spectacular view

HST 2017 Stage 2 - The start line with Sue Tierney, Stuart O'Grady & Graham Tierney. Graham has joined the HST convoy driving team going forward & look forward to seeing him contributing into the future.

HST 2017 Stage 2 - Simon Gerrans before the start

HST 2017 Stage 3 - Phil Liggett joined the local Benalla club at the start

HST 2017 Stage 3 - Benalla start

HST 2017 Stage 3 - Esteban Chaves at Mitchelton Winery finish

HST Stage 3 - Damien Howson (HST Tour Leader) after the Mitchelton Winery finish

HST 2017 Stage 4 - Before the Kinglake start with the Convoy driving team of Peter Barnes Comm 4, Alex Simmons Chief Comm & Mike O'Reilly Race Director.

News Shorts - 23 January .. Race Melbourne & Cadel Weekend Edition

Sue Tierney climbing Mt Buffalo in the Victorian Alps last week. Sue has won eight National Masters Road Championships be it Time Trials, Criteriums or Road Races. Plans for Sue in 2017 include the Nowra Team Time Trial for BiciSport and the five race Victorian TT Series.

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Womens Tour Down Under (14-17 January) - Congratulations to Katie Brown (BiciSport) on her first stint as NSWIS Sport Director

*  Cadel Evans Road Race (28-29 January) - Both Alex Simmons & Mike O'Reilly will be Race Convoy drivers at both the Albert Park & Cadel Evans Road Races. Mike has been allocated Comm 2 and Alex allocated Comm 3. Both are also Convoy Drivers from the Herald SunTour in early February.  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Jan 26 - Race Melbourne Albert Park Grand Prix (Melbourne, Vic)

*  Jan 28 - Alpine Audax (Bright, Vic), Cadel Evans Cyclosportive (Geelong, Vic)

*  Jan 28-29 - Cadel Evans Road Races

*  Jan 29 - Ourimbah University Criteriums (Central Coast), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

Oakwood BiciSport Ride - Friday 27 January  

*  All BiciSport riders & friends are welcome to a special ride hosted by Brett Tarlington & Oakwood Lifestyle Advisers. Meet up in the Piemonte Café Terrey Hills carpark @ 7.45am for a 8.15am departure. The ride is via McCarrs Creek Rd, Akuna Bay then back to Piemonte Café for morning tea. 

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

*  Jan 23 & 25 - DGV track training with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Jan 26 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride at Centennial Park @ 10am

*  Jan 27 - Oakwood Ride (Piemonte Café @ 7.45am)  

*  Jan 28 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7,30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

Centennial Park Thursday 10.00am

  Bright (Vic) on Saturday 28 January

IMAGES from Race Melbourne and the Cadel Evans Weekend

Race Melbourne 2017 - Alex Simmons & Julian Dean

Race Melbourne 2017 - Alex Simmons (Comm #3 driver) & Mike O'Reilly (Comm #2 driver)

Cadel Evans 2017 - BMC Team Car

Cadel Evans 2017 - Convoy on the start line  

Cadel Evans 2017 - Kenny Eissonde (Sky) before the start

Cadel Evans 2017 - Team Katuska

Cadel Evans 2017 - Robbie McEwen interviews the winner Nikias Arndt

News Shorts - 16 January

Bright (Vic) - Brett Tarlington, Sue & Graham Tierney in the Buckland Valley near Bright

Bright (Vic) - Kylie & Ben Mildren outside the Ginger Baker Cafe

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Conor Tarlington has gained selection to the Rausland Development Team (previously the Subaru Development Team) for the 2017 road season. Conor attended a team training camp in Bright.

*  A seemingly endless peloton took to the climbs around Bright this week including BiciSport riders Brett & Conor Tarlington, Sue & Graham Tierney, Kylie & Ben Mildren, Mike O'Reilly, Len Groen and Roy Edwards  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Jan 14-17 - Womens Tour Down Under

*  Jan 18-22 - Mens Tour Down Under

*  Jan 18 - National Junior Track Series (Adelaide)

*  Jan 20 - BUPA Cyclosportive (Adelaide)

*  Jan 20-22 - NSW Track Championships (DGV)

*  Jan 22 - Ourimbah Criterium (Central Coast), Heffron Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Jan 16 & 18 - DGV Track training with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Jan 19 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride at Centennial Park @ 10am

*  Jan 21 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

    Centennial Park Thursday at 10am

    Bright (Vic) on Saturday 28 January

                     Ourimbah Super Crit is on February 12 and organised by Central Coast CC

Michelle Tarlington purchased a $5 raffle ticket in the Annual Bright Duck Race. Several thousand plastic ducks are dropped off the Morse Creek Bridge in central Bright with the first duck to cross the finish line earning $1,000 for one happy camper ... Duck # 977 suitably took the sprint for one very happy camper ...  

