WHEELWORKS.COM.AU

 Rotary Club of Maclean

2012  Tour de Woodford.

( the flying Scotsman )

Need I say anymore?

*Hi Simon

What is it with Byron Bay Criterium course and rabbits? Last time it involved being crook, red bull and a black rabbit. This time there was no excuse, I was perfectly healthy, although lack of sleep could be contributing factor, no red bull and this time a sort of dark brown, mottled, bloody big rabbit hopping along the side of course, very definately a relation of the black rabbit. As Duncan has started saying "Paint me Pink".

Byrons Criterium course is raced round the industrial site, has three fairly tight corners and the fourth is one long sweeping bend with a sort of chicane in it before the corner and is run anti clockwise, although I have raced it in reverse.

This was my first Criterium of the season, Port I wasn't fit enough for and Grafton was cancelled.

Todays event was part of the Far North Coast Criterium Championships.

Sign on is at 6.30am, with racing at 7 ish. I had about 7 laps warm up and then it was on. There was a big turn out in all grades, A grade 16 ish riders, B, C and D grade all had 20 plus riders.

The most unusual and confusing thing I found, was all grades on course at same time, I have done D with C on same course at Byron, but all four, made for some interesting racing, doubly so, as all numbers were the same colour.

A grade was off first, with only about a minute to B, then C then D.

This was my first race since being moved up to C grade and expected blown out the back from the gun. Although the pace was fast and consistent, I held my own, keeping up the front, but not on the front and out of trouble. The pace was so good, that we passed B grade twice, on one occassion, I heard one moan bloody hell.

Each grade only had one prime and I really hadn't given it much thought till the corner before the sprint, so was well back in order, content to just get a feel for the new grade and pace. However, I saw an opening and decided to test the legs and made up four places from corner and got 2nd. Unfortunately, unlike Grafton who pay 3 prizes and have multiple primes, only money for first on this one.

I had the strength in my legs and was given or rather took the task of closing down any break aways, one was a 50 metre dash to catch two Ballina riders, who I suspected could well have gotten away. I think also, being the only Grafton rider today, I was being tested by other clubs.

By far the hardest part was working out who you had to watch, with B and C changing positions frequently, you had no idea if a C grader was slipping away, which I think was the case with two Ballina riders, they just slipped away on back of B grade.

Of course you also had A grade flying past at a great rate of knots, just to add to the excitement.

C grade raced for 35 mins, plus three laps, so the best thing is to watch the clock and prepare from there. I got caught on front at a bad time and after that exertion, struggled to get back on and up the field and into a good position. We also had so many other grades and riders to negotiate in our last lap. However, from almost last at bell, I made up a few places before the last corner and another four in the sprint to get I think 8th place.

On the whole, much better than I expected in my new grade. I was competitive and given a better position for sprint, should have the legs for a much better placing. We averaged 37 km/hr.

Next Criterium is Coffs Harbour on Sunday 6th December, this is part of the Northern Region Criterium Series, same as Grafton, then its back to Murwillumbah on Dec 20th.

Jolly good mornings racing and as i write this now in 40 degree heat, thankful it was so early.

Regards

Yes my fault Norman, I have sat on this one. ( ED )

Better late than never .

As you all know the Flying Scotsman set of for Scotland to win a fortune at the Highland games, unfortunately, things didn't go to plan, despite being in the best form he has been for ages.

Our first games was Alva and after two days of showers, we were lucky to have sunshine, with a little cloud. After a year of training, there was a lot riding on my first race, an 800m. I didn't even make the final and knew straight away, it was going to be a lean games season.

Its hard to put and exact reason on it, I was fit enough, however my style has changed to using lower gearing and hill climbing, rather than the higher geared strength needed for grass track racing. The wet summers of late have also left the mjority of parks heavy, even renouned fast tracks are heavy and the conditions just did not suit me.

Funny thing is, I won a 65km road race two days after my return home.

However, we did our games as planned and had a great time and travelled about 4000 mile in 6 weeks.

