Manly Coast and Toast ride on video

Here are a couple of you tube links to the well know Coast and Toast ride from Manly to Palm Beach, held early every Saturday.  It starts friendly enough, but as the riders get closer to the sprint at Palmy, the action starts

Part 1 is here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-ASZKIhFFo&list=UU24xI_rUeaZiEFpmp9d_qmw&index=2&feature=plcp

Part 2 is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYygblFLajY&list=UU24xI_rUeaZiEFpmp9d_qmw&index=1&feature=plcp

Enjoy the view!

Day 5....The Final

Well the final day of riding for most of us arrived. Another big day was in store with 130k and 1700m of vertical climbing involved. Temperatures were predicted to be in the low 30’s again, with a strong 30-40 knot southerly wind. We would have headwind/crosswinds for the ride down to Willunga, but a nice little tailwind to get us home at the end of the day.

Team KMD on the road to Willunga

The Ride Captain, one Buzz Crosby had come up with a nice course for us today, as all the courses have been each day. A touch of climbing here, a smidtz of downhill there, power on/spinning on, paceline required/gentle 2X2 abreast riding…..it was all there. Today, we headed once again up Norton Summit, however the Ride Captain had selected the older of the two Norton Summit ascents. This was a more gentle introduction to the traditional Norton Summit ride we do, however it kicked up rapidly over the last one and a half K’s with an average of around 9% gradient. It would test the tired legs of the group.

8.3am rollout from the Medina, as per usual, however there was one DNS from KMD. The famous French sprinter, Kay-belle Mitchell, had been put to bed by Dr Bourbon as his bung shoulders had been playing up and he needed to have a day off. This left KMD somewhat depleted for the sprints that would be on later in the day. However, Team Hampton weren’t without their issues with their roster too. Koala Foster had dialled “1800Qantasgetmeoutof here” and also started the day with a “DNS” against his name.

Both teams’s big units also failed to appear. Team Manly’s Justin Roscoe, who had been riding strongly all week and Ritchie Stewart also didn’t sign the whiteboard. Rumour had it that a dodgy prawn from the evening before’s dinner caused the no shows.

Gus on the lookout for a Manly Attack

A group of about 30 took off, and it wasn’t long before we hit the start of the Norton Summit climb. Damo was looking strong and set a brisk pace at the front. I slotted in behind his wheel, waiting for the inevitable attack from behind. Damo was trying to set up Gus McDonald, and about half way up the climb the pace picked up and there were more riders being shelled than a plate of prawns at a barbie! I managed to come around Gus and put about 50 metres into him which I held to the summit. It was a reversal of Greenhill road/Mt Lofty from a few days before. I later found when we loaded the day up on Strava it also got me the KOM for the Old Norton Summit climb, so we must have been going up there pretty quickly. As it was the last summit climb of FFT TDU 2012, it has double points, so good early blood to the light blue boys.

We regrouped at the top waiting for , and the pace was solid around the back of the Adelaide Hills as we headed south, over Mt Lofty and through Crafters. From here it was basically downhill to the McClarenvale Valley some 30k away. There were a couple of solid climbs, but much of it was 1% downhill with a headwind/crosswind. The group was swapping off nicely and we made good time. At a little town called Clarendon located in a little ravine/valley, we stopped to get some fresh drink/food on. These local shopkeepers must love it when 50 thirsty, hungry cyclists turn up and go through their shop like a horde of locusts! There is nothing left after we have descended on a café or milkbar! Feeling human again, we headed

Yet another coffee stop!

over to Willunga, a nice little town at the base of Willunga hill, where we ate more food, drank more coffee and watched the race come through a couple of times. We then went up Willunga Hill, along with 10,000 of our closest friends to watch the riders fight out as to who would win the other race going on, namely the Tour Down Under. All the riders were well supported and Valverde and Gerrans were neck and neck fighting for the stage win as well as the overall. Exciting stuff.

At least this guy had a body stocking on...not like
another who was riding up and down Willunga
in a mankini!