Despite persistent rumours of a Fine Cotton Affair or potential EPO abuse Duck # 977 (aka Colin the Duck) was taken into custody and suitably drug tested.  Michelle is racing Colin # 977 next week at the nearby Harrietville Duck Race.

News Shorts - 9 January ... Livingstone goes top 10

Ballarat 17 - Peter Livingstone (BiciSport) and John Crouchley after the Under 23 Criterium

Ballarat 17 - Peter Livingstone (BiciSport) took 9th in the U23 Road Race and with John Crouchley after the finish.

CYCLING AUSTRALIA ELITE NATIONAL ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Fine weather greeted a well organised National Championships in Ballarat. The Criterium was in the centre of the Ballarat CBD, the ITT just near Bunninyong some 10k from Ballarat and the Road Race was around the Mt Helen circuit finishing in the Bunninyong main street. . There was much discussion about "where to" in 2018 (see story below).

Criterium Under 23 - Peter Livingstone (BiciSport) was in several moves early but settled for a comfortable bunch finish in anticipation for Sundays road race

Road Race Under 23 - The U23 RR started with 125 riders in super hot conditions. After 3 laps 5 riders attacked & stayed away until lap 7 (of 13). Then a break of 9 riders chased (including Peter Livingstone) and bridged across forming the front group.  Sam Jenner then soloed off the front with a bunch sprint of 8 riders contesting the Silver medal. A super courageous effort by Peter who was slightly distanced on the last climb but fought his way back to contest the Silver medal bunch sprint. Just 24 riders finished a super tough 132k.

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Jan 13 - St Ives Criterium (MW)

*  Jan 14-15 - NSW Track Championships (DGV)

*  Jan 14-17 - Womens Tour DownUnder (SA) - Katie Brown (BiciSport) as NSWIS Director Sportif

*  Jan 15 - Ourimbah Criteriums (Central Coast), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Jan 9 - DGV Training with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Jan 11 - DGV Training with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Jan 12 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride Centennial Park @ 10am

*  Jan 14 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

      Centennial Park Thursday 10am

Ballarat 17 - Commissaires Grupetto Ride headed for Lake Wendouree. Alex Simmons (BiciSport) far left & John Crouchley far right. 

Ballarat 17 - Meeting of the wiser minds ... Ron Neiwand (father of Track legend Gary) meets John Crouchley (coach of Martin Vinnicombe) for the first time. This lively dinner discussion traversed the 1980's through numerous World Track Championships, Commonwealth & Olympic Games. Nobody else was game to stop these two chatting about all things track. Ron cradling the #1 seemed quite apt. It was a great dinner.   

Ballarat 17 - The local newspaper lead story on the Saturday of the Under 23 Road Championships. The local journalists for some reason were fixated with headlining why we'd like to leave Ballarat instead of celebrating the current event itself. 

News Shorts - 2 January

December 31 ... calmly driving two Belgian friends around Chowder Bay near Mosman chasing a good coffee .... hang on a minute ... isn't that Peter Sagan & Mick Rogers ! ? ... can't be ! ? ... double take ... yep, "Peter" on the knicks sort of gave it all away. Nobody is ever going to believe this ...

Mick Rogers & Peter Sagan (with a Sydney bus for company to just prove this all wasn't some crazy NYE wine infused dream) on the Col Del La Taronga Park Zoo climb. Rumour has it he was also spotted at Palm Beach the day before.  

Sydney Christmas Carnivals 2016 - Anthony Colantonio

Sydney Christmas Carnivals 2016 - Matt Karai

Sydney Christmas Carnivals 2016 - Lise Benjamin

Sydney Christmas Carnivals 2016 - David Browne

Cycling Australia Elite Road Championships hit Ballarat from January 4-8

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  National Road Championships Jan 4-8 (Ballarat) - Best wishes to Peter Livingstone (U23) at the Nationals. Both Alex Simmons & Mike O'Reilly will assist with Commissaire driving duties with John Crouchley.  