Photo 1 was taken at Burntisland. The track is egg shaped and being on sand, was the only fast track I competed on. The egg end of the track coming at the fast end of the track and as per usual, this year three bikes came off in a heap. I had a good chance of a place, healthy handicap and quick track, however, that flew out the window with the arrival of a Scottish and international champion, who only two days before had missed the Scottish 4000m pusuit record by 1 second. He made it look like a walk in the park and hardly broke a sweat, thus ending any hope I had of staying away.

We have almost an entire week of games that week and we made our way to Mull for Tobermory. The weather was great and I took the opportunity to go for a ride. A 40km ride turned into 60km, the scenery just inspires you to keep riding.

I spoke to a rider on the ferry and he explained that, although Scotland is not as high as the alps, his altemetre, suggested there was every bit as much climbing and decending.

Which I could well agree with. I don't think any of Scotland is flat and on every ride, there is some degree of climbing and decending. My last ride before we came home on my new bike, was 93km and had some serious slogging up some fantastic Glens, one road at 12%, I just had to try it.

But the decent and scenery makes it all worthwhile.

After Mull it was a mad dash to catch ferries with the intention of making Inverness that evening, however, no reasonably priced campsites could be found, so we pushed on to Ullapool, again blessed with fine, but breezy weather. Its a surprisingly good road up to Ullapool, despite being in the Highlands and although there was no sonic boom from car, I was cruising along at 180, pity I couldn't get my legs to do the same.

A few pints in the pub in a town that didn't seem to go to sleep and is packed with tourists, then off to bed, hoping the wind doesn't blow us into the outer hebrideies during the night.

I rode part of the way to Durness, again in glorious sunshine, with some great climbs and decent and the usual great scenery.

Part of the festivities for the day is a fly past by two RAF tornado's.

You know they are coming, but it scares the bejeezus out of you as they hurtle just above you at full speed, now that is sonic boom.

Halkirk the day after is the big money day, I didn't see squat, but at least the wether was fine. Our Scottish champion cleaned up and walked away with about $1500.

I elected to do Luss Games instead of our scheduled St Andrews, mainly to keep the numbers even for bikes. Again glorious weather and a fun day. Luss is traditionally heavy and bumpy and it did not disappoint. I could have taken my seat off, I was never in it. We had a fun event, as they all were. The only girl rider, was given half a lap, with us four blokes trying to catch. We had to remind one bloke it was entertainment and we didn't catch and boy did the crowd love it.

I won't list all the games, didn't want to put you to sleep.

Inverkeithing, photo 2, is a cinder track. Traditionally it is one track you know is fast, however, contrary to all the sunshine we had on our travels, it was quite a wet summer and after heavy rain the night before, this track was wet and slow. As you can see by the red mud, which I still can't get out of my skin suit. Yes skin suit, part of my sponsor package, pile of riding gear, including a skinsuit. Have you ever tried to get in and out of those buggers? A few times I was left calling for help, unable to get it on or off.

Despite the conditions, I had a good chance of a win, I won my heat by a clear margin and all present were certain today was the day.

Unfortunately we suspect the ugly side of a drug cheat showed his colours that day. Having had no form previously, he staged a remarkable improvement in form, winning all but one event that day, however little can be done or proved without testing and I just had to live with it.

We set off for Skye the week after. I cycled to Fort William, about 88km, this time through Glen Coe, which if it wasn't for a head wind, would have seen me up to 100km, rather than 70km. Its a long slow climb to get there, but a long steep drop through a spectacular Glen, even more so on the bike, you get a better perspective of it all.

Now according to everyone, Skye always seems to be wet, but on most occasions, It has been glorious for our visits. It did not look promising that morning, but at Eilean Donan Castle, the rain stopped and I rode the rest of the way. Skye has some spectacular climbs, where you can look back on where you have come from. I think it was about 80km to portree and after my exertions of the day before and the climbing, I was glad of the downhill run to Portree. Funnily enough, the sun was out till we got back to the castle and it started raining again, how lucky was that?

My final race was at Crieff, I made the final of the 800m, but after my 12% ride the day before, didn't have enough for final and only managed some minor placing all day.