Racing over, we took off down the Willunga Hill bypass, made famous for the over 100kph descents of a few days ago. We took it a little easier today, due to it being much busier and blustery, however I still managed to nudged 95kph! At the bottom big Leigh Schilling punctured so the group split and some of the guys who may have found it hard to hang on for the upcoming smashfest home kept going, and the rest waited for Leigh to fix his flat. Once he had done that, we lifted the pace over the rolling hills, with a big southerly almost directly behind us. It is the sort of riding that suits a few of us and we had a good roll going, with 4-5 of us swapping off at around50k per hour. It wasn’t long before Damo and I got a little break on the rest of the group. As I took off, I told Buzz to rest, knowing he would have to take it up as we came into Adelaide suburbs. Strong riding was on by all, particularly Damon, Gus and Jay along with Buzz. We stopped for our final drink stop with 25k to go. Buzz and I had a little team meeting around the vacumn cleaner at the BP servo. We knew Hampton had a couple more riders than us, however if we were smart, we could give them a bit of stick! Damo, Gus and Jay were attacking at every hill, me chasing them down and then finally, I lost a wheel along with Jay and we were 50m behind Damo, Gus and Buzz, all riding strongly. In bike riding there can be temporary alliances as Jay and I started to work together to get back on. Gus and Damo were looking back to see if we were making any inroads into the gap. Over about 2k, we chased with the gap not coming down. Finally, I threw it into the big gear and gave it all to close the break. I knew there was a 3k descent coming and if we weren’t back on by then, we wouldn’t see them again. Lungs bursting, heart beating on the handlebars, quads screaming, we got back on, Buzz saw me coming and dropped back 10 to help me make the connection again. I used the downhill to regain my breath and set up for the last 10k down a slight decline from Flinders University to Anzac Highway.



This is what we all felt like after today

 Turning towards the city, tailwind behind us, slight decline, the pace well over 50, and the Buzzolini attacked. Great timing, only Jacko from HC, who caught us at a set of lights could go with him. Buzz was 50m in front of us for 4k as we tore along the arterial roads of Adeliade. This was solid riding, no one giving an inch. Jay and Mike Cole, blew gaskets getting over the last railway bridge, as Gus put in a huge effort to close the gap on Buzz and Jacko. It was down to me and Damo to then come of the back of the group with 200 to go to contest the sprint. Disappointingly, the little bike mechanic did me in the sprint, but it was great fun. Truce called, we all spun the last 4k back into Town along the Anzac highway, recounting to each other all the moments of the battle of the last 90 minutes.

FFT 2012 was officially over, with most of us flying home that evening or early Sunday. Another great week of riding.

Here is a summary of the week:

Tuesday, 180k, 1700m of vertical climbing

Wednesday, 145k, 1500m

Thursday, 190k, 2000m

Friday, 110k, 1600m

Saturday, 130k, 1700m

Total 745k and 8500m of vertical climbing. The FFT trophy stays with Manly, through strong consistent riding by all, although it was very tightly contested, however looking at the votes as they came in from the Judges, it was a split card 10-9 Manly, 9-10 Hampton and 10-9 Manly.

Better Luck in 2013, Hampton trundlers……!

Truth be known, it doesn’t really matter what the results are. It’s only bragging rights anyway and the results will be disputed for time immemorial.l Everyone had a great time…….

Remember only 360 days to FFT TDU 2013. Start Training now!

Day 4.....a bit quieter after the last few days!



Probably 80 riders behind Buzz's helmet



This is the effort it takes to beat a Manly boy

Another large group was awaiting as we left the Medina at 8.30.  We decided to roll up over Norton Summit climb and along the Loeberthal road to the best bakery/cafe in the Adeliade hills at Loeberthal.  Buzz, Mitch and Johnny kicked off a bit later than the main group, so the Manly Boys were a little low on numbers.  I had a call just as the group left the hotel, so I was a couple of minutes behind the main group.  Local knowledge came into hand when I took off a a pretty solid clip and managed to hit the climb in front of the main group.  I think there was a few suprised Hampton faces when they crested the climb and they saw me already there!  An early set of points for the good guys!  
We regrouped and took off up the Basking Ranges for the second time this week. My legs were pretty cooked after yesterdays big day, so I took it pretty easy.  About 5k from Loebental, Damo attacked, with me isolated again, up against Leigh, the Koala, Gus, and Jay.  I knew that if I bridged up to Damo, then one of the other Hampton boys would counter.  I decided to wait till the last climb about a k from town. I hit them hard and got a little break. I was closing in on Damo, but couldnt get him, so I had to give one away there.
 