*  Sydney Christmas Carnivals Dec 27-30 - Good performances by Anthony Colantonio, Lise Benjamin, Matt Karai & David Browne.  

BICISPORT TEAMS PURSUIT - NOMINATIONS OPEN

*  Nominations for BiciSport Teams Pursuit teams are now open. Please email bicisport1@gmail.com 

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Jan 1-3 - Mitchleton Bay Classic Criteriums (Geelong & Melbourne)

*  Jan 2 - Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

*  Jan 4 - National Criterium Championships (Ballarat)

*  Jan 5 - National ITT Championships (Ballarat)

*  Jan 6 - St Ives Criteriums (MW) 

*  Jan 7 - National Gran Fondo Championships (Ballarat), National U23 Road Race Championships (Ballarat), Goulburn Track Open

*  Jan 8 - National Elite Road Race Championships (Ballarat), Ourimbah Criteriums (Central Coast), Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters) 

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Jan 2 & 4 - No DGV Track Training

*  Jan 5 - Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride Centennial Park @ 10am

*  Jan 7 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café coffee only @ 9.30am

    Thursday Centennial Park @ 10am

The best reason for going to bike races is the fantastic people you meet along the way. Belgium 2016 and whilst Conor Tarlington is circulating around the tiny Flemish village of Kalken in a 70k criterium ... Mike O'Reilly strikes up a conversation with the local Belgian Police (as you do) who were protecting the bike race. Six months later and what a pleasure it is to see Belgium meeting the NSW Police with smiles all round.   

A stunning picture taken by Sue Tierney from the top of Mount Hotham (Vic) on December 30.

News Shorts - 26 December

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  BiciSport AGM held 16 Dec - The positions filled were Ian Grainger (President), Mike O'Reilly (Vice President), Cleo Higgins (Secretary), Brett Tarlington (Treasurer), Sue Tierney (Womens Co-ordinator), Mike O'Brien (Committee), Alex Simmons (Committee). John Croouchley is the Teams Pursuit Coach and Mike O'Reilly the Teams Pursuit Selector

BICISPORT TEAMS PURSUIT NOMINATIONS OPEN

*  Nominations are now open for BiciSport teams to the Masters Teams Pursuit in February & March at DGV. Please nominate to bicisport1@gmail.com

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Dec 27-30 - Victorian Christmas Track Carnivals (Shepparton, Wangaratta, Bendigo, Ballarat)

*  Dec 27-30 - Sydney Christmas Track Carnivals (Lidcombe, DGV, Hurstville, Tempe)

*  Jan 1 - Calga ITT (ATTA), Lansdowne Park Criterium (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Dec 26 (Boxing Day) - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am

*  Dec 29 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride - Centennial Park @ 10am (not 11am)

*  Dec 31 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  Jan 2 (Mon) - DGV Track training resumes with John Crouchley

     Thursday Centennial Park 10am

PIEMONTE & HAPPY DAYS CLOSED

*  Piemonte Café is closed Boxing Day (Monday) and the Tuesday

BiciSport supporter Eddy Verbust (far right) sends you a NYE greeting in Flemish with Ingrid & Kenny De Ketele (from the recent Gent Six Day). Eddy will be hosting the BiciSport group to Flanders in March 2017.

BiciSport Track Teams Pursuit - Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for Masters All Ages & 150+ Teams pursuit squads to the NSW & National Championships in February-March 2017. John Crouchley is the TP Coach and Mike O'Reilly is the TP Selector.

Please email bicisport1@gmail.com 

News Shorts - 19 December

   From all at BiciSport best wishes for Christmas

          BiciSport Christmas Ride 2016 - the weather was poor with light drizzle but smiles all round.  

    BiciSport Christmas Ride 2016 - Conor Tarlington leads the charge out of Akuna Bay on damp roads

   Alex Simmons at DGV doing aero testing and Mark Renshaw (white blur) circulating in the background. 

BICISPORT WEBSITE - NEW CALENDAR FEATURES

*  The BiciSport website now has a totally integrated calendar listing all training rides, races and cyclo sportives. Thank you to Alex Simmons for the development of the new Bici website

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  BiciSport Christmas Ride on 18 Dec - Less than ideal weather conditions didn't deter the BiciSport hardcore doing Akuna Bay one more time. Those that raced at ECR in the morning joined up for coffee at Piemonte Café.

