Mont 24 2014 Kowen Forest ACT

Mike, Adam and me at the campsite after finishing our laps on Mont 24. Peter W is on the course doing his last lap

Mike, me, Adam and Peter Waldron at the end of the race

roos up early on Sunday morning

campsite at Kowen Forest

This event is a 24hr mtb race. Team "Ring-Ins" were me, Mike, Adam Smith and Pete Waldron. The course was approx 19km all on single track. The team completed 23 laps (I did 5 and the others 6). Our result was 9th in the male 40+ category (30 teams). Great weather with a brief storm on the course on Saturday afternoon. I struggled on the last couple of laps. On the first lap I ended up crossing back onto the first half of the course after reaching a turn only 2km from finish. I had to quickly re-think my route back to finish and found a couple of disused fire trails which got me there without losing too much time. Heavy dew on Saturday night meant that nothing dried so my kit was very cold and wet with perspiration when I put it back on at 4am for an early morning lap :-(

BUPA Around the Bay 2014

This charity ride is held each year in Melbourne.  It's run by Bicycle Network VIC and sponsored by BUPA. Ride distances include 100, 135, 210 and 250km. The direction around Port Philip Bay can be clockwise or anti clockwise. Because I was feeling crook that week I decided against riding 250km and did 210km instead clockwise. This was enjoyable but headwinds from Queenscliff to Geelong hindered progress significantly. I crossed the finish line at 4pm after over 8hrs cycling. The weather was overcast and hot with winds from the north shifting around to the south in the late afternoon. A better option to take advantage of the winds would have been the anti clockwise. The ferry ride to Queenscliff was a great chance to rest before the final 120kms ☺

Finish

Westgate bridge

Sorrento Ferry

"La Bella Italia" Stage 19 Siena - Florence

Again an easy stage with good weather most of the way. We were only minutes away from arriving at the campgrounds "Camping Michelangelo" when the heavens opened and rain started pouring down! The location of the camping area was fantastic with stunning views across the river and over Florence. The following rest day in Florence was most enjoyable. LBI Stage 19 Siena - Florence by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details:

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"La Bella Italia" Stage 18 Castel del Piano - Siena

A beautiful region of Italy to visit and we were very lucky to enjoy perfect weather for it! Not too much climbing today and the views made us forget any pain on the hills. We arrived early in the afternoon and had a chance to visit the old city of Siena. The cathedral there was certainly breathtaking in its beauty. LBI Stage 18 Castel del Piano - Siena by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details:

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"La Bella Italia" Stage 17 Capodimonte - Castel del Piano

Rain greeted us on out first few kms out of Capodimonte. Fortunately it cleared on the final half of the ride and provided us with some spectacular views through the Cianti vineyards of this area. A thunderstorm in Castel del Piano saw everyone rush back to camp after visiting the village in order to try and save their washing getting soaked. Unfortunately many arrived back too late and found their kit soaked! LBI Stage 17 Capodimonte - Castel del Piano by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details:

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"La Bella Italia" Stage 16 Rome - Capodimonte

Rain fell for most of the first 30kms and made our parting memories of Rome unpleasant LBI Stage 16 Rome - Capodimonte by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details:

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"La Bella Italia" Rest Day(s) Rome

After cycling over 1000kms we arrived in Rome at ""Camping Tiber" and were happy to put our bikes away. We looked forward to two days of sightseeing in Rome. Highlights were Vatican City, Colloseum, Forum, Trevi Fountain and the many piazzas. We stayed one night in a B&B at Piazza Piscinula near the Ponte Cestio on the Tiber and the Isola Tiberina. Kathren celebrated her 60th birthday at the campground with all the LBI riders and we had a lovely dinner at the restaurant near our B&B the following evening.

"La Bella Italia" Stage 15 Tagliacozzo - Rome

This stage was enjoyable not only for the great views and the good roads, but also for the perfect weather conditions. Lunch stop above the Lago del Turano was probably one of the most memorable so far. LBI Stage 15 Tagliacozzo - Rome by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details:

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"La Bella Italia" Stage 14 Cassino - Tagliacozzo

Scenic route through the valleys of the Appenines. Great views coming into Tagliacozzo. LBI Stage 14 Cassino - Tagliacozzo by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details:

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"La Bella Italia" Stage 13 Pompeii - Cassino

A wet stage and one that Kathren opted out and rode in the truck. She visited the monastry Montecassino, along with Chris and Oebele. LBI Stage 13 Pompeii - Cassino by peterjkemp at Garmin Connect - Details:

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Pub to Pub 2014

A charity fun run from Dee Why to Newport. Now in its 2nd year. This was my first time on this event. Roger convinced me to do this race. I met up with my Les Dix Alpes buddy Pip Aitken and ran most of the way with her. Garmin Connect link

Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge 2014

A great event held each year in Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast. An overcast day with a few spots of rain. I believe over 1500 riders participated. This event is proceeded by the Coramba Hill climb on the afternoon before. I participated in the as well. I came 64th in the challenge in my age group. Kathren rode the shorter 60km course and decided to shorten this to around 40km finishing in Bellingen. Garmin Connect link

Three Ring Circus Matinee Performance

This is the main event of the weekend. Held on Sunday 27/7 it covers the 3 rings of mtb track on the Wingello state forest trails. I had a poor nights sleep as it was extremely cold. As the ride progressed and I warmed up I was able to gain some momentum. However there was not enough gain to put me on the podium as I missed out on third place by 1 min (over 3 hrs racing!) Still a top race and one I always enjoy. Garmin Connect link

"La Bella Italia" Rest Day Pompeii

Today was a typical tourist walkabout through the ruins of Pompeii. Kathren and I started the day with a visit to the beautiful cathedral in the center of the city of Pompeii. We then met up with Kathren's cousins Prue and Lisa. After a tour of the ruins I left the girls and joined my riding buddy Harry Brown for a trip up to the rim of the volcano Vesuvius. It was bitterly cold with a strong wind at the summit . We were able to walk around the track at the summit after paying our 10 € track fee! After photos and selfies we made our way back down the track. The ride down (and up for that matter) proved more scary than any of the descents so far on the bike! We ate at a small pizza restaurant near our campgrounds "Camping Etna"

Three Ring Circus Night Performance 2014

A great weekend of mtb racing in NSW southern highlands 26-27/7/14. This 11 min video has highlights of the night race. 3 Ring Circus 2014 Night Performance Garminlink youtube link

"La Bella Italia" Stage 12 Paestum - Pompeii

This was definitely a "WOW!" day on the bike. This section of the western Italian coast has many picturesque towns and villages perched on the rugged rocky coastline. We encountered plenty of weather along the way, but managed to get to our campgrounds "Camping Etna" in one piece.

Ruins at Paestum

Oebele at Salerno on our way to Amalfi

Amalfi looking south

Restaurant near Amalfi

Amalfi viaduct

Amalfi marina

The girls enjoy a break in Salerno

Salerno dockyards

Amalfi Restaurant

Amalfi courtyard and clocktower

lunch stop above Amalfi on way to Castelamare di Stabia 

Amalfi rooftops

enroute to Gragnano

Gragnano

The climb up and over the peninsula at Gragnano proved challenging as it was nearing the end of a tiring days riding. Welcome coffee stop at the top of the climb allowed us a little bit of recovery. Negotiating the roads into Pompeii also tested or navigation skills! Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 12 Paestum - Pompeii

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