As we came into town, we passed Mike and Karen O'Brien. The group all stopped for coffee, and Mike decided to come along for the day with us. We now has some more firepower. We headed over to the KOM of the day about 20k away at Kersbrook. We decided to turn up the back way through the famous Checkers Hill. This is a 20 percent plus climb that even the pro's struggle up. Damo hit our with Gus and got a small break on me. I managed to get past Damo, who as it levelled out at the top, rolled me.  However, when he stopped, he had a blood nose from the effort. I told him that is what it takes to beat a Manly boy. 
 

The Koala kept the group entertained as we waited for a few stragglers to catch up with his impersonation of a famous climb from a few years ago by Robbo...... 



Gus after a big effort up Checkers Hill. He later took a very dubious KOM

Efforts over, we trundled up the KOM to wait for the pro's. Mitch, Buzz and Johnny were there as well. After the race, a bit of confusion came into the group as to where we were going next. Most headed up to Williamtown and back to Adeliade, a 120k trip, and Gus, David, Mike O'B, Luke and Antoni Mikac headed to Kersbrook and then back to town.

Buzz told me later that Manly continued to take the points in the afternoon ride, while Mike O'B, the Koala and I led the other group back. At the end of the 15k Gorge ride, Gus (who had done nothing all the way back), under threat from me that if he attacked after sitting in our draft for 30k, would be sledged in the blog if he took the last KOM/Sprint.

He will be a target for us tomorrow!

Last day tomorrow. 140k over Greenhill Road again and down to Algate/Willunga Hill


Kom today

Luke joining the Manly Boys today

Mike O' Brien adding to the depth of Manly riders



The Longest Day.....Victor Harbour

When the TDU goes to Victor Harbour, it is always close to a 200k day for us.  Meeting outside the hotel at 8.30 was a large contingent of riders looking to "hook on" to the the now well known ride. Rolling down the Anzac Highway on the way for the coffee at Glenelg, there were a few with sore legs from the spirited riding of the last few days.  Buzz took off first, taking the Melbourne Boys by suprise, clobbering them along the Highway for early points.  As Buzz took off, you could sense a few  people thinking.....it's a long day...!



Busy at Glenelg

Coffee was very crowded with bikes and riders all around the Glenelg quadrangle. Caffeined up, we took off down the Southern Beach of Adelaide, past Seaford towards Noarlunga. The group had grown considerably since we left the CBD. There must have been over 80 riders heading along the Esplanade!  Early into a big day and there was plenty of enthusiasim at the front of the group. Riders were punching along, swapping off turns into  a strong headwind. The Melbourne boys had bought in some young blokes from Albert Park, Aritisan Cycles. They did a lot of breaking the wind for the rest of us as we headed for the first stop of the day, the KOM at Sellecks Hill. 

Leigh and Deggers claim a false win at Sellecks

 

 As the group hit the bottom of Sellecks Hill, Leigh took off at the front. Buzz went to chase, only to be told "dont worry he is only going for a leak", however it really was Leigh on the attack.

The question is....how low do these Hampton Guys have to go to snare a win??



Plenty of Carbs here



Question is..has Damo had too much pasta?

Sellecks was nullified due to the dirty pool rules being played. The peleton came through and we got ready to go over to Victor Harbour for the second stage of our ride, when Gus, David, Tim, and a few others decided to call it a half day and head back.  We sent Kay-belle back with them to make sure they were legit, and the rest of us headed off towards Victor. The fresh legs of the Artisan Cycles boys were putting a few (like me!) into the hurt box. I put the head down, gritted the teeth and like a few others hung on.We reached Victor Harbour for a well earned lunch and to watch what was to become another Greipel sprint. Lunch was at the usual Italian...spag bol's all round.. Fuleled we went to the 200m to go mark and watch the big boys wind up for the sprint.