*  Alex Simmons Aero coaching on 14 Dec - Another successful Alex Simmons aero session at DGV with two happy cyclists more streamlined & slippery than before. Mark Renshaw & Caleb Ewan turned up at DGV in preparation for the National Madison Championships the following Saturday in Melbourne.  

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Dec 24 - HART Criteriums (MW)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

*  Dec 19 - DGV with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Dec 20 - Sydney traffic will be lighter with the start of the NSW School Holidays

*  Dec 21 - DGV with John Crouchley @ 3pm

*  Dec 22 - Centennial Park Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride @ 11am

*  Dec 24 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am  

*  Dec 26 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am

    DG Ride every Thursday @ 11am

                BiciSport coffee is every Saturday at Piemonte Café Terrey Hills @ 9.30am. All welcome. 

MILITARY ROAD NIGHTMARE

*  Its official ... its a mess. A peak hour that now never stops and who in their right mind would attempt to pedal along this stretch of bitumen misery. Thankfully there are some reasonable alternatives (on the eastern side) that makes a journey to from the City somewhat safer.

The Berlin Wall may have gone down but cyclists now have their own version from the Northern Beaches into the City.

Oakwood Ride - 16 December

Due to wet weather today the Oakwood Ride has been postponed until 27 January.

The BiciSport Christmas Ride is this Sunday 18 December. Meet in the Piemonte Café carpark at 7.45am for an 8.00am departure. 

News Shorts - 12 December

BiciSport dominated the Scody Cup on 10 December at DGV with fine wins by David Browne & Lise Benjamin

David Browne takes the Scody Sydney Cup podium

Caleb Ewan & Stephen Brown (AvantiPlus Narrabeen)

Paul Craft & Caleb Ewan at AvantiPlus Narrabeen. Crafty did a great interview with Caleb.   

NEW ATTA RACE DIRECTOR

Best wishes to Chris Greaves who has retired as the ATTA Race Director. Chris has contributed to ATTA over the last 25 years and made a significant contribution to the growth of NSW cycle sport. Best wishes to Chris for a happy retirement. The new ATTA Race Director is Brad Craft on 0409 569 682 or email on velocraft@bigpond.com

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Scody Sydney Cup on 10 Dec - David Browne & Lise Benjamin both won their respective Scody Sydney Cup Wheelraces at DGV and now set for an excellent Championship series at the NSW & National Masters Championships in February-March. 

*  AvantiPlus Narrabeen & Caleb Ewan on 9 Dec - Congratulations to Stephen Brown at AvantiPlus Narrabeen who hosted a great night with Caleb. Paul Craft did a fine job as MC.

*  Happy Wheels on 9 Dec - Stewart Campbell hosted the HW Christmas function and the opening of the new shop at Waterloo

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Dec 13 - Western Sydney Dragway (Marconi)

*  Dec 16 - HART St Ives (MW)

*  Dec 17 - Bowral Track Open, National Madison Championships (Melbourne)

*  Dec 18 - Southern Hemisphere Cup (Waratah Masters), Austral Wheelrace (Melbourne), St Kilda Super Criterium (Melbourne) 

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Dec 12 - DGV Team Training (John Crouchley) @ 3pm

*  Dec 14 - Berowra Grupetto (Berowra Railway Station to Calga) @ 7.30am, DGV Aero Testing(Alex Simmons) @ 9.00am, Lansdowne Park for local laps @ 2.00pm, DGV Individual Training (John Crouchley) @ 3pm

*  Dec 15 - Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride (Centennial Park) @ 11am

*  Dec 16 - Oakwood Financial Services sponsored ride (Piemonte Café). Arrive @ 7.45am and depart @ 8.15am.

*  Dec 17 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café @ 9.30am (coffee only), BiciSport AGM (Freshwater) @ 6pm

*  Dec 18 - BiciSport Christmas Ride (Piemonte Café). Arrive @ 7.45am and depart 8.00am.       

Centennial Park Thursday 11am

The BiciSport Christmas Ride is on this coming Sunday from Piemonte Café car park. Meet at 7.45am and the ride departs at 8.00am (around Akuna Bay) for coffee at Piemonte Café from 9.30am onwards. All riders & friends are most welcome.

Alex Simmons (BiciSport Coach) now resides in Bellingen and hosts Aerocoach testing at DGV on 14 December. Alex was recently spotted in the Split Expresso Café in Sawtell. Plans are afoot to host a BiciSport training camp based from Bellingen. The new Pacific Freeway has opened up endless traffic free cycling opportunities on the old Pacific Highway.  