I was a little disappointed with cycling results, but the 100km of riding I did, was well worth the trip.

My road bike for the trip was my sponsors winter bike, a pinarrello prince, which has been up the Alps twice.

Another thing I noticed was the majority of drivers when the are coming up behind, slow up and wait till its safe to pass, a concept that is alien to Australian driver, who seem to relish in going as fast and as close as they can to you.

That raps it up for now, except a word of advice. Never travel Air France. We had no kids meals on way over and cabin staff weren't exactly helpful. On our return, they claimed Isla was no longer an infant and slugged us $1600 to get her home, I'm still awaiting a response to a refund on that one.

Cheers

The Flying Scotsman.

( Pity some bugger didn't light his fire)

 ( wouldn't it be interesting racing around the showground in Maclean ???? ) Ed

                

 

The Flying Scotsman will be leaving Australia on the 8th July for a six week tour of the Highland Games and Grasstrack racing. I have 15 Highland Games pencilled in, beginning with Alva on Sat 12th July and ending at Crieff on 17th August.

The season is already underway, starting with Blackford on 31st May in beautiful sunshine. Pouring rain for Markinch (my home town) the next day, typical Scottish summer weather. Glad I resisted the urge to jump on a plane and go.

I have dug up a couple of photo's to try and show at least two of the varying surfaces we had to race on. No two tracks were the same and even varied from year to year, depending on weather. Some were almost as fast as hard track with short grass and hard surface. My home town of Markinch was quite quick, but had a Hill in it and that was often the place to attack. Others tracks were rough and boggy.

Now concentrate on the racing surface, not the skinny 60kg Flying Scotsman with hair on his head, yes I used to have some.

The /1st photo/ was at Newburgh (1990-91, going by the shirt) The grass is long, was often soft and the cows are taken out one or two days before, so we had to avoid the cow pats as well.

In 1990, Invergordon in the Highlands was so boggy, we got stuck in the mud and had to be pushed through by spectators, or just fall over, where we might have stayed till dug up centuries later on some archeological dig.

Inverkeithing is the only games with a hard cinder surface and if you fall, spend a week picking the grit from your wounds.

Races varied at each games but it was usually four of the following, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, 4800m, 6400m, 8000m and Deil Take the Hindmost (Devil take the Hindmost, eg: last over the line each lap is eliminated) There used to be a championship for each distance throughout the year, with the exception of the Deil. I won the Scottich 800m Championship in 1993. My most sought after prize was the 8000m on my home ground, but my best chance was 1991 and the games were cancelled due to rain. I came 2nd in 1993, but not the prize I was after.

/Photo 2/ is at Ceres. Its very tight, 200m and I and many others have fallen off over the years. Hard to believe they used to have horse trotting on this track after the games. While we are racing, the dancing, heavies, light field and tug o war are all taking place inside the track, amazing, especially on this small track. Forgot to mention in photo 2. To the left of photo is a 5ft drop into a creek, another hazard on the tight bend at Ceres and i think over the years, a few cyclists have landed in it. All good fun.

We had a few spills, but usually it was mostly a bit of concussion and grassburn. Except for my tumble at the end of season in 1991. We were at Birnam, in the Highlands and they used to have a 400m race, it was a short track with tight corners and long straights. I was flying and chasing points and money. I was good at the short races and knew whoever made the first corner would win. I set off like a rocket and promptly made the first corner, I didn't get past the second one though.They put it down to moisture on the hard surface, but I went down first and for the first and last time in games history, brought every other cyclist down too.I was concussed, had a back and backside injury, courtesy of riders behind me running over me. One rider, my nearest rival had a dislocated and broken shoulder. There were busted thumbs and torn ligaments.Needless to say, they scrapped that race distance to History. I managed to race and win the Deil that day, but we were all sore after our history making crash.

/Photo 3/ is a collection of Janet and I's trophies in 1991. Of particular interest is the cup at the rear, dead centre. I won it at Invergordon for the 5000m and I recall then, it was over 100yrs old.Would be interesting to see the bikes they raced. The cup was made of lead pewter and weighed a ton, I was always worried I would drop it, as you got the feeling it would just splat flat, being so soft.