It was time to head back to Adelaide. another 100k in front on the Buzz designed course. Pace was pretty solid as we headed out behind the (young) Aritisan Cycles boys. A few got shelled, and we made the turn at Mt Compass

Proof!

where we took a wrong turn and turned up on unmade roads.  Correction made we took off towards Adelaide down the huge Willunga Hill descent. We let it go down the  hill with Buzz again taking the honors hitting 101kph, Damo 99.8, me 99k. Damo tried to protest that his wheel wasnt calibrated correctly but the race committee overrulled the protest!

As we were flying into town, doing 65k per hour down the A13, I had a rear wheel blowout at 65kper hour. A bit scary stopping, I managed to get the bike under control and was thankful of the  rest!

I trundled the last 6k into town. A big day of 190k. 

More tomorrow...Norton Summit Awaits

Le Foz

Vic's start strong, but fade....NSW takes Day 2

Captain Kay-belle giving the thumbs up on another good day for Manly!

After yesterdays tough day in the saddle, there were plenty looking for an easier day today.  All were glad to see the weather cooled down significantly and there was a big group of 50 or so that took off from outside the Medina at 8.30. First stop is the obligatory coffee, however the majority elected to miss the coffee to get a start on the 8k climb up Greenhill Road to Mt Lofty Observatory.  Only 15-20 riders remained. It was always going to be on going up Greenhill Rd, a tough no nonsense climb.  As we hit the bottom, the group was all together with Buzz setting a solid pace.  Gus was the first to go, which as the boys were saying would be no suprise as a climb like this suited him.  I went to follow him and a little break was established of Gus, De Luca, Leigh, Damo and myself......not good, 1 Sydney and 4 Melbourne riders.



The Melb Boys need to get up earlier in the morning to pull the wool over our bikes!

 The attacks were happening regularly and I knew I had to let one go and Gus got a 75m lead on me after 2k into the 8k climb. The rest of the Melb boys just sat on my tail. Knowing I would get no help from any of them, I put the head down and went after Gus.  It was tough, and I just couldnt get the yardage back. First KOM to Melbourne! I did manage to drop DeLuca and Leigh, however Damo had an armchair ride in my slipstream all the way and came around me in the last 50m to take  second. 



The Boys at the KOM

 We regrouped in the fog laden Mt Lofty observatory, meeting up with the earlier group.  After everyone freshened up, we took off for the start at Loberthal.  The Adelaide Hills is some of the best riding in Australia. The boys were hooking it down the Basking Range, Mitch leading the way down the hills.  At the Basking Range climb, a 3k hill, I managed to take the honors from Gus, evening up the KOM points.  We all regrouped at the top and then had a great 10k bash along the hills to Loebenthal to watch the start.  We got there just in time, then after the TDU riders rolled out, we went over to the KOM,  around 5 k across the course.  Watching the riders come up, you can see how hard the pro's come up the hills.  We then smashed across to Stirling to watch the last couple of laps of the race as well as the finish

Buzz delivers the killer blow to the Hampton Boys

Damo was isolated late in the day

The Silent Assassin!

The main ride of the day was always going to be the descent from Stirling down to Glenelg.  Legs warmed up, it was on as we took off down the Adelaide Hills.  David went off the front, along with Jay, but the Sydney boys pegged them back with Mitch and Buzz riding strongly.  Hampton lost control to Manly, which was a reversal of coming up Mt Lofty from the morning. It was Damo, me, Buzz and Mitch. Buzz was up the road and Mitch and I had Damo covered. I said to Damo as I came past "how do you like being isolated now?"  Buzz took the points and the group came together again.  It wasnt long before the attacks started again as we belted along from the top of Greenhill road down to Glenelg. Leigh was hitting it hard, but Mitch was onto him. The pace was frenetic and the lead switched numerous times, when Leigh, Gus, Buzz and "the silent assasin" Michael Cole got clear along Anzac Highway and battled it out for the points. Buzz went from a fair way out and showed all a clean pair of heels for more Manly points.