Stewart Campbell hosted the Happy Wheels Waterloo Christmas Party on 9 December

News Shorts - 4 December

Chris Froome at the Etape finish in Perisher

Chris Froome on the long Perisher climb (note the yellow snow road markings)

Chris Froome with Fiona Fahy (BiciSport)

Etape driving team - Kevin Fisher, Mike O'Reilly, Fiona Fahy & Gary Keating

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Etape on Dec 3 - The first Etape had delightful weather and started at Thredbo with the finish in Perisher, The ride itself turned difficult after Berridale with strong headwinds and the super difficult 4k climb to Dalgety. Very few of the peloton actually rode the Dalgety climb and the overwhelming majority walked the climb in hot conditions. Sue Tierney used 39x28 on the Dalgety climb and even a super fit Sue T managed a small walk ... even elite NRS riders were seen holding onto cars to get up the Dalgety wall. The 25k to Perisher was equally punishing with numerous riders reduced to walking again. Congratulations to BiciSport riders Sue & Graham Tierney, David Cooper & Tom Green on a very difficult day  

*  Tour of Bright on Dec 2-4 - Conor Tarlington raced at ToB 2016. Stage 1 on the Friday was a 13.5k ITT at Porepunkah on the outskirts of Bright. Day 2 was a 90k stage over the Ovens Valley with a final climb of Tawonga Gap. Day 3 was a 58k stage to the top of Mt Hotham.  Conor's results Stage I ITT - 29th in 19min 50secs, Stage 2 - 40th @ 11min 24secs, Stage 3 - 44th @ 23min 58secs

Conor Tarlington (BiciSport) at the ToB 2016 prologue time trial

Conor Tarlington climbing Tawonga Gap during ToB 2016

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Dec 6 - Western Sydney Dragway (Marconi), Heffron Park (ES)

*  Dec 9 - HART Criteriums (MW)

*  Dec 10 - Sydney Cup on Wheels (DGV CycNSW)

*  Dec 11 - West Head RR (MW @ 7am), Heffron Park (Waratah Masters) 

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Dec 4 - DGV Track @ 3pm (John Crouchley)

*  Dec 6 - Berowra Grupetto @ 7.30am (start opp Berowra Railway Station). 60k to Calga.

*  Dec 7 - Distinguished Gentlemens Ride @ 11am (Centennial Park)  

*  Dec 9 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am (SOPA Loops), Piemonte Café @ 9.30am (coffee only) 

*  Dec 10 - To be confirmed 

Centennial Park @ 11am

BICISPORT CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS

*  Dec 9 - Happy Wheels Waterloo Christmas Party @ 4pm to 8pm - All Welcome

*  Dec 9 - Caleb Ewan Function @ AvantiPlus Narrabeen @ 6.30pm to 8.30pm - All Welcome

News Shorts - 28 November

The Bear Cottage Charity Ride started from outside the Fixed Wheel at Manly and attracted 100 starters for the ride to Church Point then returning to Pilu Restaurant at Freshwater Beach for coffee.

The Bear Cottage Charity Ride departs from the Fixed Wheel

DGV Team Pursuit training with John Crouchley deserves a good coffee

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  Bear Cottage Ride on Nov 27 - A very good northside peloton turned up in support of Bear Cottage with four bunches doing Church Point & return to Freshwater. Big thank you to Danny Wright & Giovanni Pilu for making it happen.

*  Back on track - Tori Robinson has resumed cycle training after several months off the bike due to a shoulder reconstruction courtesy of a surf boat accident that went very wrong. 

Tori Robinson gives her new shoulder a free trip around Akuna Bay

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 29 - Heffron Park (ES) & Western Sydney Dragway (Marconi)

*  Dec 2 - HART Criteriums (St Ives) (MW)

*  Dec 2-3 - Bundaberg Track Spectacular (Qld)

*  Dec 2-4 - Tour of Bright (Vic) - BiciSport starter Conor Tarlington

*  Dec 3-4 - National Junior Track Series (Brisbane), NSW Track Champs (DGV)

*  Dec 3 - E'tape Australia (Thredbo) - BiciSport starters Tom Green, Graham & Sue Tierney