Now I have put everyone to sleep, best get some work done. Will try and keep you updated on my progress, if any in Scotland and will be thinking of you all as I sit in the pissing rain, soaked to the skin at some remote Highland Games and asking myself what are the poor people doing.

Cheers

 

Norman

 

The Flying Scotsman

 

Sunday 5am, 10th Feb 2008 

saw the Flying Scotsman and the Black Phantom (Rikki

Corcorran-Grafton) travel to Byron Bay for round four of the Cervelo Criterium.

Weather was good, albeit a bit windy after quite a cool start.

E, D and C grades are on course at the same time.

TFS set off with about 12 other riders in D grade and for the first five laps all swapped turns at the front. The first and only prime was announced and TFS found himself at the front on the last bend. More to do with the bunch wasting time announcing Grafton rider coming through and slowing accordingly, than any lightning jump on my part. I was almost convinced by their plee to let them have the prime, but then instinct and points took over and I went for it. I must say, even the prime was close, but a win to TFS.

Sensing the knifes in my back and voodoo dolls being pinned and that there would be no further sharing, I set my pace and stayed at the front. The whinging hordes happy to sit on my wheel till the end of the race.

Before the finale, I have to add, that on course, we passed a huge black rabbit on the road (as you do) Now, I have had vomitting, diahorrea, headaches, fevers and dizzy spells since thursday, courtesy of the two wee sprogs, Duncan and Isla. Still not being 100%, I tried my first and last red bull drink. Its what I expect anti freeze might taste like and bought from the garage on the corner, it may well have been. The Black Phantom had a sip too and saw the same rabbit. Moral of the story, was it the red bull, or did we see a rabbit?

Now I have your attention. The bell lap came and not waiting for the inevitable charge past me, TFS picked up steam and charged for home. The steam tank almost burst on the line and TFS was convinced the charge was lost and he had 2nd place.

So back to the car to check the ingredients on the empty bottle and wait for presentation. Much to TFS surprise, he had infact held on for 1st and I kid you not when I say a pubic hair (or should it be rabbit hair?) Of course, lets not forget the important part, the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 90, which again lasted to the BP service station on the corner, oh well, one day I can retire.

Two more rounds of Cervelo to go, Armidale 1st March and Coffs on 15th.

TFS has a good lead in the points, 27 to 11, more to do with consistency and 1150km of travel than sheer results. Not over till fat lady sings, so onward and upward to Armidale.

Regards to all.

 The Flying Scotsman

20th Jan 2008

The Flying Scotsman did his first competition of the year at the 3rd round of the Cervelo series of Criterions, this time held in Ballina.

It was a 5.15am departure, with a rather sore head after one too many drinks the night before.( Perfect race preparation) Initially I was entered in C grade, but after double checking on previous rounds and the problem with points allocation in changing grades, I was given a new number and put in D grade.

The pace wasn't frantic from the go and there was some tense moments as the less experienced riders braked and weaved and settled into the race.

The course at Ballina is excellent, very smooth and fast, this time done in anti clockwise direction, giving us a 300m sprint to the line from the last corner.

I was a little nervous after three laps with all the braking, so made a jump to take my turn at the front and thats pretty much were they left me. I think the feeling was I shouldn't be in the grade, so I was left out front. I came second in the first prime, just wasn't that interested, but I won the 2nd.

I was soon back at the front, but got a tiny bit of respite when another rider took half a lap.

A youngster made a jump, which gave me a bit of a lead out and I just kicked for home from the last corner. The finishing line felt like 3000m away, instead of 300.

As you know its just the glory, but there was money on offer too, a princely sum of $90, which promptly vanished when I filled the Discovery with fuel.

If anyone gets a chance, they should go to one of the Criterions, jolly good fun to ride and watch, especially the A grade.

The next round of Cervelo is at Byron Bay on 10th February, 7 am start, so early rise for that one.

Cheers

Send mail to townbike@wheelworks.com.au with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: May 04, 2012