Hurstville Velodrome

Never really been superstitious, so cycling around a velodrome for 12hrs on Friday the 13^th wasn’t going to phase me, aside from the prospect of getting dizzy!!

We were using this madness to promote some fundraising for both the MickRooCrew and Cerebral Palsy, additionally raising some awareness around the Hurstville velodrome – the local council were trying to hand over the track to both the cricket and the AFL (the bigger money sports) whilst completely neglecting the needs of the cyclists and the history of the track itself.  Fortunately, a well mounted campaign by Phill Bates, which included an online petition, enabled the council to see sense and retain the track for the foreseeable future.  The challenge now is to get the council to invest in the track, as little has happened in this area in the last 20 years, the responsibility falling entirely on the knicks of the St George Cycling Club!

Didn’t turn out to be too bad a night considering it’s not exactly a spectator sport, watching a Scottish eejit pedal around an oval track for a few hours?!

·    Had nearly a handful of riders come out and join me on the track – cheers Billy Manning, Jim Kolesynk, Rusty Mackay and Craig Bulmer!

·    Well done to Sharon, Molly, Paddy, Sophie, Cassie, Nick, Hugh, Leanne, Hannah, Vera and Steve Woosnam for braving the cold!

·    And the MickRooCrew showed the beginnings of a happy and prosperous partnership – well done to Galvo, Gary, Greg, Rog, Rusty, and especially Dave Foley who stuck with it all night!!

·    Cheers to the JORG crew for coming out in numbers – Fintan the Man, Martin, Stevie Rigg and Wayne!

Only a storm came through after 10hrs and made the track especially slippery – it looked as if it was settling in for the remainder of the night, so this man showed uncharacteristic judgement and pulled the pin at 3am, exactly 10hrs after starting!  Roughly 310km under the belt, to show for the effort…

Here's the article from the Leader newspaper:

Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Need to mention that whilst in the process of doing the Race Across America, I’ll also be raising money for one of the best charities out there (IMHO), namely the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.  They’re a forward-thinking, responsive organisation who deserve to share the limelight with the more popular charities out there.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is a life-long physical disability as a result of damage to the developing brain.  Movement and posture are affected.  It shows itself first in early childhood.

How common is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood affecting approximately 1 in 500 children.  A CHILD IS BORN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY EVERY 15 HOURS!

In 13 out of every 14 cases in Australia, the brain injury leading to Cerebral Palsy occurs in either the uterus or before 1 month of age.

What are the causes?

The cause remains unknown!  Research into the cause has really only got underway in the past 5 years!

Race Across America 2011

Well, exactly 30 days to go - shite, where's the time gone?!!!  On June 15, I'll be lined up on the Oceanside start line with 99 other competitors, looking to complete possibly the hardest endurance event out there, the RACE ACROSS AMERICA!

I must admit that ever since finding about this race, I’ve been mesmerised about what it would be like to participate…and now in 2011, the actual chance to experience it has come about.  And now with just over 4 weeks to go, the doubts, the concerns and the questions are more prevalent than ever…so the optimist in me continues to take a constant battering at the moment.

But why shouldn’t I be positive – aside from the sponsorship side of things (which I’m sure we’ll get there in the end), the training’s going well; the organisation behind the scenes is progressing; and the support crew assembled is a brilliant mix of very different personalities.  And the continued support of my wife and family, my mates and the extended support crew, will make huge differences before the start line is even reached.

So, here’s the standard blurb:

·         Race Across America is the world’s top endurance cycling event – the 2011 race is the 30th edition of RAAM

·         There is no other race in the world like RAAM.  RAAM is the true test of speed, endurance, strength and camaraderie, the ideal combination of work and fun!  There is no race that matches the distance, terrain and weather, no other event that tests the spirit from beginning to end

·         Racers must traverse over 4,800km (3000 miles) across 12 states and climb over 170,000 vertical feet

·         RAAM is about 30% longer than the Tour de France and racers must complete the race in roughly half the time allowed for the Tour De France

·         RAAM 2011 commences at 12pm Wednesday, June 15^th, leaving Oceanside, California, and finishing in Annapolis, Maryland

·         Racers have a maximum of 12 days to complete the race, riding 400-550km (250-350 miles) a day, balancing speed and the need for sleep

·         Very few solo racers finish within the allotted time of 12 days to earn the distinction of RAAM Finisher – to finish within the allocated time, riders typically ride for 20 hours per day and sleep for the remaining 4 hours!

·         RAAM is open to professional and amateur athletes alike

·         RAAM is a race!!!

·         RAAM is one continual stage, similar to a time trial – even when sleeping, the clock is still ticking!!!

·         NO DRAFTING allowed!!!

We’ve got the following breakdown of which I’m in the solo category:

·         Solo – 47 competitors

·         2-man team – 9 competitors

·         4-man team – 32 competitors

·         8-man team – 12 competitors

…so a total of 100 competitors, which should make for interesting viewing all round…

More to come shortly…