I know some of the girls will be up around 6am to begin their preparations, so I’m up at 5 to eat and shower so I can stay out of their way on race day. I don’t know if I’m expecting some highly strung monsters, but the girls are the opposite.
La Velocita talks with Bike France, a Victorian based tour operator, that provide high quality boutique cycling trips in the Pyrenees.
Staying in a French Château, small groups and with all your riding starting at the front gate these tours are well worth a look.
So Ballarat is not on the top of the list when it comes to many people's 'must' travel destinations... but I'm here to persuade you that as a cyclist, it should be.
A couple of weeks ago, I packed up the car with two bikes, my wife and two young kids to try and achieve the holy grail, a cycling weekend away... with family in tow. Is it possible?
Riding in the Victorian High Country does not get much better than this. In it's 30th year, last weekend's ride was another cracker, perfect conditions, awesome riding and smiles all round. We were there to get a piece of the action.
The Dirty Dozen is an event like none other. This event challenges riders to get out of their comfort zone and climb 13 hills that are so steep that even a car would struggle to get up them.
Since it first kicked off in 2010, the ride as Ol’ Dirty has involved all the things we love most about riding at La Velocita: challenging yourself, exploring new roads, spending quality time with mates, and a detailed knowledge of the history of rap music.
I cried as I shivered. I thought about my family, my wife, my kids, my parents. I love you my darling.
I started to realise what it feels like to be crazy.
Rocacorba was damn hard, and I was hoping for some relief on the Colle delle Finestre. In retrospect, that's about the dumbest thing I have ever hoped for.
Time to get the job done in Spain.
It's not the longest, it doesn't finish the highest, but man is it steep.
Most people think of roads in Bali as congested places, full of motorbikes and cars, with a seemingly lawless policy.
Every year Melbournians say the same thing. This year is the coldest and wettest winter they have known, this year has been no exception. So I thought I would take the opportunity to head north to Brisbane for a few days, explore some new roads and ride the Rapha Prestige ride.
Last week I again had the privilege to ride from Brisbane to Longreach as part of RideWest, a Charity Bike Ride which raises money for the Royal Flying Doctors and the mental health programs that they run in the bush.
Too often we avoid a challenge because it is too difficult. In a busy world I often hear people saying, ‘I don’t have the time’.
So, take inspiration from Team Brevet. Five ‘ordinary’ people, busy with family and jobs, who together achieved something truly extraordinary; a new Audax Fleche Opperman 24 Hour team time trial record of 800km.
200km of adventure including 120km of gravel and 3,000+ metres of climbing… interested? Well the Gippsland Gold is for you.
Run by Audax Australia since 2010 and set in the stunning Strzelecki Ranges this ride will take you over hills, through valleys and along one of Australia’s most spectacular tourist roads, Grand Ridge Road.
Strade Bianche has come and gone, epic landscapes, hard racing and of course dirt and gravel. Cancellara made it three in another amazing display of talent.
Following from this event, I spoke with Damian Hancock from A’qto Cycling about his experience riding many of the same roads while riding L’Eroica.
Race for Change is a fast, competitive team challenge. With team work and strategy, you can be sure your experience will be nail-biting, exhilarating and fun.
The 200 kilometre cycling race is broken up into 40 laps of the 5km closed circuit and shared between you and your four team mates.
Today we take a trip down Memory Lane to remember a 23 year old Melbourne waitress, Billie Samuels who in March 1934, planned to ride from Melbourne to Sydney in record time.
When you next head out for your next epic, and you think you’re doing it tough then remember this story of this 4”11 inch fighter.
The Domestique Baw Baw ride was held on Saturday 13th February in near perfect conditions and attracted record crowds. It is easily one of Victorias most popular cycling events and attracts riders of all abilities.
Domestique challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone and to inspire riders to go and travel and explore, and to test your limits.
There's plenty of organised rides to get involved in right now. We've been talking to the guys at Ride & Seek about the Berry Challenge, a ride set is simply stunning country that provides the opportunity to get together with some mates and choose your own adventure.
Hells 500 and the Climbing Cyclist have announced a bonus Domestique Ride at Mount Baw Baw on Saturday 13th February 2016.
Australia Day is almost over... no doubt many of us have clocked up a massive amount of time on the bike over the last few days... Brendan Edwards was invited along for the Rowville Rider's Annual Australia Day Ride.
