Climbing Camp prep for the Tour of Bright – 12/11/2011

Last weekend, some 6am-ers attended the annual pre Tour of Bright training camp in the beautiful north-eastern town of Eildon. Some spectacular riding saw that they were very cycling-satisfied and super super hungry (especially big Gus Gollings). The places visited on the bikes over the two days included Marysville, Lake Mountain and Jamieson – all looking spectacular on an absolutely perfect spring weekend. 300 kilometres distance and about 4000 metres of climbing in the two days was good prep for the big racing weekend ahead in early December.

A selection of photos from some of the guys is set out below. Then under that; an individual account of the weekend by Mad Mike Shaw.

This year the annual 6amers climbing camp was held around the Eildon area. Base camp was the lovely Eildon cabins and the intentions were to get some good ks and vertical in before the Tour of Bright.
Attendees in calve size order were…  Duke, Gus, Foggy, Jeff, Brenton and myself (Mad Mike Shaw).
Jeff and I were up in the hills early Friday walking through rivers spinning for trout. The rivers and scenery in this area are truely spectatcular.  If you havent experienced walking in these remote area rivers then you owe it to yourself to put it on your bucket list.
Back to cycling!…..  Back at base camp Jeff and I met up with Brenton..Horny, and Duke. I had good intentions of just chilling out and maintaining my bike ready for the big 2 days ahead. But no – this is a training camp not a picnic. So off we headed up skyline road at 12/13% for a while. I was thinking to myself whilst behind Duke, here’s a guy who has not long ago competed in the Melbourne to Warny now his getting ready for the TOB… Surely those massive calves of his will be a disadvantage later on Sunday and  he will finally be chasing me for once! High hopes but come on this blokes calves are 20kgs each!
After our little leg spin we headed to the local pub in Thorton.  Nice pub good meals and a nice chilled red was on the menu.
Once back at Eildon we met Gus and racked out for the night.
Saturday morning dawn and it was a beautiful day. Foggy arrived in his rumbling Club sport. Sun block was applied, chains lubed, brakes squeezed, bidons full of electrolyte substances, gels in jersey pockets, sunnys on the helmets, new cleats for some, and all but Jeffs casettes in pristine condition. This day was going to be huge. It included the ride out to Marysville then up to Lake Mountain and return.  Some 160klms and over 2000 vertical.

I found the 1 to 2 % gradual incline to Marysville really sap out the energy in my legs. This Lake Mountain climb is tough.  I knew the first sections were the toughest  and hung on for as long as I could. Duke Jeff and Horny climbed well with Gus and Foggy doing a stirling job Not too far behind with yours truely not having the best of days!!
At one stage I thought of my conversation the night before about how, when on those tough days climbing, you can look at that patch of grass next to you and feel like just falling over and having a nap. It really did cross my mind at 1 point in this climb. With a slight detour back towards skyline road near Eildon on the way home my legs were starting to come alive again and felt ok after a hot day in the saddle.
Once back at camp we sat around a picnic table like little kids tucking into the most wonderfull zupa dopers ever! Then it was up to the lake to strip down and ice the legs…. Now let me tell you… Two of our 6amers seem to think because they have recently been to Europe that short euro bathers are all the fashion. Ok maybe over there in the south of France, but at the Eildon boat ramp? NO. Its footy shorts or boardies.

Then came Gus…. No Euro bathers no boardies no speedos infact no bathers at all! Just his man jocks. Pale blue too. He fitted in a treat.  So here we all were the 6 of us standing in the water cooloing our legs next to the boat ramp. The conversation was one of those great moments in life. Hows the serenity? Smell that? Yep 2stroke. Gold.
Um ok here comes a family with a coupe of teenage girls putting in their boat. What on earth did they think about 6 grown men with smooth legs, some in tight lycra short euro shorts a couple in boardies and a bloke in his undies?
Saturday night saw us book a table for diner in Alexandra.  This pub has 40 parmas on its menu! Fantastic place – you name it and it comes in a parma here. Mine was a spudarama. Basically a parma with mash potato and gravy on top…yummo.
We were starving jeff ordered 2mains, Gus ate about 3mains, Horny got a girly drink, and a massive guy near us was checking that our eyes didnt go anywhere near his girlfriends legs! This guy was the size of 2 diesels!
Home early after  Gus and I tried in vane to get a Guiness on tap. Can you believe that even the shamrock hotel did not serve Guiness on tap! Anyway probably a good thing considering tomorrow, although being a shorter ride- around 130 odd ks is tougher than Lake Mt!
Ok nice little sleep in on Sunday up around 715 this is a training camp after all and thanks to the Eildon Caravan camp had a late check out of basically when ever we want. Fantastic thanks guys.
Sunday was truely one of the most spectacular rides I have ever done. We Went from Eildon across to Jamieson and return. Up and down all day. Beautifull place Jamieson, and a few other cylists in the area from around Mansfield. Once back at camp it was decided we had all earnt a world famous Buxton burger. So before we left back to the real world it was one last stop in Buxton for a magnificent burger!
Some main points on our training camp:

• No real mechanicals. .. A testiment to well maintained gear and no cheap parts.
• No punctures.       Lucky  I guess.
• Great bunch of blokes.
• Always regrouping at the top of climbs. Great bunch of blokes.
• Great pub meals.
• Nice chilled red wine. Thanks Horny.
• Um some crazy rally driving from a rally driver.
• Some weird looks from strangers at the boat ramp. Sorry for my mates dress code.
• Gus always eating and wanting to take on the Buxton Burger eating challenge.
• Dukes calves getting bigger.
• Jeff climbing like a pro in his old age.
• Foggy strong… Watch out TOB TT….
• And me well content and loved it. Now bring on the Tour Down Under.

Oh one more thing you have to train before attending these training camps or you WILL SUFFER!