A late afternoon coffee was had by all, before an easy wind down back to the city via the beaches and Grange Road. 130k day...good riding and great roads. Doesnt get much better than today
















New South Welshman Dominate Day 1 at FFT TDU 2012

Getting ready

We all rolled into Adelaide last night, Mark Hardy and I arriving around 7pm. Bikes arrived all ok, so we were set to go. We went down to Gouger street behind the Hilton hotel where the TDU riders stay and had a plate of Spag Bol...carbo loading for a big day on the Tuesday (with a couple of golden ales to wash it down). Mitch, Buzz and Johnny Miller had arrived earlier and were down the road at "Bluncky's Chinese". The boys wandered down after their meal, where Buzz continued his dinner with Tiramisu, ice cream and a latte to keep the carbs up!!

I woke early and decided to get an early ride in. The temprature was forecast to be around 40c, with 40knot hot northerly's so it was going to be a hard day in the saddle.  At 6am when I left for my warm up ride, it was already 27c! I did a easy 35k, heading out the towards the home of the 1 flag wonders who lucked into a flag a few years ago, Port Adelaide.  Turned towards Semaphore and over towards the beach, for a little loop, then headed back to town, taking advatage of a blustery tailwind.

out front of the hotel

discussion at Prospect

I got back to the room around 7.30 and the boys were hooking into breakfast. Cereal, Toast, fruit, porridge, etc. You need to load up. Today for me would be over 180k of riding in the heat. Suncreme on, bikes checked, we left the room to meet outside our hotel at 8.30 sharp.

 
There must have been 30 riders waiting on a very hot pavement,outside the Medina apartments. Riders from NSW, Queensland and Victoria. We decided to head down to Glenelg for an early morning coffee and then roll back up along the beaches and over to the start of the race at Propect in Adelaides Northern Suburbs.
 
As the rather large group was heading down the Anzac highway with a howling tailwind, the first test of FFT was looming, Any truck or bus that was doing around 60k per hour would be pounced on with vigour, as you get a major "tow" in the draft of the bus, and no one can catch you as you burn down the road towards Glenelg.  About 3k down the highway, you could see anxious past FFT's looking behind the group for a draft. All of a sudden, a truck comes out from behind. Mitch attacks down the left, Buzz down the right, with me right on Buzz's wheel. We picked up the truck, and we were away.....no Hampton boys to be seen. First Blood to the KMD racing teams, the result looking like Mapei going 1,2,3

Mitch winning from Buzz (left) and Le Foz



Coffee done, the group cruised up to watch the real pro's at the start.  Lots of very(young) riders hiding in cars, clearly not relishing 150k in 40c and a roaring headwind. 

We took off after the pro's raced off and headed up towards Gawler for some lunch and a 116k loop. Hot weather started whittling down the peleton very rapidly. Damo and I got on the front and David got caught behind a couple of sets of lights and we didnt see him again for 50k. We were now on country road, and hit the first real climbs of the day. The group shattered. Ritchie was gone, turned back for an early shower. De Luca put some pressure on, but the heat was flattening his battery and he wasn't as dominate as past years.  Dave Evans had him covered, victory in the KOM going to Sydney, followed by De Luca, Gus and me.



Have these Hampton boys been away from too long?


Damo all of a sudden started to come to the front, all eyes watching him, attacked went up the road and it was on again, a few of us got away, and when the sprint coming into Gawler came into sight, Mike Cole (another Manly rider) took the points from Gus.  It was becoming a route!!! We fueled up at Gawler for lunch, a little bakery doing very well out of 30 hot, tired, thirsty riders.

We took off after being refreshed and the group was a lot more subdued. We met up with David again after his "wander" around the lower Barossa at Williamstown. 52k back to Adelaide down the famed Gorge Road.  All of a sudden, Damo (with his what I call his Italy plan) attacked. This resembled Italy in the 1930's when knowing they could not win a major war against the superpowers, attacked early on the hope of suprise and a quick victory.  Damo suffered the same fate as Italy in 1943, meekly surrendering.


French KMD Sprinter Kay-belle Mitchell

Bec...Best on Ground today

 Many of the Melbourne riders went missing in this last blast of the day. Gus....gone, Jay....gone, David....gone, Leigh....never seen today, De Luca isolated and looked like he could be easy meat. Buzz was strong, Mitch getting stronger, even Justin was there at the top of the Gorge. Bec Snell has BOG today with a great ride, mixing it with the boys,  Sydney was strong with me, Mitch, Dave Evans, Mike C  and Buzz in the last break. We even had the luxury of resting Johhny and Mark today, saving them for later in the week.  After the gorge didnt allow anyone to break clear of a break group, it would get down to the last uphill spring at the end of the Gorge Road. De Luca went in a big attack and got 75m on Dave Evans. However Dave got over him 20m from the top to take more Sydney points. 

