I'm over in Adelaide to see the Tour Down Under. It's pretty bloody hot at the moment and I must admit I am questioning my decision to camp in a tent. No Air Con and noisy caravan parks. Rode with a few friends from Melbourne today around the surrounding hills,Mt Lofty,Lobethal area.Just over 100 km and a great ride although hot by the time we finished. It's hard to get time to write much with all that's going on so I'll just post a few photos from Sunday's race.There was a huge crowd there making it quite tricky to get a decent spot to take some photographs.

Wow,I reckon this is an evening not to be missed if you a cycling fan.I'm disappointed that I will miss it but I'm not complaining to hard as tomorrow morning I'm driving to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under. Please read the details below and get in touch with Aaron if your interested in going. I would think places will fill up fast so get in early to avoid disappointment.

Hi all – please pass on to anyone who may be interested

This is a very exciting time in Australian road cycling history. As I’m sure your aware, Australia now has its own pro team GreenEdge http://www.greenedgecycling.com

A very unique opportunity has come to our part of the world. Next week the Tour Down Under is on. Whilst some of the team is racing in Adelaide, some of the rest of the team will be training in the mountains around Bright.

Shayne Bannan is the general manager of GreenEDGE and has also raced against our local hard man Wayne Hildred. Wayne has put us in contact and we’ve been able to organise a night out with the team members that will be here.

DETAILS

When – Friday the 20th January

Time – 6pm sharp

Where – Cafe Velo – 2 Ireland St Bright

Cost - $50 pay at the door

This is your opportunity to come along and rub shoulders with some of the best riders in the world. This has come about  rather quickly, however there is not much time until the night, so I need quick response from you. Numbers are limited & it will be on a first reply gets in. So don’t delay.

Email [email protected] with your name, contact number & names of other people coming with you.  As numbers are limited, and we are short of time to create tickets if you say you are coming, I ask that you honour that commitment.

More details....

The evening will be a casual affair.

Indian finger food will be provided.

Drinks are available from the bar at your cost. No BYO

Plan is to have a social chat, eat some food, then move into a few talks. Then open the floor to questions. Come with your questions written down so that the MC can direct the evening better. It also prevents us from having 5 people ask the same question 5 ways. So think up some good thoughtful & funny questions.

We hope to raise some money for charity. This may in the form of a raffle for some GreenEdge gear, but is still not finalised yet.

Riders coming –

Allan Davis

Brett Lancaster

Luke Durbridge

Michael Hepburn

Julian Dean

Fumi Beppu

Daryl Impey

Jack Bobridge

Wes Sulzberger

Mitch Docker

Travis Meyer

Simon Clarke

Matt Wilson

Daniel Teklehaimanot

Regards

Aaron Smith

President

Rutherglen,although a reasonably small town has quite decent cycling scene. On Saturday and Sunday mornings there are bunch rides that leave from Parker Pies,at 7.30am sharp. Saturday morning the average speed is around the 30 kmh mark with Sundays ride a couple of kmh quicker. There are 2 bunches,the first is for experienced riders and the second is called the development group for those less experienced or those who want to ride a little slower. On Saturday morning I rode from my farm to Rutherglen, into a head wind, and was about 1 min late and I could see the group heading out the Chiltern road about 1 km in the distance. Bugger,already puffing from the head wind now I would have to chase them. So head down and heart rate up 6 km later I was on the back. I didn't count but my estimate would put the group at around 16,the developement group maybe 8-10.
The route varies a little, Saturdays ride went out the Chiltern Valley Road to Chiltern, returning to Rutherglen via the Indigo Post Office Road with a sprint for the 60km speed limit sign back at Rutherglen. I reckon it's about 45km. Back at Parker Pies for a coffee and a chat. They are very welcoming and friendly and I'm always greeted warmly even though I hardly ride with them.
Also on Saturday a large group from Wodonga pulled into Parker Pies, it was amazing, probably 40 cyclists in such a small town.I enjoy my Rutherglen rides and it was probably 3 months since my last one. So it was interesting to see a few new bikes in the peloton,a couple of BMC's and a Bianchi to name a few. So if your in the area and feel like a friendly group ride get yourself to Parker Pies in the Main Street at 7.30am,but don't be late,they are very punctual.