*  Dec 4 - Calga Time Trials (ATTA), Tour of Melburn (FXYO), Mt Ku Ring Gai (NS), Great Victorian Bike Ride (Geelong), Lansdowne (Waratah Masters), Ourimbah University Criteriums (Central Coast CC)

BICISPORT TRAINING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 28 - DGV Track Training (with John Crouchley) @ 3pm

*  Dec 1 - Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride Centennial Park @ 11am

*  Dec 3 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café @ 9.15am (coffee only)

Centennial Pk every Thursday 11am

BICISPORT to Flanders CLASSICS in March 2017 (AUTOBUS is FULL)

The BiciSport grupetto to the Belgian Spring Classics 2017 is now full with Sue & Graham Tierney, Nigel Perry, Ian Masson, Mike O'Reilly plus Eddy Van Der Wally.  The BiciSport Grupetto will participate in three cyclo-sportives (Ghent Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders, Paris Roubaix) plus spectate at several professional classic races (Dwars Vlaanderen, E3, Ghent Wevelgem, De Panne, Ronde, Schelde Prijs, Paris Roubaix & Brabant Pijl).        

The Haaghoek cobbles outside Oudenaarde feature in every Flemish Spring Classic

 

EDDY VERBUST ... the GHENT 6 DAY Grand Patron

Eddy Verbust has kindly hosted & assisted several BiciSport riders in Belgium in recent years, and those lucky enough to go the Belgian Spring Classics in 2017 will be rewarded with a trip to the private Verbust Museum in De Pinte. Eddy remains the grand patron of the Ghent 6 Day as the Cavendish-Wiggins finish line picture attests. 

Eddy Verbust between Cavendish & Wiggins at the Ghent 6 Day

John Crouchley (BiciSport) meets Eddy Verbust at the Verbust Museum. The Museum features numerous Ghent 6 Day trophies, dernys, jerseys, medals, posters & track bikes from the 1950's up until today.   

Conor Tarlington (BiciSport) with Eddy Verbust at the Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Ghent

Caleb Ewan at AvantiPlus Narrabeen on Friday 9 December

Indeed, a night not to be missed. If you would like to attend please email Stephen Brown at Narrabeen@avantiplus.com 

News Shorts - 21 November

Orange Eroica - Ian Grainger leads Marty Wright

Orange Eroica - when roads disappear its time for a swim

Orange Eroica - Marty Wright (BiciSport) actively supervising repairs

Orange Eroica - what started out as a standard Molong training ride resulted in 32k of dirt

BICISPORT MEMBER NEWS

*  CA Cyclist of the Year Award - Mike Smith (BiciSport Master) had a stellar 2016 season rewarded with a nomination for the Cycling Australia Master Track Cyclist of the Year. The awardwent to Gary Mandy in late November at the CA Awards night in Melbourne.  

*  Speedy Recovery - to Joc Young (BiciSport Master) clipped by a car at Sydney Olympic Park last week. Joc was not seriously injured and will be back on the bike shortly. The bike was barely one week old ...

*  Orange Eroica - The Berowra Groupetto plus a few BiciSporters for company ventured out to Orange last weekend with several diversions around Mt Conobolas and nearby Molong. There is some great cycling to be had around Molong especially with some nice dirt options. 

*  HART on November 18 - Conor Tarlington finished 3rd

RACING THIS WEEK

*  Nov 22 - Heffron Park (ES), ECR (Marconi)

*  Nov 25 - HART (MW)

*  Nov 26 - Sprint GP (DGV - CycNSW)

*  Nov 27 - Ourimbah University Crits (CC), Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

*  Nov 21 - DGV Track Training (John Crouchley) @ 3pm

*  Nov 23 - Berowra Grupetto (Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am) - 60k to Calga & return

*  Nov 24 - Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride (Centennial Park @ 11am)

*  Nov 26 - Meadowbank Bridge @ 7.30am, Piemonte Café (coffee only) @ 9.30am

*  Nov 27 - Cottage Bear Charity Ride - depart Fixed Wheel Cycle Shop @ 6.30am sharp for Church Point & return to Pilu Restaurant Freshwater at 9.00am    

Thursday at Centennial Park @ 11am

Sunday 27 November Bear Cottage Training Ride departs from the Fixed Wheel cycle shop at 6.30am sharp

The Belgian take on what a cycle race lead car should look like (Tour of Flanders 2016) ... you would be in no doubt that something is fast approaching ... multiple signs, blaring music, flashing lights, a Rodania clock, sponsorship and a few flags ... under all of that is a car