We hit the last servo to regroup and re hydrate, then back into town.

The missing Hampton Boys!

One of the hottest days on a bike, but great fun.....and we get to do it all again tomorrow!

2012 FFT TDU Rosters Announced!!!

Well one of the major events of the cycling year is on us again, and like the Olympic, Football World Cup, Melbourne Cup or the Superbowl, its time to preview some of the players who will be at FFT 2012.

First of all let's look at the good guys..... The Sydney Boys - well drilled, well trained, poetry in motion on a bike .The 2012 squad is:

The Sydney Squad

Jarrod "Buzzolini" Crosby. 2012 Sydney co captain.

Strengths: A good rouleur who is strong, has a good kick sprint and a never say die attitude.

Weaknesses: none

Kable "Kay-belle Michelle" Mitchell. 2012 Sydney co-captain

Strengths: Sprinting, getting over some of the hills and nailing the sprint afterwards  

 Weaknesses: none

John "Johnny" Miller

Strengths: Knows how to hold premier spot in peleton, usually between wheels 5-8. Will be there all day

Weaknesses: none

Mark "Weatherman" Hardy (new to squad in 2012)

Strengths: bike handling, smooth style, unknown quantity to the Vic's

Weaknesses: none

Mike "Le Foz" Foster

Strengths: likes to sneak off the front and put a bit of hurt on  - Also controls the FFT Blog!!

Weaknesses: none

Roger " Burgo" Burgess

Strengths: ability to back up day after day

Weaknesses: none

Colin "Col" Carrigan

Strengths: an absolute bull of a rider and exquisite bike handling skills

Weaknesses: none

Robert "Rob" Malaki

Strengths: unknown entity to the Melb blokes

Weaknesses: none

Luke "hasn't got a nickname yet" O'Brien

Strengths: unknown to for Melbourne Blokes

Weakness: none

Reserves..... May make an appearance at some stage

Danny " the Fixed Wheel" Wright

Strengths: attacking rider who attacks consistently day after day. Strong climber

Weaknesse

Not coming this year:

Nick " Hollywood" Blunck Strengths: best taste in bikes and kit

Weaknesses: none

Alan" Sheepy" Kelly

Strengths: quiver of bikes available for use

Weaknesses: none (except being originally from New Zealand

 

And now the Melbourne Roster:

Damian "Damo" Jones

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: will come under pressure in the hills

Leigh" velvet rubberhammer" Schilling

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: ability to sprint with a Nikon D90 on his back

David "Koala " Foster

Strengths: none Weaknesses: talking in the peloton rather than saving his breath to chase Sydney breakaways

Jay" Titanium Man" Heather

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: has more metal in his body than his bike does

Angus " Gus" McDonald

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: can he go the distance over the 5 days???

Leigh "De Luca" De Luca

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: will he be able to keep up without all those A grade Sandown racers to follow??

Richard "Ritchie"Stewart

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: as soon as the road goes vertical!!

Not making an appearance in 2012:

Russell "Pud" Forbes

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: beer and latte's

Dave "Pomie" Hill

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: likes renovating more than riding his bike

Russ" Rusty" Edgar

Strengths: none

Weakness: Is a kiwi who lives in Queensland ( do I need to say anymore??)

Jason "Robbo" Roberts

Strengths: none

Weakness: pulling up when he has a front wheel flat

Nick "Muz" Murray

Strengths: none

 

Weaknesses: weak upper body strength lets him down in sprints

Other significant players:

Tim "Ten Degrees" De Vries (defacto New South Welshman!!)

Strengths: strong man on the flats

Weaknesses: coming into 2012 FFT well underdone!

It should be an exciting 5 days as the traditional rivalry is reignited.

FFT is the only blog that will report on each days riding in an accurate unbiased manner. Don't believe copycat sites like www.hamptoncycles.posterous.com