Kelly Cycle Coaching Camp

Sunday

After the Australian Uphill climbing championships our Kelly Cycle Coaching Easter camp got underway.   We listed out all the camp rules and spent some time introducing all the athletes to each other as we had several country athletes attending who didn’t know all our city riders, and set out our expectations of the camp.  This was also the time to send loved ones a final text or phone call as communication lock down officially started and all mobiles were switched off and placed in a box til the end of the camp.  After this, the cyclists had some recovery time as most athletes had raced all weekend.

We did some river running, leg soaking and then played backyard cricket.  The pool was popular and most cyclists decided this was the place to hang out.

Dinner was amazing to say the least.  Our buffet bar included fried rice, plain rice, tortellini pasta, curried chicken, chicken drumsticks, baked potatoes, lasagne, beef casserole, a salad bar with prawns, vegetable soup, pumpkin soup, steamed vegies, fresh bread and then in the small chance that we had some room left, our dessert choices included fruit salad, chocolate mouse, apple crumble with ice-cream or jelly with a fredo frog on top.

Monday – Day 1

Our riders enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast of cereals, toast, scrambled or poached eggs, potato gems, sausages, bacon, pancakes and waffles.

Then it was onto the bikes in two groups on a long flat recovery ride.  We all rode to Myrtleford and then turned at various times to return to Bright via the river trail.

We had an interesting incident with a piece of grass caught in the spokes of a front wheel. The easy option would be to simply stop and remove this piece of grass, but young Alex decided to take on the challenge of moving bladed spokes.  Unfortunately he lost the battle. With his entire hand caught in the front wheel, the wheel came to abrupt stop and Alex became an acrobat.  Amazingly, he walked away with only bruised fingers and pride!! His stunt earned him the ‘chocolate award’.  Ash ended up with a bruised arm but their stunt, didn’t slow either down the next day.

After a break for lunch, it was time for a stretching and core stability class. There were a lot of tight muscles from racing so the stretching session was much needed.

I think the highlight of the day for many was Carol Cooke’s speech.  Her positive way of looking at obstacles – not in a negative way but simply as her life taking on a different path.  Her journey rather than the destination is what she explained as being the most important.  She also made us realise that everyone has a chance to make a choice to change.  It was inspiring to all who sat and listened to her.  We thank Carol for the way she motivated all the riders and the staff.

Tuesday – Day 2

Today’s riders headed up to Tawonga Gap in two groups.  Our stronger U17 riders as well as Carley and Steve, did the first climb with the U19’s and U23’s.  Our para cyclists, Carol and Han, did a great job in reaching the top of Tawonga Gap.  Carol quoted to coach Helen that she reached 99% of her max heart rate during the final few km’s of the climb.  Secretly, Helen started planning how to make it 100% next time!!!

After a careful descent down the steep side of the climb, the senior boys headed to Falls Creek whilst the second group headed up the valley to Rosewhite.  The riders ‘enjoyed’ a 10km time trial finishing at the top of Rosewhite. Unfortunately for Drew his gear cable broke, leaving him with only the front derailleur working.  So with only two gears working, he did the first half the climb as a strength effort and then the second half as a max spinning effort.

All up group one did 6hrs whilst the second group did just over 4hrs.  This was certainly a big day out for everyone.

In the river after lunch, coach Bec made us play some water relay games.  The losing team were given punishments by the winning team.  The penalties including running with massive rocks held above our heads or holding rocks out in front of us for several minutes.

Next came the adventure ropes course.  This involved a combination of balance and good core strength.  It was certainly evident who has been doing their core exercises. We won’t mention names but you know who you are!!!

After another yummy dinner it was time to watch some ‘backstage Green edge videos’ followed by some twister games.  Watching tired cyclists with 4-6hrs riding in their legs, play twister was extremely funny.  The flexible girls were clearly superior at this game with Han and Carol having a fantastic dual.  Drew Man and Coops (Jayden) provided some good entertainment whilst Markie Kelly threw down a good pretzel challenge against Cam.

With Markie having some ‘issues’ with his stomach yesterday, there were many nervous spectators as Markie twisted himself into some down dog positions!!!

That’s all from the camp so far.

Stay tuned to read the action from Day 3.