42 riders rocked up to the November Bright Boot Camp.  The popularity of the camp is growing every year as too is the quality of rider that we get. For this camp each day had its own unique challenge with the weather playing a major influence over the first two days. I was inspired by the riders that turned up on the Sunday morning to face what was a big wet day in the saddle. I woke thinking that there would only be a hand full or riders turn up and was delighted to be proven wrong with around twenty committing to the ride.

My vision of the camp is of a tough elite cycling challenging event for the selected few. It was never intended to be easy and for some it may take a few attempts before completing all four rides.

Group Shot on Day 4

Day 1 – Mt Buffalo
What started off to be quite a nice day in Porepunkah quickly deteriated into torrential rain as we neared the summit of Mt Buffalo. The riders assembled at camp base and rolled out in 1 group until the control gate at the base of the climb. Then each rider at there own pace proceeded to climb the 1000m accent to Mt Buffalo Chalet. Once at the top most riders took the opportunity to put on warmer clothing for the careful decent. Even so, there were a few riders that got quite cold on the way down and started feeling the effects of the weather. All made it safely to the bottom and back to the warmth of their accommodation.

KOM
Group 1 – Andy Van Slobbe HM to George Ward that was in front out on his own for all but the last of the climb. Andy was getting lonely so stepped on the pedals to catch George for company.
Group 2 – Daniel Massey
Group 3 – Lisa Rosan

Jace Drain was first on at the evening Seminars and delivered a scientific lecture on nutrition prompting many questions from the audience. Outside it was raining which continued into the night…

Day 2 – Tawonga Gap Loop
We woke at around 3am to the sound of thunder and bright flashes of lightening, then intense rain. We delayed the start of day 2 until 9am to give the weather a chance to warm up and the rain to clean. It didn’t. A smaller group of around twenty riders braved the worst weather during a Melbourne Cup weekend on record for many years. Others decided a quiet day exploring the surrounding towns by car seemed like a better option. The courageous riders took off in the rain in a tidy bunch towards Ovens, just after the corner there was a natural break which split the groups up a bit, however by the end of the day the groups generally re-formed. The weather again was a feature of the day however there were times the rain cleared and it was a little dryer but still cold.  Those that decided to ride, came back rather wet but enjoyed the very challenging ride.

KOM

Group 1 – Andy Van Slobbe
Group 2 – Killer (aka Lloyd Killmore)
Group 3 – un-claimed

Brendon Rowbotham then gave us some insight to what is involved in preparing for the Melbourne to

Warrnambool and a whole lot of great time on planning and organising our lives and family and around a busy race schedule. Adam then came on and drilled down into detail from Jace’s talk and provide some really good “how to’s” for nutrition. 

Day 3 – Mt Hotham
We woke to a day of sunshine and blue skies! With a top of 5 degrees predicted for the summit of Hotham we had nearly all of the riders decided to ride. Some decided that the after the previous days effort Harrietville was far enough. The rest tackled Mt Hotham. As we climbed up the valley we could see snow on the Mountain. Word was spread through the groups that if we encountered ice we were to turn back. As the three groups steadily climbed I got a call from Olof to say that his lead group have hit some bad weather just before the top where it got quite exposed. He was in the process of turning his group around for the decent. The other groups followed, climbing to the limit of the weather then descending.

On the way home from Harrietville there was a strong tail wind and all the riders returned in bunches after rolling turns home a quick pace. I taught the riders in group 3 how to roll turns which ius a skill they will take away from the camp and help them in there bunch riding.

KOM
Group 1 – George Ward
Group 2 – Paul Tweddell
Group 3 – Carey Goodall & Tony Bennett (draw)

I gave a lecture on all the key elements required to be a successful cyclist. Covering many important issues I discussed essential strategies that I use for training, racing and planning for events.  

As far as we got up Mt Hotham
(notice the snow on the pole in the background)

Another Shot from the top of Hotham

Day 4 – Falls Creek
The last ride of the camp saw all the riders arrive for the start. Again the weather was on our side with the sun out, blue skies and sun screen being passed about. The day had 3 options for the ride, top of the Tawonga gap, to Mt Beauty and all the way to Fall Creek. People choose depending on the state of their legs and the time they had to leave to travel back home. I took group 3 up to the top of Falls greeting many of the riders descending as we climbed the last few KM of the climb. Falls was cool but sunny. After a small break we descended down and regrouped at Mt Beauty. Russell was there to meet us and I got a lift to the top of Tawonga to catch up with Olof, and for the first time rode with his group back home to Porepunkah. The descent was fast and the trip home was faster. Russell swept the rear with in van making sure that the final few riders were back safely.