The Failure of the UCI

The sport of cycling is beautiful, millions of people partake in this activity for both recreational and competitive purposes.  Cycling is growing at an exponential rate throughout the world, with bikes more often then not outselling cars each year.   The technology behind cycling has also improved dramatically and the sport is becoming more and more mainstream.  Everything appears to be on the up and up for cycling, and yet it is being held back by its governing body, the UCI.  Yes as ridiculous as it sounds, the cycling community is in agreement about the fact that the people who run this sport, the ones who should be trying to improve it are inherently limiting the potential of cycling.  They have imposed so many rules that it appears that they are attempting to push people away from the sport.  For example, there are now regulations as to the width manufacturers are allowed to make their wheels, laws on the geometry of bikes and a weight limit which professionals bikes are not allowed to go under.  If I would say so myself, they are preventing technological improvement.  How is it that in every other sport in the world improvement is considered a beneficial thing, however in this sport it is being shunned by the UCI.  This has all been brought to a head in recent weeks, after the UCI banned the Australia shoe company, Bont, from releasing their new aerodynamic shoe.  I thought this was a joke when I first heard about it, but discovered after doing a bit of background research that was indeed true.  The UCI stopped the manufacturing of this product because it went against their law on unfair performance assistance.  Great, well this just proves that the UCI is indeed trying to stop technological advancement.  In fact through this decision the UCI would have us believe that they would prefer if riders were still riding on steel frames, with only 1 gear and no helmets.  It is sad that the UCI seems to have its mind firmly set on ruining cycling instead of improving it, as the sports growth is undeniable and if the governing body were to support and nurture this growth it would be in the best interests of everybody.  Pat McQuaid and all those who work for the UCI please get your act together, and stop penalysing manufacturers and companies who are only trying to promote cycling, and start focusing on more important things, such as doing your job correctly and standing by those in the sport.   

Gold Coast Cycle Training Club

Woke up this morning to beautiful blue skies and perfect weather for cycling.  I had a choice between going for a long ride up to the mountains, or a practice crit race at the Luke Harrop Cycling circuit which is 5km from my house.  I decided to do the race, to see what the Gold Coast Cycle Training Club is all about.  In the end i was very glad I went.  Its a very well run race, which has a good community feel about it.  There is no prize money as it is a practice race, but this doesn't stop everyone from pushing it to the limit.  I went in A grade, where the majority of the riders are elite triathletes.  As a result they all had tri bars which only served to increase the pace. In the end we flew around the track, and after taking a few turns I simply tried to hold on for the rest of the race.   It was a 50 minute plus 3 lap race, and after only 15 minutes I was in the red zone, just focusing on the wheel infront.  Unlike the usual Sunday races at Luke Harrop the course includes a u turn, and it reconfirmed how hard they make the race.  Everytime u come out of it  there is a full on sprint, and many times I was dropped and had to fight to get back on the group. Whats more the u turn came up every km, which made the race even harder.  We averaged over 40km/h for the race which is very impressive when the u turn is taken into account.  The pace was unrelenting and as a result no one attacked, it was like being in a team time trial.  I amazingly survived until the end without getting dropped, which I was proud of.  For those who live on the Gold Coast I would highly recommend checking out the gold coast cycling training club website at http://www.gcctc.com.au/ and coming to some races.  They are extremely tough and good training, and have a friendly feel to it.  I am very glad i went this morning and know that I will race here more often.

Race Report (Runaway Bay)

Today the local Gold Coast race was held at the Runaway Bay Luke Harrop cycling track.  Due to the large multi stage event held down at salt, the Battle on the Border, there was not the usual large fields instead there was about 15 in c grade and 11 in the a and b combined race.  I was in the a and b combined race which surprisingly turned out to be a good race despite the lack of numbers.  Instead everyone was required to work and there was plenty of attacks as the possibility of a break succeeding was increased.  I would've attacked at least 5 times throughout the race, not because I thought it was the winning move but because it was fun.  Racing without attacking for me is boring.  There is no better feeling than asserting and demonstrating your strength over others with a quick acceleration.  In the end no one from the race got away and I came into the final corner in 1st position.  Unfortunately I was overtaken by 2 rides with 10 meters to go, giving me a close 3rd place position.  I was happy with this result, although in hindsight I could've probably given a bit more in the sprint.  Hats off must go to the organizers at cats cycling club for still holding the race, as there was beautiful weather and good racing.

Finding The Best Cycling Routes

What I find is one of the greatest part of cycling, is the adventure of finding new, better and quiet cycling routes.  I have been in the process of doing this for over 2 months now since the move of house.  I have nearly completed my explorations with only a few more routes to traverse before I am comfortable with the knowledge that I know the most important cycling routes on the gold coast.  Through these explorations I have found what I believe are routes which are perfect for all sorts of training.  There is the 1km computer street industrial circuit only 2 km from my house, which is perfect for speed training.  There is the long and steady ascent of beechmont, with its 6% gradient for 10 or so kilometers, which is perfect for strength training and sitting down climbing.  Aswell as numerous short sharp climbs in and around Hinze Dam that are perfect to increase power and work on standing.  I am happy with what I have found so far in this part of the Gold Coast, and will continue to search for better rides for as long as I cycle.  Happy exploring everyone!  

Winters Approaching

As cyclists we all dread that time of year when winter slowly rears its ugly head.  You know it is arriving when the temperature begins to drop and it become harder and harder to get out of your warm and cozy bed to go for a ride.  Although this is a problem for some I found that winter brings with it one much more serious problem.  Because although you can toughen up and rug up for a ride in colder temperatures you cannot avoid the shorter days, as precious time which could be utilized with rides out into the countryside is taken on both sides of the day.  Soon it is near impossible to get in the kilometers required to whip some butt at the next race.  It is this problem which I have begun to notice when I left the house this morning for a 40km ride, it was 6 oclock and the sun was just beginning to cast light over the Gold Coast.  It made me realize why I don't like winter, its not the cold, its the time lost which could be better spent in the saddle.